We fly into Athens from US in mid May and are trying to book a same day flight to Naxos for a couple of days before starting a RS tour. How much time should we allow at Athens airport to get through customs and to the local airlines gates/terminal? Im trying to book a mid day flight and they appear to be full- does that seem reasonable or have they not opened up the seats yet? Thanks
Posted by
585 posts
I ran a dummy booking for the Aegean flight that leaves at noon on the 15 May and there is availability, ditto for a return flight 2days later. I did notice that the later flight 4 hours later was full. Naxos seems to be getting a lot of attention on the Forum this year so it could be flights you are looking at are full. What airline were you looking at?
Flying into Athens late morning, I have usually been looking at a late afternoon flight onward to Crete; all my flights are Star Alliance so have been in one ticket and the transfer to domestic is quick and easy as is Immigration. Just to be safe, I’d allow at least 2 hours.
Posted by
OP
41 posts
We arrive in Athens on the 17th…. Am looking at changing islands as hubby says that is all the vacay time he has. Thanks
Posted by
87 posts
There will be no other flights than those currently available.
The last flight to Naxos on May 17 is a Sky express leaving at 5:45 p.m.
2 hours is a minimum to take a domestic flight when arriving from a non-Schengen flight.
If your USA-Athens flight arrives before 3:45 p.m. it is doable (risky with checked baggage and if your flight is delayed)
If you need to check baggage for your Naxos flight, note that at the check-in counters there are employees who call passengers and give them priority to check in on flights leaving soon.
With only cabin baggage you can check in 48 hours before the flight with the Sky Express app and get your boading pass on your smartphone
Note that on the 17th there is an Aegean/Olympic flight to Paros at 6:00 p.m.
(and of course many others for Santorini until late at night)