Near Athens Airport
If you’re traveling to Athens, or even just passing through, it’s likely you’ll spend some time at Athens Airport.
The Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (or Athens International Airport) is relatively new, first opening in 2001. As such, the facilities are modern, even beautiful.
There are plenty of places to eat, read a book, or find a ride into the city. However, if you’re flying into Athens for the first time, the spacious airport can be overwhelming.
Here are your tips before you travel to Athens so you can know your way around the Athens Airport.
Arrival
While arrival times vary depending on your trip and your departure, a few things can be counted on. Direct flights from the US typically arrive early in the morning. Connecting flights and flights from Europe usually arrive later in the day.
From the landing, there’s about a five-minute walk to passport control and from there you can go to baggage claim. There are restrooms near baggage claim if you need them.
If you’re meeting a friend, there’s a designated meeting area near Arrivals Exit 2 as well as coffee stands near baggage claim.
Where to Eat
You may be hungry when you get off the plane, and there are plenty of options when it comes to restaurants and cafes. Burgerair offers everything from sandwiches and pizzas to pies and dessert to coffee.
At Airth Coffee and Nuts, you can buy a cup of coffee as well as a healthy snack of nuts and dried fruit. Eat Greek is just one of the places where you can find gyros in the Athens Airport.
You may even find the Heineken Star Bar, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a place to find a cold beer (although you can order a cold beer here).
The Heineken Star Bar offers a selection of Greek and Italian food and snacks. There’s also a food court with the full range of options.
How to Spend a Long Wait
If you miss your flight or there’s a delay in your connecting flight, you may be in Athens Airport for some time. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to pass the time.
Visit the small airport museum or stock up on medicine at the airport pharmacy.
There are boutiques and shopping centers all over the airport. Still, if you expect a long wait it may be a good idea to pack a book to read.
Sleeping can be a little difficult at the airport itself, but if you expect your wait to be overnight, find an affordable Athens airport hotel to stay for the night like Peri’s Hotel.
You may also be able to buy a pass into the more comfortable airport lounge to wait out your delay.
Where to Stay near Athens Airport
When planning your trip to Athens, you should look for a hotel near Athens Airport with a free shuttle. It’s convenient for those who are visiting Athens to get around the city and then easily back to the airport, and it’s convenient for those just staying the night as they pass through.
Peri’s Hotel is just 7km from Athens Airport and 33km from the Athens city square. When it comes to hotels near Athens Airport with a free shuttle service, no one is closer to the airport or more affordable.
Peri’s Hotel can help make your trip to Athens more convenient and your long layover more enjoyable.
Even if your plan wasn’t to visit Athens in the first place, your experience with Athens Airport and airport hotels like Peri’s Hotel just might convince you to come back.