Athens (Piraeus)

Getting to Piraeus is refreshingly simple thanks to the Athens Metro. Line 3 runs from the airport into central Athens, connecting to Line 1, which continues straight to Piraeus station beside the cruise terminal. The full trip takes about 60 to 75 minutes and costs very little compared to a taxi. Taxis and private transfers are also readily available and take a similar amount of time.

A rental car isn’t necessary for most guests, since the metro handles the airport-to-port journey so well. Where a car does help is for day trips outside the city, like the drive to Cape Sounion, so consider renting only if you plan to explore the Attic coast independently.

Private transfer companies and licensed taxis operate directly between the airport, central Athens hotels, and the Piraeus terminal, with fixed rates that make budgeting simple. Many hotel concierges can arrange a driver who will track your flight and meet you at arrivals.

We always recommend arriving at least the day before your cruise. It removes the risk of a delayed flight costing you embarkation, and in a city as layered as Athens, an extra day or two lets you actually see the place rather than rush through it. Most guests base themselves in Plaka, Monastiraki, or Koukaki.

A selection of our guests’ favorite hotels, grouped by location.

Two to four days gives you real time to take in Athens, and even then you’ll only scratch the surface. Below are a few guest favorites, including a day trip along the coast to Cape Sounion. We’re always happy to build a custom pre-cruise itinerary around your interests.

Distance: A short ride from the port, in central Athens. Highlights: The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the glass-walled Acropolis Museum just below the hill. Ideal For: History lovers and first-time visitors alike. Plan For: A full day, ideally starting early to beat the heat and crowds.

Distance: South along the Attic coast, about an hour from Athens. Highlights: The Temple of Poseidon perched on a clifftop, where Lord Byron carved his name in 1810. Ideal For: Travelers with a spare day and a taste for dramatic scenery. Plan For: A 3 to 4 hour round trip, timed for sunset if you can manage it.

Plaka food tour: “Plaka is the oldest neighborhood in Athens, a maze of narrow streets winding beneath the Acropolis and lined with tavernas that have fed this city for generations. A guided food tour through Plaka is one of my favorite ways to begin an Athens visit. You’ll taste spanakopita straight from a neighborhood bakery, sample olives, honey, and loukoumades, and hear the stories behind a cuisine older than most visitors realize. It’s the best possible warm-up before boarding your ship.”

Piraeus is one of the largest passenger ports in the world, and embarkation generally moves at a smooth, predictable pace. Arrive with your travel documents ready: passport, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any health documentation your line requires. Porters wait curbside to take checked luggage, so you won’t need to haul bags to check-in yourself.

Disembarkation at Piraeus follows a familiar rhythm. You’ll be assigned a group number or color and called off the ship in waves, with self-assist disembarkation available for guests who prefer to carry their own bags off early. Porters can also deliver checked luggage curbside, where taxis and pre-arranged transfers wait to take you into Athens or on to the airport.