Piraeus Ferry Port: Hotels, Maps & Transportation

Greece › Athens › Piraeus Port
Updated: August 25, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

Best Piraeus Hotels

• Port Square Hotel (best for an early ferry)
• The Alex (best overall hotel)
• Phidias Piraeus (best value)
• Piraeus City Hotel
• Hotel Achillon
• Maryflower Premium Apartments
• Piraeus Theoxenia
• Piraeus Port Hotel

Piraeus Port Quick Guide

• Best way from central Athens: Metro Line 3 from Syntagma or Monastiraki.
• Central Athens Metro fare: €1.20.
• Best way from Athens Airport: Metro Line 3 for most travelers; taxi or private transfer with lots of luggage.
• Airport Metro: €9 and about 60 minutes.
• Airport Bus: X96, €5.50, runs 24 hours.
• How early to arrive: 1 hour before ferry departure for first-timers.
• Cyclades gates: E4, E6, E7, E9, and E10.
• Crete: E2 and E3.
• Dodecanese: E1.
• Saronic Islands: E8.
• Best hotel for an early ferry: Port Square Hotel.
• Ferry tickets: I use FerryHopper.com.

Popular Ferry Routes

• Athens to Mykonos
• Athens to Santorini
• Athens to Naxos
• Athens to Paros
• Athens to Milos
• Athens to Crete

Helpful Links

• How I buy ferry tickets: FerryHopper.com
• Pre-booked taxi service: Welcome Pickups

See Also

• Athens – Where to Stay
• Athens – Best Hotels
• Athens – Family Hotels
• My Greek Ferry Guide

Where is Piraeus Port?

Piraeus is the main ferry port for Athens, about 10 to 12 km southwest of central Athens and roughly 40 km by road from Athens International Airport. Metro Lines 1 and 3 connect Piraeus with central Athens, and Line 3 runs directly to the airport.

• From Central Athens: The Metro takes about 20 to 30 minutes and costs €1.20. A taxi takes roughly 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
• From Athens Airport: Metro Line 3 takes about 60 minutes and costs €9. A taxi takes about 45 to 60 minutes in light to normal traffic and longer during rush hour.

Rafina: The Alternative to Piraeus

Athens has another major ferry port at Rafina, on the east coast of Attica. Rafina is much closer to Athens Airport and has excellent ferry connections to Mykonos, Tinos, and Andros, including several Rafina to Mykonos ferries per day in high season.

• Best For: Travelers flying into Athens and continuing directly to Mykonos, Tinos, or Andros.
• Getting There: Rafina is roughly a 20-minute drive from the airport. Taxis and KTEL buses connect the airport with the port.

Piraeus Port Map

Piraeus Gate Guide

Piraeus is huge. Knowing your gate before you arrive can save a long walk with luggage.

• Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos): E4, E6, E7, E9, and E10.
• Crete (Heraklion and Chania): E2 and E3.
• Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos, and nearby islands): E1.
• Saronic Gulf (Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses): E8.
• Cruise Ships: Cruise terminals are at the far southern end of the port near E11 and E12.

Check the gate for your specific sailing. Ferry assignments do change, particularly in summer, and the electronic signs at the port are the final word.

Piraeus Port Shuttle Bus

Piraeus is much bigger on foot than it looks on a map. E6 and E7 are convenient to the Metro; E9 and E10 are farther but still walkable for most travelers. If your ferry leaves from E1, E2, or E3, I would not plan on dragging suitcases all the way from the Metro. The port operates a free shuttle between the main passenger areas. Taxis can also enter the port and take you much closer to your ship.

Transportation Between Piraeus Port and Central Athens

The Metro is the best way to travel between central Athens and Piraeus for most people. If you have heavy luggage, limited mobility, small children, or a tight ferry connection, take a taxi or private car and get dropped closer to your ship. I use Welcome Pickups when I want a pre-booked driver.

Taking the Metro to Piraeus

The Metro is cheap, reliable, and easy. Piraeus station is directly across from the main port entrance near gates E5 and E6.

Athens to Piraeus: How to Pay & Go

• Payment: Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or a phone or smartwatch using Apple Pay or Google Pay, directly on the Metro reader. Use the same card or device when you exit. Each passenger needs a separate card or device when paying contactless.
• From Syntagma: Take Line 3 (Blue Line) toward Dimotiko Theatro and get off at Piraeus.
• From Monastiraki: Take Line 3 toward Dimotiko Theatro. Line 1 also goes directly to Piraeus but takes longer.
• From Omonia: Take Line 1 (Green Line) toward Piraeus.
• Direction on Line 3: The train signs show Dimotiko Theatro, the final stop. Piraeus is one stop before it.
• Direction on Line 1: Board toward Piraeus, the final stop.

