Athens International Airport (ATH)
ICAO: LGAV
Live Flight Status
Athens International Airport (ATH) Arrivals & Departures — check real-time flight status, delays, gate changes, and baggage claim information for all domestic and international flights at ATH.
Overview
Athens International Airport (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV), also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is the primary international airport serving Athens, the capital of Greece, and the busiest airport in the country. Located about 20 km east of Athens city centre in the municipality of Spata, ATH is the main hub for Aegean Airlines (A3) and Sky Express (GQ), and the primary gateway to Greece.
Opened in March 2001, Athens International Airport replaced the aging Ellinikon International Airport as the city’s main aviation hub. It was built ahead of the 2004 Summer Olympics and has since become one of the most modern and award-winning airports in Europe. The airport operates two terminals — the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal — connected by an underground automated people mover. The Main Terminal handles all check-in, arrivals, and baggage claim, while the Satellite Terminal is used exclusively for non-Schengen departures. The airport also has a dedicated cargo area and is connected to Athens by Metro Line 3, the Proastiakos suburban railway, and several bus routes.
ATH connects to over 160 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Africa, served by more than 60 airlines. It is a key hub for Aegean Airlines (A3) and a major gateway between Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Popular routes include London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Rome (FCO), Dubai (DXB), Istanbul (IST), and New York (JFK).
In 2024, Athens International Airport handled approximately 31 million passengers, making it one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe. The airport is a key economic driver for the Attica region and a major part of Greece’s tourism infrastructure.
Popular Destinations from Athens International Airport (ATH)
Regional routes include Istanbul (IST), Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Cairo (CAI), Tel Aviv (TLV), and Beirut (BEY). Airlines serving these routes include Aegean Airlines (A3), Turkish Airlines (TK), Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), EgyptAir (MS), El Al (LY), and Middle East Airlines (ME).
Long-haul routes also include New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Montreal (YUL), Singapore (SIN), and Beijing (PEK). The airport connects over 160 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Africa, operated by more than 60 airlines including Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA), American Airlines (AA), Air Canada (AC), and Singapore Airlines (SQ).
Terminals
Athens International Airport operates two passenger terminals — the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal — connected by an underground automated people mover that runs every 2–3 minutes.
The Main Terminal handles all check-in, arrivals, and baggage claim, as well as most departures for both Schengen and non-Schengen flights. It is divided into two main areas: Hall A (non-Schengen departures) and Hall B (Schengen departures and all arrivals). The terminal features a large duty-free area, multiple lounges (including the Aegean Airlines Lounge, the Goldair Handling Lounge, and the Swissport Lounge), and a wide range of dining and shopping options.
The Satellite Terminal is a smaller building connected to the Main Terminal by an underground people mover. It is used exclusively for non-Schengen departures during peak hours, providing additional gate capacity. Passengers using the Satellite Terminal must pass through passport control before boarding the people mover.
The airport also has a dedicated cargo area and a separate general aviation terminal. The Main Terminal is directly connected to Metro Line 3 and the Proastiakos suburban railway, providing fast access to central Athens.
The minimum connection time at ATH is 45 minutes for Schengen-to-Schengen transfers and 60 minutes for international-to-international transfers. Passengers using the Satellite Terminal should allow at least 20 minutes for the transfer from the Main Terminal.
| Terminal | Purpose | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Main Terminal | All check-in, arrivals & most departures (Schengen & non-Schengen) | Aegean Airlines (A3), Sky Express (GQ), British Airways (BA), Lufthansa (LH), Air France (AF), KLM (KL), Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), Turkish Airlines (TK) |
| Satellite Terminal | Non-Schengen departures during peak hours | Aegean Airlines (A3), Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA), Singapore Airlines (SQ) |
Transportation
Athens International Airport is well connected to Athens city centre and the surrounding region through several transport options. The airport is located about 20 km east of Athens.
Metro Line 3
The Athens Metro Line 3 connects the airport directly to the city centre, with stops at Syntagma Square, Monastiraki, and other key locations. Trains run every 30 minutes from 06:30 to 23:30. The journey to Syntagma takes about 40 minutes. A single ticket costs €9.00 (or €4.50 for a one-day tourist ticket). This is the fastest and most convenient option for reaching the city centre.
Proastiakos Suburban Railway
The Proastiakos suburban railway connects the airport to Athens Central Station (Larissa) and Piraeus Port. Trains run every 30–60 minutes. The journey to Larissa takes about 40 minutes, and to Piraeus about 60 minutes. A single ticket costs €9.00. This option is convenient for passengers heading to Piraeus for ferries.
Bus
Several bus routes connect the airport to various parts of Athens and the surrounding region. Express bus routes X93, X95, X96, and X97 serve Piraeus, Syntagma, Kifissia, and other key destinations. Buses run 24/7, with fares starting from €6.00. The journey to Syntagma takes about 60 minutes. This is the cheapest option but has longer journey times.
Taxi
Official taxis are available 24/7 outside the Arrivals hall. A flat-rate fare of €40 applies for journeys to the city centre during the day (05:00–24:00), and €55 at night (00:00–05:00). The journey takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Only licensed taxis (yellow with black checkers) should be used.
Ride-hailing
Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow operate at ATH. Pick-up zones are clearly marked outside the terminal. Prices are similar to taxis but can be higher during peak hours.
Private Transfer
Book a driver in advance for a stress-free arrival. Prices start from €50 for a sedan, including meet & greet in the arrivals hall. Popular with families and business travellers.
Car Rental
Major international and local car rental companies operate at ATH, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of the Main Terminal.
Car Rental at Athens International Airport (ATH)
Compare live rates from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of the Main Terminal. Free cancellation on most bookings.
🚗 Search available cars →Hotels Near Athens International Airport (ATH)
Choose from 40+ hotels near Athens International Airport — from budget options like Ibis and Holiday Inn to premium brands like the Sofitel Athens Airport (directly connected to the terminal) and the Athens Airport Hotel. Free airport shuttle available at most properties.
🏨 See nearby hotels →Athens International Airport (ATH) Map & Layout
Interactive map showing terminals, parking, taxi stands, ride-hailing pickup zones, and nearby landmarks.
Airport Information & Contacts
Spata 190 19, Greece