Rome to Athens is one of the Mediterranean’s easiest short hops — a non-stop flight of about two hours, flown many times a day, and cheaper than most people expect. Checking every fare on sale, the low-cost carriers hold returns at about €64, and the full-service alternative runs €103–€154. This guide covers who actually flies the route, what a return really costs in euros, and when to book.
Route: Rome (FCO) → Athens International, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)
Distance: approximately 1,050 km (650 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 55m – 2h 05m
Direct flights: Yes — every single fare we track on this route is non-stop. ITA Airways, Aegean Airlines, Ryanair and the Greek carrier Sky Express all fly it from Rome Fiumicino, several times a day between them.
Fares from Rome to Athens (EUR)
Athens is a year-round city break with a strong summer peak, when it doubles as the gateway to the Greek islands. Fares climb from June to early September and around Easter and Christmas; the cheapest seats are in the November–March off-season. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros — the low-cost carriers set the floor, while flexible or last-minute tickets sit at the top.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium-high (Easter) |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | very high |
| August | — | very high |
| September | — | high |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | medium-high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write: the low-cost carriers — Ryanair and Sky Express — sit at about €64 return, and that is the median for the whole route, not a sale price. Ryanair tops out at €77. The full-service options cost roughly twice as much: Aegean €103–€153 and ITA Airways €154. So anything at or near €64 is simply the going rate, under €64 is a genuine find, and around €105 is what a full-service ticket with a bag costs. Add bags to the low-cost fare before comparing — on a fare this small they matter.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 2 hours):
- Ryanair — the cheapest and by far the most common carrier in our fare data, behind seven out of ten of the lowest returns at €64–€77. Watch the bag and seat add-ons, which on a fare this small can close the gap to a full-service ticket.
- Sky Express — a Greek carrier that matches Ryanair on price at €64–€66 in our data, and is easy to overlook. Worth checking alongside Ryanair on your dates.
- Aegean Airlines — Greece’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member; comfortable, reliable and with good onward connections to the islands, at €103–€153 return.
- ITA Airways — the most frequent operator from Fiumicino (its home hub), full-service with a checked bag on most fares, at about €154 in the fares we checked.
Between them these carriers offer multiple daily departures, and every fare we track is non-stop — there is no reason to consider a connection on a two-hour hop. The real decision is the roughly €40–€90 step between a low-cost seat and a full-service ticket with a bag and a proper schedule.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares; unlike long-haul, prices here can occasionally dip closer in during quiet months, but summer seats sell out.
- Avoid July–August and Easter if you can — the shoulder months of May, September and October give near-summer weather at lower fares.
- Travel light to fly cheap: Ryanair’s lowest fares include only a small under-seat bag — add cabin or checked baggage and compare the all-in price against ITA or Aegean.
- Midweek is cheaper: Tuesday to Thursday departures usually undercut Friday–Sunday, which carry the weekend-break premium.
- Consider Aegean for onward island hops — a single ticket through Athens to Santorini, Mykonos or Crete can be smoother and cheaper than booking separately.
Arriving in Athens
All flights land at Athens International, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), about 33 km east of the city centre. The easiest way in is Metro Line 3 straight to Syntagma Square (around 40 minutes, roughly €9 one-way), or the X95 express bus to Syntagma for about €5.50 if you don’t mind the traffic. A metered taxi to the centre runs on a fixed daytime tariff of around €40 (a little more at night). Suburban rail also links the airport to the wider Attica network.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Rome to Athens?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 5 minutes, covering roughly 1,050 km across the Ionian and Aegean seas. There is no meaningful time difference on the return leg, so plan for about two hours in the air either way.
Are there direct flights from Rome to Athens?
Yes. ITA Airways, Aegean Airlines and Ryanair all fly non-stop from Rome Fiumicino to Athens, with multiple departures a day between them. On such a short route there’s no need to connect — a direct flight is almost always available and the cheapest option.
How much does it cost to fly from Rome to Athens?
Less than most people expect. Low-cost returns on Ryanair and Sky Express sit at about €64, which is the median for the whole route in the fares we can currently see. Full-service costs roughly double: Aegean €103–€153 and ITA Airways €154. Bags are extra on the low-cost fares, so add them before comparing.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Rome to Athens?
November, January and February are the quietest months to travel. On price the month matters less than the airline here: the low-cost return held at about €64 across every departure we could price. July and August, plus the Easter and Christmas weeks, remain the busiest times to fly.
Which airlines fly from Rome to Athens?
Non-stop flights are operated by Ryanair and the Greek carrier Sky Express, both at about €64 return in our fare data, plus Aegean Airlines (Greece’s Star Alliance flag carrier, €103–€153) and ITA Airways (the most frequent operator from its Fiumicino hub, about €154). Other carriers add seasonal frequencies in summer.
Which airport do I fly into in Athens?
You arrive at Athens International, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), the city’s single main airport, about 33 km east of the centre. Metro Line 3 connects it directly to Syntagma Square in the heart of Athens in around 40 minutes.
How far in advance should I book Rome to Athens flights?
Aim to book 3 to 8 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice. For summer travel (July–August) and the Easter and Christmas peaks, book earlier — seats fill and fares rise as those dates approach.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be cheaper than Friday–Sunday flights, which carry a city-break premium. Flying out and back midweek can save €20–€50 on a return, so flexibility of a day or two pays off.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
