Are There Two Airports In Athens? | Booking Mix-Up Fix

Athens has one main passenger airport (ATH); the “second airport” people mention is usually the old, closed site or a nearby airfield.

If you’re searching flights and keep seeing mixed answers, you’re not alone. The keyword question—Are There Two Airports In Athens?—shows up because Athens has one modern airport for commercial flights, plus an older airport name that still pops up online. Add in a few nearby air bases and small airfields, and it starts to feel like there must be two.

This piece clears it up in plain English. You’ll know which airport to fly into, why some pages still talk about another Athens airport, and what to watch for when you book, land, and head into the city.

Are There Two Airports In Athens? What Booking Sites Mean

For regular travelers flying to Athens, Greece, there’s one airport that matters: Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (IATA code ATH). It’s the airport used for almost all scheduled international and domestic passenger flights into the Athens area.

So why do people say Athens has two airports? Most of the time, they’re mixing up:

• The current airport: Athens International Airport (ATH), east of the city in Spata.
• The former airport site: Ellinikon (also spelled Hellinikon), which closed to commercial aviation in 2001.

Some travel forums still refer to “the old Athens airport,” and older guides may call it “Athens (Ellinikon).” That’s where the “two airports” idea comes from.

Two Airports In Athens: What’s Open And What’s Not

Think of Athens like many big cities that replaced an older airport with a newer one. The older facility can linger in maps, memories, and search results long after it stops handling flights.

Athens International Airport is the only airport for most passengers

Athens International Airport opened in 2001 and took over all commercial traffic that used to run through Ellinikon. Today, if you’re flying from the U.S. or connecting through another European hub, you’ll land at ATH.

If you want a reliable, official reference when planning, use the airport’s own site for transport options, terminal info, and maps. Athens International Airport traveller information lists the current services, ground transport, and terminal guidance.

Ellinikon was Athens’ main airport, then it closed

Ellinikon served Athens for decades. It stopped operating as an airport when the new Athens International Airport opened in 2001. It does not handle commercial flights now. If you see it mentioned, treat it as a historical reference, not a place you can fly into.

What counts as an “airport” near Athens

Language can trip people up. In travel talk, “airport” often means “where my airline lands.” In aviation terms, the Athens area has more than one airfield. Many are military bases, training fields, or general aviation strips. They can appear on maps and airport lists, even though they’re not where you’ll arrive on a normal ticket.

Air bases and small airfields exist, but they aren’t passenger gateways

Near Athens you may hear names like Tatoi/Dekeleia, Elefsis, Tanagra, or Megara. These places can handle military flights, training, private aviation, or aero clubs. They don’t function like a city’s second commercial airport with budget airlines and scheduled departures.

If you’re flying for business aviation or private charter, your operator will confirm the exact airfield and any access rules. If you’re on a standard airline itinerary, your booking will say ATH and you’ll be going to the main airport.

Airfields around Athens at a glance

The table below helps you separate the airport you’ll use from other facilities that can show up in searches.

Facility	Type	What travelers should know
Athens International Airport (ATH)	Commercial passenger airport	Main gateway for Athens; airlines, customs, and public transport links.
Ellinikon (old Athens airport site)	Closed airport	Former main airport; no airline service today.
Tatoi / Dekeleia	Military and general aviation field	Used for air force activity and aero clubs; not a standard arrival point for tourists.
Elefsis Air Base	Military base	Operational air base; access is restricted.
Tanagra Air Base	Military base	Military operations; not a commercial airport for travelers.
Megara Airfield	Military and training field	Used for training; not part of normal airline networks.
Heliports and hospital pads (various)	Helicopter landing sites	Serve emergency or special flights, not scheduled passenger trips.

Which airport should you fly into for Athens, Greece

If your goal is Athens city sights, island connections, or a Greece road trip, book flights to ATH. That single code is what matters on airline sites, credit card portals, and flight trackers.

Look for the code first, then the name

Airports can share similar names across countries. The code reduces mistakes. For Athens, Greece, it’s ATH. If you ever see ATH paired with an unexpected country or state, pause and recheck your search filters.

Don’t confuse Athens, Greece with Athens in the U.S.

There are several U.S. cities named Athens, and flight search tools can jump to them if your filters are loose. If you’re starting from the U.S., pick “Athens (ATH) – Greece” and stick with it through checkout.