The platform inside Monastiraki station with trains heading to the Piraeus ferry port.

Two Important Tips

• Pickpockets: Be especially careful on crowded trains between central Athens and Piraeus. Keep your phone and wallet secure and don’t leave valuables in an easy-to-open backpack pocket.
• May 1: Avoid scheduling a ferry on May Day if you have any flexibility. Ferry and public-transport strikes are extremely common and can shut down services.

The pedestrian overpass from the Piraeus Metro station to the port. There is an elevator on both sides. The overpass periodically closes for construction or maintenance.

Metro Fast Facts

• Time: About 20 to 30 minutes from Syntagma or Monastiraki.
• Cost: €1.20 for a standard 90-minute ticket.
• Hours: Trains run from early morning until around midnight, with later service on some nights. Check the current timetable for your travel date.
• Arrival: Piraeus station is opposite the port near gates E5 and E6.

Taxi & Private Car

A car is best with heavy bags or when you’re short on time. Drivers can enter the port and take you close to your ferry, which matters if your ship is leaving from one of the distant gates.

• Taxi: Allow roughly 25 to 40 minutes from central Athens, longer in heavy traffic. Athens taxis use meters for the trip to Piraeus. Uber works in Athens by dispatching licensed taxis.
• Welcome Pickups: My preferred pre-booked option. The price is quoted in advance and the driver knows the port well.

Cruise Ship Terminal Transfer

Cruise ships dock at the far southern end of Piraeus, well beyond the main Metro station. If you’re arriving on a cruise and heading into Athens, a taxi is easiest. The seasonal X80 express bus is another good option.

• X80 Express Bus: Connects the Piraeus cruise terminals with central Athens, including Syntagma.
• Season: Operates from May through October.
• Tickets: The normal €1.20 ticket is not valid on X80. A €4.10 24-hour ticket or €20 three-day tourist ticket is valid.

Piraeus Port Video

Transportation Between Piraeus Port and Athens Airport

For most travelers I recommend Metro Line 3. It runs directly between Athens Airport and Piraeus with no transfer and avoids Athens traffic. Take a taxi or private transfer instead if you have lots of luggage or want door-to-door service. The X96 bus is cheaper and runs all night.

Metro Between Athens Airport and Piraeus

• Time: About 60 minutes.
• Frequency: Airport trains run roughly every 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cost: €9 one-way. Children under 6 ride free.
• Airport to Piraeus: Take Line 3 toward Dimotiko Theatro and get off at Piraeus, one stop before the end.
• Piraeus to Airport: Take a Line 3 train marked Airport. Not every Line 3 train continues to the airport, so check the destination display before boarding.
• Payment: You can buy a ticket or tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly at the gate.

Taxi Between Athens Airport and Piraeus

A taxi is easiest with lots of luggage and takes you directly to the correct part of the port.

• Fare: Unlike airport taxis to central Athens, the Piraeus trip is metered. Expect roughly €60 to €75 in normal daytime conditions and more late at night or in heavy traffic.
• Time: About 45 to 60 minutes with light to normal traffic.
• At the Airport: The official taxi queue is outside Arrivals.
• At Piraeus: Taxi stands are found around the passenger port, and drivers can enter the port to pick up or drop off passengers.

Private Car Service Between Athens Airport and Piraeus

Welcome Pickups is my preferred alternative when I want a driver waiting at Arrivals. The price is fixed in advance, the driver tracks your flight, and you don’t have to figure out the port after a long flight.

X96 Airport Bus

The X96 is the cheapest direct option and the best public transport choice late at night when the Metro is closed.

• Cost: €5.50.
• Time: About 75 to 90 minutes, longer in heavy traffic.
• Hours: 24 hours a day.
• Airport Stop: Outside the Arrivals level.
• Piraeus Stop: Near the Metro station and main passenger-port entrance.

Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)

The Suburban Railway also connects Athens Airport and Piraeus directly. It is less frequent than the Metro, so I would only use it when its departure time works better for your schedule.

• Frequency: Roughly hourly.
• Time: About 65 minutes.
• Cost: €9.
• Good For: Travelers who prefer a conventional train with more luggage space and happen to catch a convenient departure.

Athens Airport Transportation Map

Piraeus Ferry Tickets

Do I Need to Buy Ferry Tickets in Advance?

