Hire a Private Jet to Athens, Greece

Athens is one of the most historically significant and culturally rich capital cities in the world, a destination that combines more than 2,500 years of continuous civilisation with a modern, cosmopolitan energy that has made it one of the fastest-growing luxury travel destinations in Europe. The city draws private aviation clients for an exceptionally wide range of reasons: business visitors attending meetings with the growing Greek financial and technology sector, leisure travellers visiting the Acropolis and the exceptional Acropolis Museum, groups using Athens as a hub for Greek island circuits, yacht charter clients embarking from Piraeus, and families seeking a European summer destination that offers both culture and beach access within a short drive of the city. Private jet charter flights to Athens from the United Kingdom arrive at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH / LGAV), on a direct sector of 1,310 nautical miles from London - approximately 3 hours 25 minutes by midsize jet. Athens is also the natural gateway to the Greek islands: Mykonos is just 73 nautical miles east, Santorini 118 nautical miles to the south-east, and Rhodes 218 nautical miles further east.

 

 

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH / LGAV) is located 35 km south-east of Athens city centre in the Spata area of Attica. The airport has two parallel runways, each approximately 4,000 metres in length, and a dedicated VIP terminal for private aviation arrivals and departures. Customs and immigration at the private terminal are handled separately from commercial traffic, with clearance typically taking a few minutes on arrival. Journey time to the Athens city centre is approximately 35 to 45 minutes by chauffeured car via the Attiki Odos motorway. We arrange transfers from the airport to your hotel, yacht berth at Piraeus, or onward connections across Greece. For your ultimate comfort, we can also arrange a helicopter transfer from Athens Airport directly to any of the Greek islands, including Mykonos (approximately 37 minutes) and Santorini (approximately 55 minutes).

Key Information:

• Typical flight time from London to Athens: approximately 3 hours 25 minutes;
• Private jet charter prices: from 18,000 EUR;
• Airport: Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH / LGAV), 35 km from Athens centre;
• Two parallel runways of 4,000 m each - all jet categories;
• Mykonos: 73 nm east - 28 minutes by jet;
• Santorini: 118 nm south-east - 34 minutes by jet;
• Rhodes: 218 nm east - 47 minutes by jet;
• Most popular aircraft: Citation XLS+, Challenger 300, Challenger 605 and Legacy 650;
• Available departures from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.

Athens draws private aviation clients from three principal sectors. Leisure and cultural visitors come for the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the ancient Agora and the vibrant neighbourhoods of Kolonaki, Monastiraki and Psiri. Corporate clients visit for meetings with Greek shipping companies, investment funds and a growing technology sector. And perhaps most significantly for private aviation, Athens functions as the primary arrival gateway for Greek island itineraries: clients who fly into Athens then continue by private jet or helicopter to Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes or Thessaloniki represent a substantial proportion of our Greece bookings.

Private jet charter prices to Athens start from approximately 18,000 EUR for midsize jets from London on the 1,310 nautical mile sector. The final charter cost depends on the selected aircraft, departure airport, passenger numbers and any additional services or onward island connections required.

 

 

Private Jets UK provides access to more than 6500 aircraft worldwide, including light jets, midsize aircraft, heavy jets and ultra long-range business aircraft. Our aviation consultants can recommend suitable aircraft based on passenger numbers, baggage requirements, flight range and budget. Available aircraft include models from Gulfstream, Dassault, Bombardier, Embraer, Cessna, Pilatus, Beechcraft, Airbus and Boeing.

 

 

With more than 15 years of experience in business aviation, we arrange private jet charter flights to Athens and across Greece from airports across the United Kingdom. Our team manages every stage of the journey, including aircraft sourcing, flight planning, ground transportation, VIP terminal arrangements, island connections and concierge services.

Availability on private jet routes to Athens is year-round, with a pronounced peak from May through September when demand for Athens as both a destination and a Greek island gateway increases sharply. During peak summer, aircraft slots at Mykonos in particular can be limited, and we recommend booking Athens plus island connections at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead for July and August travel.

 

How long does it take to fly to Athens?

