Airfare to Athens, Greece
Named after the goddess Athena and the capital of Greece, Athens is home to more than 3.2 million people. After receiving a multi-million dollar face-lift for the 2004 Summer Olympics, Athens and her stunning array of ancient ruins, artwork and historical sites are stoically on display.
One of the sunniest cities in Europe – with nice weather from May to October – tourists visit the country almost year-round. Top attractions in Athens include the Parthenon, the Acropolis and the site of the first modern Olympic Games, Kallimarmaro Stadium.
Airfare to Athens will be the cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday. Mondays are popular with business travellers and weekends are key dates for holidaymakers wanting the longest trips possible – avoid these dates.
Also consider flying into Rome, Italy or another nearby city. To get between the cities, you can grab a spot on a train, bus or flight. Although it will take longer to reach your destination, a bus or train could save you enough cash to make it worth your while.
Another possible money-saving tip is to look for flights that go through London, England or another major gateway city. Because there are more connecting flights within Europe on low budget airlines versus direct flights, you can save some cash. Flights within Europe rarely exceed two-and-a-half hours. It is very common to layover in one of these main cities.
Finally, consider traveling on a lesser-known carrier. Olympic Airlines, based in Athens, is the national airline. Aegean Airlines is another domestic service. The country is also reached via British Airways, Delta and other carriers.
The most expensive air tickets to Athens are found during peak holiday travel times, such as the summer Eurail season. Also be aware of national events or festivals, which can also cause ticket prices to rise.
Summary of Money Saving Tips:
- Fly mid-week
- Book your holiday during the off-peak winter season, January-March
- Consider flying into Rome, Frankfurt or another large city and traveling overland to Athens via train or bus
- Look for flights that go through large cities, with many flights
- Check out carriers besides the national airline – they may undercut the monopolistic competition
For more information on Athens, check out BootsnAll’s Athens Travel Guide.