Athens
Enjoy cheap flights to Athens every day of the week from London and other locations in the UK. Get child discounts of up to 90% and additional benefits with EuroBonus as well as e.g. free seat selection included in your flight ticket.
MANY WEEKLY FLIGHTS TO ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ATH)
Fly to Athens from London and other airports in the UK. Choose amongst our many weekly flights to Athens International Airport, so it fits perfectly with your own schedule.
SAS flies to and from Athens International Airport, which is located just 12 miles east of central Athens.
We get you to Athens in a convenient way to meet your leisure or business needs with a quick stop in either Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo.
CHEAP FLIGHT TICKETS TO ATHENS – SAVE EXTRA WHEN YOU BOOK IN ADVANCE
You can easily find our many cheap flight tickets to Athens, when you use our low price calendar. We have a 24-hour return policy at SAS – book the cheap tickets when you find them and ask your friend or that special one afterwards.
The price and availability are updated with every new search. Price variations may occur, when you proceed to booking.
UP TO 5 FLIGHTS OPTIONS AVAILABLE, 6 DAYS A WEEK, FROM LONDON TO ATHENS
Fly to Athens from London nearly every day of the week. We have up to 5 different flight options, so you can choose the one that suits you the best.
The flight from Heathrow to Athens takes a few hours. This makes it perfect for a romantic getaway or a long weekend. You can book your cheap return ticket at the same time too - it does not get any easier.
FLIGHTS TO ATHENS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK FROM VARIOUS AIRPORTS IN THE UK
You can fly to Athens with SAS from various airports in the United Kingdom. This makes it easier for you to plan your trip to the Greek capital.
Fly to Athens (ATH) from:
• Birmingham (BHX)
• London – Heathrow (LHR)
• Manchester (MAN)
When you fly with SAS, we make a short stop in either Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo and get you to Athens in a quick and easy way.
Find a flight to Athens near you
ALWAYS INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET – FREE SEAT SELECTION, ONLINE CHECK-IN AND MUCH MORE
You get many things included in your flight ticket to Athens, so you can relax and enjoy your flight in the best possible way. We have you covered before, during and after your flight. Included in your flight ticket are:
• 24-hour return policy
• Free seat selection
• Online check-in
• Tea and coffee on board the plane
• Newspapers in our app
• Child discount up to 90%
Download our app or find the best prices and departures on flysas.com.
CHILD DISCOUNT OF UP TO 90%
When you fly with SAS, you can enjoy child discounts of up to 90% depending on the age of the child.
Children under the age of 2 (0-23 month) enjoy a 90% discount on the price of their ticket – when travelling on their parent’s lap during the flight.
Children under 12 have their own seat on board. They can enjoy a discount of up to 25% off their ticket.
ADDITIONAL OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS WITH EUROBONUS
Accumulate points on your flights, hotel stays, car rentals and even everyday purchases. It is completely free to join EuroBonus – our premier loyalty and frequent flyer program.
Redeem your points at either SAS or our many partners. You can get flight tickets, upgrade your current tickets, hotel stays and much more.
As a member of EuroBonus, you get more benefits the more you fly – make your travelling experience even more comfortable and smooth.
Get more benefits with Eurobonus
TRAVEL EASIER WITH SAS GO LIGHT, SAS GO & SAS PLUS
At SAS we want to make your travel as easy as possible. That is why we continuously develop our products and services to best suit you and your family.
We have different kinds of tickets at SAS that lets you be as flexible as possible when travelling. Enjoy additional comfort and stay in our lounges with SAS Plus, travel light with SAS Go Light and get a number of benefits with SAS Go. Choose the best type for your travel.
How sas makes your travelling easier
ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ATH)
SAS arrives and departs from Athens International Airport which is located just 12 miles east of central Athens – 19 miles by road.
It is easy to get to and from the airport with public transportation, so you can get to your final destination in Athens. You can also rent a car directly at the airport, so you are able to get around the city in a quick and easy manner.
You can enjoy free WiFi within the terminal of the Athens International Airport for 45 minutes.
