The port of Piraeus in Athens
Ports of Athens
![Athens Ports: Piraeus Athens Ports: Piraeus](https://www.greeka.com/photos/unique/greece/travel-services/greek-ferries/athens-ferry-ports/hero/athens-port-piraeus-1280.jpg)
The port of Rafina
![Rafina Port Rafina Port](https://www.greeka.com/photos/unique/greece/travel-services/greek-ferries/athens-ferry-ports/hero/athens-port-rafina-1280.jpg)
The port of Lavrion
![Lavrion Port Lavrion Port](https://www.greeka.com/photos/unique/greece/travel-services/greek-ferries/athens-ferry-ports/hero/athens-port-lavrion-1280.jpg)
If you are traveling to the Greek Islands by ferry, your crossing will probably start at one of three ports of Athens: Piraeus, Rafina, or Lavrio.
Discover mor info about the ports of Athens:
• All Ports • Piraeus Port • Rafina Port • Lavrion Port
In brief, Piraeus port is the closest to Athens center, while Rafina and Lavrio ports are closer to the International Airport of Athens.
Piraeus is the busiest port, serving ferries to most destinations, but some travelers prefer the more peaceful ports of Rafina which offer quicker routes to some islands (Mykonos, Andros, Tinos, Naxos), or Lavrio which offer exlusive routes to islands like Kea.
Book your ferry tickets with the specialists!
Athens Ports
Discover an illustrated map with the ports of Athens and information about how to get there from Athens' center and the International Airport.
Piraeus port
Piraeus (port code: GRPIR) is the largest passenger port in Greece, with a passenger traffic of almost 18 million people annually. Ferries from Piraeus offer connections to all islands of the Aegean, including the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Saronic, the North Aegean islands and Crete.
It is located 12 km away from Athens city center and bears a great significance as a commercial and political center. In fact, the port of Piraeus dates back to Antiquity and was established around the 5th century BC, although it has been destroyed, abandoned and rebuilt more than once due to various wars.
These days it serves as a modern port, with a variety of renovated facilities and with many things to do in the area before your departure. Piraeus port congestion increases each summer during the tourist season.
• How to go to Piraeus port?
Piraeus is the largest port in Greece, with daily sailings to all Aegean Island groups - the Cyclades and Dodecanese complexes, Saronic islands, the North Aegean islands, and Crete. The port is a hub for the leading ferry companies operating in the Aegean including Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Seajets, Minoan Lines, and more.
Several options are available to occupy your time while waiting for your connection, including the Archaeological Museum and the Bay of Zea, which hosts waterfront tavernas and an attractive marina that emits a relaxed aura.
From Athens center
By taxi: The drive to Piraeus port from the center of Athens by taxi takes 25 minutes and costs around 25 euros. You can also book a taxi online.
By metro: Two metro lines connect to Piraeus Port: the Green Line from Omonoia and Monastiraki and the Blue Line from Syntagma and Monastiraki. In Piraeus, the metro station lies right in front of the harbor. That is the only port in Athens that can be reached via the metro. The metro operates from 5:30 am to 12:20 am; however, on Fridays and Saturdays, it is open until 1:30 am. A typical metro route starting from Syntagma lasts for roughly 25 minutes. Every 10 minutes (maximum time), subways to Piraeus depart from all metro stations.
Tickets cost 1.20 euros.
Learn more about the metro network of Athens.
By bus: Several bus lines can take you to Piraeus port or to a location nearby. They are only available during the daytime.
- 040 from Syntagma to Korai Square (reach the port on foot in 10 minutes). You have to get off at the Filellinon stop.
- 049 from Omonoia to Korai Square. You need to stop at Terpsitheas.
Both bus stops are approximately a 10-minute walk from the closer gate (E9). Buses depart from Omonoia/Syntagma every 15 or 20 minutes.
- X80 Express (seasonal availability) from Syntagma, Acropolis Museum or Museum of Modern Art to OLP station or terminal.
- 826, 832, 833, 875 from Suburban and Electric Railways to Gate E9.
- 218 from Karaiskaki Square near Omonoia to Piraeus
In Greece, buses typically operate from 5 am to 11:30 pm, but bus 040 from Syntagma to Piraeus operates continuously (24 hours).
Tickets cost 1.20 euros and can be used more than once in all public means of transport, as long as you don't exceed the 90' time limit. Day passes are also available. Keep in mind that different prices apply when going to/leaving from the airport. Children under the age of 6 travel for free in all means of public transport.
Make sure to be aware of the gate your ferry departs from because the port of Piraeus is large and boasts numerous gates.
