Flights to Athens

Your flight time to Athens depends on where you’re flying from and which airport you’re landing in. A journey from New York to Athens will take a little under nine hours, while Los Angeles to Athens takes around 16 hours with a connection.

We fly to Athens from London Heathrow (LHR). The number of flights departing each week and flight times vary by airport.

In general, prices are usually at their highest during the summer months. Search for flights in spring or autumn to pay less but still enjoy balmy weather when you’re exploring ancient ruins and enjoying delicious dishes. 

Street food is big business in Athens – grab a gyro or some spanakopita and you can eat it on the go, while saving a few euros on the cost of a sit-down meal. You can explore the city for less by hopping on the public transport system, or if you’ve got your walking shoes on, see it all on foot. After all, Athens existed long before cars did, so it’s worth using the alleyways and paths only available for walkers to discover hidden tavernas and historic spots.

Athens’ airport is around 35 to 40 minutes away from the city centre. The metro is right by the airport’s entrance, and children under six can travel on it for free. It connects to the central stations but doesn’t run after midnight, so if you’re travelling after this time, hop in a cab or on one of the city’s buses. The service is the cheapest way to travel around Athens. 

You can also hire a car with British Airways if you want to get out of the city and see more of what Greece has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points on every rental.

If truly understanding the modern Western world is on your to-do list, Athens is a good place to start. The centuries of history here have all helped shape life as it is today. You can visit the site of the first ever Olympic games, the Panathenaic Stadium, and walk the same paths as famous Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato. You’re also in the home of Greek food, so refuel with a Greek salad and treat yourself to a slice of honey-sweet baklava to keep you going long into the night. Like all capital cities, Athens’ nightlife scene has something for everyone.

You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg – in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.

If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.

If you travel to Greece with a valid British passport and stay for less than 90 days, a visa is not required. If you’re from a country outside the EU, you may need to apply for a visa in advance of your trip. You can find out more about visa requirements for all the countries we fly to at the IATA Travel Centre.

Discover outstanding service from the moment you book. Fly with just hand baggage and you can carry two bags free of charge. Choose our checked baggage option and you can travel with hand baggage and a 23kg bag checked into the hold, plus enjoy free seat selection 24 hours before you fly. On board you’ll find HEPA-filtered air, quality on-board catering, and a warm, uniquely British welcome.

Simply relax and let us take care of you, every step of the way.

• Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
• Package vacation prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
• Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
• Package vacation prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in USD per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
• Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
• Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
• Combine and save on Vacations: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ vacation including more than one hotel and / or car.
• Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.