There a many different restaurants and cafés in the airport, where you can get a bite to eat or something to drink. You can also do some shopping at the airport in the many different shops ranging from fashion to electronics - also Duty Free shopping.
If you are travelling with children, you will find a children’s play area and baby rooms at the airport.
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
There are three types of public transportation you can take to get to and from the airport and Athens – metro, suburban rail and bus services. You can also travel by taxi or limousine to and from the airport.
If you are going to a different city or region, you can travel with the regional buses – KTEL Express Service.
The quickest way to get to Athens from the airport is with the metro. The Metro Line 3 “Agia Marina – Athens International Airport” goes straight from the airport to Athens.
If you want to travel by train, Athens International Airport is connected via the Suburban Rail with Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station), Port of Pireaus and Kiato.
There are a total of four bus routes that directly connects Athens with the airport. All buses arrive at the Departures Level and depart from the Arrivals Level – between exits 4 and 5.
CAR RENTAL AT ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
It is easy to get to and from the airport, when you have a rental car. You can both pick up and collect your car at the airport. The airport has a live traffic feed you can check for situations affecting traffic to and from the airport.
Book from the comfort of your own home and have the car standing by, when you arrive at the airport. You also will not have to deal with irritating paperwork, if you book your rental car before your travel.
Perform a car rental search right here on the SAS’ website and get an easy overview of car models/brands, availability and prices across all suppliers.
Contact
Athens International Airport
“El Venizelos” sa, SPATA 19019
Athens, Greece
Telephone number: +30 210 353 0001
Website: https://www.aia.gr/traveler
TRANSPORTATION IN ATHENS
It is really easy to get around Athens thanks to the city’s public transportation system. The integrated public transportation network is both extensive and inexpensive and consists of bus, tram, metro and train.
You can also get round the city by taxi, if you need to get from A to B quickly. Taxis in Athens are bright yellow and there are about 14.000 of them in Athens.
Taxis are relatively cheap but if you want to be sure you pay the normal price, ask a couple of taxi drivers how much the ride is going to cost. If you are going on a longer trip by taxi, ask for a fixed amount before getting in the taxi.
TOURIST TICKET FOR ALL MASS TRANSIT MODES
Depending on how much you are going to use public transport in Athens, and what type of public transportation you are going to use, you can save a lot of money with a Tourist Ticket – flat fare ticket.
You can get a 90 min, 24-hours, 3-days or 5-days flat fare ticket for all mass transit modes. You can use all public transportation within the designated time period and it is easy to buy new tickets if needed.
ATHENS METRO
The metro in Athens runs effectively and they typically run from 5 a.m. to midnight. There are 4 minutes between each train during the peak periods and 10 minutes during of peak periods.
There are three metro lines in the city:
• Line 1 (Green) - one of the older routes that runs from Kifisia-Pireaus. Trains travel a bit slower and above ground.
• Line 2 (Red) – runs from Agios Antonios in the northwest to Agios Dimitrios in the southeast.
• Line 3 (Blue) – this line runs northeast from Egaleo to Doukissis Plakentias.
You can transfer to the other two lines at different stations on each line.
CITY BUSES AND ELECTRIC TROLLEY BUSES
Both buses and trolley buses generally operates every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight. There are five 24-hour lines as well. They both serve Athens and its many suburbs in modern and air-conditioned vehicles – nice during the hot summers.
Prices varies depending on how long you are going to use your ticket.
TRAMS IN ATHEN
The trams in Athens started operations during the Olympics. The Athens Tram connects the center of the city with the southern seaside. There are a total of three lines:
• Line 1 – from downtown Athens to Peace and Friendship Stadium
• Line 2 – runs from the city center to the southern suburb of Voula
• Line 3 – runs along the coastal zone
During the summer many locals use the tram to get to nearby beaches and seaside cafés.
ATHENS – THE CRADLE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION
The city of Athens can date its recorded history more than 3.400 years back. It has long been an important city and is often referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy.
