ATH · Athens, Greece · International Hub
Athens International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Athens International Airport (ATH), every figure cited to the airport's own data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 2 terminals, airside-connected
- Minimum connection time: 50 min domestic, 1 hr 5 min international to domestic
- Arrive: 1 hr 15 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
- To Athens: about 40 min one-way
- Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
Athens International Airport has 2 terminals. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. Floors run by sector: 50 domestic, 65 domestic-intl and intl-domestic, 55 intl-intl. MCT applies only to single bookings with through-checked bags. A gate in the Satellite Terminal or a Schengen-border crossing adds time. Bags to a regional Greek airport may need pickup and customs at Athens.
Main Terminal Building
3 airlines: Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines
Gates A1-A27 and B1-B31. Check-in, arrivals and most connections.
Satellite Terminal Building
1 airline: Aegean Airlines
Gates C15-C40. Reached by an underground link from the Main Terminal. Allow extra time if your onward gate is here.
Minimum connection times
- Domestic to domestic
- 50 min
- Domestic to international
- 1 hr 5 min
- International to domestic
- 1 hr 5 min
- International to international
- 55 min
- Transfer system
- Underground link between the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal (airside); passport control to/from non-Schengen
- Airside connected
- Yes
Layover helper
Check whether your layover at ATH is tight, comfortable, or long enough to leave the airport. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.
Security & TSA
Typical TSA wait at ATH is 30 minutes at peak and 10 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 15 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.
- TSA PreCheck
- Not available
- CLEAR
- Not available
- Global Entry
- Not available
Schengen airport; no US TSA programs. EU Entry/Exit System (EES) fully deployed as of 30 March 2026 for third-country nationals; passport control may see long waits at peak.
Lounges
1 notable lounge at ATH, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.
Aegean Business Lounge
Main Terminal, extra-Schengen and intra-Schengen areasAegean / Star Alliance
Access: Business class, Star Alliance Gold, paid day pass
Amenities: Showers, Buffet, Bar
Amenities
6 of 7 core amenities available at ATH: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.
Showers
Available
Premium lounges
Sleep pods
Not available
WiFi
Free (good)
Free wifi
Nursing rooms
Available
Both terminals
Chapel
Available
Airport chapel (Orthodox)
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Main Terminal: Grab a Greek pita, Mastiha shops
Ground transport to Athens
ATH is about 40 min from downtown Athens by the fastest transit option.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 3 (Blue) Subway Direct to Syntagma in ~40 min, every 36 min. EUR 9 airport single ticket (~USD 10). | $10 | 40-45 min |
| Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) Train Connects the airport with the wider Attica rail network. | $10 | 40-55 min |
| Express bus X95 Bus 24-hour express bus to Syntagma; fare ~EUR 5.50. | $6-$7 | 45-75 min |
Parking
ATH does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; on-airport parking is priced dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Greece prices in EUR via aia.gr.
- Short-term
- Varies
- Long-term
- Varies
- Economy
- Not available
- Valet
- Not available
Can I leave ATH during a layover?
With a 3-hour layover, stay inside ATH. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Athens. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 20 min plus re-screening on return.
City center (Syntagma) is ~40 min by Metro Line 3. 6+ hour layovers can reach the Acropolis; under 4 hours stay airside. Non-EU nationals: Schengen entry plus EES biometrics apply if you leave.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$$Sofitel Athens AirportOpposite the Main Terminal
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at ATH?
Arrive at least 75 minutes before a domestic flight from ATH, and 150 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at ATH can hit 30+ minutes, so add buffer.
What is the minimum connection time at ATH?
ATH requires at least 50 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 65 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing terminals.
How long does it take to get between terminals at ATH?
Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 20 min for different-terminal transfers at ATH via Underground link between the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal (airside); passport control to/from non-Schengen. Floors run by sector: 50 domestic, 65 domestic-intl and intl-domestic, 55 intl-intl. MCT applies only to single bookings with through-checked bags. A gate in the Satellite Terminal or a Schengen-border crossing adds time. Bags to a regional Greek airport may need pickup and customs at Athens.
Can I leave ATH during a 6-hour layover?
With 3 hours you should stay inside ATH. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 80 minutes plus re-screening. City center (Syntagma) is ~40 min by Metro Line 3. 6+ hour layovers can reach the Acropolis; under 4 hours stay airside. Non-EU nationals: Schengen entry plus EES biometrics apply if you leave.
Does ATH have showers?
Yes, ATH has showers at Premium lounges.
Does ATH have sleep pods?
ATH does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.
Is WiFi free at ATH?
Yes. ATH offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free wifi
What is the cheapest way to get from ATH to Athens?
The cheapest option is typically Express bus X95 at $6-$7, taking 45-75 minutes. 24-hour express bus to Syntagma; fare ~EUR 5.50.
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at ATH?
ATH does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Typical peak-hour wait is 30 minutes. Schengen airport; no US TSA programs. EU Entry/Exit System (EES) fully deployed as of 30 March 2026 for third-country nationals; passport control may see long waits at peak.
Where should I eat at ATH during a layover?
Notable dining at ATH includes Grab a Greek pita (Main Terminal), Mastiha shops (Main Terminal).
How much does parking cost at ATH?
ATH does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; rates are set dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Greece prices in EUR via aia.gr.
Is there a hotel at ATH for overnight layovers?
The closest option is Sofitel Athens Airport (Opposite the Main Terminal, $$$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.
Which terminal does my airline use at ATH?
ATH has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: Main Terminal Building: Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines; Satellite Terminal Building: Aegean Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.
Are there pet relief areas at ATH?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Is there a chapel or prayer room at ATH?
Yes. Airport chapel (Orthodox).
Compare ATH to other airports
See how ATH ranks against the other 82 airports in our dataset.
Airlines operating at ATH
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of ATH.
Compare other airports
Sources & verification
- overview: https://www.aia.gr/en/traveller/connecting-flights
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens_International_Airport
Verified Jun 2026. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Athens International Airport before flying.