From Athens airport
By taxi: There are taxi queues outside all gates of the airport. A taxi ride from the airport to Piraeus port will take approximately 40-60 minutes, depending on the traffic. The taxi fare (indicative) from Athens airport to the port of Piraeus is 45 euros in the daytime and 64 euros at night (24:00-05:00). You can book your Athens airport transfer online.
By metro: The metro connects the airport to the port with a direct line. The metro station is located right outside the airport. You board the blue line, the terminal of which lies right by the Piraeus harbor. The first metro train leaves the airport at 6:10 am, while the last at 23:34 pm. Itineraries from the airport depart every 36 minutes. The entire trip lasts around an hour. The ticket costs 9 euros (one-way).
When you arrive at Piraeus, be sure to locate the gate your ferry departs from, as the port’s area is quite wide.
By train: From the Athens Airport station (adjacent to the airport terminal) the Athens Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) operates a direct service between the Athens International Airport and Piraeus port. The journey takes 60 minutes and the ticket costs 9 euros (one-way).
By bus: The bus is the most affordable option. Bus X96 covers the route from Athens airport to Piraeus port directly. Buses operate 24 hours and the drive takes about 90 minutes. Itineraries depart every 40 minutes during the day and every 15-30 minutes from 22:30 pm to 05:00 am.
Ticket price: 5 euros. (can only be used once).
• Port gates
Piraeus is a big port and the distance between the gates is long; it can take 1 hour to go from one side of the port to the other!
For this reason, there is a shuttle bus inside the port that will allow you to reach some remote spots and it is free of charge for ferry passengers.
Its route: Railway Terminal - Ag. Dionissios 1: Hellenic Railway - Ag. Dionissios 2 - Ietion 1 - Ietion 2 - Dexamenes - Ministry of Mercantile Marine - Vassiliadis 1: Customs - Vassiliadis 2 - Terminal.
The port gates are listed below, although the gate where your ferry departs from will also be indicated on your ticket.
E1: Dodecanese
Ε2: Crete, Chios, Lesvos, Ikaria, Samos
Ε3: Crete, Kythira (Cars - entrance)
Ε4: Kythira (Cars - exit only)
Ε5: Shuttle bus terminal - Passenger entrance
Ε6: Cyclades, Rethymno - Pedestrian Bridge - Passenger entrance
Ε7: Cyclades, Rethymno
Ε8: Argo-Saronic Gulf islands
Ε9: Cyclades, Samos, Ikaria
Ε10: Cyclades, Samos, Ikaria (Cars - exit only)
E11: Cruise Terminal A "Miaoulis"
E 12: Cruise Terminal B "Themistocles"
Cruise boats: Terminal C "Alkimos"
• Map of Piraeus
Discover the map of the port of Piraeus. The ferry gates, the metro and bus stations, the walking distances and more.
• Facilities at Piraeus port
- Passenger terminals: There are 3 passenger terminals with air-conditioned waiting rooms, refreshment rooms and restrooms.
- Shuttle bus: Free shuttle bus connecting the different areas of the port.
- Parking: 130 parking spaces near Terminal 4 and Cruise Terminal B.
- Toilets: All the terminals have toilet facilities with additional toilets at Terminals 3,4 and 5.
- ATM: ATM near Terminal 4 and Terminal 9.
- Currency Exchange: Currency exchanges are available near Terminal 4.
- Luggage lockers: Luggage lockers are located at Terminal 2.
- Tourist information: The tourist information desk is situated at Terminal 4.
- Taxi ranks: Taxi ranks are located at every passenger terminal.
• Routes from Piraeus Port
There are sailings from Piraeus port to the following destinations:
- Crete: Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Sitia, Kissamos.
- Peloponnese: Kyhtira, Antikythira, Porto Heli.
- North Aegean: Chios, Lesvos (Mytilene), Psara, Ikaria (Evdilos, Agios Kirikos) Fournoi, Samos (Karlovasi, Vathi).
- Saronic: Aegina (Aegina town, Souvala, Agia Marina), Agistri (Skala, Myli), Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Ermioni, Methana.
- Dodecanese: Astypalea, Halki, Karpathos (Karpathos town, Diafani), Kalymnos, Kasos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Leros, Lipsi, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhosdes, Symi, Tilos.
- Cyclades: Amorgos (Aigiali, Katapola), Anafi, Donousa, Folegandros, Ios, Iraklia, Kimolos, Koufonissi, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Schinoussa, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Santorini (Thira), Thirassia, Tinos.
You can check all schedules on our Ferry Booking engine.
For information regarding arrivals and departures you can call the 24-hour telephone information service 14541.
