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ATHLGAV

Athens International Airport

Athens, GR

Airportist Score

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ATHLGAVModerate

Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos"

Athens, Greece · Europe

ATH is a clean, food-strong Aegean hub with excellent city links, offset by summer ATC delays, Hall A Priority Pass crowding, and a Line 3 night split that catches late arrivals.

Airportist Score

7.6/ 10

Very good

Ease of use7.8
Comfort & amenities7.4
Food & retail8.0
Ground access8.4
Reliability6.2
Lounges7.7

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare ATH with another airport

Arrive

Security

Fastest

Cheapest

Lounges

On time

ATHGuide

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Nearby airports

All airports Official site

ATHLGAVModerate

Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos"

Athens, Greece · Europe

ATH is a clean, food-strong Aegean hub with excellent city links, offset by summer ATC delays, Hall A Priority Pass crowding, and a Line 3 night split that catches late arrivals.

Airportist Score

7.6/ 10

Very good

Ease of use7.8
Comfort & amenities7.4
Food & retail8.0
Ground access8.4
Reliability6.2
Lounges7.7

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare ATH with another airport

Arrive
2.5 h
before departure
Typical security
15 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
35-45 min
Metro Line 3 (Blue Line)
Cheapest to city
OASA Express X95
$ · 55-90 min
Lounges
8
4 rated worth it
On time
56%
of departures

12 photos

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

PKHPorto Cheli Airport
Porto Cheli
100 km
JSYSyros Island National Airport
Syros Island
105 km
SKUSkyros Island National Airport
Skyros
124 km
JMKMykonos International Airport
Mykonos
135 km
JSISkiathos Island National Airport
Skiathos
143 km
PASParos National Airport
Paros
145 km

Compare ATH vs JMK

PKHPorto Cheli Airport
Porto Cheli
100 km
JSYSyros Island National Airport
Syros Island
105 km
SKUSkyros Island National Airport
Skyros
124 km
JMKMykonos International Airport
Mykonos
5.7135 km
JSISkiathos Island National Airport
Skiathos
6.0143 km
PASParos National Airport
Paros
145 km

ATHGuide

ATHGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Budget 2.5–3 hours after EES

For Hall A long-hauls, treat 2.5–3 hours as the floor; Schengen/domestic still needs a buffer for bag drop.

AIA’s own banner asks for at least 2.5 hours for check-in, security, and passport control since EES went live for third-country nationals on 30 Mar 2026. Hall A long-hauls plus VAT refunds can still eat another hour.

Terminal

Match Hall A/B before you clear security

Schengen = Hall B; non-Schengen = Hall A after passport control—wrong hall means no lounge and a wasted walk.

AIA places gates A1–A27 and B1–B31 in the main building and C15–C40 in the Satellite. Priority Pass times the Satellite walk at ~10–15 minutes with bags. Non-Schengen passengers clear Hall B security first, then passport control into Hall A — Hall A lounges are useless for a Hall B departure.

Food

Eat Greek airside, not generic chains first

Hit Eat Greek (Schengen platea) or Ergon (non-Schengen) for real gyros/Greek plates before you settle for Starbucks.

AIA lists Eat Greek 24h on the Schengen platea, Ergon 24h self-service in non-Schengen (dine-in 06:30–22:00), Gregory’s in both halls, Lukumades 08:00–21:00 at Bistrot Attica, and Kostarelos 06:00–22:00 on the Schengen platea.

Status

Line 3 is split on Sun–Thu nights

Late arrivals headed to Monastiraki or Piraeus cannot count on a through metro after 21:40 Sunday–Thursday — use X95 or the taxi flat.

STASY’s 16 Sep 2026 notice: from Sunday to Thursday after 21:40, Eleonas, Kerameikos and Monastiraki close and airport trains run Syntagma↔Airport only (last from the airport 23:34 to Syntagma). X95 stays 24/7 at €5.50.

