Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Athens Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
Security announcements are a bit loud and frequent. At 4 they turn on music, really too loud even through ear plugs.” – a traveller
ATH Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos.
What to Expect
Relative to other airports in Greece, Athens Airport (code: ATH) is Greece’s largest and most modern airport. It has a main terminal with two halls (Hall A for non-Schengen flights, Hall B for Schengen flights) and a satellite terminal. The terminals are connected by an underground walkway with a moving sidewalk and an above-ground walkway.
Amenities at Athens Airport are simple and to the point. Several restaurants are open 24 hours a day, and there are art installations and a museum to briefly keep you entertained. WiFi is available to pass the time. For those looking for a little added comfort, there are first-class lounges that economy-class passengers can pay to access.
Sleeping in Athens Airport
Athens Airport hasn’t always been friendly towards those spending the night. There are very few comfortable or armrest-free benches, with some reviewers reporting that staying awake and upright all night is the better option. If you are going to spend the night, it seems that the airside area offers more sleeping options than the landside area. Here are decent sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- The area around Gate B22 has some armrest-free benches, though they are a little chilly.
- Benches inside Burger King (Terminal 1).
- Landside, head upstairs to the hallway just before the restaurants for private nooks to lie on the floor.
- Above the Arrivals area, there’s a small area with a few armrest-free benches.
If none of this sounds like an experience you would like to have, there are hotels nearby. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Athens Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can write a review and submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours for landside and airside access. Security checkpoints operate 24/7, though some Schengen gates (Hall B) may close from 1:00 AM–4:00 AM. A valid boarding pass is required for overnight airside stays.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
Cots
Airport Hotels & Day Rooms
Quick Facts
- Nearest Hotel: Within a two-minute walk from the airport
- Sleep Cabins & Pods: No
- Day Rooms: Yes
- Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there are options for those looking to sleep at Athens Airport in comfort. While there are no transit hotels, nearby hotels are accessible by foot or airport shuttles.
- Sofitel Athens Airport – Located 50 metres / two-minute walk from the airport’s main terminal. » Check Rates
- 4MS Flight Apartments » Check Rates
- Artemis GreenHill » Check Rates
- Comfort Stay Airport Boutique Hotel » Check Rates
- Comfort Stay Airport Studios » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Athens Airport » Check Rates
- Luxury Home » Check Rates
- Peri’s Hotel » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Athens Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
Terminal A
- Goldair Handling Lounge – Location: Hall A, Airside, Non-Schengen Area, Level 2, opposite Gate A11.
- Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge – Location: Hall A, Airside, Extra-Schengen Area, across from Gate A9.
- Swissport Lounge – Location: Hall A, Airside, Non-Schengen Area, next to Gate A12.
Terminal B
- Goldair Handling CIP Lounge – Location: Hall B, Airside, Schengen Area, Level 1, opposite Gate B13.
- Skyserv Melina Merkouri Lounge – Location: Hall B, Airside, Intra-Schengen Area, near Gate B11.
Airline Lounges
You may have access to the lounge listed below if you are a First or Business Class traveller. For more information, check the airline’s website.
Aegean Airlines Club (Location: Non-Schengen, Departures Area A, 3rd Floor) • Aegean Airlines Club (Location: Schengen, Departures Area B) • Lufthansa Business Lounge (Location: Hall B, Airside, Schengen Area, opposite Gate B12).
Related Pages: Athens Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Food & Drinks
When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, most food concessions are open 24 hours a day. Here are some 24-hour vendors: Camden Food Co. • Eat Greek • Ergon • Everest • Gregory Holy Burger Cinnabon • La Pasteria • Nescafe Bar • Plate’ a • Puro Gusto.
If you need to pick up groceries on your way home to your destination in Athens, stop at the airport mini market AB Vassilopoulos. Fresh produce, baked goods, cleaning supplies, and general groceries are available. Location: Arrivals Level, Landside.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Care4Bag offers luggage storage. Location: T1, Arrivals Level, Landside. Rates: €5-10 per item/day. Hours: 24 hours.
Mobile Charging
Showers
Showers are located Airside, near Gate A10 (€10, open 24 hours).
A few lounges also have showers: Aegean Business Lounge (T1, Airside, Schengen, near Gate B13, €35 entry, shower included) • Skyserv Lounge (T1, Airside, non-Schengen, near Gate A15, ~€30 entry, shower included) • Goldair Handling Lounge (T1, Airside, near Gate A10).
