How to Get from Athens Port to City Center

Piraeus to Athens: All the Available Options

Athens Piraeus Port, the major Greek port and one of the busiest maritime hubs in the world, is conveniently located 12km/7,5 miles from downtown Athens, enjoying excellent connections to the city. Hence, passengers arriving at Athens Port can easily make their way to the heart of the city, taking their pick among the comfortable Piraeus port taxis, the luxurious private transfers, and the handy car rentals. Moreover, travelers on a tight budget typically opt for a bus or a metro ride from Piraeus to Athens.

Taxi Rides from Piraeus Port to Athens

Piraeus port taxis are a sought-after transit option from Piraeus to Athens. The yellow cabs with the Taxi light on their roofs are present around the clock at the taxi ranks, lying close to all gates. Thus, passengers can easily catch a taxi no matter if they arrive at one of the ferry gates or the Piraeus Cruise Port. However, as Piraeus Port is one of the busiest passenger ports globally, numerous travelers dock at its gates during the peak tourist season. At that time, waiting lines for a taxi could be long, leading many travelers to opt for ride-sharing services or called taxis. Overall, Athens port taxis provide safe services, while drivers are experienced and can communicate in English adequately. That being said, unlicensed drivers often approach passengers with tempting deals, only to overcharge them instead. Therefore, you should always pick up your taxi from Piraeus Port from the official taxi stands and deny any other offers.

The taxi ride from Piraeus Port to Athens typically lasts about 30 minutes and is priced at about €25/$26,90. Taxis charge according to their taximeters, adding an extra €1,07/$1,15 fee for rides from the port. What’s more, taxi journeys are more expensive during the night shift (midnight to 05:00 am), while luggage weighing more than 10kg comes with a €0.39/$0,42 surcharge (per piece of luggage). Thus, night rides from Piraeus to Athens are priced at about €28/$30. On the other hand, tipping isn’t obligatory but it’s up to the passenger to tip the driver or not. All taxi drivers are obligated to accept payments in cash and via bank cards. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to check with your taxi operator.

Metro Journeys from Piraeus Port to Athens

The Athens Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) is the fastest option for rides from Piraeus to Athens, as the metro doesn’t depend on the current traffic conditions. Hence, travelers looking for an affordable and convenient way to reach downtown Athens usually opt for a metro ride. However, the Blue Metro Line isn’t the most convenient alternative for passengers with heavy luggage or families as it isn’t equipped with luggage ranks and often gets congested. Piraeus port metro station is to be found close to Gate E5. Hence, if your arrival gate is one of the remote ferry gates (E1, E2, or E3) or the cruise gates, you’ll have to catch the free port shuttle bus or one of the public buses running around Piraeus Port (Buses 49, 843, 859). It’s important to remember that the bus ticket is valid for metro rides as well, while the free port shuttle only travels between the ferry gates. 

Once you arrive at the Metro Station, you’ll have to buy one rechargeable ATH.ENA Ticket from the ticket counters (open from 06:00 am to 10:00 pm) or the station’s automatic machines. Moreover, tickets are also available from automatic vendors close to Gates E3, E8, and E12. Thus, if you take the bus to the metro station, you’ll buy your ticket from one of those locations. No matter the purchased ticket type, you must always swipe it at the automatic gates before and after the journey. ATH. ENA Tickets can be loaded with one of the following products (if you want to add another one, you’ll have to use the first fare product or wait until it expires):

The Blue Metro Line runs every 4 minutes during rush hours (from  07:30 am to 11:00 am and from 01:30 pm to 05:30 pm), every 10 minutes from 10:00 pm to midnight, and every 5-6 minutes at other times. It is available from 05:30 am to midnight, while on Fridays and Saturdays, it operates until 01:07 am. The ride with Piraeus Port Metro Line 3 from Athens Port to the city center (Syntagma or Monastiraki Stations) lasts just 20 minutes regardless of the time of the day.

Bus Rides from Piraeus Port to Athens

Piraeus port buses are another alternative for journeys from Athens Port to city center. However, despite being affordable, they could be a time-consuming option, as bus routes are affected by the traffic conditions while being tedious as public buses tend to get crowded and don’t have designated luggage space. 

In any case, travelers wishing to catch a bus to get to downtown Athens can opt for a ride with Bus 40, connecting Piraeus to Syntagma, in the heart of the city. The bus operates around the clock, every 5-10 minutes (during off-peak hours, it runs every 20-30 minutes), and takes about one hour to the city center, making numerous stops on its way. Bus 40 calls at Piraeus Stop (Stop Code 25) close to Cruise Terminal A. Alternatively, Bus 49 (Piraeus – Omonoia) travels to Omonoia, a 15-minute walk from Syntagma Square. It has available routes every 15 minutes during rush hours and every 30 minutes at other times, from 05:00 am to midnight. The bus stops at Piraeus Stop close to Miaoulis Terminal and Agios Nikolaos Stop adjacent to the Ferry Gate E9. Please note that you can catch one of the other bus lines running along Piraeus Port (Buses 826, 832, 833, 843, and 859) to travel from your gate to one previously mentioned bus stop. In any case, public buses offer cheap services. You can buy a single ticket, a 24-hour Ticket, a 3-day Tourist Ticket, or a 5-day Ticket (and load them to one rechargeable ATH.ENA Ticket) for your bus ride from Piraeus Port to Athens. Moreover, buying more than one ticket can also get you a discount. Tickets are available from the train station or the automatic machines lying close to Gates E3, E8, and E12.

Finally, the Express Bus X80 (Piraeus – Acropolis – Syntagma) is available from May to October, providing connections from Athens Cruise Port (Terminals A, B, and C) to downtown Athens. It operates from 07:00 am to 09:15 pm every 35-40 minutes and reaches the city center in about 30 minutes as it only stops close to major sites and attractions. If you want to catch the Express Bus X80, you’ll have to buy the 24-hour Ticket (€4,10/$4,40) or the 3-Day Tourist Ticket, which costs €20/$21,50 and also includes a round trip to Athens International Airport.

Car Rentals from Athens Port to City Center

Although Piraeus port car rentals aren’t a popular choice among travelers heading from Piraeus to Athens, as traffic levels around the port and in downtown Athens are usually high and parking can be challenging, they are widely preferred by visitors who want to explore other nearby or even out-of-the-way destinations. Various car hire providers are to be found in the perimeter of Piraeus Port. Still, you won’t find car rental counters inside the port’s premises. Depending on your preferences, you can rent a car from an international agency or a local company with desks close to Athens Port or even settle on a provider with further-located offices to benefit from lower prices. In any case, the sooner you book your rental car, the better prices you’ll find. Your ride from Athens Port to city center will last about 25-30 minutes. However, during rush hours, you should expect a considerably longer journey. As for parking downtown, you shouldn’t rely on street parking. Verily, parking spaces on the street are limited as many of them are designated for residents, persons with disabilities, etc., and are paid. On the other hand, several private car parks are to be found scattered around Athens city center.

Private Transfers from Athens Port to City Center

If you want to elevate your transit experience from Piraeus Port to Athens, you should book a private transfer. In that way, you won’t have to rely on taxis, wait in long lines to catch the next cab, and waste precious time at the port when you could easily have reached your destination at the same time. Overall, private transfers come with several plus points. That being said, their major advantage is their tailored services. From the vehicle’s type to any required additional products, you can customize the journey to your needs and enjoy every minute of your transit.

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