Live conditions

Right now at ATH

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Greek-food last meal before departure
Door-to-door taxi value for groups
Star Alliance / Aegean status lounge access
Straightforward single-terminal navigation off-peak

Watch out for

Line 3 night split Sunday–Thursday after 21:40 (from 16 Sep 2026) — airport trains terminate at Syntagma
Summer ATC-capacity delays (June 2026 ACI: 55.7% of departures on time)
Hall A Priority Pass waitlists at Goldair Extra
Tight island connections with checked bags
EU Entry/Exit System passport queues for non-Schengen

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

7.8

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.4

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

8.0

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

8.4

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.2

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

7.7

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

34.0M

Terminals

1 main terminal (Halls A/B) + Satellite Building

On-time departures

56%

Typical security

15 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for ATH.

Updated Sep 22, 2026

Main terminal split into Hall B / Area B (Schengen) and Hall A / Area A (non-Schengen after passport control), plus a Satellite Building (gates C15–C40) linked by underground walkways
Aegean Airlines hub; 33,993,746 passengers in 2025 (+6.7% YoY, AIA December traffic PDF); Jan–Jul 2026 19,682,628 (+4.5%)
Metro Airport Ticket €9 / €16 two-way (30 days); Express bus €5.50; city-centre taxi flat €40 day (05:00–24:00) / €55 night (00:00–05:00) at Arrivals Exit 3
Live Priority Pass: Goldair Extra and Intra 24h, Aristotle Onassis, Melina Merkouri, plus Satellite Goldair — LoungeKey lists the same five; DragonPass lists Goldair rooms plus both Skyserv rooms, not the Satellite
AIA advises ≥2.5 hours before departure after EU EES full deployment (30 Mar 2026); Fast Lane is airline-printed on the boarding pass only
Line 3 airport trains every 36 min, first 06:10 / last 23:34 from the airport; Sun–Thu nights from 16 Sep 2026 the line splits after 21:40

17 official sources

https://www.aia.gr/en
https://www.aia.gr/en/traveller/transportation-airport/private-transportation
https://www.aia.gr/en/traveller/transportation-airport/public-transportation-airport
https://www.aia.gr/en/traveller/procedures/security-airport
https://www.aia.gr/en/traveller/connecting-flights
https://www.aia.gr/en/traveller/services-facilities-airport/wifi-and-internet-kiosks
https://www.oasa.gr/en/tickets/prices-of-products/
https://www.oasa.gr/en/visit-athens/airport-express-bus-lines/
https://www.stasy.gr/en/timetables/line-3/
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/greece/athens-international-eleftherios-venizelos
https://www.loungekey.com/en/cryptocomprivateus/lounge-finder/airport?airportcode=ATH
https://www.dragonpass.com/explore/airport/A10034
https://en.aegeanair.com/travel-info/travelling-with-aegean/at-the-airport/lounges-info/
https://en.aegeanair.com/travel-info/additional-flight-services/security-fast-track/
https://www.olympicair.com/en/travel-information/travelling-with-olympic-air/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/
https://media.aia.gr/assets/aiaportal/media/root/corporate/statistics/passengers-traffic-new/passenger_traffic_december_2025_en.pdf
https://media.aia.gr/assets/aiaportal/media/root/corporate/statistics/passengers-traffic-new/passenger-traffic-july-2026-en.pdf

Full guide

Explore the ATH guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Athens International Airport and the Athens city center
City center
View Map
Getting There
3 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Metro Line 3 (Blue Line)Cheapest: OASA Express X95
View Getting There
Lounges
8 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts. 4 rated worth it.
AEGEAN Business LoungeAEGEAN Business LoungeGoldair Handling Lounge Extra
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Buy local Greek water, not Evian — ask staff for the cheap Greek bottles; Oct 2024 traveler report of €0.60/500 ml at Starbucks near A11. Not an official price list.
13 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
6 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Greek airside diningGoldair Extra loungeMetro Line 3 + X95
View Amenities
Water
Where to refill for free, and where a bottle costs the least airside.
3 spots1 free or refill
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

☀️22°C / 72°F

Security wait times

Current security wait information is not available for this airport. Check the airport's official website or app before travel.

Official airport site

Operational status

Delays reported

Departure delays

Flights are taking off 7m late on average.

Delay range: 7m avg

Arrival delays

Flights are landing 15m late on average. Eurocontrol delays are affecting some inbound flights due to ongoing maintenance work.

Delay range: 15m avg

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Oct 21, 13:10 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.