The flight time on the private jet:

 

1 route

• London - Athens, by private jet Citation XLS+
• Aircraft range: 2100 nm, 3889 km | 441 kts, 817 kmh
• Route: LHR | EGLL ⟶ ATH | LGAV
• Distance: 1310 nm / 2426 km
• Flight time: 3:25 h

 

2 route

• Edinburgh - Athens, by private jet Challenger 605
• Aircraft range: 3995 nm, 7400 km | 470 kts, 870 kmh
• Route: EDI | EGPH ⟶ ATH | LGAV
• Distance: 1538 nm / 2847 km
• Flight time: 3:43 h

 

3 route

• Birmingham - Athens, by private jet Challenger 605
• Aircraft range: 3995 nm, 7400 km | 470 kts, 870 kmh
• Route: BHX | EGBB ⟶ ATH | LGAV
• Distance: 1381 nm / 2557 km
• Flight time: 3:23 h

 

4 route

• Glasgow - Athens, by private jet Challenger 605
• Aircraft range: 3995 nm, 7400 km | 470 kts, 870 kmh
• Route: GLA | EGPF ⟶ ATH | LGAV
• Distance: 1565 nm / 2899 km
• Flight time: 3:47 h

 

5 route

• Belfast - Athens, by private jet Challenger 605
• Aircraft range: 3995 nm, 7400 km | 470 kts, 870 kmh
• Route: BFS | EGAA ⟶ ATH | LGAV
• Distance: 1583 nm / 2932 km
• Flight time: 3:49 h

 

The exact flight time depends on the model of the business jet and wind conditions. Our consultant will make a detailed calculation of the flight time for the chosen aircraft. All UK departure airports can reach Athens non-stop on midsize and larger jets.

 

 

Prices for the private jet flights to Athens

The London to Athens sector of 1,310 nautical miles sits comfortably within the non-stop range of midsize jets, making Athens one of the more accessible Mediterranean destinations from the UK. The Citation XLS+ and Challenger 300 class handle the sector efficiently from all UK departure airports without a fuel stop.

Athens pricing tends to be more stable than some Mediterranean island destinations because the airport is a major hub with consistent aircraft availability year-round. That said, summer demand for the broader Greece network does tighten availability across the region, and clients planning Athens plus island connections in July and August will find better aircraft options and more competitive pricing with 4 to 6 weeks lead time.

One routing note specific to Athens: during peak summer season when Mykonos Airport runway slots are limited, a common solution is to fly into Athens and transfer to Mykonos by helicopter (approximately 37 minutes) or by a short private jet hop (73 nm, approximately 28 minutes). We coordinate both options as part of the same booking.

Below are the approximate prices for the flights performed this year. TOP 7 options:

1. from London to Athens, 8 passengers, by Citation XLS+ - 18,000 EUR;
2. from London to Athens, 9 passengers, by Challenger 300 - 21,000 EUR;
3. from London to Athens, 13 passengers, by Legacy 650 - 28,000 EUR;
4. from Edinburgh to Athens, 9 passengers, by Challenger 300 - 24,000 EUR;
5. from Glasgow to Athens, 8 passengers, by Hawker 850XP - 23,500 EUR;
6. from Belfast to Athens, 9 passengers, by Challenger 350 - 25,000 EUR;
7. from Birmingham to Athens, 13 passengers, by Legacy 650 - 29,000 EUR.

We can arrange flights from any city in the UK and European countries. If you have any questions about the departure or the flight itself, you can ask them using the form below:

 

 

Prices depending on the type of business jet

We can clearly show the high dependence of the cost of the flight, on the type of aircraft - we have collected approximate data, at the price of 1 flight hour, for various types of business jets:

• Large jet (similar to Legacy 600) - from 4900 to 5800 GBP per flight hour;
• Business liners - from 10300 GBP per flight hour;
• Light jet - from 2100 to 3000 GBP per flight hour;
• Long-haul jet (similar to Global 5000, Gulfstream G550, Falcon 7X, etc.) - from 5800 to 8800 GBP per flight hour;
• Medium-sized jet (identical to Cessna Citation XLS+, Hawker 800XP, etc.) - from 3000 to 3700 GBP per flight hour;
• Turboprops - from 850 GBP per flight hour.
• Large medium-class jet (similar to Challenger 300, etc.) - from 4600 to 5500 GBP per flight hour;
• Small jet, from 1700 to 2500 GBP per flight hour;

 

 

Recent flights to Athens

• London Farnborough to Athens, Challenger 300, 8 passengers - a shipping sector group. Clients attending meetings with shipping companies in Piraeus, continuing the following day by helicopter to Mykonos for a long weekend. The one-way charter to Athens came in at approximately 21,000 EUR. We coordinated the helicopter connection as part of the same booking, with transfers from the hotel to the helipad arranged through our Athens ground partner.
• Manchester to Athens then Santorini, Citation XLS+, 7 passengers - a Greek island circuit. A family group using Athens as the start of a two-island itinerary. After one night in Athens, they continued by private jet to Santorini (118 nm, approximately 34 minutes). The Manchester-Athens leg was approximately 19,500 EUR and the Santorini hop was arranged separately as part of the connected circuit.
• Edinburgh to Athens, Challenger 605, 11 passengers - a corporate conference group. A group attending an international conference at a central Athens hotel. The 1,538 nm sector from Edinburgh was handled comfortably non-stop in approximately 3 hours 45 minutes. Total charter was around 27,000 EUR. The same aircraft was retained in Athens for the return leg three days later, which simplified return pricing.

