Do you have an early morning flight? Is a long layover awaiting you at Athens International Airport? If you feel tired and overwhelmed, you may want to spend your spare time at the airport relaxing or even taking a quick nap. So, can you sleep at the airport? And if so, where can you sleep at Athens Airport? There isn’t really a short answer. If you want to learn more about your options, let me share my “sleep discoveries” around El. Venizelos!
Is Sleeping Allowed at El. Venizelos?
The airport doesn’t feature designated sleeping areas. Thus, sleeping is normally out of the question unless you opt for a hotel room or visit one of the airport’s lounges. That being said, from what I’ve witnessed and what many passengers confirm, the airport’s personnel are flexible, meaning they won’t bother you unless you’re sleeping in a truly inconvenient place, disturbing other passengers, or disrupting airport operations. While this is generally the case for the airside part of the airport, it doesn’t always apply to the pre-security area. In fact, travelers are overall discouraged from sleeping there.
Where to Sleep Landside?
As already mentioned, travelers aren’t typically allowed to sleep landside. Hence, although staff are more tolerant in the post-security zone, they’ll probably caution you in the landside part of the terminal. Even if that weren’t the case, the airport doesn’t have many armless chairs in that area. So, there’s actually no place for you to settle in anyway. While some travelers get comfortable in the area right outside the Exhibition of Archaeological Findings on the mezzanine floor of Departures (Level 2) after 11:00 pm, when the museum closes and the area becomes dark, or near the Orthodox Chapel at Floor 2 of K Wing, airport personnel often intervene. Therefore, if you feel like risking it, you can do so! Alternatively, if your check-in point is open, I would advise completing the check-in, security screening, and passport control (if traveling to a non-Schengen destination) procedures and accessing the airside area.
My Tip: If the check-in counters aren’t yet open, you don’t have many options, to be honest. You can simply wait until they open to enter the post-security area. However, if you have many hours to spare, desperately need to rest, and don’t mind the cost, you can book a room at the Sofitel Hotel, located a few steps from the Main terminal’s doors.
The Airside Sleeping Options
Have you checked in and passed through security control? You’ve now entered the airside zone of your terminal. Where can you sleep there? Unfortunately, there are no sleeping pods or designated areas with loungers or cushioned seats. However, there are recliners here and there that are very comfortable and an excellent choice for resting or napping. Overall, most recliners, benches, and chairs without armrests can be found in the Schengen zone of Departures, near Gates B. I’ve spotted comfortable seating for rest at Gates B12-B13, and B22-B23. On the other hand, comfy chairs can also be found in the non-Schengen zone as well, especially near Gate 15, while the satellite terminal, operating secondarily during the peak seasons, offers convenient relaxing seating near Gates 34 and 40.
My Tip: You’ll spot some sofas outside the duty-free facilities, but you probably won’t be allowed to stay there for long.
My Resting Tips for Sleeping at ATH Airport
Although sleeping at Athens Airport can never be ideal, since it doesn’t have dedicated facilities, you can still make your experience more comfortable. If, for example, you plan to sleep on the floor, choose a remote corner to minimize the chances of being disturbed. Additionally, bring a sleeping bag, as the airport is air-conditioned and can get chilly at times. Even if you just want to rest on some chairs or relax in the surprisingly cozy recliners, you should use a sleeping mask, and earplugs are also recommended to block the airport’s noise. Besides people talking and other usual airport sounds, El. Venizelos plays music throughout its terminals. Although it stops for a few hours during the night, it resumes in the early morning hours.
Moreover, you should keep in mind that only a few restaurants and shopping facilities are open around the clock. Fortunately, water fountains are scattered throughout both terminals. In detail, you’ll find one:
- landside at the Main terminal, opposite check-in areas 21 and 155.
- landside at the Main terminal, opposite the WHSmith Shop.
- airside at the Main terminal’s Arrivals close to Exits 1 and 5.
- airside at the Main terminal’s Schengen zone (Hall B), opposite the Swatch Shop.
- airside at the Main terminal’s Schengen zone (Hall B), opposite Gates B17 and B21.
- airside at the Main terminal’s non-Schengen zone (Hall A) opposite Gate A15.
- airside at the Main terminal’s non-Schengen zone (Hall A) near the Candyfair Shop.
- airside at the non-Schengen Arrivals before the passport control.
- at the baggage reclaim area, opposite Belts 1 and 12, and between Belts 5 and 6.
- at the tunnel connecting the two terminals, next to moving walkway 5.
- a the Satellite’s terminal Departures (airside), before Gates C27-C32, and C37-C40.
Other Sleeping Options
Truth be told, if you want to truly rest during your layover, you should visit one of the airport lounges. They can be found in both the Schengen and non-Schengen areas of the Main terminal (airside), as well as at the post-security zone of the Satellite terminal. Some lounges are designated for VIP and premium airline members, while others are accessible to all travelers for a fee. They feature luxurious designs, comfortable seating, and additional services such as dining facilities and showers. However, most lounges impose a time limit on usage. Thus, if you have a really long layover, you should check if your selected lounge allows access for the entire duration.
On the other hand, the ideal option for a good sleep is a hotel room. Athens Airport doesn’t have hotels inside the terminals, but the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel is located just a few meters from the Main Terminal’s exit doors. While it is fairly expensive—as are most airport hotels—it provides excellent services. Alternatively, you can catch a taxi or use public transportation means to check in at one of the accommodation facilities close to the airport or even at the nearby village of Rafina. Personally speaking, I doubt whether it’s worth the hassle and time spent going back and forth, particularly if your spare time is limited. That being said, it depends on your budget. On the bright side, there are many affordable but decent hotels within a relatively short distance from the airport.