Athens, Greece (ATH) Airport: A Comprehensive 5 to 9-Hour Layover & Transit Guide

Just because you only have a 5 to 9 hour layover at Athens International Airport (ATH) doesn’t mean you can’t get an amazing taste of Greece.

Last July, I found myself with a nine-hour layover here. Nine hours! But in the end, it was the best layover I could have asked for. In fact, I think I’ll book long layovers in Athens on purpose next time.

From visiting the Acropolis to drinking fresh Greek beer (surprisingly delicious!) to swimming in crystal clear Mediterranean water, you can make your next Athens layover feel like a vacation on its own.

Here’s how.

1. What to do inside Athens International Airport on a layover
2. Where to store your luggage
3. The Top 6 Places to Visit Around ATH Airport on a shorter layover
4. Heading to the Acropolis & Downtown Athens on a 7+ hour ATH layover
5. Best Transportation Options from Athens International Airport

Check out these other Ultimate Airport Layover & Transit Guides: ATL | JFK | SEA | SFO | LAS | AMS | CDG | LHR | and more

Should I Stay in the Airport or Exit and Explore Athens?

Athens International Airport is quite large, and there is a lot to do inside if you decide to stay. If you have less than 5 hours, especially between international flights, it’s more worthwhile to stay inside the airport – unless you really want to visit a nearby city or beach.

Ever since Greece eliminated their Covid restrictions, exiting the airport is an absolute breeze if you decide to do so.

5 Activities You Can Do inside Athens International Airport on Your Next Layover

If you decide to stay at the airport, you still have options:

1. Visit the in-airport Acropolis Museum!
   • Hosted in a specially-designed area of the Main Terminal BuildingDisplay of artifacts on loan from the main Acropolis Museum downtown
   • Includes cast copies of the west Parthenon frieze and a cast copy of the Peplos Kore, one of the most beautiful votive offerings of the archaic
2. Explore the Exhibition of Archaeological Findings
   • Located on the second floor/departure level – near entrance 3
   • Contains 172 archaeological artifacts dating from the Neolithic and Early Helladic to the Post-Byzantine period
3. Bring your kids to the Airport Playground
   • Designed for children from 3 – 9 years old
4. Enjoy authentic Greek food at Eat Greek
5. Relax in one of 4 complimentary Priority Pass Airport Lounges

Luggage Drop In ATH

You might be thinking: well, what am I supposed to do with my bags? Lucky for you, there is a luggage storage facility located at the end of the terminal. It’s called Care4Bag and it’s located at arrivals hall next to gate one.

• Costs vary between €5 and €11 per bag
• Luggage storage in Athens is open from 0700 to 2300

The Best PriorityPass (Complimentary) Lounges in ATH

With Priority Pass (as low as $64/year), you’ll have access to:

• Non-Schengen (Hall A):
  • Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge:
    • Directly across from A9
• • • Open 0600-1800 daily
• • • Includes alcholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and wi-fi
  • Goldair Handling Lounge:
    • Opposite gate A11
    • Open 0700-2200 Sunday-Thursday, 0700-2300 Friday
    • Includes alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, wi-fi. Buffet service is suspended for covid
• Schengen (Hall B):
  • Skyserv Melina Merkouri Lounge:
    • Directly across from A9Open 0600-1800 dailyIncludes alcholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and wi-fi
  • Goldair Handling CIP Lounge:
    • Opposite gate B13
    • Open 0330-2000
    • Includes alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, but buffet service is suspended for covid

Right now, PriorityPass is offering up to 25% off yearly memberships. In just two lounge visits, you are already ahead vs. paying for one-time access. Just one if you bring a guest!

Where to Go From Athens International Airport

Unfortunately, Athens International Airport is not located directly next to downtown Athens. Well, maybe that’s a good thing – you might be “forced” to visit a gorgeous small nearby town or two.

If you have an 8 to 9-hour layover in Athens, you have plenty of time to head to downtown Athens.

5 to 7 hour layover in Athens

If you have a 5 to 7-hour layover in Athens, you have time to visit some wonderful nearby beach towns with great restaurants where you can catch some fresh air and maybe go for a quick swim.

