Fly to Athens and immerse yourself in 7,000 years of history and unwrap the cradle of Western civilisation. Founded by the Greeks and occupied by a succession of invaders, this culturally diverse city is home to one of the Wonders of the Ancient World.

Book a flight ticket to Athens with Qatar Airways and walk in the footsteps of Socrates, Plato and Pericles, as you explore some of the finest archaeological sites in Europe

The Rainbow Nation’s capital is served by Johannesburg International Airport – an airport with a reputation for excellence. Also known as OR Tambo International Airport, it is named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, a leading anti-apartheid politician.

The airport, despite being the largest in South Africa, is friendly and efficient, offering visitors a pleasant and smooth departure point. Passengers flying from Johannesburg with Qatar Airways will find the process to be smooth, professional and quick, making the airport a great departure point for both business and leisure travellers.

Transportation and parking

Public transport to and from the airport is excellent. The high-speed Gautrain runs between the airport, Malboro and Sandton and takes between 10-15 minutes.

The Magic Bus operates regular services to and from Sun City and other major locations in the city. The airport Shuttle services Airport Link and EZ Shuttle provide door-to-door shuttle services from city destinations to the airport.

Official taxis operate from key locations in the city, with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes to the airport, depending on departure point and the traffic conditions (be aware that early morning and evening rush hour traffic in the city can be very congested, so if you are travelling during this period allow extra time for your journey).

There are plenty of car parks offering both short and long-term parking around the airport, including an underground facility as well as outdoor and covered areas. Bus links are available from the furthest car parks to the terminal.

Arriving at Johannesburg

Passengers flying from Johannesburg with Qatar Airways will depart from Terminal A. It is important to ensure that you arrive at the correct terminal, as there are currently six in operation at the airport.

Terminals A1 and A2 are for International passengers. Because of the size of the airport, it is important to allow plenty of time before your plane is due to depart, so ensure you arrive at the terminal at least two hours before your flight is due to depart.

Facilities and amenities

The airport has exceptionally good facilities, ranging from a large retail area and food court to conference and business facilities. Wireless internet access is available in international departure areas, and there is also an on-site post office and mobile phone hire available.

Food outlets include cafés and juice bars, steak houses and fast food restaurants, and a wide-ranging retail sector includes everything from travel accessories and luxury goods through to jewellery, clothing and Duty Free.

The cradle of modern civilisation, the birthplace of democracy – Athens has to be one of the most influential and iconic destinations in the world. Book a flight to Athens with Qatar Airways and you’ll quickly discover why this extraordinary city is so important not just to the history of Europe, but to its future as well.

Filled with incredible historical sites, Athens is also a modern, working city that is home to nearly four million people.

But it’s the history that most visitors come to experience, and immersing yourself in the relics of the past is a great way to understand so much more about our own modern civilisation, as well as Greece’s incredible past.

Tourist Attractions

Athens packs in the attractions, and at the top of most visitors’ lists has to be the Acropolis, a World Heritage site and standing proud above the city itself. For the best overall view of Athens, especially at sunset, head to Lykavittos Hill.

It’s a hot, dusty climb, but on a clear day you can see beyond the port of Piraeus and out to the islands of Aegina and the Peloponnese.

Back in the city, the Ancient Agora is home to some of the best-preserved temples and monuments from the Bronze Age, and the magnificent Temple of Zeus with its towering columns.

Modern Athens has plenty to offer as well, with dozens of museums and galleries to explore. The best way to see Athens is to take an open-top tour of the city by bus.


Travel Considerations

Flights to Athens with Qatar Airways land at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure. Before you fly to Athens please check the visa and passport requirements.