Flying from London to Athens
The route from London to Athens covers roughly 2,400 kilometres, putting Greece's capital well within easy reach of a long afternoon flight. Depending on which London airport you depart from, you're looking at between 3 hours 40 minutes and 4 hours in the air — short enough to skip the overnight option and still arrive with daylight to spare. Flights from Heathrow tend to clock in around 3 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes, while departures from Luton typically run slightly longer at around 4 hours due to routing. All flights land at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), the city's single international hub located about 33 kilometres northeast of the city centre.
London is one of the best-connected European cities for flights to Athens, with departures spread across five airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and occasionally London City (LCY). That spread of departure points means genuine competition on price, which works in your favour whether you're chasing a bargain on Ryanair or prefer a lie-flat seat on British Airways. The route runs year-round, with frequency ramping up sharply from April through September to meet demand from leisure travellers heading to the Greek islands and city breakers exploring Athens itself.
Airlines on This Route
Six airlines currently operate nonstop flights from London to Athens: British Airways, Aegean Airlines, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Sky Express. The full-service end of the market is handled by British Airways, flying out of Heathrow Terminal 5 multiple times daily, and Aegean Airlines, the Greek flag carrier and Star Alliance member, also operating from Heathrow. Both include checked baggage and offer business class on some services. Aegean in particular is worth considering for connecting onward to Greek islands — their Athens hub makes transfers straightforward.
On the budget side, easyJet operates from Gatwick and occasionally Luton, Ryanair runs services out of Stansted, and Wizz Air covers Luton. Sky Express, the smaller Greek regional carrier, also serves the route on a more limited schedule. Budget carriers charge separately for hold luggage, seat selection, and priority boarding — factor those in before assuming the headline fare is your final price. For pure convenience and coverage, British Airways and easyJet offer the most departure options across the week during peak season.
Flight Prices: London to Athens
Cheap flights to Athens from London can start as low as £25–£40 one-way on Ryanair or Wizz Air when booked well in advance or during flash sales. Round-trip fares on budget carriers start around £50–£80 in low season. Realistically, for a flexible return in summer you should budget £120–£220 on a low-cost carrier with a bag, or £180–£350 on British Airways or Aegean in economy. Business class on BA can run £700–£1,200 return depending on how far out you book. London to Athens flight deals are most reliably found by setting price alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner and being flexible by even a day or two on either side of your travel dates. Midweek departures — particularly Tuesday and Wednesday — consistently undercut weekend prices by 15–25%.
Best Time to Book London to Athens Flights
Athens has a long tourist season, which means prices stay elevated from late May through early September. July and August are the most expensive months to fly — book at least 8–12 weeks ahead if you're travelling then. June offers a sweet spot: warm weather, the Acropolis without the worst of the crowds, and fares noticeably lower than peak summer. For the best value overall, target October through March. November, January, and February are the cheapest months to fly, with fares regularly dropping below £80 return. Spring travel in April and May offers a good balance — reasonable prices, pleasant temperatures, and Athens in bloom before the summer rush hits. If Athens itself is your destination rather than a gateway to the islands, autumn and spring are objectively the best times to visit, and your wallet will agree.
Athens Airport Guide
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is a single-terminal airport, which keeps things simple — arrivals, departures, and connections are all housed in the same building. The airport is modern, well-signed in English, and relatively easy to navigate. Ground transport into central Athens is reliable and well-priced. The Metro Line 3 runs directly to Syntagma Square in the city centre, taking about 40 minutes and costing €10 one-way (€18 return). It runs from around 06:30 to 23:30. The X95 express bus to Syntagma runs 24 hours and costs €6.20, taking 50–70 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis are metered and regulated — expect to pay €38–€45 to central Athens, or a fixed fare of €38 applies during daytime hours. Ride-hailing apps including Bolt and Free Now operate at the airport and often undercut taxi prices slightly. If you're heading straight to Piraeus for a ferry to the islands, the X96 bus connects the airport directly.
FAQ — London to Athens Flights
How long is the flight from London to Athens?
Flight time from London to Athens is typically between 3 hours 40 minutes and 4 hours nonstop, depending on your departure airport. Flights from Heathrow average around 3 hours 50–55 minutes, while those from Luton tend to be closest to 4 hours. There are no nonstop overnight options on this route — it's strictly a daytime or evening departure affair.
What is the cheapest time to fly from London to Athens?
The cheapest months for London to Athens flights are November, January, and February. If you want some decent weather alongside a lower fare, April and early May or late October are the next best options. Avoid flying in July and August unless you've booked well in advance — prices roughly double compared to low season, and availability on preferred services gets tight quickly.
Which airlines fly from London to Athens?
Six airlines operate nonstop flights from London to Athens: British Airways and Aegean Airlines on the full-service side, and easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Sky Express in the budget category. British Airways and Aegean fly from Heathrow, easyJet from Gatwick and Luton, Ryanair from Stansted, and Wizz Air from Luton. All flights land at Athens International Airport (ATH).
How much do London to Athens flights cost?
One-way fares on budget carriers start from around £25–£40 in low season, though £70–£120 one-way is more typical once you add a hold bag. Return fares on easyJet or Ryanair average £100–£180 for most of the year, rising to £200–£280 in peak summer. British Airways economy returns start around £180 in winter and £280–£380 in summer. The cheapest London to Athens flight deals tend to appear 6–10 weeks before departure outside of peak season.