What can you do if you're stuck at the
Athens International Airport? While good planning can avoid some delays, sometimes your only option is that dreaded long layover at Athens International Airport
1. Grab a Taxi or Take the Metro
If you're brave enough to leave the airport, the Attica area offers wineries and even the Attica Zoo. Taking a taxi? Negotiate prices beforehand; otherwise, they may try to stick you with a higher special rate from the airport to a hotel. I don't recommend this for short layovers, but if you have five or more hours to fill, it may be right for you. Read what
other readers have done in similar situations.
Even if you're a slow reader, this small museum won't occupy you for more than fifteen minutes, but hey, that's fifteen minutes off of your total wait time.
3. Lose Your Luggage - Temporarily
Your stay at the airport will be lightened both spiritually and physically if you drop your luggage at the luggage drop located at the end of the terminal. It will cost you for this privilege, but you won't regret it.
4. Visit the Pharmacy
This may not sound exciting on the surface, but the Athens International Airport has an excellent pharmacy. While it offers medicines, many needing no prescription, its greatest strength lies in a wonderful array of health and body products all by Greek manufacturers. The white-coated saleswomen will be glad to help you find a whole new beauty regime at a fraction of what similar products cost in the United States - even with an atrocious Euro exchange rate.
5. Shop till you Drop
I'm not a big one for airport malls, but this one is a pleasure, with boutiques I'd seek out even if I didn't have to kill time. The Gourmet shop offers dozens of good Greek wines and just checking out the labels is a great time-waster. The local branch of the Mastica Shop features nothing but products made from the famous Greek resin, and several newsstands offer books, doodads, toys, and other treasures.
Bored? Tired? Hating the airport "atmosphere"? Walk directly across the street to the Sofitel Hotel and buy yourself a drink in the lobby. They even have screens showing the flights (though be aware that not all flight updates may be listed). Spend a moment on the way looking at their small pond and feeling grass under your feet instead of airport tiles.
While definitely not for everyone, those who make a habit of sleeping overnight at airports claim that Athens International is one of the best.
