These hotels near Athens airport are a good choice to stay for one night when arriving late to Athens Greece, or before an early flight.
Staying at hotels near Athens airport in Greece
Whilst it is very easy to get from Athens airport to city center and vice versa any time of the day and night, staying at the hotels near Athens airport is sometimes more convenient. This is especially so if you have to check-in during the early hours for a flight or arrive late.
There are really only two hotels near Athens airport to choose from. The first, is the Sofitel Athens Airport hotel which is right outside. The second, is Holiday Inn Athens Airport a little distance away.
Whilst there are other hotels and places to stay a little further away from the airport in Athens, Greece, I'd question if it was worth it. The travel time from some of these hotels to the airport is very similar to traveling from the city center.
Sofitel Athens Airport
** Check for the best price here – Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel **
The Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel is literally within walking distance of the airport. It is a 5-star hotel, and the luxury amenities include a sauna, indoor pool, beauty center, and free Wi-Fi.
All the rooms have air conditioning, are soundproofed, have a bathroom and mini-bar, and can receive movies on demand. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar, whilst room service is available.
The Sofitel Athens Airport is the best of the hotels near Athens airport, and a lovely place to stay. Whilst it is not a good place to be based in terms of arranging sightseeing trips to the Parthenon and Acropolis, it does have its uses.
Thinking of hiring a car and making a road trip in Greece but want some rest first? The Sofitel Athens Airport would be ideal.
Have an early flight and want to stay at the best hotel near Athens airport? The Sofitel fits the bill.
Check for the best price here – Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel
Holiday Inn Athens Airport
Check for the best price here – Holiday Inn Athens Airport
The Holiday Inn Athens Airport Hotel is about a 10 minute drive from the airport. A 5 star hotel, it offers guests a range of facilities, which include a gym, swimming pool, business center and meeting rooms, sauna and Wi-Fi.
The rooms are clean and modern, and come with air-con, cable TV, bathrooms, and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also an in-house restaurant and bar.
Like many hotels near Athens airport, the Holiday Inn is actually quite a drive out. With this in mind, it is probably best suited for people who have picked up or are dropping off a hire car at the airport. It is also a popular hotel with business customers.
Check for the best price here – Holiday Inn Athens Airport
The Best Hotels Near Athens Airport
Out of the two hotels, my favourite is the Sofitel hotel. Although it's a little more expensive, the extra comfort and added convenience more than compensates for it. Here's a quick look inside:
More Athens Airport Hotels
A little further away and on the Attica coast, are a selection of other hotels near Athens airport. In my opinion, these are really only suitable for people who have access to a car, or would get to and from the airport by taxi.
Some of them do offer a free shuttle service to and from the airport – but check before booking!
For those hotels that don't offer an airport shuttle service, you may still find that the Greek owners are friendly people, often happy to pick you up from Athens International airport main terminal and drop you back again.
You'll notice these places to stay around Athens International are a lot cheaper than the Sofitel. Check out the map below for more ideas where to stay near Athens airport.
Other Hotels in Athens
Unless you really HAVE to stay at the hotels near Athens airport, it is far better to stay in the city center. This way, you can make the best use of your time when sightseeing in Athens.
I've created a page of the best hotels near the Acropolis, and any one of these is an excellent choice. I've also got a much deeper guide and Athens hotel list in my post on the best places to stay in Athens.
Some of the popular areas to stay in central Athens include Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma Square, Ermou, and Kolonaki. The top luxury hotels and boutique accommodation in these areas may also come with Acropolis views and rooftop restaurants.
If you need any help on where to stay in central Athens, the hotels near Athens airport, or sightseeing in Athens, don't hesitate to get in touch!
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Athens International Airport Accommodation FAQ
How far is Athens Airport from city center?
It's about 33 kms from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport to Athens centre. It will take you anywhere from a half hour to an hour to make the journey by taxi.
How do I get from Athens airport to city Centre?
The X95 bus runs from Athens International to Syntagma Square in Athens center 24/7. The metro runs from 06:30 am to 11:30 pm. Taxis are available outside the terminal.
How far is Sofitel from Athens Airport?
The Sofitel Athens Airport hotel is literally just a few minutes walk from the arrivals area. As you walk out the terminal, the Sofitel Athens Airport will be a short walk just 50 metres away opposite you.
What is the name of Athens Airport?
The full name is Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, commonly initialized as AIA (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV). It is named after prominent statesman Eleftherios Venizelos.
How do I get from Sofitel Athens airport to Acropolis?
If you decide to stay at the Sofitel Athens, you can get to the Acropolis most easily by using the metro. You'll need to make one change in Athens city centre at Syntagma Square metro station to get on the Acropolis line. Alternatively, use the X95 bus into Syntagma Square and then walk to the Acropolis. A taxi would be your most expensive option.
Where to stay near Athens airport
Feel free to pin this guide on places to stay near Athens airport for later. That way you'll be able to find it easily when you need to book your Athens airport hotel!
More Athens Guides
Looking for an Athens sightseeing itinerary? Check out my my guide to spending 3 days in Athens. You can also sign up for my free Greece travel guides below.
David Stevens says
Hi, great site. We are visiting Greece mid may for 4 weeks. Arriving late in evening. Bit of quandary. Do we do Athens first or last and really need to do it without the hire car. Pick up at later day.
Our first idea is to get bus into town to a hotel that has 24 hour desk. “Do” Athens, go back to airport, pick up car and do rest of road trip.
Can consider doing Athens last.
Have you any better ideas.
Dave Briggs says
Hi David,
It sounds like you have a road trip in mainland Greece planned?
If so, I would arrange your itinerary so to miss out driving in Athens.
You don’t need a car to get around the city, and actually it’s a real pain finding parking – not to mention the crazy driving 😀
Saving it til last makes more sense I think.
I’d allow 3 days to get a good feel for the place. (itinerary here – 3 days in Athens)
Depending on what time your flight lands, if it was really late, i’d be tempted to check into the hotel at the airport when landed and rest up.
The next day, pick up the car first thing, and then head out to your first destination.
Alternatively, get yourselves into the centre of Athens, stay at a hotel for 3-4 nights to see Athens on foot, and then pick up a car after you’ve ‘acclimatised’ to start on the road trip.
Denise says
Hi Dave,
I am planning a 2 day trip to Athens on labor day weekend, I would like to know if there are any beaches in Athens that my and my husband can visit or is there any ferry that we can take to one of the islands to enjoy the beach.
Thanks,
Denise
Dave Briggs says
Hi Denise,
I think that the beaches on the way to Sounion would be a great idea, as you could link time at the beach with visiting the Temple of Poseidon.
The closest beach to Athens is at Glyfada area.. look for Athens Riviera. These can be reached easily on public transport.
Enjoy your time in Athens!