Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport
2010 Best Airport
REGION: EUROPE
Runner-Up
In this section you will find some of the more entertaining comments, traveller airport reviews as well as our Athens Airport Guide with info on WiFi, lounges, facilities and services....and yes, even the name of the nearest airport hotel in case you decide that sleeping in the airport is not for you!
Traveller Comments....
"the guards check every sleeping person every 15 minutes in search of drug addicts" (Pirate)
"I was really surprised when I first saw the airport as it looked so luxurious." (JD)
"I actually saw others who had sleeping bags and a whole set-up! I was not that prepared but learned a whole new way of saving on travel " (Heather)
"As soon as you walk into the airport you can smell cleaning products, & you see the cleaners constantly cleaning, which is a good sign." (Natalie)
Recent Review
by BiznaMan
As we live a few hours away from Athens and there's no early morning transportation from our town, we had to stay overnight at the airport in order to catch an early morning flight the next day.
Our first surprise when we arrived was just how busy the airport was so late at night. Many of the food/drink options were open and operating, no matter how late it got (I guess they must be 24/7 operations). We did a full loop of the airport, only to discover all of the seats had already been taken, and even the best floor spots!!!
Eventually we settled down on the floor in a corner right next to the Lufthansa check-in. As it turns out, Lufthansa operates the first flight out of Venizelos in the morning! :'( So, firstly we were awaken by all the noise of the Lufthansa staff as they started up their morning operations; they ignored us, but it was difficult to ignore them in return - high heels on a hard floor ;-)
We managed to kind of doze off again, but this time security personnel were going around the terminal making all people on the floor to get up and find seating. At least they were polite about it. Luckily we found seating on our second tour of the airport. The seating was cushioned and it was possible to use the seats opposite in order to make something of a bed. However, the airport was extremely cold because of over-airconditioning, so despite the relative comfort of the seating, it was still difficult to get any sleep. In fact, my girlfriend got sick because of the cold in the airport.
Venizelos is a fine airport in general, but perhaps not the best place for sleeping. If you simply wish to pass the night and don't care about sleeping, it's a perfect option as you can go have a drink or bite to eat to kill the time until check-in.
The last review for this airport was in 2011. Have you been there recently? Tell us about it!
Athens Airport Guide
The Athens Airport has "House Rules". Rule # 4.3 is "Lying on the floor and sleeping in the terminal are not permitted." How Rude!!!
Airport Lounges
There are lounges in the airport that you can pay to access:
- Aristotle Onassis Lounge - Airside, near Gate A13 in the Extra-Schengen Area.
- Goldair Handling CIP Lounge - Airside, opposite Gate B13 in the Intra-Schengen Area.
- Melina Merkouri Lounge - Airside, near Gate B11 in the Intra-Schengen Area.
- Swissport Executive Lounge - Airside, next to Gate A12 in the Extra-Schengen Area.
Airport WiFi / Internet
- Free wireless internet access is available at the Athens Airport for 60 minutes. Additional time beyond the 60 minutes will be subject to a fee. The WiZ portal provides detailed info on your flight status, news & promos, and the e-tv service allows you to watch tv & videos on your laptop.
- Internet access is also available at the Business Centre on the Arrivals Level for a fee.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in airports does not appeal to you, there is a hotel at Athens Airport:
- Sofitel - 50m from the airport.
- Holiday Inn Athens Airport - 10 minutes drive from the airport. Free scheduled shuttle bus runs from 530am - 10pm.
More Airport Sevices, Facilities and Things to Do at the Airport
- Food
>>>Landside: A Cafe • Kafento • Cafee Ritazza • Gregory's/Cofferight • The Olive Tree • McDonald's • Food Village • Segafredo • Cofferight.
>>>Airside (all passengers area): Travel for Everest/Gloria Jean's • Blue Islands • Cafe Express
>>>Airside (Extra-Schengen area): Gloria Jean's • Flight Time Cafe
>>>Airside (Gates): Illy Cafe • Butterfly Cafe - Showers
The only showers available are in the lounges. - ATMs / Cash Machines
ATMs are located landside on the Arrivals and Departures Levels as well as airside - Luggage Storage / Lockers
Rates start at Eur 3,00 for a small bag (6 hours storage).
- Museum
There is a permanent exhibition dedicated to Eleftherios Venizelos and the Airport Museum. The airport also hosts cultural events, including painting and photography exhibitions, book presentations and a number of cultural collaborations.
- Airport Tours
Athens Airport offers a free two-hour tour of the Main Terminal, Baggage Handling System, Archaeological Museum and Fire Brigade Station, including the “Panther” fire-rescue vehicles. Tours are held Monday - Friday. Contact: (+30) 210 3531335 - Car Rentals
Alamo • Avis • Budget • Europcar • Hertz • National• Sixt. Location: Arrivals Level
Airport Terminal Map
Download the Athens Airport Terminal Map
Airport Hours
open 24 hours
>>>Read All Athens Airport Reviews
Last Updated:
The information in this Airport Guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airport's and their web sites. When you see "information not available" and "unknown", the airport has a lousy web site and/or has been uncooperative in providing information. The information above is subject to change without notice. Use it for informational purposes only to help you during your stay. To report errors, or to add/change any items quoted in the guide, please email me.