Getting from Athens airport to the city

Athens International sits east of central Athens. Most travelers use one of three options: metro, bus, or taxi/private transfer. Your right pick depends on your arrival time, luggage, and where you’re staying.

Metro

The metro is a steady option during operating hours. It’s often the easiest way to reach central stops without sitting in traffic. If you’re landing late, check the last train time before you commit to it.

Airport buses

Airport buses can run later than rail options and can be a good fit if you arrive after the metro shuts down. They can take longer in heavy traffic, so plan a buffer if you’re meeting someone or catching a ferry.

Taxis and transfers

Taxis are simple when you have bags or a group. Confirm the fare rules before you get in, then pay attention to the receipt and meter practices that local authorities require. If you’re booking a transfer, use a provider that gives clear pickup instructions and a real contact number.

Why maps and older articles still talk about another Athens airport

Online info doesn’t expire on its own. Here are the main reasons the “two airports” idea sticks around:

• Old airport codes and names: Ellinikon used the ATH IATA code in the past, and that history still appears in older pages.
• News and redevelopment: The Ellinikon site has been in the news for redevelopment plans, so it keeps resurfacing in search.
• Aviation lists: Some lists group military bases and airfields with passenger airports, which can be confusing for travelers.

How to confirm you’re headed to the right place

A quick sanity check can save you hours. Use this sequence whenever you book or plan transfers:

1. Check the IATA code: Your ticket should show ATH for Athens, Greece.
2. Check the full airport name: Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos.”
3. Check the address area: Spata/Attica is normal for the current airport.
4. Check your ground transport link: Metro, airport bus, or taxi pickup should reference Athens International.

If you want a second official cross-check on how Greece classifies airports, the regulator’s aerodromes section can help separate passenger airports from other facilities. Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority airports listing sits within their aerodromes area and points to how airports are organized.

Common confusion points and how to handle them

Even when you know ATH is the airport, a few details still trip people up. The table below covers the usual cases.

What you see	What it means	What to do
“Athens (ATH)” with no other context	Almost always Athens International Airport	Open the details and confirm it says Greece and “Eleftherios Venizelos.”
“Hellinikon” or “Ellinikon” mentioned in a blog	Old airport site, closed since 2001	Treat it as history; don’t plan arrivals or departures there.
A map pin labeled “Athens Airport” far from the terminals	Map data mix-up or a secondary point of interest	Use the official terminal map or confirm the address matches the current airport.
Transfer quote that says “Athens Airport (Old)”	Outdated listing in a transfer database	Message the provider and ask for pickup at Athens International (Spata).
Flight search shows “Athens” but the country is United States	Athens in Georgia, Ohio, or another state	Switch the destination to “Athens (ATH) – Greece.”
Private jet itinerary references an ICAO code, not ATH	Private aviation uses ICAO fields often	Confirm the field with your operator and match it to your ground transport plan.

Planning tips for U.S. travelers connecting through Athens

If you’re arriving from the U.S., you may connect through hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt, or Istanbul, or fly direct when seasonal routes line up. Either way, you’ll land at ATH.

Give yourself time for connections

If Athens is a connection point to the islands, check whether your next flight is on the same ticket. Separate tickets can mean you need to claim bags and recheck. Build a cushion for lines, especially in peak travel months.

Know where ferries actually depart

Many first-time visitors assume they can step off a plane and catch a ferry near the runway. Athens ferries typically leave from ports like Piraeus, Rafina, or Lavrio, not from the airport. Plan ground travel time and keep a buffer, especially for early sailings.

Save your arrival details for your driver

If you’re meeting a taxi or transfer, share the flight number and arrival time. That lets them track delays and meet you at the right exit without guesswork.

A simple checklist before you hit “Book”

Use this short list and you’ll avoid nearly every Athens airport mix-up:

• Destination shows ATH and Greece.
• Airport name shows Athens International Airport.
• Ground transport plan starts from the current airport terminals in Spata.
• If a site mentions Ellinikon, you treat it as history, not a working airport.
• Your hotel or host message includes the word “Spata” or “Athens International” for pickup.

Once you lock those in, the “two airports” question stops being a headache. Athens has one main airport for travelers, and the rest are either history or specialized airfields that won’t appear on your airline boarding pass.