Athens International Airport (ATH) Live Arrivals & Departures

Time

Destination

Gate

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Time

Arriving from

Baggage belt

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Airport guide

Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (ATH) opened in March 2001 at Spata, about 30 km east of the city centre, replacing the old Ellinikon airport on the coast. It is by far the busiest airport in Greece, with well over 30 million passengers a year, and the only one in the country with a real year-round long-haul and hub schedule: Aegean and Olympic connect every Greek island through it.

There is one Main Terminal, with the Satellite Terminal reached by a walkway for some Schengen departures. Schengen and non-Schengen gates are on separate sides of the building, which matters for UK, US and Israel flights. The metro and suburban railway station is across the road from the terminal, joined by a pedestrian bridge.

Transport

Metro Line 3 reaches Syntagma in 40 minutes for €9, the X95 bus runs to Syntagma and the X96 to Piraeus around the clock for €5.50, and a taxi to the centre is a flat €40 by day or €55 at night.

Parking

P1 and P2 sit in front of the terminal for short stays from about €4.50 an hour; P3, a shuttle ride away, is the long-stay option from around €12 a day. Book online for a week or more, or use a valet operator on the airport approach.

Car rental

The major rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall with cars in the adjacent car park; off-airport firms collect you by shuttle for lower prices. A hire car makes sense for the Peloponnese, Sounion or Delphi, not for central Athens, where the metro is faster and parking is scarce.

Local tips

The last metro leaves the airport around 23:30. After that the X95 (Syntagma) and X96 (Piraeus) buses run all night from the stops outside arrivals; do not wait on the platform.

Non-Schengen flights (UK, USA, Canada, Israel, Turkey) go through passport control after security and board from the far end of the terminal. Allow three hours in summer and do not linger in the Schengen-side shops.

Insist on the flat taxi fare to the centre (€40 by day, €55 at night). If a driver mentions the meter, luggage or tolls on top, the fare is already inclusive and the receipt will show it.

A small archaeological exhibition on the departures level shows finds from the airport site itself, and there is a free art gallery by the Satellite Terminal walkway: a good hour’s escape from the gates.

Connecting to a ferry the same day is realistic only from a morning arrival: Piraeus is two hours away by public transport, and the island boats leave early afternoon at the latest.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Athens Airport from the city centre?

About 30 km east of Syntagma. The metro takes 40 minutes, a taxi 35–50 minutes depending on traffic, and the X95 bus 60–90 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Athens Airport to the city centre?

A flat €40 between 05:00 and midnight and €55 from midnight to 05:00, tolls and luggage included, for any address inside the inner ring road. Other destinations are metered.

Does the metro go to Athens Airport?

Yes. Line 3 (blue) runs between the airport and Syntagma every 30 minutes from about 06:30 to 23:30, continuing to Monastiraki and Piraeus. The airport ticket costs €9. The station is across the road from the terminal, over the pedestrian bridge.

How do I get from Athens Airport to Piraeus port?

The X96 express bus runs 24 hours a day straight to the passenger port for €5.50 and takes 60–90 minutes. Metro Line 3 also reaches Piraeus in about an hour. A taxi costs around €60.

Is there public transport from Athens Airport at night?

Yes. The X95 to Syntagma and the X96 to Piraeus run around the clock, roughly every 20–40 minutes at night. The metro and suburban railway stop around 23:30.

Where can I park at Athens Airport?

P1 and P2 opposite the terminal for short stays (about €4.50 an hour, first 20 minutes free) and P3 for long stays (about €12 a day), reached by a free shuttle. Booking online is cheaper for a week or more.

Can I wait for an arriving passenger outside the terminal?

No. The arrivals level has no waiting zone and the departures drop-off road allows only a brief stop. Park in P1 or P2, where the first 20 minutes are free, and meet in the arrivals hall.

Which car rental companies are at Athens Airport?

Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise, Alamo and National have desks in the arrivals hall, with the cars in the car park across the road. Many Greek companies in Spata and Artemida collect customers by shuttle.

Do I need a car in Athens?

For the city, no: the metro is faster and parking is nearly impossible in the centre. Rent a car for the Peloponnese, Delphi, Sounion or a road trip north, and pick it up at the airport so you can join the motorway without crossing the city.

How early should I arrive at Athens Airport?

Two hours before a Schengen flight and three before a non-Schengen or long-haul flight, which adds passport control after security. Summer mornings and the evening long-haul wave are the busiest times.

How can I check live arrivals and departures at Athens Airport?

The boards on this site update automatically with scheduled and estimated times, gates, baggage belts and status for every flight. Open a flight for its details or subscribe to alerts for a flight number.

What should I do if my flight from Athens is delayed?

Check the estimated time on the departures board here, then confirm with the airline. Under EU rules a delay over two hours entitles you to meals and over three hours on arrival possibly to compensation; keep boarding passes and receipts.

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) Live Arrivals & Departures

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