Athens had a big cultural and political impact on the European continent and in particular the Romans. The city and Greek culture was a main drive and inspiration towards the Europe we know today.
Because it was a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy many of the great thinkers was drawn to the city. Athens was e.g. the home of Plato’s Academy as well as Aristotle’s Lyceum.
You can still spot many sites and buildings all over Athens today dating back many thousands of years. The city also has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its city limits as well as many other important sites.
HISTORY OF ATHENS
People has resided in Athens more than 2.500 years. The oldest known human presence in the city was found in the Cave of Schist, which has been dated to between 1.000-600 B.C.
There have been people in the area where Athens is today for more than 7.000 years.
The city of Athens was a big and important Mycenaean city in approximately 1.400 B.C., and Acropolis was a major fortress at that time.
THE PERSIAN INVASION
Athens was a dominant force in ancient time especially thanks to its access to the sea. It helped the Ionian cities rebel against the Persians. This resulted in the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars.
Sparta and Athens led a coalition of Greek states in a battle against the Persians with the sole aim of repelling them from the area. The coalition decisively defeated the Persians at Marathon in 490 B.C. The epic battle at Thermopylae, where King Leonidas led Spartans and other Greeks in a massive resistance against the Persians, took place in this period.
During the war Athens was sacked not once but twice by the Persians in just one year.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF ATHENS
The decades after the Greco-Persian Wars became known as the Golden Age of the Athenian democracy. Athens became the leading city of Ancient Greece during this period. It was in these years that the city’s cultural achievements laid the foundation for Western civilization.
Many of the greatest thinkers and historians of ancient time flourished in Athens in its golden age. Sophocles, Hippocrates, Socrates and Pericles, to name a few, was some of the great mind the city fostered in these decades.
The construction of Acropolis, as we know it today, also took place during this unique time in history for Athens.
Tensions between Athens and Sparta led to the Peloponnesian War in 41-404 B.C., which saw Athens being defeated by their long-standing rival. This essentially ended the golden age of Athens.
In 338 B.C. Athens lost its independence when it, and other Greek city states, lost to Philip II of Macedon in the battle of Chaeronea.
MODERN ATHENS
Unlike other urban planning projects in big cities across the world, the first modern city plan in Athens consisted of a triangle. It was made up of Acropolis, the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos and the Bavarian king’s palace (which now houses the Greek Parliament).
Athens hosted the first modern Olympic games in 1896. The Olympic Games had not been held in many hundred years. The last ancient Olympic Games were held in the 4th century B.C.
The city experienced a big increase in its population during the 1920s as well as from the 1950s to the 1960s.
SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS IN ATHENS
Athens is considered to be the world’s ancient capital. There are many sights and attractions to be enjoyed in the city – some dating back thousands of years.
Because Athens was an important cultural and historical city for so many years, you can find buildings from a wide variety of civilizations and periods all over the city.
If you are into history and ancient civilizations, Athens is the place for you.
PARTHENON AND ACROPOLIS
There are not many sights in the world, that can stand to be compared to Acropolis. It was the center of ancient Athens and also functioned as a citadel because of its location on a hilltop.
Parthenon is the temple perched high above the rest of the city in Acropolis. It is an awe-inspiring sight and the classical building can be dated back to 447-339 B.C.
The temple is designed by the famous artist Phidias. Even though the temple had many treasures, the main attraction was a huge statue of Athena that was made out of ivory and gold.
Below the Acropolis hilltop you can visit the Acropolis Museum that contains one of the most valuable collections of ancient Greek art in the world.
MOUNT LYCABETTUS
You get one of the best views over Athens on Mount Lycabettus. It is the highest point in Athens and you can see all across the Attica basin and the Aegean Sea.
The place is ideal for romantic getaways and a fantastic spot for gorgeous sunsets. You can get to the mount by hiking or you can take the funicular.
At the top is a little café that serves some fantastic food.
SYNTAGMA SQUARE – CHANGING OF THE GUARDS
Syntagma Square is where you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument. The monument honours all the soldiers, who died fighting for Greece.