Yes, I recommend booking in advance. Large conventional ferries have lots of capacity, but reserved seats, cabins, vehicle spaces, and popular high-speed ferries do sell out. This is especially important from June through September.

I book Greek ferries through FerryHopper. It’s the easiest site for comparing ferry times, prices, and routes in one place.

Do Greek Ferries Use E-Tickets?

Yes. E-tickets are standard on the major Greek ferry companies. After booking, follow the ferry company’s instructions for online check-in and save the QR-code boarding pass to your phone. For most sailings there is no reason to print a ticket or visit a port ticket office.

How Early Should I Arrive for a Piraeus Ferry?

I arrive about 45 minutes before departure from Piraeus. Thirty minutes is enough if you know the port and already know your gate, but first-time visitors should give themselves extra time (one hour prior to departure is not ridiculous). Piraeus is enormous, gates do change, and walking to the wrong part of the port with luggage is no fun.

If you’re taking a vehicle onto the ferry, arrive earlier and follow the ferry company’s instructions.

Where Are the Ferry Ticket Offices?

There are ferry-company offices and travel agencies around the main port, especially near the Piraeus Metro and railway station and around the busy Cyclades gates. Some ferry companies also operate kiosks near their ships. If you already have an e-ticket, you can go straight to your ferry.

Piraeus Ferry Schedules

FerryHopper.com has current schedules and fares for the major Greek ferry companies. Summer schedules are extensive; winter service is reduced on many island routes. I like to book popular summer sailings well in advance, especially high-speed ferries, cabins, and vehicle spaces.

Popular Piraeus Ferry Routes

• Athens to Crete Ferry
• Athens to Milos Ferry
• Athens to Mykonos Ferry
• Athens to Naxos Ferry
• Athens to Paros Ferry
• Athens to Santorini Ferry

Staying Near Piraeus Port

If you have a 7:00am ferry, stay in Piraeus. You avoid an early taxi or Metro ride from Athens and can walk out of the hotel and straight to the port.

If you’re only in Piraeus to catch a ferry, stay beside the port. If you have an afternoon and evening to enjoy, Kastella, Zea Marina, and Mikrolimano are much nicer places to stay, with marina views and some of my favorite restaurants in Piraeus.

• Port Area: Best for convenience. Stay here if catching an early ferry or arriving late. Port Square Hotel is my top choice.
• Kastella, Zea Marina & Mikrolimano: Better for restaurants, views, and an enjoyable evening. The ferry port is a short taxi ride away. The Alex is my favorite hotel in this part of Piraeus.

Piraeus Hotels

• The Port Square Hotel
  The best hotel for catching an early ferry. Contemporary rooms have walk-in showers, excellent beds, and good soundproofing; some add balconies and port views. Breakfast starts early and the location is hard to beat, directly opposite the ferry port and beside the Piraeus Metro and railway stations.
• The Alex
  The best overall hotel in Piraeus. Stylish boutique hotel in Kastella with one of the best rooftop terraces in the city and sweeping views over Mikrolimano. The setting is much prettier than the main ferry-port area, but you’ll want a taxi to your ship. Allow about 10 minutes for the drive in light traffic.
• Phidias Piraeus Hotel
  My favorite value hotel in Piraeus. Modern rooms, excellent service, and a convenient location near Zea Marina. The big advantage for ferry travelers is the complimentary shuttle to and from the passenger port, Metro station, and X96 airport-bus stop. Family rooms sleep up to four.
• Piraeus City Hotel
  Simple, modern, and very convenient. Rooms include doubles, twins, triples, and family options, and there is a rooftop restaurant. A good choice when you want to sleep close to the ferry without paying for anything fancy.
• Hotel Achillon
  Basic, inexpensive, and close to the port. Rooms range from singles to larger family rooms. One of the better choices for travelers who care much more about price and ferry access than hotel amenities.
• Maryflower Premium Apartments
  Spacious, attractive apartments in central Piraeus, about a 10-minute walk from the port. Kitchens, Cocomat beds, and larger layouts make these especially good for families and longer stays. Two-bedroom apartments sleep a family of six.
• Piraeus Theoxenia
  Traditional upscale hotel in central Piraeus with large rooms, suites, restaurant, breakfast, and rooftop pool. The decor feels dated beside the newer Piraeus hotels, but rooms are spacious and the location remains convenient for the port.
• Piraeus Port Hotel
  Clean and reliable mid-range hotel in central Piraeus. Rooms are comfortable, breakfast starts early for ferry passengers, and the hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the port and Metro.
• Piraeus Premium Suites
  Formerly called Monogram Premium Suites. Six individually styled suites, one per floor, with industrial design, spacious layouts, balconies, and kitchen facilities in some units. The location near the Archaeological Museum and Zea Marina is better for enjoying Piraeus than for walking to an early Cyclades ferry.