Here are some ideas for a quick layover:

1. Vouliagmeni Beach
   • 21-minute taxi
   • Mooring Restaurant
2. Catch a bus and head straight to Rafina
3. Artemis Beach
   • 22-minute Taxi
4. Voula Beach
   • 22-minute taxi
   • 35-minute metro
5. Hit up some nearby wineries
   • Gikas Winery
   • Domaine Papagiannakos
   • Eklektikon
   • Georgas Family Wines
6. IKEA
   • Located at the shopping center ON the airport complex of Athens International Airport.
   • May be reached by express buses X93, X95, X96 and X97
   • Depart from the airport’s arrivals area, between exits 4 and 5
   • Ticket price: €5 each way

7 hour layover or longer: Let’s Go to Downtown Athens!

If this is your first-time visiting Athens, you will be positively stupefied by its beauty. If you’ve already been there, you will also be positively stupefied by its beauty.

In 3-5 hours, you have enough time to visit:

• Greek markets
• Roman and Greek Ruins
• Ancient streets
• The Acropolis – or – The National Archaeological Museum
• A rooftop bar for dinner

Hopefully by the time you’re back at the airport, you’ll want to always book 5 to 9-hour layovers. 😊

Need for Speed

Step 1) Get downtown as efficiently as possible to maximize your time in this incredible city.

Quickest way to the Acropolis from Athens International Airport: Take the M3 train to Monastiraki and make your way through beautiful traditional neighborhoods with low-key Greek restaurants, markets, and old white homes lined along ancient Roman and Greek ruins.

• The M3 train runs every thirty minutes most days, but once an hour on holidays.
• The train takes 40 minutes. It’s located just in front of the airport – hard to miss.
• Ticket price: €10-18 return (student discount available)
• The train brings you about 15-30 minutes walking distance from the entrance of the Acropolis.

All Roads Lead to… Athens?

Step 2a) On the way to the Acropolis, take a walk through the history city’s center. You can walk up gorgeous staircases lined with boutique shops in the Anafiotika neighborhood, make a stop at a fine Greek restaurant, or take pictures at Metamatic, a typical 19th century Athenian courtyard-style café/art foundation.

The alternative way to the Acropolis: Take the X95 bus to Syntagma and walk 25-50 minutes along the national garden or through town towards the acropolis.

• The X95 bus runs every 20-40 minutes.
• The bus takes 1 hour 10 minutes for a total transit time of 1h35m.
• From Syntagma, you can also take the 230 bus or M2 metro to the Acropolis, but neither option saves any time over walking.

Syntagma is an incredibly gorgeous square, located right next to both a Hellenic Parliament AND the National Garden.

Time is Money- and so are taxis from ATH Airport to Downtown Athens

Step 2b) Either way you go, you’ll enjoy an incredibly scenic hike to the Acropolis:

• Option 1: Walk through the national garden, stopping at the Zappeio Hall and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. From here, walk through the beautiful town of Plaka to the Acropolis.
• Option 2: If you’re into shopping and markets, you won’t want to miss Ermou Street. It’s a kilometer and a half filled with beautiful markets, some dating centuries, the world-famous Church of Saint Eleftheria, and lovely cafés.

A quicker option is taking a taxi. This will be about €25-40 each way but takes less than half the time (25 minutes without traffic).

Step 3) Spend about 2 hours exploring the incredible, vibrant sights of the Acropolis!

• € 20 in summer, €10 in winter (Nov 1 to Mar 31)
  • Student discount available

You Want me to Walk Some More?!

Step 4) On the way down from the Acropolis, take a traditional walking tour; stroll along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, a pedestrian road that connects the Acropolis and accompanying museum to the Plaka neighborhood.

If you have time, this is where you can stop at the Acropolis Museum.

Top hidden gem for an epic sunset view in Athens: On the way to Plaka, you’ll find additional ridiculously beautiful views of the Acropolis and downtown Athens. Continue down to the Thea Terrace location in the Central Hotel for a ridiculously amazing view on the Acropolis and really, really good food and drinks.

If you’re short on time, you can skip this and head straight back to the airport. Don’t worry, there’s food there too!

Heading back to Athens Airport from downtown

Step 5) Time to head back! Here are 4 options to get you back to the airport in time for your next flight!:

• Take the M2 (metro line 2) from from Acropoli to Monastiraki, then M3 (metro line 3) to the airport
• Take the M2 (metro line 2) from Acropoli for Syntagma, then the X95 bus to the airport
• Walk to Monastiraki or Syntagma and then take the M3 (metro line 3) or X95 bus, respectively, to the airport
• Take a taxi back (€25-40) to ATH and reminisce on the amazing day you just had!

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