Airport location, terminals and transportation
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" is the largest airport of Greece. The airport was put into operation in 2001. It is located 17 kilometres from the central business district of Athens, near the city of Spata in East Attica. The airport is capable of servicing up to 20 million passengers a year. It was named in honour of the Prime Minister of Greece, who founded the Ministry of Aviation and organized civil aviation in Greece. The airport encompasses two runways and one passenger terminal.
The airport is linked to Athens by the A6 and A64 motorways. Moreover, Athens International Airport is connected to Athens by the suburban rail. Suburban trains depart from Aerodromio station. Buses take passengers to Elliniko Metro Station. The scheduled buses to Athens and Piraeus arrive at the departure level and depart from the arrival level. Regional shuttle buses depart from the arrival level. The stop is situated between Exits 2 and 3. A taxi stand is positioned beside Exit 3 from the arrival area. Limousine services are available upon prior request.
Rental offices, how to find them, where to return car
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" cooperates with the five car rental companies, which are Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and Sixt. The representative offices of these companies are placed on the arrival level of the main passenger terminal. On the arrival level, the car rental information desks are found next to the exits from the terminal. In order to hire and pick up a vehicle, one should proceed to the information desks of the companies.
The rental terms and conditions of all the companies stipulate that orders are paid by credit cards (cash and debit cards are not accepted). A driver must be aged 21 or over and have a standard set of documents, which include a passport and a driver's license. A leased car is collected from the parking lot of the terminal with a full tank. The car is returned in accordance with the rental agreement with a full tank as well. All the companies offer unlimited mileage to their customers.
Long-term and short-term parking, hotels nearby
Parking facilities at the airport include parking lots of several types. These are short-term parking lots P1 and P2 (located opposite the passenger terminal, on the arrival level); long-term parking lot P3 and P3 Holiday. Parking lot P3 can be reached by a free shuttle bus or via a pedestrian bridge. Parking in parking lots P1 and P2 is free for up to 20 minutes. If clients book parking services through e-Parking, they can take advantage of additional discounts when paying. A valet parking service is available on the departure level of the terminal (Entrance 3).
The Sofitel Airport, an airport's own hotel, is nestled opposite the passenger terminal, between parking lots P1 and P2.