Open Popup
Get weather information

Reaching Attica

The Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located in Attica, 33km northeast of Athens, and is easily accessible via Attiki Odos, Athens’ peripheral motorway. Public transportation from the airport to Athens and the port of Piraeus is serviced by the metro, the suburban railway, and the city buses. Athens International Airport is the main gateway to Greece, serving as an international hub for flights worldwide.

Our two national carriers are Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airways. Both offer direct flights from most European capitals and a state-of-the-art aircraft fleet operating at the highest safety standards. Whichever you choose, you will experience Greek hospitality – and a fantastic Greek culinary experience – before you even land.

In addition to the above, Sky Express operates from Athens airport, offering domestic flights to Kythera and various Greek islands.

There are many options for someone to reach the city centre from the airport: You can catch a taxi just outside the arrivals hall (the ride will cost you from 40 euros), or walk approximately 200 meters to the metro station and hop on the underground. This trip to the city centre costs 9 euros per person and takes approximately 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the bus (X95) which, depending on traffic, will take you downtown in approximately 60-65 minutes.

You can reach the ports either by car, taxi, bus or metro.

Piraeus:

Bus: take the bus X96. The trip takes 90 minutes and costs 6 euros per person.

Metro: take metro line 3 to Pireaus, for a total cost of 9 euros.

Taxi: catch a cab for a 45-minute ride that may cost up to 65 euros.

 

Rafina:

Bus: information on schedules at (+30) 210 8808080.

Taxi: approximately a 25-minute ride that usually costs up to 35 euros.

If you decide to rent a car in Attica, you’ll find many car rental offices in the airport area. During peak season, it is best to make a booking in advance. Also, ensuring that your car is equipped with a GPS will make travelling a lot easier.

Stop by the 24-hour Airport Information Counters located in both Arrivals and Departures or visit the City of Athens Info Point in Arrivals, open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.

At the arrival level, you will find several currency exchange facilities offering very competitive rates. You’ll also find many ATMs where you can withdraw money directly from your personal banking account. Usually, there is a charge of approximately two to three euros per withdrawal.

The arrival level also hosts a Post Office where you can stop in to mail your first postcard from Greece, a large pharmacy where you can buy any items you may have left at home, a large Greek pastry, and various shops.

Websites:
Airport: https://www.aia.gr
Athens Metro: https://www.athenacard.gr/index.jsp

Getting from Italy to Patras by ferry

If you plan to come to Attica by ferry, the optimal choice would be to disembark at the port of Patras, which is the main port for all passengers arriving from Italy and approximately a two-hour drive from Athens.

When travelling from Italy to Greece, you can sail from various ports in Italy, including Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Venice, and – less commonly – Trieste. If you’re in central Italy, Ancona may be the best choice. Ferries reach the port of Igoumenitsa in 15 to 20 hours and the port of Patras in 20 to 23 hours.

From Bari, you can take a ferry to Corfu, Igoumenitsa, and Patras, a trip lasting approximately 15.5 hours.

Ferries also operate frequently connecting Brindisi and Corfu, Kefalonia, Igoumenitsa, and Patras, a trip that takes approximately 6.5 hours.

From Venice, you can take a ferry directly to Corfu, Igoumenitsa, or Patras. This trip lasts around 24 hours.

Finally, if you choose Trieste as your port of departure, you should expect a longer crossing of over 24 hours.

Driving from Patras to Athens

Driving from Patras to Athens is fairly easy and should take no more than 2.5 hours. You should budget for tolls and fuel, which on average cost 15 euros and 25-50 euros respectively, depending on your car type. Once you exit the ferry, drive along the coastal road for approximately 1km- the sea should be on your left-hand side. Follow the signs for motorways 8A and E65. For detailed routes, you can click here.

Taking the bus or train from Patras to Athens

Once you reach the port of Patras, you can either take the bus to Athens (a 2.5-hour journey) or the train (a 4-hour journey). Both bus and train stations are located just outside the port.

Take a train or other means of transportation from the UK to a major European city with international train connections. Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam are common transit points. From the European city you arrive at, you’ll need to use various transportation modes to reach Greece, such as taking a ferry from one of Italy’s big ports to Greece.

Take a train from France to Italy. Paris to Milan is a common route. If you get to Milan, you will most likely have to change trains for Ancona. The Ancona line services the ports of Bari and Brindisi, which in turn serve all ferry ports in Greece.

There are several train routes and options available, offering a scenic and comfortable journey. Here are some common routes and connections:

Scandinavia to Germany:

  • Start your journey in a Scandinavian city like Copenhagen (Denmark) or Stockholm (Sweden).
  • Take a train to Hamburg (Germany) or another major German city. The train journey may involve transfers.

Germany to Switzerland:

  • From Germany, you can continue your journey to Switzerland. Zurich is a common transit point.
  • Consider taking high-speed trains such as the ICE (InterCityExpress) or other international trains.

Switzerland to Italy:

  • Connect from Switzerland to Italy. Milan is a major transportation hub that can be easily reached from Swiss cities like Zurich.
  • High-speed trains like the EuroCity (EC) or Frecciarossa connect major cities in Switzerland and Italy.

Start your journey from the Iberian peninsula, by taking a train to a major Spanish city like Madrid or Barcelona.

Spain to France: From Spain, you can continue your journey to France. Consider taking a high-speed train to a major French city like Paris.

France to Italy: Travel to an Italian city, such as Milan or Venice, from Paris.

Italy to Greece: From Italy, you’ll need to travel to a coastal city with ferry connections to Greece. Bari, in southern Italy, is one option with ferries to Greece.

Ferry from Italy to Greece: Take a ferry from an Italian port (e.g., Bari) to a Greek port (e.g., Patras or Igoumenitsa).

If you choose to come to Athens by car, you have two options. You can take the A1 motorway from northern Greece, accessible from neighbouring Bulgaria and North Macedonia, straight to Athens, or take the A5 motorway from neighbouring Albania to Rio. From Rio simply follow the signs to Athens on the A8 motorway.

In general, driving to the Attica region is a great option, provided you have a few extra days to spare. Enjoy the amazing countryside of Greece on a unique journey that takes you through dense pine forests, beautiful mountains, lush valleys, picturesque villages, and large, bustling cities.

The distances from various European capitals are:

Rome – Athens: 1,280km
Paris – Athens: 2,886km
Berlin – Athens: 2,354km
Amsterdam – Athens: 2,822km
Vienna – Athens: 1,723km
Prague – Athens: 2,005km
Bern – Athens: 2,468km
Barcelona – Athens: 3,086km

To top
Skip to content