Flying from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH): What you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Istanbul. Explore your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when booking your flight from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH).
1 hour 30 minutes is the average duration of a direct Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport flight.
Athens is one hour behind Istanbul. Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located in Athens, which is in the UTC+2 timezone.
With 62 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 1:40am. If you're eager to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest flight from IST to ATH is with Sky Express at 10:45pm.
To ensure you catch your flight from Istanbul to ATH, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
With more people on the move during high season, it's wise to get to your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will allow extra time for delays.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can hop on a direct flight from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
At IST, there's a good selection of carriers that operate direct flights from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, including:
Turkish Airlines is the airline most travellers choose for flights from IST to ATH.
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
You can book a direct Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) plane ticket out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Check if flying out of SAW makes more sense for your journey.
Catch your direct flight from Istanbul to ATH with Pegasus. This is one of the main airlines operating this route out of SAW.
Pegasus is the top choice for travellers flying from SAW to ATH.
The most punctual carrier is Pegasus. Its Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport flights land as planned 67.68% of the time.
With public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in about 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away, and getting there by car will take approximately 55 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your Istanbul to ATH flight? Check in to a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your trip officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76.93%.
About Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Book one of these accommodation options near ATH instead:
Pick up an Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport rental car and discover Athens and beyond with your own wheels. Centauro, Green Motion and Surprice are popular providers you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, reserve your ride around three weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport flight.
Getting from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to central Athens
Central Athens is around 40 kilometres from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and takes about 35 minutes to reach by car. Look into how to get from the airport to the city, whether that's with a car hire, cab or ride-share.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is 30 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 57 €. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
Lock in cheap flights from Istanbul to ATH by booking six months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
November is when you're most likely to find a fantastic deal on an Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport ticket. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal comes up on plane tickets from Istanbul to ATH.
Filters make it easier to track down a bargain for your flight from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Choose the airlines, flight times and number of stops that match your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH). August is the busiest month to visit Athens. If you like your getaways a little more chill, go in February.
Lock in an Istanbul to ATH plane ticket departing in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Athens to range from 22ºC (72ºF) to 37ºC (99ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in January when temperatures are between 4ºC (39ºF) and 14ºC (57ºF).
More about Athens
Start your Athens trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, explore our range of hotels including:
You'll find plenty of fantastic things to do in Athens when you're ready to go sightseeing. Kick things off at Acropolis of Athens followed by The Parthenon and Erechtheion.
Explore more of Greece
You've seen Athens, now it's time to explore other corners of Greece. Travel about 225 kilometres north-west to Larisa to tick off its must-visit sights. From Ancient Theatre A to War Memorial and Larissa Ancient Ruins, your itinerary will be busy.
Kalamaria is another essential stop in Greece and is around 306 kilometres north of Athens. No trip is complete without dropping by Thetidos Park, Nautical Club of Thessaloniki and Kalamaria Marina Recreational Park.