Flying from Athens to Barcelona
The Athens to Barcelona route connects two of Southern Europe's most iconic cities across roughly 2,050 kilometres of Mediterranean airspace. Nonstop flights cover this distance in around 3 hours 10 to 25 minutes, making it one of the more manageable cross-Mediterranean hops you can do. You depart from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), located about 33 kilometres east of central Athens, and land at Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN), which sits roughly 14 kilometres southwest of the city centre. Both airports are well-connected, well-signposted, and easy to navigate even on your first visit.
This is a popular leisure route year-round, especially in summer when Greeks head west and Spaniards visit Greece in return. Because demand is strong enough to support daily nonstop service, you rarely need to accept a connection — though budget travellers sometimes find connecting itineraries cheaper outside peak season. If you're searching for flights from Athens to Barcelona, prioritising the nonstop options first is almost always worth it given how short the journey is.
Airlines on This Route
Two airlines run nonstop flights from ATH to BCN: Aegean Airlines and Vueling. Aegean is Greece's flag carrier and operates out of the main terminal at Athens, offering a full-service experience including checked baggage and a meal on longer sectors. Vueling is a Barcelona-based low-cost carrier — part of the IAG group alongside Iberia — and generally comes in cheaper, though you'll pay separately for bags and seat selection. Both operate daily on this route, which gives you real flexibility on departure times.
If you're open to a connection, options widen considerably. Iberia routes passengers through Madrid Barajas, ITA Airways connects via Rome Fiumicino, and Ryanair and easyJet offer indirect itineraries depending on the season. Wizz Air and Volotea also appear on some booking platforms. These connecting flights can occasionally undercut nonstop fares during shoulder season, but factor in the extra travel time — a connection adds anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to your journey.
Flight Prices: Athens to Barcelona
One-way fares on this route start from around €28–€65 on Vueling during off-peak periods, with Aegean typically sitting €20–€40 higher for comparable booking windows. Round-trip prices from around €75 are achievable if you book early and travel outside the summer rush. During July and August, expect one-way fares to jump to €150–€250 or more on either carrier, especially for last-minute bookings. For cheap flights to Barcelona from Athens, the clearest strategy is booking 6 to 10 weeks out for spring or autumn travel and using Vueling's own site alongside aggregators like Google Flights to catch sales.
Baggage fees matter on this route. Vueling's base fares exclude checked luggage, so if you're travelling with more than a cabin bag, add €25–€45 per leg when comparing against Aegean's included allowance. The actual cost difference between the two carriers often narrows once bags are factored in.
Best Time to Book Athens to Barcelona Flights
January through March is the cheapest window to fly this route. Demand is low, frequencies are maintained, and you'll find the most competitive Barcelona flight deals from Athens during these months. April and May start climbing as spring tourism picks up, but they remain good value compared to summer. June marks the beginning of peak pricing, and July–August is peak of peak — both cities are at their busiest and fares reflect that. September is a sweet spot: the weather in Barcelona is still excellent, crowds thin out from mid-month, and prices drop noticeably. October and November are solid off-peak months again. December sees a spike around Christmas and New Year, then drops sharply in early January.
As a general rule, booking 6–10 weeks ahead works well for off-peak travel. For summer, you're better off locking in flights 3–5 months in advance if you have a fixed itinerary.
Barcelona Airport Guide
Barcelona–El Prat (BCN) has two main terminals: T1 handles most full-service carriers including Aegean and Iberia, while T2 is used by Vueling and several low-cost operators. The terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus, which runs every 7 minutes and takes about 10 minutes — useful if your onward connection involves a different terminal. From the airport into the city, the Aerobus is the most straightforward option: it runs every 5–10 minutes to Plaça de Catalunya in central Barcelona, takes around 35 minutes, and costs about €6.75 one-way. The R2 Nord suburban train (Renfe) is cheaper at roughly €4.60 and takes about 25–30 minutes to Passeig de Gràcia, though it only serves T2 directly. Taxis cost €30–€40 to central Barcelona depending on traffic, with a fixed airport surcharge included.
FAQ — Athens to Barcelona Flights
How long is the flight from Athens to Barcelona?
Nonstop flights from Athens (ATH) to Barcelona (BCN) take approximately 3 hours 10 to 25 minutes depending on wind conditions and the specific routing. Connecting flights add significantly to total travel time.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Athens to Barcelona?
January, February, and March consistently offer the lowest fares on this route. Early October and November are also good value. Avoid July and August if cost is a priority — that's when prices peak on both nonstop carriers.
Which airlines fly from Athens to Barcelona?
Aegean Airlines and Vueling both operate daily nonstop service between ATH and BCN. Connecting options are available through Iberia, ITA Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Volotea, depending on the season and your travel dates.
How much do Athens to Barcelona flights cost?
One-way nonstop fares start from around €28–€65 in off-peak months on Vueling, with Aegean typically slightly higher. Round-trip prices from Athens to Barcelona begin around €75–€90 if booked well in advance outside summer. Peak season fares regularly exceed €150–€250 one-way.