Spata-Artemida to Vancouver (ATH–YVR) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Greek passport holders do not need a visa for Canada for stays up to 6 months. You must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before flying. The eTA is linked to your passport, costs CAD 7, and is usually approved within minutes. It is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires. You still need a passport valid for the duration of your stay and proof of onward travel.

Metro Line 3 (blue line) connects Monastiraki and Syntagma stations in central Athens to the airport in 40 minutes for €10 one-way (€18 return, valid 48 hours). Trains run every 30 minutes from roughly 05:30 to midnight. Suburban rail (Proastiakos) also serves the airport, useful from Piraeus and the northern suburbs.

Express buses (X93 to Kifissos Bus Terminal, X95 to Syntagma, X96 to Piraeus) run 24/7 for €6.20 and take 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis from the city centre are metered with a flat rate of €40 (day) or €55 (night/holidays) from the airport to downtown. Ride-shares are limited; metered taxis are the standard option.

The Canada Line runs from the airport to Waterfront/downtown in 26 minutes for CAD $4.45 on Compass card. Trains depart every 6–8 minutes from the International Terminal station (basement level). Taxis queue outside arrivals; metered fares to downtown are CAD $35–45. Uber and Lyft have a designated pick-up zone.Rental car desks are in the terminal. The VALET shuttle also connects to other transit points on Sea Island. YVR is particularly well-organised for transfers; pre-clearance facility clears U.S.-bound passengers through U.S. customs before departure.

Temperate oceanic climate. One of the mildest in Canada. Winters (November–March) are wet and overcast at 2–8°C. Snow is infrequent at sea level, but when it does fall, the city struggles and the airport can see delays. Fog in winter and early spring is a more consistent disruption risk. Summers (June–August) are warm and dry at 20–27°C with very little rain.

Wildfire smoke from BC and Alberta can reduce visibility at the airport during August and September. Pack rain gear for autumn through spring. Summers are dry and clear.