From Arrival to Departure: A Detailed Walkthrough of Athens International Airport
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Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (AIA) is Greece’s largest and busiest airport, serving as a hub for international and domestic flights. Located in Spata between the areas of Artemida, Koropi, and Markopoulo, Athens Airport is around 30 kilometers to the east of central Athens.
Inaugurated in 2001 and following a steady increase in passenger traffic, in 2018, Athens International Airport ranked as the 27th-busiest airport in Europe, handling over 24.1 million passengers that year alone.
Athens Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” Terminals
The Athens International Airport has two terminals: The Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal.
In the Main Terminal, which is housed in a three-story building, are located all 144 check-in desks and Hall A (international flights to non-European countries and Non-Schengen countries and Hall B (domestic and intra-Schengen flights).
The second terminal, called The Satellite Terminal, consists of two levels, one for arrivals and one for departures, and is used by around ten airlines, including Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling, and Norwegian.
Shops, Restaurants and Cafés On The Athens Airport
Shopping
Athens International Airport features a shopping center filled with stores and boutiques of all kinds. The Hellenic Duty-Free Shops, located both in the departure and arrivals areas, offer an assortment of items. From perfumes, cosmetics, and souvenirs to tobacco, confectionery, and Greek delicacies, the Hellenic Duty-Free Shops have many brands and products at competitive prices. Clothing and accessories boutiques, electronics shops, and bookstores can be found at the Free Access Area or different parts of the Departures Level.
Courtesy: wikimedia.org
Restaurants and Cafés
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing beverage, a quick bite, or a tasty Greek meal, Athens International Airport’s wide range of restaurants and cafés can satisfy every traveler’s hunger. Starbucks, Burger King, Eat Greek, and Easy Grab n Go are some of the places you’ll find at the airport’s Departures Level. Aside from a wide range of shops, restaurants & cafés, there are also six ATMs available in Athens International Airport and an Alpha Bank desk located at the Arrivals Level. One post office is situated in the Free Access Area on the Arrivals Level.
Athens Airport Services and Facilities for Travelers
Health Facilities
A fully equipped First Aid Station is available to passengers and visitors on a 24-hour basis, and a pharmacy operates from 06:00 – 24:00. Moreover, several defibrillators are stored in special cabinets within the Terminal Areas.
Baggage services
At Athens International Airport, there are quick baggage wrapping points, while Care4bag provides safe baggage storage services.
Parking at the Athens International Airport
A specially designated long-term parking area with 5,800 parking spaces available is located across the Attiki Odos motorway, the airport’s main access road. Long Term Parking also features parking spaces for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.
Dedicated parking spaces can also be found at Short-Term Parking (1 and 2). Economy parking, ideal for longer stays, is also available at Athens International Airport.
Free WI-FI Internet in the Athens Airport
Within the Τerminal of the Athens International Airport, passengers can connect to the “ATH Free Wi-Fi” service for free while 22 Internet Access Points set throughout the airport are available to travelers and visitors. Now, if you want to buy a sim card from the Athens Airport, here’s how to do it.
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (AIA) Transport
Public Transportation: Metro and Buses
Athens International Airport is connected with the rest of Athens and the port of Piraeus via Metro’s Line 3 (Blue Line), the Suburban Railway, and four bus routes (X93, X95, X96, X97) with directions to different areas of Athens and Piraeus.
The buses’ terminal station is at the Departures Level, and the starting point is at the Arrivals Level, between Exits 4 and 5.
Aside from the X96 line bus, Athens International Airport is also connected to the Port of Piraeus by the suburban railway and the metro, changing from line 3 to line 1 at Monastiraki station.
Five regional buses are operating at the airport departing from the Arrivals Level, between Exits 2 and 3, opposite the Airport Hotel (Sofitel).
The regional buses set down passengers at the Departures Level. These regional buses head to the Port of Rafina or the Port of Lavrio, and passengers must take them from the Arrivals Level opposite the airport hotel (Sofitel). However, there isn’t any direct route to the Port of Lavrio, so passengers must change buses at Markopoulo.
The metro ticket costs €9, and the bus ticket to Athens or the port of Piraeus costs €5.50. The ticket price for regional buses to the Port of Rafina is €4,00.
Taxi Services
Exit 3 of the Arrivals Level has a designated Taxi waiting area where several taxis are always available. The taxi flat fare is €40 in the daytime (05.00 – 00.00) and €55 (00.00 – 05.00) at night.
Transfer services
There is a great number of transport companies providing transportation services upon request. The price changes depending on the company, the type of car as well as the destination
Hotels to Stay Near the Athens Airport
There are numerous hotels for all budgets and styles situated in the areas close to Athens International Airport, accessible within a 30-minute drive accessible within a 30-minute drive.
However, if you’re looking for a place to stay without leaving the airport, Sofitel Hotel is the right choice for you.
Located 50 meters opposite the arrival and departure terminals, Sofitel is the only hotel situated within Athens International Airport. The 5-star hotel features 345 soundproofed rooms, 12 suites, one presidential suite, and two executive floors.
See the article below for a more detailed guide on hotels at Athens International Airport.
Athens International Airport contact details:
- ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT “EL. VENIZELOS” SA, SPATA 19019
- Call Centre: (+30) 2103530000 (Available on 24hr basis) fax: (+30) 2103530001
- email: airport_info@aia.gr
- website: www.aia.gr
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