How Early to Arrive at Athens Airport

Athens International Airport -known as El. Venizelos or AIA Airport- is the busiest aviation hub in Greece. With its growing traffic, the airport is the main gateway to Greece, one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. In fact, ATH Airport facilitated more than 31.8 million passengers in 2024, with the summer months being its peak season. So, do you have an upcoming air journey? Are you wondering how early to get to Athens Airport for your flight? You’ll find all the necessary information for a smooth and hassle-free check-in process here.

How Early to Arrive at Athens Airport for Domestic Flight?

Are you traveling from ATH Airport to a domestic location? You may be planning to visit one of the cosmopolitan Greek islands or head to another Greek city for business or leisure. No matter your destination or the purpose of your travel, you should be at the airport 1.5-2 hours before the departure time of your flight.

How Early to Arrive at Athens Airport for International Flight?

If your destination is international, you should plan your trip to Athens Airport carefully to arrive at least 2-3 hours before your flight. Explicitly, arriving 2 hours prior to takeoff should be enough if you are traveling to a European destination. Alternatively, if you are flying to a non-EU destination, you should allow 3 hours to complete the necessary procedures.

That being said, the previously mentioned time frames are only guidelines and can be affected by several factors, such as the time of year, airline requirements, and road congestion. So, what else should you take into account when preparing for your trip to Athens International Airport?

Athens Airport Departures: Check-in and Security Necessary Procedures

As soon as you reach El. Venizelos Airport, you’ll have to go through the required procedures before boarding your plane. So, how much time would you need to complete each of them?

1. Check-in at Athens Airport

You can check in online or use the airport’s check-in counters. Self-service kiosks are also available at ATH Airport.

• Online check-ins are recommended to save time at the airport. You can check-in online 1-2 days up to 30 minutes before the flight departing time. Each airline has its own policy. Therefore, you must check the specific requirements of the selected air carrier. In any case, if you check in online and have your boarding pass on your mobile or electronic device, you can head directly to the security control point for your gate. Time required at the airport when having checked in online: 0 minutes
• You can also use the check-in counters of Athens International Airport. They are located on the first floor of the Main terminal, whether you are departing from this building or the Satellite terminal. Once you enter the terminal, you should search for the desks of your airline. You’ll spot boards displaying relevant information, or you can visit the information counters for assistance. Please keep in mind that the check-in desks open a few hours before departure and close 40-60 minutes before the flight’s departure. Plus, some air carriers impose printing fees for boarding passes. Time required for checking in at the check-in counters: 15-30 minutes
• Finally, ATH Airport features CUSS kiosks, self-service areas where passengers can print boarding passes and sometimes even print luggage tags, regardless of their airline. Once they print the luggage tags, passengers can drop off their baggage at designated counters. Time required at CUSS kiosks: 5-10 minutes

Our Tip: Some airlines allow only online check-ins.

2. Luggage Drop-Off at Athens Airport

If you have checked luggage apart from your hand baggage, you’ll have to drop them off. Thus, even if you have checked in online, you’ll still have to get to the check-in counters and hand over the luggage. Some airlines allow printing the luggage tags at the CUSS kiosks and drop off the baggage at designated counters. However, this isn’t a rule.

Our Tip: If you carry oversized luggage, musical instruments, or sports or other special equipment, you should check your airline’s policy before reaching El. Venizelos to avoid waiting time in lines at the airport.

3. Security Control at Athens Airport

You’ll have to pass through security control before heading to your gate. It’s important not to carry prohibited items with you to avoid delays at the checkpoint. Athens Airport also offers a Fast Lane service for eligible passengers, usually by reservation. It is available at the Main terminal building. In general terms, Athens Airport security wait times range from 10 to 20 minutes. However, during the airport’s busy times (usually during the peak summer tourist season), you may need up to an hour to go through all required formalities.

4. Passport control at El. Venizelos

Once reaching your gate, you’ll have to go through passport control. That being said, citizens of the EU traveling to a Schengen destination don’t need to pass through passport control, although they are required to carry their passports or IDs. You’ll spot two lines at the passport control of your gate at ATH Airport, one for EU citizens (with passports or IDs issued by countries members of the EU) and one for non-EU passengers. In both cases, you’ll have to carry your identification document (passport or ID) and a valid boarding card (printed or in electronic form). Moreover, traveling to certain destinations requires a visa and a vaccination certification. Time required for passport control: 5-30 minutes, depending on the destination and the passenger’s origin (EU or non-EU citizen).

Our Tip: Passengers with biometric passports (passports with microchips) can use the self-service checkpoints at ATH Airport. This service applies to travelers with passports issued by an EU country, as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, who are over 12 years of age.

Why Arriving Early at Athens Airport is Essential

You can estimate the average duration of the check-in, security screening, and passport control procedures. Still, you should arrive early at Athens Airport to have ample time in case of unexpected delays or last-minute changes. In detail, you can take a look at some of the factors that may affect your travel time:

1. Congested Roads

Are you traveling from Athens to ATH Airport? You should need around 40 minutes to get from downtown to Athens Airport by car (taxi or private airport transfer) or subway, and approximately one hour if traveling by bus. However, during peak hours, roads often get congested. In that case, journeys via cars or buses can be considerably longer. Hence, you should have extra time for your arrival at the airport to be on the safe side if you encounter any bottlenecks. Conversely, subway trips aren’t affected by traffic levels.

2. Departing Terminal

The Main terminal houses Gates A1-A23 (non-Schenghen) and Gates B1-B31 (Schengen destinations). However, you may fly from the Satellite terminal, where Gates C15-C40 are located. The Satellite terminal is connected to the main building via an underground passageway equipped with moving escalators. Therefore, if you are departing from the Satellite terminal, you should add a 15-minute transfer between terminals to the total time needed before your flight.

3. Peak Seasons at Athens Airport

El. Venizelos Airport often gets congested during peak seasons, especially in the summer months when its passenger traffic increases abruptly due to tourism. If you are traveling during the airport’s busy times, you should expect to encounter longer waiting lines, which may result in more time-consuming procedures.

4. Traveling with pets

Are you traveling with your pet from Athens Airport? You should check your airline’s policy concerning pets and allow some time to complete the relevant procedures. Indeed, you may need extra time to check-in, and you might be required to pass through additional security checks.

5. Using the ATH Airport’s Facilities

Do you want to visit one of the airport’s lounges or indulge in some shopping therapy before flying to your destination? After all, duty-free products are always a good idea! Moreover, Athens Airport features many cultural attractions, such as the Acropolis Exhibition and the exhibit dedicated to El. Venizelos. Verily, there are many things to do at Athens Airport. If you want to make the most of the airport’s amenities, you should arrive early at the airport to have plenty of time before your flight.

Tips to Optimize your Airport Experience

• Checking in online can save you a considerable amount of time, especially if traveling only with hand luggage.
• Whether traveling with hand baggage or checked luggage, make sure to comply with airline regulations to avoid delays at the drop-off points and during security screening.
• Always verify your flight’s departure gate, as last-minute gate changes are possible.
• Do you plan to arrive at ATH Airport via car? Reserve a parking spot in advance to minimize parking time and ensure availability.
• Have the necessary documents on hand to reduce delays.