Find the cheapest flights from Rome to Athens in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Rome (FCO) → Athens (ATH)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 4h 30m – 7h
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €270 | low |
| February | €250 | low |
| March | €300 | medium |
| April | €340 | medium |
| May | €380 | medium-high |
| June | €450 | high |
| July | €500 | high |
| August | €480 | high |
| September | €380 | medium-high |
| October | €320 | medium |
| November | €260 | low |
| December | €320 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- Ryanair (direct): from €85 — Ryanair’s Athens service operates from Fiumicino Terminal 1. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for best rates. Wednesday and Sunday flights are typically cheapest. Avoid peak summer dates as prices spike significantly.
- Aegean Airlines (direct): from €150 — Aegean offers the most convenient schedule with 4-6 daily flights. Their Flex fare at €220 includes 32kg baggage and same-day flight changes. Best for business travelers needing flexibility.
- ITA Airways (direct): from €140 — ITA operates 2-3 daily flights from FCO Terminal 1. Their Light fare is the true basic at €120 but has no checked baggage. Book directly for cheapest published fares.
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €220 — Lufthansa connections via Munich (2h 40m layover) are most practical. Book 8+ weeks ahead for lowest fares. Check Google Flights for fare comparison across all connecting carriers.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €180 — Istanbul connection typically adds 4-5 hours to journey but often cheapest connecting option. Free stopover in Istanbul allowed – useful for two-destination trip.
Booking Strategy
Book your Rome-Athens flight 4-8 weeks in advance for the best balance of availability and price. The cheapest booking window opens around 6 weeks before departure when airlines release their discounted advance-purchase seats. For direct flights, Ryanair offers the lowest base fares (often €80-120) but factor in potential baggage fees. Aegean Airlines provides the best overall value for a full-service experience with included baggage. Flying midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday) saves €30-50 compared to Friday or Sunday departures. November through March sees the lowest demand and best deals, with prices dropping to €250-300 for direct flights. Avoid July and August when direct flights hit €450-550 and availability is tight. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ search to compare all carriers, but book Ryanair directly on their website to avoid third-party booking fees.
Route Tips
- Rome Fiumicino Terminal 1 and 3 handle all Athens-bound flights – check your boarding pass for terminal. Ryanair uses T1, Aegean operates from both T1 and T3 depending on flight number.
- Greek citizens and EU passport holders need no visa. Non-EU travelers should check if they need a Schengen visa – Rome to Athens is an intra-Schengen flight with no immigration between the two countries.
- Athens airport metro runs 24/7 on weekends – take advantage if arriving late night. The €10 airport metro ticket is valid for 90 minutes including transfers on other lines.
- If traveling beyond Athens (to islands), consider domestic Greek ferries from Piraeus port – the metro connects directly from the airport to Piraeus in 30 minutes. Book ferry tickets at Ferryhopper.com.
- For Greek island hoppers, ITA Airways and Aegean often have cheaper Athens-Santorini/Mykonos connecting flights than separate bookings. Check multi-city search options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Rome to Athens?
The direct flight from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Athens (ATH) takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is one of the shortest international routes in Europe. If you opt for a connecting flight through hubs like Munich, Frankfurt, or Istanbul, expect a total journey time of 4.5 to 7 hours depending on connection duration. Aegean Airlines operates the most frequent direct service with 4-6 daily flights, while Ryanair and ITA Airways run 2-4 direct services per day. Morning departures (7:00-10:00) typically have the shortest connection times if flying indirect.
How much does it cost to fly from Rome to Athens?
Direct flights from Rome to Athens start at around €80-120 with Ryanair when booked well in advance. Full-service carriers like Aegean Airlines and ITA Airways charge €140-200 for economy class. Connecting flights via European hubs typically cost €180-280. Peak pricing occurs in July and August when direct flights reach €450-550. The cheapest period runs from November through February with average prices of €250-300 for direct flights. Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer a good balance with prices around €320-380 and fewer crowds at Athens attractions.
Are there direct flights from Rome to Athens?
Yes, direct flights are readily available between Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Athens International Airport (ATH). Three airlines operate this route: Aegean Airlines (4-6 daily flights, Star Alliance member), Ryanair (2-4 daily flights), and ITA Airways (2-3 daily flights). Flight time is just 2 hours 15 minutes. All direct services depart from Fiumicino Airport – note that Ryanair uses Terminal 1 while Aegean operates from both Terminal 1 and 3 depending on schedule. There is no direct service from Rome Ciampino Airport to Athens. No low-cost carrier currently serves the Ciampino-Athens route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Rome to Athens?
November is the cheapest month to fly from Rome to Athens, with average direct flight prices of €260. January and February follow closely at €270-250 respectively. These winter months see significantly lower tourist traffic to Athens, allowing airlines to discount unsold seats. However, some attractions may have reduced hours during these months. March offers moderate pricing at €300. The most expensive period is July (€500 average) and August (€480), coinciding with peak European summer vacations. For best value, avoid Greek Easter week (dates change annually) and the August 15 Assumption holiday when prices spike.
Which airlines fly from Rome to Athens?
Five main airlines serve the Rome-Athens route. Aegean Airlines offers the most premium experience with 4-6 daily flights, included 23kg baggage, and Star Alliance miles. Ryanair operates budget direct flights from €80 with 20kg checked bags costing extra. ITA Airways provides 2-3 daily full-service flights as Italy’s flag carrier. For connecting options, Lufthansa via Munich, Swiss via Zurich, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and Austrian Airlines via Vienna offer convenient hub connections with included baggage. Ryanair and Aegean dominate the direct route, while connecting traffic splits among Star Alliance and SkyTeam carriers.
What airport do I fly into in Athens?
You will fly into Athens International Airport (ATH), located about 20km east of central Athens. The airport is modern and well-connected to the city. The fastest option is the Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) from the airport to Syntagma Square in 40 minutes, costing €10 for a single ticket. Express buses (X95) run every 15-20 minutes to Syntagma for €6, taking 50-60 minutes. Taxis to central Athens cost a flat rate of €40 (day) or €50 (night 00:00-05:00). For budget travelers, the €5 KTEL bus to Kifissou bus station takes 60-90 minutes. Car rental desks are located in the arrivals hall.
How far in advance should I book Rome to Athens flights?
For Rome to Athens flights, book 4-8 weeks in advance for optimal pricing. The sweet spot is typically 6 weeks before departure when airlines release their discounted advance-purchase inventory. Booking earlier than 12 weeks rarely yields better prices, while waiting less than 2 weeks risks paying premium rates especially in summer. For November-February travel, you can sometimes find last-minute deals as low as €120 on direct flights. During July-August peak season, book 8+ weeks ahead as cheap seats sell quickly. Business travelers needing flexibility should book Aegean’s Flex fare 4+ weeks out.
Is it cheaper to fly from Rome to Athens on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is noticeably cheaper for Rome-Athens flights. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save €30-50 compared to Friday or Sunday flights. This pattern holds across all airlines – low-cost and full-service alike. The cheapest day to fly is Tuesday, followed closely by Wednesday. Friday departures command a premium as business travelers combine work trips with weekends. Sunday returns from Athens tend to be most expensive as holidaymakers head home. For maximum savings, fly outbound Tuesday-Thursday and return Monday or Tuesday. The price difference between cheapest and most expensive days can reach €80-100 per ticket during shoulder season.
Data updated: 2026-03
