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.
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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:
Landside
- Upstairs hallway before the restaurants has private nooks for floor sleeping.
- Above the Arrivals area: a small cluster of armrest-free benches.
- Benches inside Burger King (Terminal 1).
A Gates (Airside)
- Cushioned, armless benches in A Gates 1–8, especially near Flocafe (open 24 hours).
B Gates (Airside)
- B22: armrest-free benches, but chilly.
- Gates B12–B13: several recliners and cushioned armless seating.
- Gate B18b: new benches with USB/AC power outlets.
- Gates B20–B31: many armrest-free benches; some cushioned.
C Gates
- C15–C18: armrest-free benches and generally calm overnight conditions.
Common sleep challenges reported include bright lighting, occasional late-night noise from food areas, cold floors, and difficulty finding armrest-free seating in some parts of the terminal. While some travellers slept undisturbed, others noted that experiences vary depending on staff and location.
For those seeking more privacy and comfort, an on-site airport hotel option is available. 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.
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, with landside and airside access available overnight. Security checkpoints operate 24/7, though some Schengen areas (Hall B) may close between approximately 1:00 AM – 4:00 AM, depending on flight schedules. A valid boarding pass is required to remain airside overnight.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no official rest or quiet zones. Travellers have reported quieter seating areas in the following locations:
- Airside, near Gate B22 (Schengen)
- Airside, near Gate A15 (non-Schengen)
- Landside, near the pharmacy (Level 0)
Availability and suitability may vary depending on time of day and operational changes. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
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
For travellers who prefer not to sleep in public seating areas, there are nearby hotel options. While there are no transit hotels or in-terminal sleep cabins, several hotels are either walkable or reachable by shuttle.
- Sofitel Athens Airport – Located 50 metres opposite the terminal / two-minute walk from the airport’s main terminal. » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Athens Airport » Check Rates
- Comfort Stay Airport Boutique 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.
Goldair Handling Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Non-Schengen Area, Level 2, opposite Gate A11. Hours: 06:00 AM – 08:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€38-€49) • Lounge membership programs • Credit card programs (Diners Club, Mastercard Airport Experiences, American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X) • Business/First Class passengers on select airlines.
Skyserv Melina Merkouri Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Non-Schengen Area, near Gate A15. Hours: 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€30) • Lounge membership programs • Credit card programs (Diners Club, Mastercard Airport Experiences, American Express Platinum) • oneworld Sapphire/Emerald members flying Iberia or Royal Air Maroc • Business/First Class passengers on oneworld airlines.
Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Non-Schengen Area, near Gate A10. Hours: 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€30) • Lounge membership programs • Credit card programs (Diners Club, Mastercard Airport Experiences, American Express Platinum) • SkyTeam Elite Plus Frequent Flyers • Business/First Class passengers on SkyTeam airlines.
Goldair Handling CIP Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Schengen Area, Level 1, opposite Gate B13. Hours: 06:00 AM – 08:00 PM daily. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€38-€49) • Lounge membership programs • Credit card programs (Diners Club, Mastercard Airport Experiences, American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X) • Business/First Class passengers on select airlines.
Swissport Executive Lounge – Location: Level 2, Airside, Extra Schengen Area, after duty-free shops. Hours: 04:30 AM – 08:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€38-€49) • Lounge membership programs • Credit card programs (Diners Club, Mastercard Airport Experiences, American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X) • SkyTeam Elite Plus Frequent Flyers • Business/First Class passengers on SkyTeam airlines.
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.
Drinking Water
Free water refill points have been reported in several airside locations, including Schengen, non-Schengen, and Satellite areas, though availability and exact placement may change.
Landside, drinking water is limited to restroom taps (Level 0) or bottled water purchases from cafés and shops. Tap water is potable, though some travellers prefer bottled water. If this is incorrect, click here to update the guide.
Food & Drinks
The following outlets open 24-hours: Artisan-Taf • Bistrot Attica Athens • Cultivos • Camden Food Co. • Eat Greek • Ergon Greek Cuisine • Everest • Levito • Mon Kooloor • Veneti Go!
For groceries and basic supplies, AB Vassilopoulos mini market is located on the Arrivals Level, landside, offering packaged foods, baked goods, and general essentials.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Care4Bag offers luggage storage. Location: T1, Arrivals Level, Landside. Rates: €5-10 per item/day. Hours: 24 hours.
Mobile Charging
Charging stations are available in several airside areas, including Schengen, non-Schengen, and Satellite gates, as well as landside near the arrivals level. Power outlets can be limited, especially overnight. Travellers are advised to carry adapters and power banks.
Showers
Public showers are available airside near Gate A10 for a fee (approximately €10) and are typically accessible 24 hours.
Some lounges also offer shower facilities, either included with entry or available to eligible passengers, depending on lounge access rules.
WiFi / Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available. Connect to the “ATH Free Wi-Fi” network. Internet kiosks are also available throughout the terminal, offering a short free session, after which usage becomes 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 landside and airside. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s withdrawal limits and international fees before travelling.
Baby Care Facilities – Facilities for feeding and changing babies are available in designated baby care rooms and some restrooms throughout the terminals, both landside and airside.
Banking Services – Alpha Bank operates a full-service branch on the Arrivals Level, landside, with limited hours.
Currency Exchange – ONExchange provides foreign currency exchange services in multiple landside and airside locations and is reported to operate 24 hours.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shops are located airside in both Schengen and non-Schengen departures. Additional retail shops are available throughout the terminal, with many open late or overnight.
Luggage Wrapping – Protective luggage wrapping is available through Care4Bag on the Arrivals Level, landside.
Medical Services – First aid services are available 24 hours. Contact an Information Desk for assistance if needed.
Pharmacy – A pharmacy is located on the Arrivals Level, landside, and operates extended daily hours.
Post Office – The airport’s post office, operated by ELTA Hellenic Post, is located on the Arrivals Level, landside, with limited daily hours.
Salon Services – Fairy Nails offers basic nail and beauty services on the Departures Level, landside.
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)
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: 2026-01-13
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.