General
Overview
Port of Piraeus (PIR) is Greece’s busiest ferry hub, located 10 kilometres southwest of the city centre. It serves millions of passengers each year on routes to the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, and the Saronic Islands, and is a major cruise ship terminal.
Transfer Options
The following transport options connect Piraeus Port to the city centre:
Greece experiences regular nationwide general strikes that suspend or severely reduce OASA bus services and STASY Metro and Tram services — sometimes announced only days in advance. On strike days, Metro typically operates reduced hours (09:00-17:00), buses run limited schedules or not at all, and ferries dock. Check STASY Urgent Announcements before travel, and keep Freenow or Uber as a backup option.
Luggage Storage
Full-service luggage storage and baggage delivery counter inside the Agios Dionysios Passenger Terminal at Gate E3. Also offers point-to-point bag delivery to hotels and Athens Airport, and AEGEAN self check-in. Book online or walk in.
Visitor Cards & Passes
Athens uses the Ath.ena ticketing system — paper tickets (Ath.ena Ticket) or plastic smart cards (Ath.ena Card) loaded with any fare. For most visitors, the contactless tap-to-pay option is the simplest entry point.
Purchase tickets from STASY vending machines at Piraeus Metro station (Dimotiko Theatro stop for Line 3; Piraeus stop for Line 1). Bus 040 tickets can be bought at a kiosk near the port exit or paid contactlessly on board.
Day Pass (€4.10)
Valid for 24 hours from first validation. Covers all city buses, trolleybuses, tram, and Metro (Lines 1–3, urban section only). Also valid for the seasonal X80 Piraeus express bus. Not valid for airport express buses (X93, X95, X96, X97) or Metro travel to/from Athens Airport.
Source: OASA Ticket Prices5-Day Ticket (€8.20)
Valid for 5 × 24 hours. Covers city buses, trolleybuses, tram, and Metro (Lines 1–3, urban section only). Not valid for the Metro Line 3 Koropi–Airport section, airport express buses (X93, X95, X96, X97), or the seasonal X80 Piraeus express bus.
Source: OASA Ticket Prices3-Day Tourist Ticket (€20)
The most practical option for most short visits. Valid for 3 × 24 hours on all city buses, tram, Metro, and suburban railway (urban section). Also includes one round trip to/from Athens International Airport by Metro or express bus. Both airport journeys must be completed within the 72-hour window.
Source: OASA Ticket PricesTap2Ride (Contactless)
Tap any Visa or Mastercard contactless card, phone, or watch (Apple Pay / Google Pay) directly at Metro gates, bus, tram, and trolleybus validators. The standard fare is €1.20 per 90-minute journey, with a daily cap of €4.10 — once reached, all further city rides that day are free.
The €9 airport fare is charged separately when tapping at the designated airport gates and does not count toward the daily cap.
Tap2Ride accepts Visa and Mastercard only (physical or digital wallet). AMEX, Maestro, JCB, and UnionPay are not supported. Use an Ath.ena Ticket or Card if your card is not accepted.
Children’s Fares
- Under-6s travel free on all Metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus services — no ticket or card required.
- Children aged 7-18 are eligible for a discounted single fare of €0.50 (vs €1.20 full price), but only with a personalised ATH.ENA CARD — not practical for short tourist visits.
- Day Pass, 5-Day, and 3-Day Tourist Tickets have no discounted child version; visitors travelling with children aged 7-18 pay adult fares for those passes.
Use the OASA Telematics app to track live bus arrivals and plan routes across the Metro, bus, and tram network.
Public Transit
Metro Line 1 (Green — Ilektrikos)
The oldest and most straightforward link from Piraeus Port to the city centre. Trains depart from Piraeus station (a short walk from many ferry terminals — up to 20 minutes from the cruise terminals) and reach Monastiraki in about 20 minutes, with onward connections at Omonia and Attiki. Trains run every 5–8 minutes from 5:30 am to 00:30 am daily. Fare: €1.20 (90-minute ticket, valid for transfers).
Source: This is Athens — Piraeus PortMetro Line 3 (Blue Line)
Departs from Dimotiko Theatro station, adjacent to Piraeus harbour, and reaches Syntagma Square in 20 minutes, continuing all the way to Athens Airport (~55 min, €9 airport fare). Line 3 runs every 6–10 minutes from 5:30 am to 00:30 am. Fare to city centre: €1.20. The airport section requires a separate €9 ticket.
Source: STASY Metro TimetablesBus 040 (24/7)
The night owl option. Bus 040 runs around the clock from a stop near the port exit to Syntagma Square, taking about 50–60 minutes depending on traffic. Frequency is every 8–15 minutes during the day and every 20–30 minutes late at night. Fare: €1.20 (same 90-minute ticket). Tickets from kiosks near the stop or by contactless payment on board.
Source: This is Athens — Piraeus PortExpress Bus X80 (Seasonal)
Seasonal express service running May through October, 07:00–21:30, every 30 minutes. Stops include the Acropolis and Syntagma Square (~30 min). Ticket: €4.10 (valid as a 24-hour day pass on all city buses, tram, and Metro). Departs from clearly marked stops at Terminal A and B.
