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Athens - Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) information

Introduction

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport was newly constructed in conjunction with the 2004 Olympic Games which were held in Athens. It is located 33kms southeast of downtown Athens. The clean and functional main terminal, which is connected by underground walkway to a satellite terminal, handles nearly 12 million passengers per year. Athens is the hub for all of Greece's domestic air traffic, and also offers extensive international connections to Europe and America.

The 2005 World Airport Awards named Athens the best airport in southern Europe, based on a passenger survey of airport standards.

Airport parking at Athens

There are a total of 4,700 parking spaces available. Car parks P1 and P2, situated just outside the arrivals level of the main terminal, are designed for short-term parking. Parking is free for the first 20 minutes; after that the rates are €3.50 for 1 hour, €6 for 2 hours, and €24 for 24 hours. The long-term open-air car park P3 is linked to the terminal by courtesy shuttle buses which run every 10 minutes. Here hourly rates are the same as for short-term, but the daily rate is €12. Executive valet parking at the terminal's departures level is also an option: €25 for 4 hours or €37 per day.

Getting to and from Athens

The airport is easily accessible by car from the Attiki Odos, the six-lane ring road which encircles the north side of the city. Trains run from the airport every 15 to 30 minutes for Athens' Larissis Station and other metropolitan destinations. The journey time to downtown Athens is about 30 minutes, and the fare is €6. Metro line 3 also serves the airport. Travel time to Syntagma is 27 minutes, and to Piraeus 60 minutes; the fare is €6. Six public bus routes connect the airport with various locations in Athens and Piraeus. One-way bus fare is €2.90. A taxi rank is situated outside door 3 on the arrivals level. The trip by taxi into Athens city centre costs about €20.

Amenities at Athens - Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

There are numerous ATMs located throughout the terminal, plus two banks, two bureaux de change (and three currency exchange machines), and a post office on the arrivals level. Airport shops include a duty-free shop and a newsagent/tobacconist, plus establishments specializing in cosmetics, watches, sweets, music, fashions, sunglasses, toys and leather goods. Food and refreshments are served at two cafes in the arrivals area. In the departures area are two more cafes plus a 'food village' offering an array of fast foods and Greek cuisine. For business travellers, the airport's business centre has meeting rooms and a conference room equipped with computer and telecommunications facilities.