Athens Airport Guide: Avoid Mistakes After Landing

If you’re flying into Athens, your first interaction with Greece will not be the Acropolis, but rather the Eleftherios Venizelos international Airport.

And whether your first impression of the country is calm and efficient, or chaotic and overpriced, depends almost entirely on what you do in the first 60 minutes after landing.

I’m going to be straight with you, Athens airport is great. It’s safe, modern, well-organised, and pretty simple to navigate.

But it’s also full of overpriced nonsense, bad advice, and transport options that will happily drain your wallet or your patience if you don’t know better.

The metro is hands down the best way to get to the city centre or the port of Piraeus, taxis are among the most common causes of frustration, and I’d never trust a train in Greece again until I feel real infrastructure progress.

Furthermore, airport SIM cards are outrageously expensive for greek standards, while ATMs and exchange offices will give you horrible rates.

That said, If you know how to walk your way around you can easily avoid those little things and make your trip more efficient and stress-free.

And that is exactly what this Athens airport guide is here for.

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The Athens airport

Let’s start with some practical information. Athens International Airport (AIA), officially called Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), is Greece’s largest airport and the only one in the greek capital.

It’s located in the Spata area, about 20 km (12.4 miles) east of the city. It is open 24/7 and handles both domestic and international flights.

Getting from the Airport to the city centre

1. Metro – Best Overall

My favourite way of getting to the city (well, rather than car) is the metro because it strikes the best balance between price, convenience, and travel time.

Metro Line 3 (the blue one) goes directly with central Athens and runs roughly every 30 minutes throughout the day.

The ride to Syntagma Square takes about 35-40 minutes, while to the port of Piraeus around 60-70 minutes.

The airport metro ticket costs €9 ($10.55) for a single ride. A return ticket costs €16 ($18.76), and there is also a 3-day tourist ticket for €20 ($21) that includes unlimited public transport in the city plus one return trip to and from the airport.

Tickets can be purchased at the airport metro station from ticket machines or counters.

You can also use contactless payment by tapping a credit or debit card directly on the validator. I’ve waited for years for this feature, but it’s thankfully now available.

One thing to keep in mind is that American Express cards are not always accepted in Greece, so Visa or Mastercard tend to work more reliably.

2. Bus – solid 24/7 option

I’ve had a love-hate relationship this bus. It’s cheap, reliable, and it’s basically the only public transport option that serves the airport and operates 24/7.

That said, they are not the most comfortable way to travel.

The buses themselves aren’t particularly spacious and they can get quite crowded during busy travel hours.

I’ve been squeezed like a sardine inside a can (a lovely greek phrase) plenty of times.

Four airport bus lines operate 24 hours a day and connect the airport with different parts of the city:

• X95 – Airport to Syntagma Square (city centre)
• X96 – Airport to Piraeus Port
• X93 – Airport to Kifissos Bus Station (long-distance buses)
• X97 – Airport to Elliniko Metro Station

The ride to the city takes 45-60 minutes though Athenian traffic doesn’t always help.

A one-way ticket costs €5.50 ($6.45). Tickets work the same way as they do with the metro.

The train – avoid it

Another option is the suburban railway (Proastiakos).

However, I d’d never recommend using it for heading into the city centre. The trains are older, service can be slower, and delays due to technical issues are not uncommon.

There has also been quite a bit of discussion in recent years about the overall condition of the Greek railway system.

On top of that, tickets from the airport cost the same as the metro, which really makes taking the suburban railway hard to justify.

Unless you are for some reason heading toward stations outside the central parts of the city, the metro is the easier and more reliable option.

4. Taxi – with caution

I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with taxis in Athens over the years.

They can be the easiest option if you are arriving very late at night or carrying heavy luggage, but they are also one of the most common sources of frustration for visitors.

Complaints about taxi drivers in Athens have been around for years, and not without reason.

Part of the problem is the driving style. Some drivers go alarmingly fast, and the ride can feel more stressful than it needs to.

But the biggest issue is usually the price.

For trips between Athens Airport and the city centre, there is an official flat fare by law: €40 during the day and €55 between 00:00 and 05:00. 

However, there have been cases where drivers quote inflated prices to tourists.

Payment can also become an issue.

Taxi drivers in Greece are required to accept card payments, and taxis are also required to display a sticker telling passengers that cards are accepted (that’s how big the issue was).

Even so, some drivers still claim that the POS machine is not working in an attempt to push people into paying cash.  

That’s why I would skip taxis whenever possible. But if you do need one, use FREENOW or Uber. It is simply the safest and least annoying way to do it.

If you want a fuller breakdown of how taxis work in Athens, including scams to watch out for and when they are still worth using, I have written a complete Athens taxi guide.

Renting a Car

I don’t think that renting a car just for Athens is a good idea. Traffic is bad, and parking can become a nightmare.

That said, a car becomes much more useful if you are planning to head outside the city.

Both Greek and international rental companies have offices at the airport, and picking up a car after arrival is fairly straightforward.

Still, rental cars can sell out quickly, especially in the busier months, so it is worth booking in advance if you already know you will need one.

For comparing prices between different companies, I recommend checking DiscoverCars.

The platform lists both local and international rental providers, which gives a wider range of options. They also offer 24/7 customer support and free cancellation on many bookings, which can be helpful if travel plans change.

