Getting to Athens: By Air, Sea, and Land

Athens is served by Athens International Airport (ATH) — also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport — located about 33 kilometres east of the city center. It’s a major European hub with direct connections to most European capitals, the Middle East, and North American gateway cities.

By air

The airport handles around 30 million passengers per year and is served by all major European carriers alongside Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air (both part of the Aegean Airlines Group), the primary Greek carriers. Direct transatlantic connections operate from several North American cities seasonally. The airport is modern and generally efficient, with clear signage and a manageable layout.

Flights from London take approximately 3.5 hours; from Frankfurt or Paris, 2.5–3 hours; from Dubai or Istanbul, around 3 hours. Budget carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Volotea) serve Athens extensively from across Europe, often making it one of the more affordable major European city destinations to reach.

Airport to city center

The Metro (Line 3, blue) is the most practical connection — the journey from the airport to Syntagma takes approximately 40 minutes, with trains running every 30 minutes. Tickets cost €10 single; the airport ticket is valid on all public transport in Athens for 90 minutes after validation. The Metro is reliable, has luggage space, and operates from approximately 6:30am to midnight.

The suburban railway (proastiakos) offers a faster connection to Larissa railway station in the center. Taxis from the airport to the center operate on a fixed tariff: €40 during the day and €55 at night (midnight–5am); the journey takes 30–45 minutes in normal traffic, longer during rush hours. Rideshare apps (Uber, Beat) work at the airport and often offer predictable pricing.

By ferry

International ferry connections arrive at Piraeus from the Italian ports of Bari, Brindisi, and Ancona via Igoumenitsa and Patras — a 36–72 hour sea crossing that’s an experience in itself. Piraeus connects to the Metro (Line 1), making it straightforward to reach the city center from the port.