WiFi / Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available. Connect to the “ATH Free Wi-Fi” network. Free WiFi is also available for 15 minutes through one of the 10 internet kiosks located throughout the airport. After 15 minutes, the kiosks are coin-operated.
Security & Safety
Many travellers report that airport staff are generally okay with the travellers who choose to sleep here overnight, which means you probably won’t be woken up by security staff. Depending on where you spend the night, you may receive a polite wake-up call between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. as more travellers arrive at the airport.
In terms of safety, we have received a few reports of sketchy behaviour, especially in the landside areas, where vagrants or homeless people may mill about during the night. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside (on the Arrivals and Departures Levels) and Airside.
- Baby Care Facilities – Facilities for changing and feeding your baby are available in designated baby care rooms and restrooms throughout both terminals (landside and airside). Look for the baby care symbol or ask an Information Desk staff member for help.
- Banking Services – Alpha Bank offers full-service banking in the airport. Location: Arrivals Level, Landside. Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon-Fri) • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat-Sun and Bank Holidays).
- Children’s Play Area – At one point, there were play zones for children aged 1.5 – 7. We could not confirm this at the time of our August 2023 update. If they are still there, click here to update the guide.
- Currency Exchange – ONExchange offers currency exchanges. Locations: Departures and Arrivals, Landside • Departures, Landside, Schengen • Departures, airside, Non-Schengen • Arrivals Level, Baggage Claim. Hours: Open 24 hours.
- Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside on the Departures Level of both Schengen and non-Schengen areas. In addition, various retail shops are available, most open 24 hours!
- Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having them wrapped in plastic by Care4Bag. Location: Arrivals Level, Landside.
- Medical Services – First aid services are available if you feel unwell or injure yourself. Hours: 24 hours. Contact the information desk for further assistance.
- Pharmacy – Location: Arrivals Level, Landside. Hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM.
- Post Office – Send your last-minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s ELTA Hellenic Post Office. Location: Arrivals, Landside. Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Mon-Sat) • 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Sun & public holidays).
- Salon Services – Fairy Nails offers body and nail services. Location: Departures Level, Landside. Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
- SIM Cards – A reader let us know, “there was a stand selling SIM cards at the baggage reclaim area (in the main terminal, I think). Working hours or rates are not known to me.” (October 2023)
- Travel Agencies – At one point, the Aktina Travel Group had a store Landside, in the Arrivals area. We could not confirm this at the time of our August 2023 update.
Related Pages: 8 Things to do on a layover at Athens Airport
Museum – History is on display through permanent exhibitions from the Acropolis Museum (Main Terminal), the Eleftherios Venizelos Permanent Exhibition featuring Greek aviation history (Main Terminal – Departures Level) and Exhibition of Archaeological Findings (Main Terminal – Departures Level, Entrance 3 and front entrances. 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily).
Related Pages: 8 Things to do on a layover at Athens Airport
Bus
ATH Airport is very well connected with four city bus lines connecting the airport with Athens and Piraeus. For schedules, fares and bus stops, go to the OASA website. Buses depart from the Arrivals level, between exits 4 and 5. Five regional buses also stop at the airport for passengers looking to travel to surrounding cities. To find out more information, visit the KTEL website. Buses depart at the Arrivals level, between exits 2 and 3.
Car Rentals
Car hire is available from several providers within the airport. Companies include Avance • Avis • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • Sixt. Location: Arrivals Level.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide an airport shuttle: Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera • Holiday Inn Athens Airport • Comfort Stay Airport Boutique Hotel • Hotel Avra Rafina.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Port Access
If your travels include taking a ferry, you can connect from the airport via Metro Line 3 (then at Monastiraki transfer to Metro Line 1) with a total journey time of 60 minutes. Alternatively, the bus Route X96 Piraeus will also provide access to the port of Piraeus.
Ride Sharing
Uber Taxi is available throughout Greece. A ride to the city centre will cost you from €40 to €45.
Taxi
Metered taxis are readily available at the taxi stand located on the Arrivals Level, exit 3. At the time of this update, one-way flat fares between the airport and Athens city centre inner ring, in either direction, cost € 40 (from 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM) or € 55 (from 12:00 AM – 5:00 AM).
Train
ATH Airport is connected to the metro system via Metro Line 3 (Blue), and for longer-distance trains, the airport is served via the Athens Suburban Railways. For fares, routes and schedules, visit either the Urban Rail Transport website (for metro connections) or the trainOSE website for longer-distance options.
Last updated: 2025-02-28
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.