Athens Airport Connecting Flights
Is Athens not your final destination, but just a transit point on your way to your journey’s end? Are you worried about transferring between flights and finding your way around the airport? How much time should you allow between two connecting flights? What is the procedure for connecting passengers? Learn all the essential information to enjoy a stress-free layover at Athens International Airport.
Transit Passengers: With or Without a Boarding Pass
The procedure depends on whether passengers already have a boarding pass. Overall, the layover at Athens Airport is much less hassle for passengers who already have boarding passes to their final destination, and their connecting times are shorter. So, do you have your boarding pass?
Transit Passengers with Boarding Passes
In general, if you already have your boarding pass, all you’ll need to do as soon as you land at Athens Airport is check the departing gate of your next flight (the procedure is more complicated for international travelers to or from non-Schengen destinations). You’ll spot several flight information screens scattered around the transit area. Gates A1-A23 and Gates B1-B31 are located on the Main Terminal, whereas Gates C15-40 can be found at the Satellite Terminal. The two terminals lie within walking distance, interconnected via an underground passageway. It’s important to remember that your gate may change without prior notice. Therefore, you should always check the departure screens.
Transit Passengers without Boarding Passes
If you don’t have a boarding pass to your final destination, you’ll need to check in. You’ll find transfer desks handling check-in and offering assistance to transit passengers. That being said, the transfer desks are often unstaffed. In that case, you’ll need to reach the Departures area on Level 1 of the terminal building (landside) to check in. You can use the self-service check-in kiosks (CUSS kiosks) or collect your boarding pass from the self-service units. Alternatively, you can also check in at your airline’s check-in counter.
Athens Airport Connecting Passengers
The procedure to follow when landing at ATH Airport depends on the departure and destination countries. Overall, passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries must pass through security and passport control, while those traveling within the EU and domestic travelers undergo quicker, simpler procedures.
The following procedures apply to passengers traveling on a single ticket from their departure to destination airports. Travelers with separate tickets must collect their baggage (if they have hold luggage), go through passport control and customs (if required), exit the Arrivals area, and proceed to Departures to re-check in.
From a Schengen to a Schengen Destination
If your departure point is one of the Schengen countries and you are flying to another Schengen destination via Athens Airport, you’ll arrive at El. Venizelos Arrivals and proceed airside to Departures without passing through passport control or customs. The Departure Gates for Schengen destinations are B1-B31.
From a non-Schengen to a non-Schengen Destination
If you are flying on a single ticket from a non-Schengen to a non-Schengen destination, transiting through El. Venizelos, you will arrive at Athens Airport’s Arrivals and need to pass through passport and security control before proceeding to Departures. The Gates for non-Schengen destinations are A1-A23
From a Schengen to a non-Schengen Destination
Flying from a Schengen destination to a non-Schengen country with a transit stop at Athens Airport? You’ll arrive at the Arrivals area and must go through security and passport control before proceeding to your Departure Gate. Please note that gates for flights to non-Schengen destinations are A1–A23.
From a non-Schengen to a Schengen Destination
Passengers flying from a non-Schengen destination to a Schengen country must follow a different procedure. They must proceed to passport control immediately after arriving at Athens Airport. After completing passport control, they must collect their luggage and go through security before proceeding to Departures for their next flight. Please note that gates for flights to Schengen destinations are B1–B31.
Our Tip: Which destinations are in the Schengen Area? Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Handling Checked Luggage for Connecting Passengers
If you have booked two separate tickets for your air journey, you’ll have to retrieve your luggage at the ATH airport baggage claim area, go through customs (if required), and then check in again at the Departures area using the CUSS kiosks or check-in counters to drop off your baggage.
On the other hand, passengers flying on a single ticket typically have their luggage checked through to their final destination. However, if you are traveling to a regional Greek airport, you may need to collect your luggage, go through customs, and then drop it off for your onward flight, even if your luggage is checked through to your journey’s end. Therefore, if your destination is one of these airports, you should check with your airline to plan your layover at Athens Airport. In any case, if your luggage isn’t tagged to the final airport, you’ll need to retrieve it (Level 0), go through customs and security control (if required), and proceed to Departures (Level 1) to check in for your next flight.
Connecting Times at Athens Airport
Minimum connecting times apply to passengers traveling via Athens Airport on a single ticket and who have their luggage checked through to their final destination. If you have booked two separate tickets, you’ll need significantly more time for your transit between flights at El. Venizelos.
Overall, transit passengers flying between domestic destinations need around 30-45 minutes to catch their connecting flight at Athens Airport, while those traveling between Schengen destinations need about one hour. On the other hand, travelers connecting at Athens Airport should allow 2-3 hours if their journey involves any of the following: from Schengen to non-Schengen, from non-Schengen to Schengen, or from non-Schengen to non-Schengen destinations, to board their next flight stress-free.
In any case, you should always allow plenty of time for your connecting flight, as delays are common and you may face long waits at passport control, security, and customs, especially during the summer months. Moreover, your connecting time will be even longer if you have to walk between terminals. Fortunately, the underground walkway connecting the two terminals is equipped with moving walkways. Finally, families traveling with small children, as well as passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, should plan accordingly to enjoy a seamless connecting experience at Athens Airport.
FAQs
Do I have to go through security again for a connecting flight to Athens?
If you are a domestic passenger or if you are flying between Schengen destinations, you won’t need to go through security for your onward flight from Athens Airport. In all other cases, you’ll have to go through passport control and security screening, and you may even need to collect luggage (if you are flying from an extra-Schengen destination to one of the Schengen countries.
Is 1.5 hours enough for a connecting flight in Athens?
If you are flying between domestic destinations or Schengen countries, a 1.5-hour connecting time at Athens Airport should be enough. However, if this isn’t the case, the 1.5-hour time frame is tight and probably not enough to go through the necessary procedures.