# Layover at Athens International Airport: how to make the most of it

> A few hours at Athens International Airport (ATH)? Here is what to do, the lounges and whether you can pop into Athens.

A few hours at Athens International Airport (ATH)? Here is what to do, the lounges and whether you can pop into Athens.

## Get online at the airport

Install a MerrSIM eSIM for Greece (from €1.49, 10 GB €8.49) before departure and you’re online the moment you land at Athens International Airport — no WiFi hunt, no roaming.

[MerrSIM — eSIM Greece](https://merrsim.com/destinations/esim-plans-for-greece)

## How much data you really need

For normal use — maps, messaging, social media and the odd video — budget about 300–700 MB a day. A light traveller is fine with 3–5 GB for a week, while anyone doing video calls, streaming or laptop hotspot will want 10–20 GB. In Greece, download offline maps and use hotel WiFi for big downloads; that way a 10 GB plan comfortably lasts two weeks. If you run out, you buy a new plan in the app with no waiting.

## Tips to save data

A few small habits make your gigabytes last in Greece. Download Google Maps offline before you head out, set video quality to “Auto” or 480p, and turn off background app refresh. Use hotel WiFi for big updates and high-resolution photo uploads. With these steps, even a modest plan covers the whole trip, and your hotspot stays free for the moments you really need it.

## Why travellers choose MerrSIM

MerrSIM builds local plans for dozens of destinations, at a fixed price in euros — no dollar exchange rate and no surprises. Every plan includes hotspot, instant QR activation and no document registration. The app and support are in Albanian, which makes it easy for the diaspora and travellers from the region. For Greece, that means a simple experience: buy it, scan it, and you are ready before you board the plane.

## Common mistakes to avoid

Three mistakes often spoil the start of a trip. First: buying the eSIM at the last minute at the airport, when you have no WiFi to install it — do it at home. Second: forgetting to switch on data roaming for the eSIM line, which makes it look like it is not working. Third: leaving mobile data on your home SIM, which racks up roaming charges. Check these three and your connection in Greece will be trouble-free.

## How an eSIM works

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach Greece, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

## FAQ

### How do I get online as soon as I arrive in Greece?
Activate a MerrSIM eSIM for Greece (from €1.49, 10 GB €8.49) by QR before departure; you connect automatically at the airport.


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Author: Etnik Beqiri  
Published: 2026-05-28  
Source: https://merrsim.com/en/blog/transit-layover-ath-en