Sleeping in Athens Airport

If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Athens airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Athens airport provides essential information for seasoned airport sleepers and newbies to help travellers arrive prepared for the experience.

We keep this guide up-to-date with the help of airport sleepers who have generously shared their experiences and airport reviews. If you have any tips or photos to contribute, please take a moment to write a review. Your feedback will help us stay informed about the latest advice for future sleepy travellers.

Sleeping in Athens Airport

Locations & Seating

The good news is there are plenty of seats and benches, but it seems to be a toss-up if you’ll find something comfortable enough for sleeping. Keep your eyes peeled for armrest-free benches, or be prepared to sprawl out on the floor. When all else fails, you certainly won’t be the only traveller trying to stay up all night.

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 some private nooks to lie on the floor.
Above the Arrivals area, there’s a small area with a few armrest-free benches.

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Rest Zones

At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.

Hotels

Prefer some privacy and comfort? If you would like a good solid sleep, a Sofitel is located just 50 meters from the main terminal, with overnight and day rooms available, plus spa access for non-guests. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Athens Airport.

Lounges

While Athens Airport has several lounges, none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you only want to relax in a comfortable seat for a few hours before your flight, check out this list of lounges in our Athens Airport Guide that you can pay to access.

Airport Conditions

If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Temperature – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers about terminal temperature. Still, you can expect the airport to cool down at night as the air conditioning continues to run and fewer people are inside. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
Lighting – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers related to terminal brightness. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
Noise – Quite a few travellers have reported noise in the middle of the night, specifically music that plays over loudspeakers between 12:00 AM – 4:00 AM. You can also expect occasional airport announcements. One reviewer mentioned construction crews contributing to the noise factor, though that seemed temporary. As a precaution, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

Food & Drink

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: Buondi Caffe, Heineken Star Bar, illy Bar, Kir-Yianni Wine Bar, Burger King, Puro Gusto, and To Go.

Showers

Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up.

Security & Safety

Many travellers report that airport staff generally don’t mind 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 AM – 6:00 AM 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 important 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 located 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. 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 woke up 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 awake, 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.