The examples above are recent indicative charters and are provided for guidance only. Your own quote will depend on the current season, aircraft positioning, passenger numbers and any additional services requested.

 

Online Calculator

If you want to make an urgent calculation of the cost of a private plane flight, use our online calculator. Just fill in all the fields of the form with a note that you are interested in a specific model of the aircraft and get the final price. NB! - the figures are sent to you by email or messenger, please carefully fill in the contact details to get the calculation.

All our calculations are as transparent as possible for you. After receiving the request, we will prepare a beautiful offer - where the costs and the final price will be clearly described. The exact price is agreed in advance and is written in the contract, so you can be sure of the final cost.

 

 

Most Requested Aircraft for Flights to Athens

The UK to Athens sector of 1,310 to 1,583 nautical miles depending on departure city is well within non-stop range of all midsize and larger jets, giving a wide choice of aircraft for this route.

 

 

• Citation XLS+ - the most cost-efficient option for groups of up to 8 passengers, handling the London-Athens sector comfortably with a cabin well-suited to the 3.5-hour flight.
• Challenger 300 / Challenger 350 - the most frequently chartered aircraft for UK-Athens routes, with a stand-up cabin, generous baggage capacity and range well in excess of the sector requirements from all UK airports.
• Hawker 850XP - a popular midsize option offering a comfortable cabin for 8 passengers on the 3 to 4 hour sector.
• Challenger 605 - preferred for larger groups of 10 to 12 passengers, with a full stand-up cabin and the range to serve all UK departure airports non-stop.
• Legacy 650 - selected by larger groups and families requiring maximum cabin space and baggage capacity, particularly on itineraries that continue to the Greek islands.

Private Jets UK provides access to more than 6500 aircraft worldwide. Our aviation advisors will recommend suitable aircraft based on your group size, departure airport and any onward island connections required.

 

How to rent a business jet with a crew

5 main stages:

• 

  Sending an application

• 

  Clarification of details and search for options

• 

  Preparation and coordination of optimal options

• 

  Registration of documents. Payment of the invoice.

• 

  Departure on the route.

 

Business aviation airport in Athens

The airport of arrival is negotiated at the price stage. As a rule, most flights to Athens use the following airport:

• Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) - Spata, Athens, Greece (ATH / GR) - 35 km from Athens city centre
   

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV) is located in Spata, Attica, approximately 35 km south-east of Athens city centre. Opened in March 2001, the airport handles more than 20 million passengers annually. It has two parallel runways of approximately 4,000 metres each, accommodating all aircraft categories including ultra-long-range jets. A dedicated VIP terminal serves private aviation clients with separate customs and immigration clearance. Journey time to the Athens city centre is approximately 35 to 45 minutes by car via the Attiki Odos motorway. UK citizens do not require a visa for Greece for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period - a valid UK passport is required.

 

 

Main characteristics of the airport:

• The official name is Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, ATH, Greece.
• The address of the airport is Spata Artemida 190 04, Greece.
• VIP terminal - yes, dedicated private aviation terminal.
• Geolocation of the airport - 37°56′12″N, 23°56′40″E
• Two parallel runways, each approximately 4,000 m - all jet categories.
• IATA - ATH. ICAO - LGAV.
• Time Zone: +2.0 (EET / EEST)

Private aviation passengers use the VIP terminal, separate from the commercial terminal. Check-in time is 30 minutes before departure. You can get additional information from our consultants.

 

 

Flying to Athens with your pet

Pets can travel in the cabin on private jets throughout the flight. For travel to Greece from the UK, the following documentation is required:

• Official health certificate issued by a UK government-authorised veterinarian (EU-format AHC for travel to EU member states);
• Microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant);
• Valid rabies vaccination, administered at least 21 days before travel;
• Tapeworm treatment for dogs, administered 24 to 120 hours before arrival in Greece.

Greece is an EU member state and applies EU pet import rules for travellers arriving from the UK. We recommend confirming current requirements with your veterinarian at least 4 weeks before travel. Our team advises on documentation requirements as part of every pet-inclusive booking.