A Few More Good Piraeus Hotels

• Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port
  Excellent upscale hotel near the port and railway station. Stylish contemporary rooms, strong service, restaurant, and a seasonal rooftop bar overlooking the port. One of the best choices if you want a more polished hotel while staying within easy reach of the ferries.
• Athenarum Portus Life & Style Hotel
  Very good modern boutique hotel just steps from the port and Piraeus station. Contemporary rooms and suites, some with balconies and port views, plus a restaurant and bar. Excellent combination of style and ferry convenience.
• Gallery Central Piraeus Port
  Smart 4-star hotel a couple of minutes’ walk from the railway and Metro station. Modern rooms, restaurant, bar, fitness center, sauna, and breakfast to go.
• Gallery Port Tower Piraeus
  Newer upscale hotel about a 5-minute walk from Piraeus station and the main port area. Spacious modern rooms, restaurant, fitness center, and sauna.

Luggage Storage at Piraeus Port

There are several staffed luggage-storage services around the Piraeus Metro and railway station, including locations just a few minutes’ walk from the port. This is useful if you arrive on a morning ferry but don’t want to carry bags around Piraeus or Athens all day.

I would use one of the established online luggage-storage services near the station rather than count on finding lockers inside Piraeus station. Book ahead if you’re traveling in summer, and check closing time carefully before leaving your bags. If you’re staying overnight in Piraeus, your hotel will normally hold luggage before check-in or after check-out.

Piraeus Restaurants

• Varoulko Seaside – The standout fine-dining restaurant in Mikrolimano, with excellent seafood and a beautiful marina setting. Expensive, but worth it for a special dinner. • +30 21 0522 8400
• Paleo Wine Bar – Excellent wine bar in a historic warehouse near the port and Metro. Huge, well-chosen wine list and a short food menu that is much better than it needs to be. • +30 21 0412 5204
• Abakos Steakhouse – Stylish, casual, and reasonably priced steakhouse close to the port. Wood-fired meats, good wine, and excellent picanha. • +30 21 0452 5251
• Arlekinos – Cozy, good-value taverna near the port. Strong on grilled meats, traditional meze, and Cretan dishes. • +30 21 0413 2555
• Stoa Rakadiko – Fun taverna in an atmospheric stone atrium near the port. Big menu mixing Greek classics with more creative dishes and plenty for vegetarians. • +30 21 0417 8470
• Street Souvlaki – My favorite quick meal near the port. Good souvlaki, inexpensive, and easy before or after a ferry.
• Bread Factory – Very handy before an early ferry. Bread, pastries, sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and prepared meals across from the port.
• Yperokeanio – One of my favorite seafood tavernas in Piraeus. Old-school nautical decor, excellent fish, and lots of character. Book ahead for dinner. • +30 21 0418 0030
• Margaro – Famous old-school fish taverna near the cruise-port side of Piraeus. The menu is basically fried fish, shrimp, and Greek salad. That’s the point. • +30 21 0451 4226
• Hams and Clams – Awful name, awesome food. Waterfront oyster bar near Zea Marina with excellent ceviche, cocktails, and wine. • +30 21 0418 6683
• Aposperitis Maereio – Wonderful family-run taverna in Peiraiki with excellent home-style Greek cooking and warm service. • +30 21 0459 9207

Things to Do in Piraeus

If you have only a few spare hours before a ferry, I would spend them around Zea Marina, Mikrolimano, or Peiraiki rather than trying to squeeze in central Athens.

• Archaeological Museum of Piraeus – Small but very worthwhile museum with impressive ancient bronze statues, pottery, grave monuments, and the remains of an ancient theater behind the museum. Near Zea Marina.
• Hellenic Maritime Museum – Greek naval and maritime history, ship models, maps, paintings, and artifacts. Best for travelers with a real interest in ships and naval history.
• Pasalimani/Zea Marina – Pleasant marina with fishing boats, yachts, restaurants, cafés, and shops. An easy place to spend an hour or two between ferries.
• Mikrolimano Marina – Small, picturesque marina lined with seafood restaurants. Prettier and more relaxed than the main ferry-port area and especially nice in the evening.
• Peiraiki – The coastal peninsula south of the passenger port. Walk the waterfront toward Zea Marina for sea views and some of the best fish tavernas in Piraeus. Sunset is the best time.