Getting Around AthensOct 29, 2026 · 7 min read

Piraeus Port to Athens Airport After a Cruise or Ferry

Piraeus is the port of Athens and the starting point for most cruises and ferries to the islands. After you disembark, you still have to cross Attica to Athens International Airport at Spata. You can take the metro, the suburban railway, the X96 bus, a taxi, or a car booked in advance. If you want a driver waiting at the terminal with room for every suitcase, book a private airport transfer with us and pick Piraeus Port as your pickup point.

This guide gives the official journey times from the airport operator and the official fares from OASA, so you can plan around your flight time.

Journey times and fares compared

Option	Time to the airport	Fare	Runs
Metro Line 3	About 60 minutes	€9	Daytime and evening
Suburban railway	About 65 minutes	€9, same ticket as the metro	Daytime and evening
X96 express bus	About 90 minutes	€5.50	24 hours
Taxi or Uber	Depends on traffic	Meter, plus €4 airport and €1.07 port surcharge	24 hours
Pre-booked car	Depends on traffic	Fixed price shown when you book	At the time you choose

Sources: Athens International Airport, public transportation, OASA ticket prices, Government Gazette taxi fares, September 2026.

How the port is laid out

Piraeus is a large port with many gates along the waterfront. The metro and suburban railway share Piraeus station, opposite the central ferry gates. Cruise ships usually berth at the terminals further along the quay, so cruise passengers often face a longer walk or a short ride with their luggage before they reach the station.

Ask your cruise line or ferry company which terminal or gate you arrive at. It decides whether the train is a short walk or a trek with suitcases. A driver booked through us meets you at your terminal or gate, so the distance stops mattering.

Metro Line 3 from Piraeus

The blue Line 3 runs from Piraeus station through the center to the airport, and the airport operator puts the trip at about 60 minutes. The Metro Airport ticket costs €9 full price or €4.50 reduced, and you can also tap a contactless bank card at the gate (OASA).

Not every Line 3 train continues to the airport. Some end at Doukissis Plakentias, so check that the sign on the train says Airport, or change there for the next airport train.

Suburban railway

The suburban railway also runs from Piraeus to the airport, in about 65 minutes (AIA). The same €9 Metro Airport ticket is valid on it. Trains are less frequent than the metro, so check the timetable before you leave the ship.

X96 express bus

The X96 line runs between Piraeus and the airport around the clock, and the airport puts the trip at about 90 minutes. The fare is €5.50, or €2.70 reduced, and you can tap a contactless card on the blue validator (OASA express lines). It is the cheapest option and the only public one in the middle of the night.

Taxi or Uber from Piraeus

The €50 and €65 flat fares only cover trips between the airport and the city center inner ring (AIA). From Piraeus, the taxi runs on the meter. The official tariff from September 2026 has a €1.80 flag fall, a rate of €0.90 or €1.25 per kilometre, a €4 charge for trips to or from the airport and a €1.07 charge for a hire from a port (Government Gazette).

Uber in Athens works with licensed taxi drivers, so an Uber from the port follows the same meter. For a fuller look at fares, queues and receipts, see our guide to the Athens airport taxi.

A pre-booked car or van from the port

Black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus with room for groups and cruise luggage — A Mercedes-Benz minibus for groups and cruise luggage.

Piraeus Port is one of the preset pickup points in our booking form, next to Athens International Airport and Athens City Center. You add the number of passengers and the number of small and large bags, then pick the vehicle: a private car, a limousine, a van, a minibus or a coach for a whole group from the same ship. You see the price before you pay, and it does not change if the traffic is heavy.

Our chauffeurs speak English and drive Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Unique Transfers & Tours is a licensed member of the Greek National Tourism Organisation with a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor, as our about page explains. If you cancel up to 3 days before the ride, you get a full refund.

How much time to leave for your flight

Since 30 March 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System applies to all non EU travellers, and the airport asks passengers to arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure (AIA). Cruise disembarkation often runs through the morning, so add the time it takes to leave the ship, collect bags and reach the station or your car.

A simple plan is to work back from your flight. Take the 2.5 hours the airport asks for, add the 60 to 90 minutes of the journey, then add time for disembarkation. If that leaves no margin, a car that waits at the terminal saves the walk to the station. Staying in Athens for a night first? Our guide on how to get from Athens airport to the city center covers the stops near Syntagma and Plaka, and our Athens half-day tour fits a free morning before an evening flight.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Athens Piraeus Port to the airport?

Take Metro Line 3 from Piraeus station (about 60 minutes), the suburban railway (about 65 minutes) or the X96 bus (about 90 minutes), according to Athens International Airport. Taxis run on the meter from the port. Unique Transfers & Tours can also meet you at your terminal with a pre-booked car or van.

Is Uber available in Piraeus Port?

Yes. Uber in Athens works with licensed taxi drivers, so you can request a ride at Piraeus through the app (Athens International Airport). The trip to the airport runs on the taxi meter, because the flat fares only cover the city center. In busy cruise hours, a car booked in advance avoids the wait.

Is there a free shuttle from Piraeus Port?

There is no free public shuttle from Piraeus to Athens airport. The cheapest public option is the X96 express bus at €5.50 (OASA). For moves between terminals inside the port, ask your cruise line or ferry company what it provides. A pre-booked car from us collects you at your terminal.

Does Athens Metro Line 3 go to Piraeus Port?

Yes. Line 3, the blue line, runs from the airport through the city center to Piraeus station, opposite the central ferry gates (Athens International Airport). Cruise terminals are further along the quay, so cruise passengers usually walk or take a short ride to reach the station.

How much does the X95 bus cost?

The X95, which runs between the airport and Syntagma, costs €5.50 full price or €2.70 reduced. The same airport express fare applies on the X96 between Piraeus and the airport (OASA). You can tap a contactless card on board instead of buying a ticket first.

How far is Athens from Cruise Port?

Piraeus lies on the coast south west of central Athens. Metro Line 1, the green line, runs from Piraeus station to Monastiraki and Omonia, and Line 3 runs to Monastiraki and Syntagma. Our drivers make the same trip by road and can stop at your hotel or at the sights on the way.

How do I get from Athens International Airport to Piraeus?

Use Metro Line 3 to Piraeus station (about 60 minutes), the suburban railway (about 65 minutes) or the X96 bus (about 90 minutes), as the airport lists them. With heavy luggage or a ship to catch, a car booked with Unique Transfers & Tours takes you straight to your terminal or gate.