Piraeus Transportation

We just returned from a Celebrity cruise...we were at the further port from the city. (IMPORTANT to note at which terminal you're docked to gauge distances, etc.!) I had read prior to our trip that the walk to the Metro station was only about 15 minutes--I think that was for the Port Terminals closer to town (Royal C. had a ship there). We actually did walk back from the Metro to our ship, which took about 45 minutes. We were not in a hurry, and it was a pleasant day, but when my mom and I decided to walk we were basing our choice on what we had read before our trip. She is 73 and in good health, but we did have to stop a couple times for her to rest from the blazing sun, after having walked all over the Acropolis and Plaka. Also please note--I had a Greek phrase book which was very necessary--almost all of the people we encountered at the taxi stand and Metro station did not speak English, and if they did it was extremely little. At the Acropolis and Plaka, most people spoke English.

There were taxis waiting outside the entry building when we got off the ship, and we took one to the Metro for about 7 Euros. Prior to getting the taxi, I read posted information in the building--it said it should cost 5E...I asked a security worker at the desk if that sign was accurate--he said it would cost a little higher, maybe 8-10E. None of the taxi drivers would give us an estimate of how much it would cost to take us to the Metro station. One who spoke English very well approached us to offer a tour for 120E, which we declined! He did clarify to our driver where to take us. The meter was not set on zero (rather 1.1) when we got into the taxi, and when I asked the driver to clear it to zero he insisted there was an extra 2E fee for coming into the port. I had read in several places that is not true, and tried to argue the point with him, but he did not clear the meter. (And if it were true that there was an extra 2E fee, why wouldn't the meter begin on 2????) Needless to say, we were happy that he took us directly to the station, and it was only 6.6E total.

Athens Metro map:
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/images/thumbs/gettingaround/metromapbig.gif

At the station a one way ticket to the Acropolis cost 1E. I could not find a map of the Metro lines, so I was glad to have the one I printed off the internet. Validate your tickets in the machines at the entrance to the subway cars (they machines looked like large parking meters).

It was very easy to use the Metro, on board there were signs that told the next stop, and everything is color-coded for the lines so it was easy to switch to other lines. We took the green line to Monastiraki, then switched to the blue line to Syngtama, then red to Akropolis. It was 100% easy and safe! It only took about 10-15 minutes. Just be sure to double-check which direction the train is heading (going to Acropolis: blue line towards Doukississ Plakentias; red towards Aghios Dimitrios). Also take a look at the artifacts on exhibit that were uncovered when constructing the subway! When we exited the Metro (I believe there were 2 exits, we took the one to the left), straight ahead was a street, turn left, and about 50 yards to the right was the entrance to the Acropolis.
**Buy water before you go in--there is a corner shop (turn right instead of left towards the entrance of the Acropolis) that sold a liter bottle for 1E! At the top of the Acropolis there are some water fountains where you can refill your bottle.

When we left the Acropolis, we walked down to the Plaka and ended up at Monastiraki Square--where there happened to be a Metro terminal. From there it was just the green line back to Piraeus. Since we weren't quite sure how/where to hail a taxi, and we had time, etc. we decided to walk back to the ship by following along the water. Beware of the drivers--scooters/motorcycles do not stop at red lights!

All in all, it was a great way to save $90 apiece for the "Acropolis On Your Own" excursion!!!

Also note--some people on the ship took the bus shuttle into Piraeus, planning to catch a taxi to the Metro. None of the taxis would take any of them, so they had to walk (but their walk was closer to 15-20 minutes).

Piraeus Hotels

Piraeus Transportation

Visiting Piraeus?

Visiting Piraeus?

Piraeus Hotels