Buying a SIM card at the Athens Airport

Another thing I would avoid doing at the airport is buying a SIM card, because they are significantly more expensive than the same products in the city.

Last time I went there I saw Vodafone SIM cards selling for €40 ($44).

For what it offers, that’s absurd, and Vodafone isn’t even the best network from my experience.

Rather than settling for that, take the metro to the city and buy a Cosmote SIM card from one of the many Germanos stores.

Once you have the SIM card, top up your balance and activate data packages directly through their app.

Another option is to skip physical SIM cards altogether and use an eSIM.

If you don’t need a Greek phone number, eSIM plans are often simpler and cheaper. Saily offers packages starting from $4.99, and you can get 5% off by using the code NICK5.

For a detailed explanation of how mobile data works in the country, I’ve written a full guide on SIM cards in Athens.

Money exchange

Again, this is something I would avoid if possible.

Most places in Athens accept card payments, including restaurants, cafés, shops, and even taxis, so you probably will not need much cash during your stay.

Currency exchange offices at the airport are easy to find, but their rates are usually bad.

ATMs are also available and most international cards work fine. However, fees can be very high, and the four systemic banks have been fined for cartel-like practices regarding those.

If you do need cash, bank branches in the city centre generally offer better exchange rates.

In general, using a card with good international exchange rates, such as Revolut or a similar service, is the simplest option.

It lets you pay directly in euros without many of the extra fees that often come with traditional bank cards.

Hotels at the Airport

If you want to stay right at the airport, so you can walk out of arrivals and check in within minutes, there is really only one option.

Sofitel Athens Airport is a 5-star hotel directly across the road from the terminal and next to the metro station, which makes it extremely convenient for an early flight or a long layover.

The rooms are modern, the service is excellent, and there are also amenities like an indoor pool and a rooftop restaurant.

Staying right at the airport does come at a premium, but in terms of convenience, it is hard to beat.

Hotels with free Airport shuttle

If you want to avoid airport-hotel prices but still want an easy transfer, there are a few solid options just a short drive away that offer free shuttle service:

• Holiday Inn Athens – Airport by IHG – A very popular choice for a layover or early flight. It is owned by the international chain and offers a free airport shuttle 24/7 and good comfort for the price.
• Airscape Hotel Free Shuttle From Athens Airport – An elegant hotel with free shuttle service to/from the airport. Great balance of price, comfort, and location.
• Comfort Stay – Rooms are comfortable, and it’s ideal for a short overnight before or after a flight.

Tourist information Desks

There are 24/7 Airport Information Counters located both in Arrivals and Departures. Employees are knowledgeable and speak good English.

Restaurants and Cafés Before Security

If you want to eat before going through security, the best options in the public area are La Pasteria – Flocafé, Mailos, Gregory’s, and Burger King.

La Pasteria – Flocafé and mailos are fantastic options for pasta, while Ancho is there for Tex-Mex, and Gregory’s is more useful for coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and something quick if you are not in the mood for a full meal.  

Restaurants and Cafés After Security

After security, the choice depends on whether you are flying Schengen or non-Schengen.

In the Schengen area, useful options include Eat Greek, Bistrot Attica Athens / Lukumades, Pret A Manger, and Gregory’s.

Eat Greek is my pick for something recognisably Greek, while Bistrot Attica is better for a more complete meal and Lukumades covers the dessert side of things. Gregory’s is again the safer choice for coffee, sandwiches, and grab-and-go food.  

In the non-Schengen area, you have Amore, Ergon Greek Cuisine, Gregory’s, To Go, and Bufala Gelato.

Amore is the best fit if you want a proper meal with pizza, pasta, or risotto, while Ergon is the one to go for if you want Greek deli-style food. Gregory’s and To Go are better for coffee and snacks, and Bufala Gelato is there if all you want is something sweet before boarding.  

Lounges at Athens Airport

There are surprisingly many lounges at the airport.

In Area A (non-Schengen), there are lounges from Aegean, Swissport, Skyserv, and Goldair. In 

Area B (Schengen), you will find Aegean, Goldair, Lufthansa, and Skyserv Melina Mercouri, plus an additional Goldair lounge in the satellite terminal.  

Access depends on your airline, ticket type, lounge membership, or whether the lounge sells entry directly, so it is worth checking in advance rather than assuming you can walk in on the day.

If you have a long wait, though, this is one of the easier airports in the region for finding somewhere quieter to sit, eat, and charge your devices.  

Storing luggage in Athens

Athens isn’t the friendliest city to move luggage around. Pavements are small, sometimes damaged, and the city is not flat.

Also, can you imagine carrying things in the scorching Summer heat?

Therefore, it will be really hard to move around (or do some sightseeing) on your first or last day in the city while having your staff with you.

Bounce has a list of places you can store your luggage, starting from just 1.95€ ($2).

They also offer 24/7 support and a guarantee for up to $10.000, so you can rest assured that your belongings are always protected.

FAQ – Athens airport

Final Thoughts

Athens Airport itself is good. The problem is not really the airport. It is the bad choices around it.

If you avoid the overpriced SIM cards, skip the exchange desks, and pick the right transport into the city, the whole arrival goes much more smoothly.

Get that first hour right, and Athens starts far better.

If you’re planning the rest of your stay, you might also want to check my guides on where to stay in Athens, how to get around the city, and what to do during your visit.