Riyadh to Spata-Artemida (RUH–ATH) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Saudi passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Greece. Apply at the Greek Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate in Jeddah through the VFS Global visa center. A short-stay (Type C) visa costs EUR 80 (about SAR 320) for adults and covers up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Submit the application 15 to 45 days before travel. Processing takes 10 to 15 calendar days.

Required documents: passport valid for at least 3 months beyond departure from the Schengen area with two blank pages, completed application form, two biometric photos, travel medical insurance covering EUR 30,000, flight reservation, hotel booking, bank statements for the last 3 months, and an employment or business letter. Greece is a popular summer destination for Saudi travelers, with Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens topping the list.

Direct flights from Riyadh to Athens run about 4 hours 30 minutes on Saudia. Jeddah to Athens runs about 4 hours. Seasonal charters serve Santorini and Mykonos from Gulf hubs. Greece uses the euro, trading at roughly 3.95 SAR per EUR 1. Card payments work at hotels, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas, but carry cash for tavernas, ferries, and smaller islands. No mandatory vaccinations. Athens metro costs EUR 1.20 per trip. Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways connect Athens' port of Piraeus to the Cycladic islands (Santorini: 5 to 8 hours by ferry at EUR 40 to EUR 70, or 25 minutes by air on Sky Express at EUR 50 to EUR 120). Island-hopping passes and multi-stop ferry tickets are available through ferriesingreece.com.

Metro Line 3 departs from the basement level of the terminal to central Athens every 30 minutes (€10, 40 min). Express buses X95 (Syntagma), X96 (Piraeus port), and X93 (long-distance bus terminal) run 24 hours a day for €6.20. Taxis queue outside arrivals with fixed rates: €40 to the city centre during the day, €55 at night and on public holidays. Meters still run but the flat rate applies if higher.Rental car desks are in the arrivals area. The airport is 33 km east of Athens via the Attiki Odos motorway (toll). Ferries to the Greek islands depart from Piraeus port; the X96 bus connects the airport to the port directly.

Mediterranean climate. Summers (June–August) are hot and dry at 30–38°C with intense sunshine and very little rain. Flying conditions are excellent. Summer heat can affect tarmac operations. The airport sits on a coastal plain exposed to the Meltemi northerly winds in July–August, which can cause turbulence on approach but rarely close the airport.

Winters (December–February) are mild and rainy at 8–14°C. Snow is rare in Athens but occasional. Thunderstorms in autumn (October–November) can produce sharp delays. ATH has among the most reliable flying conditions of any major European hub.