The Soldiers of the Presidential Guard stands in front of the Hellenic Parliament all year-round in their traditional costumes complete with pleated skirts, leg tassels and pompom shoes.
You can watch the changing of the guard at 11 a.m. every day.
SHOPPING IN ATHENS
There are many shops to visit in Athens, which makes it a perfect place to do some shopping during your visit. You can find everything from big markets, high-end stores, small boutiques and the universal department store.
Many of the big brands are situated in the main street. If you want to visit some of the smaller and more unique shops, you need to stroll down some of the smaller streets.
If it is quality shoes and clothes you are looking for, Ermou Street is the street for you. Here you will find all the primary clothing shops in Athens. If you want a great bargain on clothes and many other things, you should stop by Aeolou and Agios Markos Streets.
If you are shopping for music and computers, you must visit Syntagma Square. Here you will find many electronic and record shops.
Athens is known for its ancient buildings and you can also find many antiques in the city. If you want to browse the best antiques, make your way to Abysinia Square in Monastiraki.
ART AND CULTURE IN ATHENS
The city of Athens is recognized as being the historical capital of Europe with a long history dating back many thousands of years.
Athens has the largest pedestrian area in all of Europe with a large part of the historic city centre being converted into a pedestrian zone. You can find a great mix of artists, art and cultural activities all over the city. There is something for everyone.
There are also a number of important museums with world-class exhibitions.
THE ESSENTIAL MUSEUMS IN ATHENS
There is a great deal of museums in Athens that covers a wide range of periods and civilizations throughout history.
The National Archaeological Museum is one of the world’s most important museums. Here you can enjoy a pristine collection of Greek antiques. The many treasures of the museum offer a unique insight into Greek art and history as one of the most influential city’s throughout time. The neoclassical 19th century building houses more than 11.000 items.
Acropolis Museum is situated at the foot of the impressive Acropolis. It showcases the surviving treasures of ancient Greek, that is still in Greek possession. The emphasis is on the Acropolis of the 5th century B.C. The museum has many truly stunning exhibitions with the top-floor Parthenon Gallery being the most impressive and important one.
SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS IN THE OPEN
Not all museums in Athens are traditional. The Temple of Poseidon stands on a craggy spur from which you get an impressive view of Cape Sounion. It is placed 70 km. south of Athens but is an important temple and a site that has survived from ancient Greek.
The first theatre in the world lies in Athens. The Theatre of Dionysos was used for the annual Festival of the Great Dionysia during the 6th century.
FESTIVALS AND ANNUAL EVENTS IN ATHENS
There are many reasons to visit Athens. Many interesting festivals and events takes place during the year.
Interesting festivals in Athens:
• The Festival of Epiphany - 6th of January
• Feast of the Flowers – 1st of May
• European Music Day – 3 days around 21st of June
• Epidaurus (Culture) Festival – from June to August
• Rockwave Festival - July
One of the most important festivals in Athens is the Epidaurus Festival. During the festival you can experience classical theatre performances, drama, concerts, contemporary dance events, lectures and much more.
DINING AN NIGHTLIFE IN ATHENS
There are many nice and small restaurants and bars in Athens, where you can enjoy a great meal and delicious cocktails.
If you are looking for great places to eat while visiting Athens, you should stop by Cinque Wine & Deli Bar or Dinner in the Sky Greece in Gazi. Efcharis in Monastiraki is also a great restaurant, where you can get great food for low prices.
Many of the most popular venues in Athens are in walking distance of Syntagma Square. Gazi is called the nightlife and restaurant district of Athens. Start at one of the many restaurants before enjoying the great bars and clubs the district has to offer. Here you will find Enzzo Club, Vinilio and Pixi – all places that are worth visiting.
About ATHENS
Population: 665.000
Religion: 98% Christianity
Currency: Euro
Time difference: +2
Country code: +30
Languages: Greek, English
Embassy: 1A Holland Park, London W11 3TP, United Kingdom
United Kingdom’s embassy: Ploutarchou 1, Athina 106 75, Greece