El. Venizelos Airport, Athens

Coming from Spain and 8 days in Ibiza, I was scared that I might not be able to read English, much less Greek. But, it turned out that the Athens airport is very simple. It is basically one big terminal, so you don't have to run all over th place looking for baggae, counters or anything; its all real close. All arrivals are located on the bottom floor, where luggage claim is, and all departures are on the second. To calm your nerves, everything is written in English, as well as Greek. To get to the city, its a 30 minute or more bus ride, or, I'm sure, a shorter taxi ride.

I took the bus from the airport, so check out the next tip for information on the bus schedules.

The brand new airport of Athens is 30 km far from the city center. So, after you reach the 'Eleftherios Venizelos' airport take the metro to reach Syntagma square, the very center of Athens or the sub-urban train if you want to reach the main train station of the city, also near the city center and with a metro station as well. The trip lasts 40 minutes and it costs (for both means) 6 euros but if you have company there is a discount. From Syntagma you can choose among other metro lines, the tram that goes south, taxies, buses or trolley-buses.

International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' has started operating since the end of March 2001. There is frequent bus connection between the airport and Athens city centre. Bus stops to 'Ethniki Amina' Metro station, 'Syntagma' Metro station and the port of Athens (Pireaus). This is very inexpensive and quite reliable.

Additionaly, since summer 2004 (the fantastic Olympic summer)! the Suburban (Proastiakos) railway can take you from the airport to the Metro system and virtually everywhere. The service operates twice per hour.

ok, there are 3 options:

-taxi
Since February 2011 there is a fix price from/to city center. It will cost you 35 euros (including tolls/luggage etc). After midnight(till 5.00am) it costs 50euros.
The ride will be less than an hour but depending on the traffic it may be 2 hours! (during general strike it's like hell because everyone is using a car)

-Metro
Slightly more expensive than bus(8euros for 1 person, 14e for 2, 20e for 3), the ride is 40’ and there is one every 30’ but of course not 24h like the bus. It takes you directly to Syntagma Square.

-bus
Take bus X95 (5 euro, 24h, one every 10-15’) from the airport that takes you direct to Syntagma square. It's my favorite option anyway, the ride takes 40'-65' depending on the traffic.
There are also buses to Ethniki Amyna Metro station(X94), Port of Pireus(X96), Kifissos/Liosion Bus Stations(X93), Dafni Metro Station(X97)

on your way back just take the bus from Syntagma square.
here's the timetable from syntagma square:
4.30
5.15 5.30 5.40 5.50
6.00 6.10 6.20 6.25 6.35 6.40 6.50
7.05 7.15 7.25 7.40 7.55
8.10 8.25 8.45 9.00 9.20 9.35 9.55
10.10 10.25 10.45
11.00 11.15 11.30 11.45
12.00 12.15 12.30 12.45
13.05 13.20 13.35 13.55
14.10 14.25 14.40 14.55
15.10 15.30 15.45
16.00 16.15 16.30 16.45
17.00 17.15 17.35 17.55
18.10 18.25 18.40 18.55
19.10 19.25 19.40 19.55
20.10 20.25 20.40 20.55
21.10 21.25 21.40 21.55
22.10 22.25 22.40 22.55
23.10 23.25 23.40 23.55
24.10 24.25 24.40 24.55
01.10 01.30 01.55
02.15 02.40
03.00 03.25 03.45
04.10 04.55

I’ve used Athens Airport quite a few times. My first experience of this new one was in October 01 (yep, just after 9-11). A huge improvement on Hellenikon!

I have had a couple of waits for Iraklion flights, so time to hang around and check things out.

My latest visit was in December 10, arriving from Brussels - very quick baggage delivery - and leaving on the return journey.

I like the jazz (organ & sax) on the piped music - very cool, and no bloody “Jingle Bells” or Demis Roussos.

Security was fast & easy. The food outlets were great - good coffee!

The X95 is the best way to travel f to Syntagma square.
The bus leaves from Gate No 5 of Athens Airport and reaches Syntagma square in around 50 mins.

The service is for 24 hours and service is every 15 minutes.
The fare as of Aug 2010 is Euro 3.20

This is anice, comfortable and cheap way to travel to the centre of the city .
Syntagma is walking distance to Plaka, and The Acropolis.

.
Metro and Suburban Train to Athens:
The train from the airport to Athens costs about 8 euro and goes to Monastiraki, hitting all the metro stops in between which include Syntagma (where you will have to change if you are going to Omonia Square or Makriani-Acropolis). The first train from Airport to Monastiraki is at 06:30, the frequency of routes is every half an hour and the last one from Airport to Monastiraki is at 11.30pm. The first train from Monastiraki to Airport is at 05:50am and the last one from Monastiraki to the Airport is at 22:58. Actually the train goes several stops beyond Monastiraki but chances are you need to get off in Syntagma or Monastiraki.

Athens International Airport is connected via the Proastiakos-Suburban Railway to Larissis Station (Athens Central Railway Station) with stops at Koropi,Kantza,Pallini,Doukissis Plakentias (Connection with Metro Line 3),Kifisias, Nerantziotisa (Connection with Metro Line 1), Iraklio, Aharnes Railway Junction (S.K.A) and Larissis Station (Connection with Metro Line 2 and trains to Northern Greece). Trains depart from the Airport every 15 minutes. The journey time from Athens InternationalAirport to Larissis Station is approximately 38 minutes. The first train from Athens to the Airport is at 06:06am and the last one is at 19:36. The first train from the Airport to Athens is at 06:48 and the last one is at 20:14.

Athens International Airport is also connected via suburban rail to Korinthos. Trains depart every 2 hours and the journey time is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Proastiakos-Suburban Railway goes from the airport as far as the port of Pireaus. Trains leave starting at 6:12 am at the rate of 3 an hour and the trip takes about an hour and a quarter. The train station in Pireaus is right across the street from the ferry boats. The price is 6 euros per person. The last train is at 23:12 p.m.

Because getting to the airport by taxi , especially after midnight can be quite expensive ( about 35 euros), it is useful to know that there are some alternatives. There are bus lines that connect the airport with Syntagma Square , Kifissia and Pireaus. The fee for the ticket is about 3 euros ( http://www.oasa.gr/?tml=1&pageid=103&menu=2&pg=1 ) . You can also get to the airport by suburban railway , which starts from Neratziotissa station. There are scheduled services every 20 minutes , although that this connection stops at midnight. Last choise is to get to the airport by metro , which has planned routes every 30 minutes , but the last schedule is run before midnight