Flights from Athens to Mytilene: Fares and Flight Guide

Flights from Athens to Mytilene typically cost around €40–140 one-way and €80–280 return in economy, with higher fares during peak periods. Direct flights usually take 50–65 minutes, and the route is served by AEGEAN/Olympic Air and SKY express. You have a better chance of finding a low fare outside the summer peak and holiday periods, especially if your dates are flexible.

These are budgeting estimates, not live offers or guaranteed prices. The final fare depends on availability, flight time, baggage and ticket conditions. When you search for Mytilene, you are searching for the airport serving the whole of Lesvos, not just the town.

At a glance

• Route: Athens (ATH) to Mytilene (MJT), non-stop.
• Duration: around 50–65 minutes, depending on each flight's scheduled duration.
• Airlines: AEGEAN/Olympic Air and SKY express. Frequencies vary by season.
• Typical cost: €40–140 one-way and €80–280 return, not necessarily including checked baggage.
• Cheaper periods: usually months with lower demand, excluding Christmas, Easter and public holidays.
• Distance from town: around 8 kilometres from the airport to central Mytilene.

Which airlines fly from Athens to Mytilene?

The Athens–Mytilene route is served year-round by AEGEAN, with some flights operated by Olympic Air, and SKY express. When booking, check both the airline selling the ticket and the airline operating the flight. Aircraft types and departure times may change throughout the season.

For this journey, a direct flight is usually the most practical option. If connecting flights appear in your results, compare the total journey time and cost, not just the initial fare. With separate tickets, your onward flight is not automatically protected if the first flight is delayed.

Seasonal connections between Lesvos and other destinations change, so check the airlines' schedules. Astra Airlines is no longer an option: any older references to it on this page are no longer valid.

How much do flights cost by season?

For an initial budget, the following indicative ranges are per person in economy, including taxes but not necessarily checked baggage, seat selection or other extras. These are neither fixed prices nor price caps. Searching for your travel dates is the only way to see the actual fare.

• Low season, mainly November–March excluding holidays: around €40–90 one-way and €80–180 return.
• Spring and autumn, excluding high-demand dates: around €50–120 one-way and €100–240 return.
• Summer, especially July–August: around €70–180 one-way and €140–360 return.
• Easter, public holidays and bookings close to departure: for a more cautious budget, allow around €90–220 one-way and €180–440 return, though fares can exceed these ranges.

A special offer may cost less, while a nearly full flight may cost more. The return leg will not necessarily be priced the same as the outbound leg, either. Check each leg separately and do not assume advertised “from” prices are available every day.

When to book for a cheaper fare

There is no particular day to book that guarantees the lowest fare. As a practical starting point, begin comparing flights one to three months ahead for off-peak travel, and earlier for August, Easter or other holiday periods. This gives you time to plan; it is not a rule that the best fares will appear then.

Try shifting your departure and return dates by a day or two. A midday flight or a return on a day other than Sunday may work out cheaper, though this is not always the case. Also compare flying out with one airline and back with the other, keeping your baggage requirements the same.

Our guide to 20 tips for cheap flights explains how to compare options systematically. For price alerts and flexible dates, see our guide to searching with Skyscanner.

If your dates are fixed, do not base your budget on a possible last-minute offer. Last-minute flights require flexibility and are not necessarily cheaper.

How long is the flight, and which airports does it connect?

Flights depart from Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (ATH) and arrive at Mytilene Airport “Odysseas Elytis” (MJT). The scheduled duration is usually 50–65 minutes. Time in the air may be shorter, but use the duration shown on your ticket when planning your journey.

Plan to arrive at Athens airport around two hours before departure, especially if you are checking in baggage or travelling during a peak period. Always follow your airline's specific baggage drop and boarding deadlines.

The journey from home to your accommodation takes considerably longer than the hour-long flight. Allow for travel to the airport, security checks, baggage collection and the transfer to your final destination on Lesvos.

Getting from the airport to central Mytilene

The airport is south of town, around 8 kilometres from the centre. The journey is relatively short, but the best option depends on your arrival time and baggage.

• Local bus: connects the airport with town according to the current timetable. Allow around 20–30 minutes for the journey, excluding waiting time, and a fare of roughly €2–3 per person. Confirm the timetable and fare before travelling, especially for an evening arrival.
• Taxi: around 15–20 minutes to the centre in normal traffic. Budget roughly €15–25 per vehicle. The final fare depends on your exact destination, the time of day and applicable surcharges; this range is not a fixed fare.
• Hire car: particularly useful if you are heading on to villages and beaches. Confirm the collection location and whether an out-of-hours fee applies.

For car hire, compare the total cost, insurance and security deposit rather than just the daily rate. Our guide to car hire in Mytilene and getting around Lesvos will help you arrange collection without making rushed decisions at the airport.

What to see in Mytilene and Lesvos

First, it helps to understand the geography: Mytilene is the capital, while Lesvos is a large island where distances have a real impact on your itinerary. If you only have three days, focus on the town and one nearby area rather than trying to see everything. For a first taste of the island's different sides, five to seven days allows more time for stops, meals and the beach.

