Getting to Athens
By Plane
Athens is served by Athens International Airport, also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH). The airport is located approximately 33 km from the city center and offers direct flights from many major international destinations.
- Athens International Airport (ATH): Located about 33 kilometers east of Athens city center. It is the main international gateway to Greece and serves millions of passengers each year.
- Flights to Athens: Direct flights are available from major European cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, and Barcelona, as well as intercontinental flights from North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Shared shuttle services and private transfers are available from the airport to the city center and major hotels.
Athens Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport to the city center, including Syntagma Square, in approximately 40 minutes.
Express bus routes (X95, X96, X97, X93) operate 24 hours a day between the airport and key locations in Athens.
Licensed taxis are available at the airport arrival area, and ride-sharing services can also be used.
Important Note: A roundtrip transfer between Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and the Divani Caravel Hotel can be provided — together with the announced accommodation fees — for participants who received the accommodation service from Serenas Group (Official Agent of the VAI Meeting).
By Train
- From Thessaloniki, Greece: Direct train connections are available between Thessaloniki and Athens (duration approximately 4–5 hours).
- From Sofia, Bulgaria: Train connections are available via Thessaloniki, although schedules may vary and transfers may be required.
- From Belgrade, Serbia: Train connections to Athens are available with transfers via Thessaloniki.
Please note that international rail connections to Athens may require transfers and schedules should be checked in advance.
- From other Greek cities: Athens is connected by rail to major cities within Greece, including Thessaloniki, Larissa, Volos, and Patras.
- Rail services are operated by Hellenic Train, which provides intercity and regional train services across the country.
- Athens Railway Station (Larissa Station): The main railway station in Athens, serving both domestic and international routes.
- Piraeus Railway Station: Located near the Port of Piraeus, serving regional routes and connections to the Athens metro network.
By Car
| City | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Sofia, Bulgaria | 790 km (490 mi) | North |
| Skopje, North Macedonia | 700 km (435 mi) | Northwest |
| Tirana, Albania | 720 km (447 mi) | Northwest |
| Istanbul, Türkiye | 1,090 km (677 mi) | Northeast |
| Rome, Italy | 1,050 km (652 mi) | West (incl. ferry) |
| Vienna, Austria | 1,400 km (870 mi) | Northwest |
| Berlin, Germany | 2,100 km (1,305 mi) | Northwest |
| Paris, France | 2,100 km (1,305 mi) | Northwest |
| London, United Kingdom | 2,400 km (1,490 mi) | Northwest |
These distances are approximate and can vary depending on the specific route taken and the mode of transportation (e.g. car, train, or plane).