Many visitors assume every ferry leaves from Piraeus. In fact Athens has three passenger ports, and picking the right one can save you an hour on the road or a missed boat. Here is how we explain it to our guests.
Piraeus: the biggest choice
Piraeus is Greece’s main port, with ferries to almost everywhere: the Cyclades (Syros, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Tinos, Ios, Santorini), Crete (Heraklion and Chania), the Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos), the Saronic islands (Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses) and the eastern Aegean (Chios, Lesvos, Ikaria, Samos). It has the most sailings and the best back-up options if a boat is cancelled.
One thing to know: Piraeus is huge. Ferries leave from numbered gates (E1 to E10) spread over several kilometres, and walking from one end to the other can take 30 to 45 minutes. Gate assignments change, so check your ticket or the ferry company’s app the evening before, and give your driver the gate number so you are dropped right at your ship. See our Piraeus port taxi prices.
Rafina: the shortcut to Mykonos, Tinos and Andros
Rafina is a small, friendly port on the east coast, about 16 km from Athens airport, a drive of roughly 25 to 30 minutes. It is the strongest choice for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, with seasonal sailings on to Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini. Crossings to Mykonos are often shorter than from Piraeus, which is why many travellers fly in and head straight to Rafina.
The catch: Rafina has no metro, and in strong summer winds (the meltemi) its fast ferries are usually the first to be cancelled.
Lavrion: for Kea and Kythnos
Lavrion lies near Cape Sounion, about 35 km from the airport. It is the main gateway to Kea (about an hour’s crossing) and Kythnos, with some sailings to other islands depending on the season. Choose Lavrion because it has the ferry you need, not because it looks close on the map.
How to choose, in one minute
Going to Mykonos, Tinos or Andros straight from the airport? Look at Rafina first.
Going to Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, the Saronic islands or the eastern Aegean? Piraeus.
Going to Kea or Kythnos? Lavrion.
Staying in central Athens first? Piraeus is usually the easiest.
Leave enough time
After an international flight, allow at least 4 hours between landing and a ferry from Rafina, and at least 5 hours for Piraeus or Lavrion. Flights run late, luggage takes time, and ferries do not wait.
Getting to the port without stress
We drive guests to all three ports every day, from the airport, your hotel or your Airbnb. Prices are fixed and per car, with luggage, VAT and tolls included: from Athens airport it is €85 to Rafina or Lavrion and €95 to Piraeus for 1 to 3 people, with minivans and minibuses for bigger groups. See all Rafina and Lavrion port taxi details or ask us for a quote.
https://athenstaxigreece.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ataxgr.png-300x63.png00Vassilios V.https://athenstaxigreece.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ataxgr.png-300x63.pngVassilios V.2026-11-07 12:14:122026-11-07 12:17:51Rafina, Piraeus or Lavrion? Which Athens Ferry Port to Use
Your ship docks in Piraeus, the Acropolis is about 10 km away, and you have one day. The good news: with a little planning, that is plenty of time to see the Parthenon, walk through Plaka and be back on board without stress. Here is what we tell our own cruise guests every week.
Which cruise terminal will you arrive at?
Piraeus has three cruise terminals, all close to each other at the southern end of the port:
Terminal A (Miaoulis), gate E11: the closest to the metro, roughly a 15-minute walk.
Terminal B (Themistocles) and Terminal C (Alkimos), gate E12: about a 30-minute walk to the metro.
If your ship ties up further out, a free port shuttle takes you to the terminal building. Your cruise line will tell you the terminal the day before; if you book a Piraeus port taxi with us, just send us your ship’s name and we will find you.
Taxi or metro to the Acropolis?
By car, the drive from the cruise terminals to the Acropolis usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. A pre-booked driver waits for you at the terminal, drops you right at the entrance and picks you up again, so you never have to walk the length of the port or look for a taxi rank.
By metro, walk to Piraeus station and take Line 1 (green) to Monastiraki, about 17 minutes, then walk 10 to 15 minutes uphill to the Acropolis. Alternatively, take Line 3 (blue) to Syntagma and change to Line 2 for one stop to Akropoli. It is cheap, but with the walk from the terminal, the trip usually takes 45 to 60 minutes each way, and the metro can be crowded on busy cruise days.
How much time do you really have?
A simple rule of thumb: you can usually leave the ship about 30 minutes after docking, and you should be back at least an hour before departure. Allow about 75 minutes to get back from the Acropolis area by public transport, less with a driver. So a 10-hour call gives you around 7 useful hours in Athens; an 8-hour call, around 5.
Book your Acropolis ticket before you sail
Entry to the Acropolis is by timed slot, and the morning slots sell out first on cruise days. Book on the official ticket website before your trip and choose a slot about 90 minutes after your expected arrival time. Check the official site for opening hours and closure days, and note that on very hot summer days the site can close in the early afternoon.
A relaxed cruise day by private driver
Our Athens Acropolis sightseeing tour was designed for cruise guests: 5 hours, pickup at your ship, a stop at the Acropolis and Parthenon, then the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, Lycabettus Hill, the Changing of the Guard and time in Plaka, all with your own English-speaking driver in a Mercedes. The price is per car, not per person, and we bring you back to the ship with time to spare. Licensed guides are optional, available upon request for an additional fee, and subject to availability.
Quick tips
Wear comfortable shoes: the Acropolis rock is uneven and slippery marble.
