Piraeus Transportation

This is really a "From" tip, I don't know why VT doesn't have that option?

Piraeus is the largest port in Greece and is comprised of three separate harbours: the commercial docks; the main harbour (Megas Limani) and the Zea Limani, which is the marina (there is also the Mikrolimano, little port, but that's not really part of the port proper).

It is the Megas Limani where the ferries sail from with destinations covering most of the Southern Aegean Islands and the individual docks cover different Island groups. However these seem to be abominably signposted despite the fact that they are actually perfectly logically grouped. As the port map here shows, arriving at the port at the main entrance from the Metro or by bus the docks to the East service Crete and The Dodekanese, whilst those to the West service the Kyklades. Just don't get your East and West mixed up as it is a fair old walk from one end of the port to the other!

It seems that there are plans afoot to invest heavily in the port, improving facilities, signage, building an electric shuttle service between the docks and even to make the whole place a Wi-Fi zone and this is expected to be done between now (2006) AND 2010 - Details on site below:

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Piraeus is one of the 2 major departure and arrival ports for Athens - I missed my planned 530pm ferry to Mykonos and instead ended up being dropped by a helpful taxi driver here at the area where the ticket offices are - the one I went into turned out to be such a God-send.

Soula at Poseidon Express Travel and Shipping Agency was extremely helpful - this photo is taken outside the agency... She spoke excellent english - and agreed with my itinerary, got me tickets and printed timetables for the whole trip through to Crete and also provided me with a good offer for a hotel on Santorini which she was adamant was only a few minutes walk away from the main part of Fira and views over the Caldera...which it was.....and also that getting a rental was indeed the best way to get the most from my day on Santorini and that there are a number around the hotel to compare prices with....so it was great really.

Booked an overnight ferry with bed and ensuite with shower from Piraeus to Mykonos for only 35 euro arriving 630 am, ferry from Mykonos to Santorini 230pm and Santorini to crete/Heraklion the day after at 7pm.

When I think of all the time I spent on the phone in Athens getting timetable information for the various ferries to choose where to go, in addition to online flight info for the cheap flights that are available, going to an agency at the port itself with the right person behind the counter was such the better way.

The terminals are quite a distance apart so make sure you allow enough time to get from the ticket offices to the terminal that you require - there is meant to be frequent shuttle buses but there wasnt one to get me to my 1030pm ferry that she thought - so I had to walk...run and then jump in a taxi

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These are the day and night prices for taxis from the Piraeus port area into Athens and elsewhere - the prices here are quite reasonable but take note as when I was trying to get from Athens central to catch a ferry from Piraeus it was a nightmare simply because I tried to catch a taxi on my own rather than getting one from my hotel!

They are sharks and they wouldnt take me for less than 25 euro!..they had told me to go on down the road further to the other taxis.....it turned out they were just having a laugh - as I walked and walked on down and there were no other taxis - and taxis I flagged wouldnt stop until one taxi driver stopped and told me they dont take passengers to the ferries unless there are at least 2 or more rides in the taxi!!

I missed my ferry and had a nightmare of an exhausting and stressful time - but at least there are pricelists at the port area to help forewarn tourists and travellers of what the price is supposed to be!
.... so the best way to get to the ferries is by metro from Athens and keep the taxis for getting back from the ferries to your destination.

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).

All Piraeus area is filled of Travel Agency and I am sure they are all the same about the costs and the kindness of the workers. But I feel to mention here Filippis Tour as they gave me a real priceless service keeping my luggages in their office while i was waiting for my ferryboat. I had some spare hours and it have been a real relief to wonder around without carrying so much stuff.
They speack Greek, English and Italian.
I apologise if all the other agencies offer the same service, it was my first time in Piraeus so i can't know, feel free to tell me about, I will remove this tip.

Just as a little update to this page -

Instead of having to walk across the road between the Metro and the docks there is now this rather snazzy pedestrian bridge, complete with escalators. They'd broken down last time I was here but hey this is Athens! ;) The bridge is certainly an improvement on having to take your life in your hands by crossing the road on foot when you still had to dash even when the traffic signals were in your favour - Athenian drivers seem to have an abhorrence of red lights!

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If your cruise ship docks at Piraeus, you can either take a taxi or walk to the train station and take the train to Athens for .80 euro. It’s a 30 minutes ride. Go up to the top deck of the ship and locate the yellow building with white bends in the middle of the picture, and that is the train station, after you exit the pier, turn left and walk along the waterfront until you see a pedestrian overpass, you have arrived the train station (see second picture), it’s a 20-30 minutes walk. Make sure you validate your train ticket prior to boarding the train.

The Metro is the simplest and quickest way to get to the port from the city centre as well as being the quickest option from the airport if you don't have to much luggage. Piraeus is the last station on Line 1 (Green) which can be picked up in the city centre from either Omonia or Monastiraki. Coming in from the airport all you need to do is change platforms at Monistiraki. Single fare from the city is 0.80 euro and 6.00 euro from the airport.

From the Metro station the main dock gates are literally just across the road leaving from the exit straight ahead as you leave the platform.