General
Overview
Port of Rafina (RAF) is Athens’ second ferry port, located 30 kilometres east of the city centre and only 10 kilometres from Athens Airport. It is the main departure point for ferries to the northern Cyclades — Andros, Tinos, and Mykonos — and the most convenient port for travellers connecting directly from the airport.
Transfer Options
The following transport options connect Rafina Port to the city centre and Athens Airport:
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
There are no staffed or self-service luggage storage facilities at Rafina Port at this time.
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.
Rafina Port has no Metro connection. Purchase KTEL bus tickets directly from the driver or at the small ticket kiosk near the bus stop outside the ferry terminal. The KTEL fare is separate from the Athens OASA network — standard Ath.ena cards are not valid on this route.
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
KTEL Attikis Bus
The only public transport link between Rafina Port and central Athens. Buses depart hourly from a stop right outside the ferry terminal and travel to Pedion Areos (Pedion tou Areos park) via Nomismatokopio Metro Station (Line 3), where onward connections to Syntagma and the Airport are available. Journey time: 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. Fare: €2.40, payable to the driver or at the kiosk. Operates roughly 5:30 am – 10:00 pm; confirm the last bus before travelling late.
There is no metro connection at Rafina Port. Travellers arriving late or with heavy luggage should use a taxi or pre-booked transfer.
Source: Greek Ferry Travel — Rafina PortAccessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Rafina is a compact, single-terminal port where all ferries are reachable on foot from the entrance — significantly easier to navigate than Piraeus for passengers with mobility aids. EU Regulation 1177/2010 applies: contact your ferry company at least 48 hours in advance to arrange priority boarding and gangway assistance.
Accessible ramps and handrails are standard on the large vessels that operate from Rafina. If you use motorised mobility equipment, inform the operator before booking, as space may be restricted on smaller high-speed vessels.
Disabilities & Ferry Travel in GreeceSafety
Wind Cancellations: Rafina sits on the windward side of Attica and is more exposed than Piraeus. Meltemi winds (July–September) can cause delays or cancellations with little notice. Check sea conditions before travelling to the port; refunds for cancelled sailings must be claimed directly from the ferry operator.
General: Rafina town is quiet and low-risk. Standard precautions apply — keep bags secure at busy summer departures.
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
Rafina Port has no central lost property office. For items lost in the port area, contact the Rafina Port Authority at +30 2294321200, located approximately 200 metres from the passenger terminals. Items left on a ferry should be reported directly to the ferry operator.
Rafina Port — Useful InfoFirst Aid
The nearest medical facility is Rafina Medical Center in the town of Rafina, a short distance from the port: +30 2294320011. For emergencies dial 166 (ambulance) or 112 (pan-European emergency number).
Rafina Port — Useful InfoArrival
Official Taxi
Official Athens taxis are yellow and display a “TAXI” sign on the rooftop.
A formal taxi rank operates at the top of the port, near the terminal entrance. Fares to Athens city centre are metered:
| Time window | Estimated fare |
|---|---|
| Day — 05:00–24:00 | €50–€70 |
| Night — 00:00–05:00 | €65–€85 |
The journey takes 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Rafina is approximately 30 km from central Athens.
Rafina Ferry Port Guide (Greek Ferry Travel)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, Bolt and FreeNow all dispatch licensed taxis to Rafina Port. Meet your driver at the port entrance, near the taxi rank at the top of 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.
There is no ATM inside Rafina port terminal. The nearest bank branches and ATMs are in Rafina town, a 5-minute walk from the port. Withdraw cash before travelling to Rafina if you need euros on arrival.
Rafina Ferry Port – FacilitiesWhen 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 Rafina Port (RAF) at least 1 hour before departure as a foot passenger, or 1.5–2 hours if you are travelling with a vehicle.
The terminal is compact: the pier is just a few metres from the port entrance, so finding your ramp is straightforward. Your ticket or the operator’s confirmation email will specify the collection point — travel agencies in Kamares (250 m from the terminals) sell and print tickets if needed. During the summer season the port fills up quickly; plan to arrive with time to spare.
Rafina Port - Ferryhopper Guide