Carry water and sun protection from April to October.
Check for public transport strikes on the morning you dock.
Keep your ship’s all-aboard time and the port agent’s phone number with you.
Want your cruise day planned for you? Send us your ship and date and we will reply with a fixed price for your car and driver.
https://athenstaxigreece.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ataxgr.png-300x63.png00Vassilios V.https://athenstaxigreece.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ataxgr.png-300x63.pngVassilios V.2026-11-07 12:14:092026-11-07 12:17:47Piraeus Cruise Port to the Acropolis: Taxi, Metro and Timing Tips
Rafina, Piraeus or Lavrion? Which Athens Ferry Port to Use
Many visitors assume every ferry leaves from Piraeus. In fact Athens has three passenger ports, and picking the right one can save you an hour on the road or a missed boat. Here is how we explain it to our guests.
Piraeus: the biggest choice
Piraeus is Greece’s main port, with ferries to almost everywhere: the Cyclades (Syros, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Tinos, Ios, Santorini), Crete (Heraklion and Chania), the Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos), the Saronic islands (Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses) and the eastern Aegean (Chios, Lesvos, Ikaria, Samos). It has the most sailings and the best back-up options if a boat is cancelled.
One thing to know: Piraeus is huge. Ferries leave from numbered gates (E1 to E10) spread over several kilometres, and walking from one end to the other can take 30 to 45 minutes. Gate assignments change, so check your ticket or the ferry company’s app the evening before, and give your driver the gate number so you are dropped right at your ship. See our Piraeus port taxi prices.
Rafina: the shortcut to Mykonos, Tinos and Andros
Rafina is a small, friendly port on the east coast, about 16 km from Athens airport, a drive of roughly 25 to 30 minutes. It is the strongest choice for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, with seasonal sailings on to Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini. Crossings to Mykonos are often shorter than from Piraeus, which is why many travellers fly in and head straight to Rafina.
The catch: Rafina has no metro, and in strong summer winds (the meltemi) its fast ferries are usually the first to be cancelled.
Lavrion: for Kea and Kythnos
Lavrion lies near Cape Sounion, about 35 km from the airport. It is the main gateway to Kea (about an hour’s crossing) and Kythnos, with some sailings to other islands depending on the season. Choose Lavrion because it has the ferry you need, not because it looks close on the map.
How to choose, in one minute
Leave enough time
After an international flight, allow at least 4 hours between landing and a ferry from Rafina, and at least 5 hours for Piraeus or Lavrion. Flights run late, luggage takes time, and ferries do not wait.
Getting to the port without stress
We drive guests to all three ports every day, from the airport, your hotel or your Airbnb. Prices are fixed and per car, with luggage, VAT and tolls included: from Athens airport it is €85 to Rafina or Lavrion and €95 to Piraeus for 1 to 3 people, with minivans and minibuses for bigger groups. See all Rafina and Lavrion port taxi details or ask us for a quote.
Piraeus Cruise Port to the Acropolis: Taxi, Metro and Timing Tips
Your ship docks in Piraeus, the Acropolis is about 10 km away, and you have one day. The good news: with a little planning, that is plenty of time to see the Parthenon, walk through Plaka and be back on board without stress. Here is what we tell our own cruise guests every week.
Which cruise terminal will you arrive at?
Piraeus has three cruise terminals, all close to each other at the southern end of the port:
If your ship ties up further out, a free port shuttle takes you to the terminal building. Your cruise line will tell you the terminal the day before; if you book a Piraeus port taxi with us, just send us your ship’s name and we will find you.
Taxi or metro to the Acropolis?
By car, the drive from the cruise terminals to the Acropolis usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. A pre-booked driver waits for you at the terminal, drops you right at the entrance and picks you up again, so you never have to walk the length of the port or look for a taxi rank.
By metro, walk to Piraeus station and take Line 1 (green) to Monastiraki, about 17 minutes, then walk 10 to 15 minutes uphill to the Acropolis. Alternatively, take Line 3 (blue) to Syntagma and change to Line 2 for one stop to Akropoli. It is cheap, but with the walk from the terminal, the trip usually takes 45 to 60 minutes each way, and the metro can be crowded on busy cruise days.
How much time do you really have?
A simple rule of thumb: you can usually leave the ship about 30 minutes after docking, and you should be back at least an hour before departure. Allow about 75 minutes to get back from the Acropolis area by public transport, less with a driver. So a 10-hour call gives you around 7 useful hours in Athens; an 8-hour call, around 5.
Book your Acropolis ticket before you sail
Entry to the Acropolis is by timed slot, and the morning slots sell out first on cruise days. Book on the official ticket website before your trip and choose a slot about 90 minutes after your expected arrival time. Check the official site for opening hours and closure days, and note that on very hot summer days the site can close in the early afternoon.
A relaxed cruise day by private driver
Our Athens Acropolis sightseeing tour was designed for cruise guests: 5 hours, pickup at your ship, a stop at the Acropolis and Parthenon, then the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, Lycabettus Hill, the Changing of the Guard and time in Plaka, all with your own English-speaking driver in a Mercedes. The price is per car, not per person, and we bring you back to the ship with time to spare. Licensed guides are optional, available upon request for an additional fee, and subject to availability.
Quick tips
Want your cruise day planned for you? Send us your ship and date and we will reply with a fixed price for your car and driver.