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Cheap flights to
Athens (ATH)

Save hundreds on your next flight with deals on highly rated airlines.

Flights to Athens (ATH) overview

Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members save approximately 32% compared to normal flight prices to Athens (ATH).

Cheapest Going deal

$413

Average price roundtrip

$810.60

Average Going deal price roundtrip

$550.59

Best month to fly

Going found the most deals with travel dates in January.

January

Worst month to fly

Going found the least deals with travel dates in July.

July

Top tips for finding a cheap flight to Athens (ATH)

Book in the Goldilocks Window

It would be nice if there was a day of the week when prices magically dropped. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. However, there is a time period when flights are generally cheapest. We call it the Goldilocks Window because it’s not too far in advance of your flight and not too close either—it’s just right. The window is about 1-3 months before a domestic flight and 2-8 months before an international flight.

If you’re booking during a peak travel season, or for a trip that requires specific dates and no room for flexibility, we recommend planning even further in advance. If, for instance, you’re hoping to visit Athens in peak season in July, you’d be wise to start looking at fares in December.

Last-minute deals are almost nonexistent during busy travel seasons. Fare jumps happen 21, 14, and 7 days in advance of departure dates, so it’s best to book before those points if at all possible.

Use the Greek Islands Trick

The Greek Islands Trick is one of our favorite hacks for finding cheap fares to places like Santorini, but it can work for the Greek mainland as well. The idea is to get as close as you can to your final destination for the cheapest flight possible, then find a budget flight or other travel option for the last leg.

So, if you really want to fly from Atlanta to Athens for a summer beach holiday but flights are $1,100, check out fares to London instead. If you see a fare for under $700, for example, it could be worth looking for a low-cost airline ticket—these are sometimes under $120—from London to Athens. Just like that, you’ve saved yourself some cash to put toward a couple of nights in hotels. It’s a little more work, but especially during the summer when Greece is very popular, it could save you quite a bit of money.

Search alternative departure airports

Travelers living near major airports, like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, likely don’t consider flying out of other airports very often. Why would they when the world’s busiest airport is right there? Believe it or not, there may be situations when you could actually save money by looking at long-haul flights from other cities, even if it requires another short flight to get there.

If you see a $550 roundtrip flight from New York to Athens in July, even adding a $180 flight from Atlanta to New York would still mean you’re saving money. Sometimes, even Atlanta residents can benefit from checking out deals from other airports.

Fly when it’s cheaper

One of the easiest ways to save on flights is to fly during cheaper periods. Summer is the busiest time in Athens because kids are on summer break and travelers visit Athens on their way to the island beaches. Remember: More people traveling means airlines can raise prices.

The more flexible you can be with your dates, the better chance you’ll have of finding a deal. Shoulder seasons are travel favorites—and in Athens, they’re actually the best time to visit. The months just before and after peak season have amazing weather, lower prices, and far fewer crowds. You can save even more by traveling in the off season, which is December–February in Athens. The weather in Athens is consistently mild, never too cold, and there are dozens of museums and hundreds of indoor restaurants, so winter can be a great time to visit to save money.

If you do plan to travel during the summer, be sure to look at fares on what are generally the cheapest days to fly: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Avoid Fridays and Sundays, the most expensive day to fly.

Set alerts for specific trips

We know firsthand that keeping track of airfare as it fluctuates is hard work. The good news is that technology can do some of the heavy lifting.

Set up fare alerts online for any itinerary you’re looking at, and you’ll get an email when the fare drops into your price range or by a significant amount. Do this well in advance of your trip, ideally before the Goldilocks Window we talked about above so you can see prices fall during that time. If your travel dates are flexible, set up multiple alerts.

Athens is a fairly busy airport, with direct flights from more than 100 airports in more than 56 countries. Most of those are in Europe. You can fly directly to Athens from Chicago; Atlanta; New York; Washington, DC; Boston; and Philadelphia. From much of the world, you’ll have to make a connection, but most people can reach Athens with just one stop.

Frequently asked questions about flying to Athens (ATH)

What is the airport code for Athens International Airport?

The airport code for Athens International Airport is ATH.

When is high season in Athens?

Peak season in Athens runs from early June through the end of August, when most families take vacation. Visitors often pair a trip to Athens with a visit to a Greek island, another reason summer, with its warm beach weather, is a popular time.

When is the best time to visit Athens?

Summer is the busiest time in Athens, meaning it can be very crowded. It can also be very, very hot. The best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons, from March to May and September to November. It’s still sunny and warm but not too hot, and prices on hotels and flights are generally lower.

Winter, from December to February, is the best time to visit for deals.

Does ATH have its own on-site hotel?

The Sofitel Athens Airport is located just opposite of the main terminal of the airport. Amenities include a gym, an indoor pool and sauna, two restaurants, and multiple meeting areas. Rooms start at $250 per night.

What lounges are available at ATH?

  • Terminal A: Aegean Business Lounge, Goldair CIP Lounge, Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge
  • Terminal B: Aegean Business Lounge, Goldair CIP Lounge, Lufthansa Lounge, Skyserv Melina Merkouri Lounge

In Terminal A, the Aegean Business Lounge features a hot and cold Greek food menu, a full bar, 360-degree views, free wifi, a TV area, a social area, and a quiet area, as well as a large dining room and cafe. The Terminal B lounge has the same amenities, plus a wine bar featuring Greek wines. The lounges are available for Aegean business class passengers, Aegean Gold members, Miles+Bonus members, and Star Alliance Gold members. Aegean Silver members can also use the lounge in Terminal A. Other Aegean passengers can purchase access at the door starting at $39, depending on availability.

What are the rules for traveling with pets to ATH?

In the airport, pets must remain in their carrier. The airport recommends checking with your airline about additional restrictions on which pets can fly in the cabin. If you’re visiting Athens from outside of the country, your pet must have a microchip, rabies vaccines, and a signed USDA health certificate, among other requirements.

How far is ATH from Athens?

ATH is about 20 miles from the Athens city center, or a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic.

What are the transportation options for getting from ATH to Athens?

There are a number of options to get from ATH to Athens.

  • By rideshare or taxi: Taxis are available on the Arrivals level near Exit 3. A ride to the city center will take 30–45 minutes and has a flat rate of €40 before midnight and €55 from midnight to 5am. Uber is also available and ranges from €35–50.
  • By public transportation: Metro Line 3 runs from the airport to Syntagma Square every 30 minutes. The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs €9. There are also 24-hour buses that connect the airport with the Port of Piraeus and the Intercity Bus Terminal. The buses depart from the Arrivals level and cost €5.50.

How long is the flight to Athens?

If you’re flying to Athens from elsewhere in Europe, you’re in for a short flight that can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours. From the US Northeast, the flight is 8.5–9.5 hours, and from Chicago or Atlanta it’s about 11.5. From elsewhere in the US you’ll have to make a connection, and your flight time could range from 13–20 hours.

From Dubai and elsewhere in the Middle East you can reach Athens in 3–5.5 hours, and from Beijing it’s around 12 hours. From Addis Ababa the flight time is 5 hours. From the rest of the world you’ll make a connection, likely in New York, somewhere in Europe, Istanbul, or Dubai. Your flight time could vary greatly, from 6–20 hours.

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Number of deals

Total to Athens (ATH) in the last month

59
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* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.

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