Athens

Guide to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport

A state-of-the-art airport handling direct international flights from Europe and America, Athens International airport also serves as a major hub for the surrounding Grecian islands. 17 miles from the city center, it is a gateway for those traveling around Europe and has regular flights coming in from around the world. There are a large variety of facilities, including ATMs, bars and restaurants and a main arrival terminal.

Terminals and facilities at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport

While there are no check-in or baggage claims facilities, there is one main terminal that connects with the mid-field concourse via walkway. Boarding gates are located within the concourse. Passengers check in at the main terminal. The arrivals and departures hall are in the main terminal.

In the arrival hall there are two bureaux de change as well as two banks and a lost property office, while both the arrival and departures hall have ATMs. On hand in the departures and arrivals of the main terminal and the mid-field concourse, there are four first aid rooms available. The airport facilities cater to disabled persons as well.

Stores such as Reebok, Boss, Body Shop and Accessorize are in the main terminal. Other shopping within the terminal includes newsagents, gift shops, boutiques, bookstores, duty-free and a unique selection of specialty shops. A convenience store can be found in the mid-field concourse.

Business facilities provided by the IT&T Business Centre in the main terminal are equip with internet access, PC Workstations, telephones with data ports, fax machines, laser and color printers, scanning equipment, copy machines and binding. The nearby hotels of Athens International airport also offer facilities, and a day or overnight room can be arranged at one of the service desks representing hotels at Eleftherios Venizelos. Try DirectRooms for a good choice of airport-based and other Athens Hotels, as their site is very easy to use also.

A range of refreshments, restaurants – both self-service and waiter – can be found in the main terminal. The mid-field concourse also has a snack bar providing coffee, drinks and simple snacks.

For those wanting to leave from Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport by car can hire vehicles from a variety of car hire companies available at Athens International. For good prices and confirmed bookings book car hire from Athens airport here.

Hotels at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport

There are accommodation desks in the arrival hall at Athens International servicing hotels in Athens. Rates tend to be cheaper when reserved online, however if you arrive without a reservation accommodation can be arranged and a shuttle will be available at short notice. Avoid the wait by booking an Athens airport hotel here.

The four-star Sofitel Athens Airport is situated close to the main terminal and offers an impressive array of facilities. Hotels near the airport also include; the Holiday Inn, Armonia Hotel, Hotel Avra, Plaza Hotel and the Astir Palace Hotel. A variety of upscale hotels as well as small privately owned ones are a couple miles from the airport and offer cheap rates.

Transportation and parking at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport

Bus routes connect Athens with the airport; Bus E94 leaves the airport at 20-minute intervals during operating hours. From downtown, the airport can be reached by the E95 on Mesogion Avenue. This runs every 15-minute from 5:00 to 23:50 and every 30 minutes from 0:00 to 4:59. Leaving Piraeus every 20-minutes from 5:00 to 23:59 and every 40-minutes from 0:00 to 4:59 is E96, which travels to the airport via Varis-Coropi Avenue. The metro line 3 can be taken from the city centre to Ethniki Amina station and then board onto bus line E95.

Taxis are available outside the exits of the main terminals and offer an inexpensive way of traveling. Taxis generally take about 30 minutes to reach the city centre while buses typically take longer.

There are two main types of parking at Athens International airport. P1 and P2 are the short-term car parks and are located outside arrivals. P3, the long-term car park can be reached by courtesy shuttle bus, which goes to the main terminal. The journey takes around five minutes and the bus runs at 10-minute intervals. Booking of parking at Athens International is necessary. For Athens airport car parking book online here.

Car hire at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport

By car from downtown Athens, Syntagma Square, follow Vas Sifias Avenue, then Mesigion Avenue and continue on Marathonos Avenue, to get to the airport.

Cars can be hired directly from Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport. Car hire companies have representing desks within the main terminal, but for great deals its best to book an Athens airport hire car online.

For visitors hire car is an ideal way to see Greece, as public transport is often hard to come by. Having your own car give you the freedom to see the city and its outskirts at your own pace. Driving a car from Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International airport into Athens is enjoyable and easy, with the help of road signs.

Website: http://www.aia.gr

Information: +30 (0) 10 353 0000