 

 

Empty Leg Flights to Athens

Travellers with flexible schedules can take advantage of Empty Leg opportunities on the UK-Athens corridor. Aircraft that have delivered clients to Athens or departing empty from Greece generate regular repositioning opportunities on this busy summer route.

• London Farnborough - Athens | Citation XLS+ | 8 passengers | from £10,200;
• Athens - London | Challenger 300 | 9 passengers | from £12,800;
• Manchester - Athens | Hawker 850XP | 8 passengers | from £11,400;
• Athens - Mykonos | Citation CJ3+ | 6 passengers | from £1,800;
• Edinburgh - Athens | Challenger 605 | 12 passengers | from £14,600;

The prices shown above are indicative examples. Actual Empty Leg opportunities depend on aircraft availability, routing and travel dates.

 

 

Helicopter charter

Private Jets UK clients have access to the top private helicopters. From Athens Airport or from central Athens heliports, helicopters provide the fastest connection to the Greek islands - particularly Mykonos (approximately 37 minutes) and Santorini (approximately 55 minutes). This is especially valuable during peak summer when Mykonos runway slots for fixed-wing aircraft can be limited. The following helicopters are available for booking at the moment:

• Bell 407 (6 seats) - 12 helicopters available
• Agusta Westland 139 (15 seats) - 4 helicopters available
• Eurocopter AS355N (5 seats) - 15 helicopters available
• Agusta A109SP Grand New (5 seats) - 6 helicopters available
• Airbus Helicopter H130 (6 seats) - 18 helicopters available
• Eurocopter EC155 (6 seats) - 13 helicopters available
• Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil (5 seats) - 9 helicopters available
• McDonnell Douglas MD 600N (5 seats) - 3 helicopters available
• Sikorsky S-92 (24 seats) - 2 helicopters available
• Agusta Westland AW139 (15 seats) - 7 helicopters available
• Airbus Helicopters H 135 (6 seats) - 4 helicopters available
• Bell 407GXP (5 seats) - 11 helicopters available
• Bell 429 (6 seats) - 9 helicopters available
• Bell 505 (4 seats) - 12 helicopters available
• Bell 525 (10 seats) - 5 helicopters available
• Robinson R44 (3 seats) - 17 helicopters available
• Robinson R66 (4 seats) - 15 helicopters available

Please contact our aviation consultants for more detailed information on helicopter charter from Athens.

 

 

Greek islands circuit from Athens by private jet

Athens is the natural hub for a Greek island circuit by private jet. All major island airports are within 30 to 55 minutes of Athens, making it practical to combine the capital with one, two or three island destinations on a single connected charter. Below are the distances and approximate flight times from Athens:

• Athens to Mykonos (JMK) - 73 nm / 136 km - approximately 28 minutes by jet;
• Athens to Santorini (JTR) - 118 nm / 218 km - approximately 34 minutes by jet;
• Athens to Heraklion, Crete (HER) - 167 nm / 309 km - approximately 40 minutes by jet;
• Athens to Thessaloniki (SKG) - 162 nm / 299 km - approximately 40 minutes by jet;
• Athens to Rhodes (RHO) - 218 nm / 404 km - approximately 47 minutes by jet;
• Athens to Corfu (CFU) - 267 nm / 495 km - approximately 55 minutes by jet.

Note: during peak summer (July and August), Mykonos Airport experiences high demand for runway slots and aircraft parking. We recommend booking island connections at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance for peak season travel, or arranging the Mykonos connection by helicopter from Athens as an alternative.

 

Flights from the UK to Athens

The most popular flight routes are London - Athens, Edinburgh - Athens and Manchester - Athens. Our clients regularly combine Athens with Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes on Greek island circuits. You can also explore the broader Greece charter network from Athens. Due to our active network of operators based in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean, we offer competitively priced and efficiently managed charter flights to Athens.

 

Current list of TOP 25 business aviation airports:

 

 

Athens - destination overview

Athens is simultaneously one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of Europe's most dynamic capitals. The city's transformation over the past two decades - accelerated by the 2004 Olympics which brought major infrastructure investment, and more recently by a wave of boutique hotel openings, a world-class restaurant scene and significant foreign investment in real estate - has made it a genuinely compelling destination beyond its extraordinary historical attractions.

The Acropolis is the centrepiece and rightly so: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaia remain extraordinary achievements of classical architecture visible from virtually everywhere in the city. The Acropolis Museum at its base, opened in 2009 in a building designed by Bernard Tschumi, is one of the finest museum environments in Europe - its top floor displaying the Parthenon frieze fragments with a direct sight line to the original temple above. The ancient Agora, the Roman Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus complete the central archaeological circuit. Between these sites, the neighbourhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki and Psiri offer a dense network of tavernas, coffee shops, galleries and street markets that occupy buildings ranging from neoclassical mansions to converted warehouses.

