Athens to Piraeus (with luggage)

[sixfoot]

I will be touring Athens in May and then boarding a 12-night cruise out of Athens. What is the best/easiest way to get to the cruise ship from central Athens with 2 large suit cases & 3 carry-ons for a husband & wife?

 

I've read there is a metro but maybe a long walk and some transfers?

 

What is the approx price of a taxi?

 

Is there a bus?

 

Thanks in advance.

[alexandra cruiser]

Forget Metro or bus with luggage, too crowded ,often late, stick to taxi...the fare is reasonable and so convenient worth the price,believe me.Take you right to dock and then can have help off loading luggage right to ship...you ve spent a lot of money for the vacation and cruise,whats a little more,right? Have a great time,hope the Greece economy settles down by trip...:cool:

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Have your hotel call a cab for you. Easy and comfortable. I can't remember what we paid, but it wasn't exorbitant.

[MercedMike]

Your hotel will call a taxi for you.

 

BUT -- we think it is soooo nice to have a driver all booked and know he will show up on time and be courteous and efficient. We highly recommend Greek Taxi http://www.*****

 

Either Paul or Nick will pick you up or send one of their "cousins" but you will be in great hands. They will also do your airport transfers.

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

[jocap]

If you take a taxi, ask the hotel to write the name of the port down in Greek letters- we have had this problem when staying in Piraeus, as some do not read our alphabet. Our hotel suggested this, as we'd had to go to a travel agency before anyone could decipher the name of the hotel. Some taxi drivers will speak English, but not all read it. (My husband studied Greek a little, and impressed me by translating a long document about passports at the docks. I just didn't realise that there was the English translation underneath........! :rolleyes:)

Jo.

[sixfoot]

Thanks all!

[Hlitner]

I have given this post some thought because we also have many trips where we try to deal with moving around with lots of luggage. If you would use the metro (we have often used this when we did not have luggage) you would have to drag your luggage to one of the stations in Athens and then drag your luggage out of the Pireaus station to the taxi area (you would need a taxi for the last mile to the ship). You also need to be aware that this particular metro line has a "reputation" as a favorite haunt of pickpockets (they sometimes work in gangs) and having lots of luggage just makes you more vulnerable to thieves. So, we think this is one of those situations where you should take a deep breath, reach into your pockets, and pay for a taxi. It is probably wise to have your Athens hotel get you the taxi and make sure that you settle on a price before you leave the hotel (the hotel will advise you as to the going rate).

 

Hank

[sixfoot]

Thanks for all the feedback - you've convinced me a taxi is best.

 

What about from the airport to the hotel? My hotel (Amalia Hotel) is next to the Syntagma Square. It seems easy on metro unless I have to change trains. Does anyone know?

[cruisemom42]

Thanks for all the feedback - you've convinced me a taxi is best.

 

What about from the airport to the hotel? My hotel (Amalia Hotel) is next to the Syntagma Square. It seems easy on metro unless I have to change trains. Does anyone know?

 

There is a direct bus from the airport to Syntagma Square (X95) that costs about 3.20 euro. It departs very regularly (maybe every half hour, or even more often) and is very easy.

[sixfoot]

There is a direct bus from the airport to Syntagma Square (X95) that costs about 3.20 euro. It departs very regularly (maybe every half hour, or even more often) and is very easy.

Thanks. Is it doable with luggage (side doors that open)?

[CintiPam]

Thanks. Is it doable with luggage (side doors that open)?

 

Airport bus: Yes, we used the airport bus in June with three large suitcases with no problem at all. The line ends at Syntagma Square, where you probably will wish to get off, so plenty of time and no hassle.

 

From central Athens to Piraeus: definitely take a taxi because the metro is a long 20-minute walk from the cruise ship terminus, as well as famous for its pickpockets. A taxi takes about 20 minutes to the port, and should cost about 20 Euros (only 15 if you were Greek!), although I believe five more Euros if the hotel calls one for you.

[sixfoot]

What about from the airport to the hotel? My hotel (Amalia Hotel) is next to the Syntagma Square. It seems easy on metro unless I have to change trains. Does anyone know?

 

Thanks for the info on the bus. Does anyone have any info on the metro?

 

How often it leaves? How much faster/slower it is?

 

Thanks.

[maryann ns]

We took the bus both ways and it is excellent. We were told the metro is more expensive and of course includes stairs, etc.

[cruisemom42]

We took the bus both ways and it is excellent. We were told the metro is more expensive and of course includes stairs, etc.

 

Also, the metro is not geared for travelers with as much luggage as you indicated in your first post.

 

The bus is easy, cheap, and direct to where you want to go (Syntagma).

[Fblack]

Also, the port is very large and our taxi driver (who spoke little English) was confused and had trouble finding our ship, the Equinox, at the pier. He tried to drop us off at the wrong area. We objected and found someone nearby who told him where to go. We even had a photo of the ship with us and he just did not know the area.

[Vrilissia]

I will be touring Athens in May and then boarding a 12-night cruise out of Athens. What is the best/easiest way to get to the cruise ship from central Athens with 2 large suit cases & 3 carry-ons for a husband & wife?

 

I've read there is a metro but maybe a long walk and some transfers?

 

What is the approx price of a taxi?

 

Is there a bus?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

The metro station at Piraeus is a long, long walk to your ship 20-30 minutes with luggage in that heat ??

 

There are buses but I wouldn't recommend you try that option.

 

Take a taxi about 20-25 Euros including luggage charge per taxi NOT per person! ... get your hotel to call one for you.

 

:)

[sixfoot]

Thanks again all!

[annimal]

Does anyone know if larger taxis are available like a mini-van? We are a family of 5 arriving into Athens a day before our cruise departs Piraeus so we will need to get from our hotel (by Syntagma Square) to the port with luggage. Am wondering if we will end up needing 2 taxis to fit everyone and the luggage and if that will cost the same or less than if we used a pre-arranged car service... Anyone know?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

It appears that Paul offers a minivan--have a look at the website posted above in this thread.