Source: This is Athens — Piraeus PortTram (T6 & T7)
The Athens tram has two lines serving the coastal strip south of Piraeus. T7 runs from the Piraeus port area (Agia Triada / Akti Posidonos) south along the coast to Asklipieio Voulas in Voula. T6 runs from Pikrodafni north to Syntagma Square. Reaching Syntagma from the Piraeus port area by tram requires boarding T7, riding south to the Pikrodafni transfer stop, then switching to T6 — total journey time is approximately 60–70 minutes. The tram is more practical for the coastal beach suburbs (Faliro, Glyfada, Voula) than for the city centre. Fare: €1.20 (standard flat rate). Trams run 05:30–01:00 daily (01:30 on Fridays and Sundays; 24 hours every Saturday).
Source: STASY Tram TimetablesAccessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Piraeus Port operates under EU Regulation 1177/2010, which entitles passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility to free assistance. Notify your ferry company at least 48 hours before departure to arrange priority boarding, ramp assistance, and cabin allocation.
Wheelchair-accessible gangways are available at most berths, though gangway angle varies with the tide — passengers using wheelchairs should request staff assistance even if they normally board independently. The cruise terminal’s South Terminal has a dedicated assistance desk on the ground floor (blue wheelchair symbol sign).
Disabilities & Ferry Travel in GreeceSafety
Taxi Overcharging: Piraeus Port has a well-documented history of unlicensed or off-meter taxis targeting arriving passengers, especially at the cruise terminal. Only use official yellow metered taxis; insist the meter is running. Verified overcharge incidents have seen passengers charged €80–€160 for rides that should cost €10–€15. Ignore any fixed-rate offers made by strangers at the terminal exit.
Pickpockets: The area around the ferry terminal exits is a known pickpocket hotspot during busy arrivals. Keep bags in front of you and zip all pockets before disembarking.
Report taxi disputes or other incidents to the Tourist Police: 171 (English-speaking, 24/7) or the in-terminal office at +30 210 4290664.
The historic centre of Athens has extensive uneven cobblestone surfaces. Use luggage with larger wheels and wear sturdy shoes when walking from the station to nearby accommodation.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
For items lost in the port area, contact the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA): +30 210 4550000 (Mon–Fri 08:30–14:30). Outside office hours the on-call duty supervisor is reachable at +30 210 4060881. Items left on board a ferry should be reported directly to your ferry operator — each company manages its own lost property.
Piraeus Port Authority — ContactOther
A Tourist Police office is permanently staffed inside the cruise passenger terminals: +30 210 4290664. For any passenger-related incident — disputes, lost documents, or theft — call them or use the general Tourist Police hotline 171 (English-speaking, 24/7).
PPA Cruise TerminalArrival
Official Taxi
Official Athens taxis are yellow and display a “TAXI” sign on the rooftop.
Taxis at Piraeus Port do not have a single central rank — yellow cabs line up at the exit of each major ferry gate. Drivers will approach as you leave the gangway.
Fares to Athens city centre are metered:
| Time window | Estimated fare |
|---|---|
| Day — 05:00–24:00 | €30–€40 |
| Night — 00:00–05:00 | €40–€55 |
Journey takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. Always confirm the meter is running before departure.
At the cruise terminals (Gates E11/E12), drivers may offer fixed prices well above the metered rate — use only metered yellow taxis or order through the Uber app.
Piraeus Port – Getting There (Santorini Dave)Taxi drivers are legally required to accept card payments, but some claim their POS terminal is broken to pressure passengers into paying cash. Confirm card acceptance before loading luggage. Always ask for a printed receipt.
Rideshare
Uber and Bolt dispatch licensed yellow taxis at Piraeus Port. There is no dedicated app pickup zone — open the app, enter your destination, and meet your driver at the exit of your ferry gate. FreeNow also connects to local taxi fleets at the port.
In Greece, Uber, FreeNow and Bolt all operate exclusively through local licensed taxi drivers. Prices match official regulated rates — the main benefit is cashless payment and in-app tracking.
Use FreeNow (formerly Beat) for the widest driver availability in Athens — it has the largest fleet of licensed taxis in the city. Bolt launched in Athens in January 2025 and often runs new-user promotions. Uber is the best choice at the airport itself, with a dedicated pickup zone opposite Exit 4.
ATMs and Currency
Greece uses the Euro (EUR). Avoid Euronet and standalone kiosks — they apply unfavourable exchange rates and high fees.
ATMs are available in the port area, but their exact locations shift seasonally. Bring euros from Athens city centre before arriving — it is more reliable than searching for an in-port machine after a long crossing.
Piraeus Port – Getting There (Santorini Dave)When an ATM offers to convert the amount to your home currency, always decline and choose to be charged in Euros (EUR). Let your home bank handle the conversion to avoid fees of up to 10–13%.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
Arrive at Piraeus Port (PIR) at least 1 hour before your ferry’s scheduled departure if you are travelling as a foot passenger, and 1.5–2 hours if you are bringing a vehicle.
The port spans 12 numbered gates — the walk from one end to the other takes around an hour, so confirm your gate before leaving for the port. Check your ticket or your operator’s app, and verify against the electronic display boards at the port entrance on arrival. Gates can change due to traffic, so ask at the information desks if in doubt.
Most operators accept e-tickets and QR codes at the gangway. Some ferry companies require you to collect a physical boarding pass from their ticket office near the relevant terminal before boarding — check your confirmation email for instructions. During peak summer (July and August), allow an extra 30 minutes above the standard lead times.
Piraeus Port — Ferryhopper Guide