 

 

For private aviation clients arriving by yacht or planning a sailing itinerary, the port of Piraeus is 30 minutes from Athens Airport and 20 minutes from the city centre. Piraeus is one of the largest commercial and cruise ports in the Mediterranean and the primary embarkation point for ferry and sailing connections to the Cyclades, Dodecanese and other island groups.

 

Where to stay in Athens - recommended hotels

Athens has developed a strong luxury hotel market in recent years, with the best properties concentrated in the city centre neighbourhoods near the Acropolis and in the southern coastal strip towards Glyfada. A selection of notable properties:

• Hotel Grande Bretagne - the historic landmark five-star hotel on Syntagma Square, one of the finest hotels in Greece with direct views of the Acropolis from upper floors. Approximately 40 minutes from Athens Airport.
• King George Hotel - an intimate boutique luxury hotel adjacent to the Grande Bretagne, known for its rooftop restaurant and personalised service. Approximately 40 minutes from the airport.
• Hotel Electra Metropolis - a contemporary five-star property with a rooftop pool and exceptional Acropolis views from the upper floors, located in the heart of the city centre. Approximately 40 minutes from the airport.
• Ekali Club - a discreet luxury property in the northern suburb of Ekali, preferred by clients seeking privacy and a residential atmosphere rather than a central city location. Approximately 30 minutes from the airport.
• Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens - the flagship luxury resort on the Athenian Riviera at Vouliagmeni, set in 75 acres of pine forest with private beaches, multiple restaurants and spa. Approximately 25 minutes from the airport along the coastal road.

Our team can arrange chauffeured transfers from Athens Airport to any property in the city or along the Athenian Riviera, and coordinate onward connections to the Greek islands by private jet or helicopter.

 

 

Athens private jet charter - FAQ

How long is a private jet flight from London to Athens?
A private jet from London to Athens takes approximately 3 hours 25 minutes on a Citation XLS+ on the 1,310 nautical mile (2,426 km) sector. From Edinburgh the sector is 1,538 nm and takes approximately 3 hours 45 minutes on a Challenger 605. All UK airports reach Athens non-stop on midsize and larger jets.

How much does a private jet to Athens cost?
Private jet charter to Athens from London starts from approximately 18,000 EUR on a Citation XLS+ for up to 8 passengers. A Challenger 300 for 9 passengers costs approximately 21,000 EUR from London. Larger aircraft such as the Legacy 650 for 13 passengers cost from around 28,000 EUR. Prices from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast are approximately 3,000 to 4,000 EUR higher than from London due to the longer sector.

Can I combine Athens with a Greek island on the same charter?
Yes. Athens is 73 nm from Mykonos (approximately 28 minutes by jet), 118 nm from Santorini (approximately 34 minutes) and 218 nm from Rhodes (approximately 47 minutes). We regularly arrange Greek island circuits combining Athens with two or three island destinations on a single connected charter. During peak summer, Mykonos Airport slots can be limited - we also offer helicopter transfers from Athens as an alternative.

Which aircraft is best for London to Athens?
The Challenger 300 or Challenger 350 is the most popular choice, offering a stand-up cabin for up to 9 passengers and the range to operate non-stop from all UK airports. The Citation XLS+ is a cost-efficient option for smaller groups of up to 8 passengers. For groups of 12 or more, the Challenger 605 or Legacy 650 provide full stand-up cabins with generous luggage capacity.

Do UK citizens need a visa for Greece?
No. UK citizens can visit Greece for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. A valid UK passport is required. Greece is a Schengen Area member, and private jet passengers clear customs and immigration at the VIP terminal on arrival, which typically takes only a few minutes.

Can I travel with my pet to Athens by private jet?
Yes. Pets travel in the cabin with you on private jets. For travel to Greece from the UK, you need an EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a UK government-authorised vet, a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel) and a tapeworm treatment for dogs (24 to 120 hours before arrival). We advise on documentation requirements as part of every pet-inclusive booking.

When is the best time to fly to Athens?
Athens is a year-round destination. Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the best combination of weather, fewer crowds at the historic sites, and better aircraft availability for Greek island connections. July and August bring peak heat and the highest demand for private aviation across Greece - book early. Winter months offer excellent value and mild weather by northern European standards, with the ancient sites far less crowded.