Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV) sits in the Mesogeia plain of the Attica region, roughly 20 kilometres east of central Athens. Named after the prominent Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, the airport opened in 2001 and replaced the long-serving Ellinikon Airport closer to the city. It functions as the primary international gateway to Greece and the busiest aviation hub in the country, connecting Athens to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Its position in southeastern Europe gives it a natural role as a transit point between western Europe and destinations further east, and its proximity to the Aegean Sea makes it the main departure point for travellers heading to the Greek islands.
Overview
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV) sits in the Mesogeia plain of the Attica region, roughly 20 kilometres east of central Athens. Named after the prominent Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, the airport opened in 2001 and replaced the long-serving Ellinikon Airport closer to the city. It functions as the primary international gateway to Greece and the busiest aviation hub in the country, connecting Athens to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Its position in southeastern Europe gives it a natural role as a transit point between western Europe and destinations further east, and its proximity to the Aegean Sea makes it the main departure point for travellers heading to the Greek islands.
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
Aegean Airlines, Greece's largest carrier, maintains its principal hub at Athens, operating an extensive network of European routes alongside domestic services to the Greek islands and mainland cities. Its subsidiary Olympic Air contributes additional regional connectivity. Sky Express operates from Athens as well, focusing on domestic island routes. A broad range of European full-service and low-cost carriers serve the airport on year-round schedules, with the network expanding considerably during the summer travel season when demand for leisure travel to Greece peaks. Several intercontinental carriers connect Athens to long-haul destinations, reflecting the city's role as both a cultural destination and a regional hub.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport is organised around a main terminal building and a satellite terminal, linked by an underground walkway that passengers use to move between gates. Both Schengen and non-Schengen traffic are handled within this integrated structure, with dedicated processing areas for each. The layout is generally considered manageable in scale, though peak summer periods can bring higher passenger volumes. Passengers connecting between flights should allow adequate time to clear any necessary passport or security checks, particularly when moving between Schengen and non-Schengen zones. The airport operates continuously without a night curfew, which supports early morning and late evening connections.
Connections through ATH need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports, compare ATH against nearby alternatives, total ground-transport cost and the reliability of the connection. A slightly higher fare can be worthwhile when it reduces transfer risk or shortens the total journey.
Practical guide
Using Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport without guesswork
Plan ATH around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Athens to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at ATH. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport is organised around a main terminal building and a satellite terminal, linked by an underground walkway that passengers use to move between gates. Both Schengen and non-Schengen traffic are handled within thi
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for ATH
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for ATH.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at ATH. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport is organised around a main terminal building and a satellite terminal, linked by an underground walkway that passengers use to move between gates. Both Schengen and non-Schengen traffic are handled within thi
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Routes
Top routes from ATH
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
No routes tracked from ATH yet.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at ATH
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersEleftherios Venizelos International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at ATH.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Athens can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at ATH depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around ATH can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in Greece
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in Greece.
FAQ
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located in Athens, Greece (Europe), at coordinates 37.940°, 23.950°.
- Its IATA code is ATH and its ICAO code is LGAV.
- Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport serves Athens, Greece. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport operates on Europe/Athens local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport sits at latitude 37.940° and longitude 23.950°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Originfacts does not yet track scheduled routes from ATH. Use the flight search on this page to see live airline options for your travel dates.
- Route coverage for ATH is still being added to Originfacts. Run a search from ATH on the flight search page to see every destination airlines currently sell for your dates.
- Its address is Attiki Odos, 190 04, Greece, the phone number is +30 21 0353 0000, the official website is http://www.aia.gr/traveler/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in Greece. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.