Athens Flight Guide
Athens is a goldmine of historic relics, offering history buffs an abundance of ancient sites to explore. With iconic landmarks like the Acropolis, Parthenon, Hadrian's Arch, and the Temple of Zeus, make sure you allocate plenty of time to experience the best of Athens before catching your flight home.
Today, Athens is a sprawling urban metropolis, but don't let its size intimidate you. The charm of the city lies in discovering unexpected treasures amidst the hustle and bustle-like the tiny Byzantine church of Kapnikarea, nestled in the middle of a bustling pedestrian shopping zone. If you're unsure where to begin your exploration, Syntagma Square is an excellent starting point. From here, you can easily visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Parliament Building to watch the changing of the guard, wander through Plaka's flea market for affordable gifts and souvenirs, or marvel at the priceless exhibits at the Benaki Museum. If you're visiting in the summer, start your sightseeing early to avoid the intense afternoon heat, especially at exposed sites like the Acropolis, where shade is scarce.
While immersing yourself in ancient Greece, don't miss out on Athens' vibrant nightlife. The city's bars and clubs come alive after midnight, making it worth staying up past your bedtime. For modern nightspots, head to Gazi and Psirri, while Plaka is the place to find traditional Greek bars and plenty of inexpensive ouzo.
Booking flights to Athens
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH), Athens' main airport, is located in Spata, approximately 30 kilometers from the city center.
Direct flights to Athens from Toronto are available on airlines like Air Canada and Lufthansa, though these tend to be more expensive than flights with stopovers in cities like London, Amsterdam, Paris, or Rome. Other airlines servicing this route include United, Delta, and American Airlines, some of which have codeshare agreements with European carriers. Travelers heading to the Greek islands can book connecting flights with Olympic Air or Aegean Airlines.
When to go and weather
Athens is one of the world's top tourist destinations and remains crowded for most of the year. Summer temperatures often soar to 30-35°C, but despite the city's proximity to the sea, humidity levels remain relatively low. Spring and fall offer more pleasant weather, though affordable flights to Athens may still be limited compared to winter.
The city receives most of its rainfall between November and March, which is considered the off-peak travel season. While summer is the most popular time to visit (especially for the nearby beaches), the best time to find cheap flights to Athens is in August. During this month, many Athenians leave the city for the Feast of Assumption holidays, and European and North American families return home for the start of the school year.
Arriving in Athens
Flights to Athens arrive at either the Main Terminal or the Satellite Terminal, connected by a pedestrian walkway. If you’re waiting overnight for a connecting flight to the Greek islands, there’s an on-site hotel near the arrivals area that offers discounted rates for overnight stays. For more information on transportation options to the city center, visit the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) website.
Public Transit:
• Bus: Bus numbers X93, X95, X96, and X97 serve the airport, connecting it to Athens and the port of Piraeus. Buses depart from the area between Exits 4 and 5 on the arrivals level.
One-way tickets cost approximately €6, with discounted fares of €3 available for children, seniors, and students. Tickets are valid for 90 minutes and can be purchased on board or at ticket counters near the stops. Regional buses to destinations like Rafina, Makopoulo, and Keratea depart from outside Exits 2 and 3.
• Train: Line 3 of Athens' metro system and the suburban rail network connect the airport to the city center, Athens Central Railway Station, and Piraeus port. The station is located at the departure level, with clear signage from the arrival gates.
One-way metro and suburban rail tickets cost around €10, with discounts for children. Group tickets are also available, costing approximately €18 for two people or €24 for three.
• Taxi: Taxis at the airport operate on a flat-rate system. Daytime fares to the city center are around €40, while nighttime fares (midnight to 5 a.m.) increase to €55. You can book a cab in advance through the Taxi Union Association, though an additional fee will apply.
• Car Rental: On-site car rental services are available from Avis, Budget, Hertz, National/Alamo, and Sixt. Their counters are located in the Main Terminal on the arrivals level.
• Other: If you’ve booked a limousine service, the meeting point is between Exits 3 and 4 on the arrivals level.
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