Athens ships leave from Piraeus, about 32 km (20 mi) from the airport. Piraeus is huge, with three cruise terminals at two gates (Gate 11 and Gate 12). Your terminal can change at the last minute, so check signs at the gate. A few smaller ships use Lavrion instead, a different port near the airport.
Every way from the airport to the ship
Tap any way for step-by-step directions.
| The way | From | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | ATH | About 60 minutes, depending on traffic | About €60 (approximate, per Holland America) |
| Metro Line 3 (blue) | ATH | About 55 minutes to Piraeus, then a walk of 15-30 minutes | €9 airport metro ticket |
| Airport express bus X96 | ATH | Varies with traffic (not verified) | €5.50 airport express bus fare |
| Cruise line transfer | ATH | About 60 minutes | Set by your cruise line |
Where Athens lies
From Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) (ATH)
About 32 km (20 mi), about 60 minutes by road (Holland America)
Taxi
- Follow the taxi signs outside arrivals.
- Tell the driver 'Piraeus cruise terminal' and your Gate: 11 (Terminal A) or 12 (Terminals B and C).
- Confirm the fare before leaving.
Uber is also available in the app.
Metro Line 3 (blue)
- Buy an airport metro ticket (€9) at the airport station.
- Take Line 3 toward Dimotiko Theatro (some trains require a change at Doukissis Plakentias; check signs).
- Get off at Dimotiko Theatro.
- Walk about 15 minutes to Gate 11 (Terminal A) or about 30 minutes to Gate 12 (Terminals B and C).
Cheap and avoids traffic, but a long walk with bags to Gate 12.
Airport express bus X96
- Find the X96 stop outside arrivals.
- Ride to Piraeus.
- Walk or taxi to your gate.
Cheapest, but slow in traffic.
Cruise line transfer
- Book with your line.
- Meet the rep in arrivals.
Drops you at the right terminal.
From the city or your hotel
Taxi from central Athens (Syntagma/Plaka)
Easiest with bags.
Metro Line 1 (green) or Line 3 from the city
Then a walk to your gate.
Bus X80 (Syntagma-Piraeus)
Listed by the port authority.
Where to stay
Arrive a day or two early. A delayed flight on sailing day is the most common way travelers miss the ship.
Plaka / Syntagma (central Athens)
Walk to the Acropolis, then a 30-minute taxi to the port.
Piraeus near the port
Closest to the ship on sailing day, but less to see.
Sailing day
Terminals & docks
Terminal A: closest to the port entrance, Gate 11. Terminal B (Themistocles): Gate 12, left entrance. Terminal C (Alkimos): Gate 12, right entrance. The port has 11 cruise berths. A free shuttle bus runs between the passenger terminals and the ships. Terminal assignments can change at the last minute (Holland America). The port does not publish which line uses which terminal.
Check-in
- There is no luggage storage at the pier and no public parking at the pier (Holland America).
- Check the signs at the gate for your ship's berth; it can change.
What trips people up
- Gate 11 and Gate 12 are far apart. Tell your driver your gate.
- Piraeus is also the busy ferry port for the Greek islands. Don't go to a ferry gate by mistake.
- Lavrion is a different, smaller port east of Athens, near the airport. Some small and luxury ships sail from there. Check your booking.
Do this
- Come a day early and see the Acropolis.
- If taking the metro, use Line 3 from the airport; it goes all the way to Piraeus (Dimotiko Theatro).
- Summer traffic is heavy; leave extra time.
Leaving the ship: back to the airport
The same routes run in reverse. On the last morning everyone leaves at once, so lines for taxis and buses are at their longest. Book flights home for the afternoon or later, and arrange your ride in advance if you can.
| The way | To | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | ATH | About 60 minutes, depending on traffic | About €60 (approximate, per Holland America) |
| Metro Line 3 (blue) | ATH | About 55 minutes to Piraeus, then a walk of 15-30 minutes | €9 airport metro ticket |
| Airport express bus X96 | ATH | Varies with traffic (not verified) | €5.50 airport express bus fare |
| Cruise line transfer | ATH | About 60 minutes | Set by your cruise line |
Before you leave
- Lavrion is a different, smaller port east of Athens, near the airport. Some small and luxury ships sail from there. Check your booking.
- If taking the metro, use Line 3 from the airport; it goes all the way to Piraeus (Dimotiko Theatro).
Before or after your cruise
- Acropolis and Acropolis Museum.
- Plaka old neighborhood.
- Cape Sounion's Temple of Poseidon (near Lavrion).
Nonstop flights from the US
Not verified on airline sites for this page. Delta lists Athens among its routes but the US origin cities were not stated.
Routes change by season. Check the airline before you book.
Sources & what we could not confirm · 6 sources · checked 2026-11
- Holland America: Piraeus port page
- Piraeus Port Authority (OLP): Cruise terminal
- OASA, ticket prices (airport)
- GTP: Metro Line 3 links Piraeus and airport
- MedCruise: Piraeus Terminal B (Themistocles)
- Naftemporiki: Lavrio port and cruise sector
- Official Athens airport taxi flat fare to Piraeus (airport site would not load; Holland America says about €60).
- X96 trip time.
- Lavrion: which lines board passengers there in 2026, terminal details, and transfer times.
- US nonstop routes to Athens in 2026.