In Mytilene, start at the waterfront and continue towards the shops along Ermou Street. The town combines shopping streets, neoclassical buildings and neighbourhoods with everyday life that continues beyond the tourist season. The castle deserves time for its scale and setting, while the New Archaeological Museum provides historical context, particularly through its mosaics. Check opening days and hours before planning back-to-back visits.

Just outside town, in Vareia, you will find the Theophilos Museum and the Stratis Eleftheriadis–Tériade Museum and Library. These are worthwhile stops for anyone interested in painting and book arts, not simply rainy-day alternatives. They fit well into a visit to the southern side of Mytilene, but check current opening hours. Avoid scheduling a visit immediately before your flight home without leaving plenty of time.

In the north, Molyvos is ideal for walks along steep cobbled lanes and a visit to the castle, while nearby Petra combines a beach with a good choice of accommodation. This is a separate base from Mytilene, not one of its suburbs. If you want to spend most evenings here, choose accommodation locally rather than returning to the capital every day. Comfortable shoes will serve you better than an overloaded itinerary.

To the south, Plomari is known for ouzo production and can be combined with a swim at Agios Isidoros. In western Lesvos, Sigri and the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest reveal a very different side of the island. Check access and opening arrangements separately for the outdoor petrified forest sites. It is a long drive from Mytilene, so allow plenty of time and do not squeeze it in between other far-flung stops.

Spring is particularly good for walking and birdwatching around Kalloni Bay and its salt pans. Keep your distance from birds and respect the signs. May and September are good choices for exploring by car, with generally milder heat than in midsummer. For a holiday focused on swimming, choose summer, bearing in mind that wind conditions affect which beaches are suitable on any given day.

Try the local olive oil, Mytilene's ladotyri cheese, and fish or seafood according to availability. Kalloni sardines have a special place in the local cuisine, but seasonality matters. If you visit a distillery, arrange a tour in advance and avoid driving after tasting ouzo. To choose routes that realistically fit the time you have, consult our Lesvos travel guide.

Where to stay

Mytilene is a practical base for a short break, a business trip or a stay without a car, provided your activities are focused on the town. Molyvos and Petra are better placed for the north, while Plomari and Skala Eresou suit different types of seaside holiday.

Before booking a room, check the actual route from the airport, not just the distance on the map. Our guide to where to stay on Lesvos, with areas and accommodation suggestions helps you compare bases. If you prefer a stay with meals included, consider all-inclusive hotels on Lesvos, checking what each package covers.

Baggage and low-cost airlines

The cheapest fare does not necessarily mean flying with a low-cost airline. On the Athens–Mytilene route, compare the available fare options from AEGEAN/Olympic Air and SKY express without assuming that the basic fare includes everything you need.

A personal item, cabin bag and checked suitcase are different baggage categories. The number of items allowed, their dimensions and their weight depend on the airline and fare. Check the conditions displayed for your specific booking, rather than relying on an older general description.

If you need a checked bag, add it before making your final comparison. A higher initial fare may work out cheaper if it includes baggage or greater flexibility. On smaller aircraft, you may be asked to check your cabin bag at the gate because of limited space; keep documents, medication and items that are not allowed in the hold with you.

Practical tips before booking

• Check names and documents: passenger details must match an accepted travel document. For children, confirm the requirements well in advance.
• Read the change conditions: being able to change a ticket does not necessarily mean changes are free. You may also have to pay a fare difference.
• Consider your arrival time: a late flight may increase transfer or car collection costs.
• Check the booking provider: find out who issues the ticket and who handles customer service if the schedule changes.
• Request assistance in good time: if you need special assistance at the airport, notify the airline within its stated deadline.

Before paying, make one final comparison of flights and total costs using the same dates, baggage and conditions. Compare the total cost of your trip, not the first price shown in the search results.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Athens to Mytilene cost?

For an initial budget, allow around €40–140 one-way and €80–280 return. Fares may be higher during the summer peak and holiday periods. These are indicative ranges, not current offers.

How long is the flight from Athens to Mytilene?

A direct flight usually has a scheduled duration of 50–65 minutes. Check the duration shown on your ticket and allow for the time you need to spend at both airports.

Which airlines fly direct from Athens to Mytilene?

The route is served by AEGEAN/Olympic Air and SKY express. Confirm flight times, frequencies and the operating airline for your specific travel date.

Which airline is cheapest for Athens to Mytilene?

No airline is consistently the cheapest. Compare the final price including baggage, seat selection and any service fees. The same airline may be cheaper for the outbound flight and more expensive for the return.

When can I find cheaper flights to Mytilene?

Usually outside the summer peak, festive periods and public holidays, by searching early and keeping your dates flexible. There is no guaranteed cheapest day to book, and no certainty that booking at the last minute will save money.

How do I get from Mytilene airport to the town centre?

By local bus, depending on the timetable, or by taxi. Allow around 20–30 minutes and €2–3 by bus, or 15–20 minutes and €15–25 by taxi, and confirm current fares before travelling.