Ferries to the Cyclades: E6, E7, E9 and E10
Ferries to Crete: Heraklion: E2, E3, Chania and Rethymo: E6, E7
Ferries to Dodecanese Islands: E1
Ferries to Argo-Saronic Gulf islands: E8
Ferries to North Aegean islands: E2, E9, E10
Depending on your destination, there may conventional and/or high-speed ferries available, which are provided by the following companies: Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, Saronic Ferries, Zante Ferries, ANES Ferries, Superfast Ferries, Seaspeed Ferries, Alphalines and Aegean Flying Dolphins.
• Contact info
Piraeus Port Address: 10 Akti Miaouli, Piraeus 185 38, Greece
Phone: +30 210 4550225 (Piraeus Port Authority: +30 210 4147800)
24-hour telephone information service: 14541 (landline cost: €0.92, mobile line €1.55 /call)
Website: www.olp.gr
Email: olp@apopsinet.gr
Piraeus tourist police: +30 210 4290664
Athens/Piraeus public transport info: +30 214 4146400
• What to do in the area
If you have some free time to spend in the area near Piraeus port, restaurants, bars and cafes can be found within a short distance.
Piraeus also offers several landmarks, places of interest and monuments worth visiting, including the Municipal Theater, the churches of Agia Triada, Agios Vasilios and Agios Nikolas, the Archeological and Maritime museums, the Municipal Gallery, the historic Castella neighborhood, the Ancient Walls, the yacht port Zea (Pasalimani), the picturesque harbor Mikrolimano or the commercial street Sotiros.
There are also two beaches in this area, Votsalakia and the Beach of Freatida. Swimming is not really recommended due to pollution, but you can spend some time sunbathing and enjoying the view.
If you have to spend the night there, there are several hotels, while tourist buses offer tours to all these landmarks and will keep you busy for many hours.
• Hotels
Some of the best hotels are Piraeus Premium Suites and Theoxenia. View a complete list of selected hotels.
Rafina port
Rafina (port code: GRRAF) is the second largest port in the region of Attica and it lies 32 km from Athens, serving approximately 2 million passengers per year.
Many popular destinations can be reached by high-speed or conventional ferries from there, including the Cyclades, a few Eastern Aegean islands and Crete.
Although it gets quite busy during the summer season, traffic is never as much as it is in the area of Piraeus port. Rafina has a much smaller size and less noise compared to Piraeus port and another reason many passengers choose to depart from there is that it is located relatively close to the airport. It is also located closer to the northern Cyclades than Piraeus port.
In addition to the passenger ferries, it is used as a fishing port as well.
The area around the port offers a few beaches and convenient tourist facilities, including family-owned seafood restaurants.
The first settlements in the area of Rafina date back to Prehistoric times and a few archeological monuments can still be found in the region.
• How to go to Rafina port?
Rafina port is situated close to Athens airport and it can also be reached from the city center. Taxis and cars are among the options, while Athens city center is also connected to the port via public bus. Alternatively, KTEL buses are available for your transfer from Athens city or Athens airport to the port of Rafina and they are the cheapest option after the public bus.
From the Athens center
By taxi: A taxi to Rafina port from the center of Athens takes 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs around 50 euros in the daytime and 65 euros at night (24:00-05:00). You can book your taxi online.
By bus: There is a public bus network (KTEL) that runs between Athens (outside the metro station "Nomismatokopio") and Rafina port. There is also a departure from the station at Pedion tou Areos, a few blocks away from Viktoria Metro Station (Green Line, Electric Railway).The journey takes 1 hour and 15 minutes and tickets cost 2.40 euros (one-way). Trips are scheduled once per hour.
There is also the bus 134 (direction: Rafina), outside the metro station Doukissis Plakentias (Blue Line). The bus ride lasts about 1 hour. There is approximately one bus per hour from 05:15 (on Sundays 07:30) to 22:15. A single ticket costs €1.20.
By car: The port of Rafina can be reached by car via Marathonos Avenue or via Attiki Odos (Α6), direction: Markopoulo (E94 route), at Rafina Exit (16R).
From Athens airport
By taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. The journey to Rafina port takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around 35 euros in the daytime and 50 euros at night (24:00-05:00). You can book your Athens airport transfer online.
By bus: The public bus network (KTEL) runs between Athens airport and Rafina port nine times per day and departs from outside the arrivals hall, between Exits 2 & 3. The drive lasts 30 minutes and tickets cost 3 euros (one-way). There are about 6 routes per day, with the last one being at 22:30.
By car: You can reach Rafina port from Athens International Airport by car in about 30 minutes via Al. Flemingk Street > Marathonos Avenue (EO54). An alternative coastal route is via Eparchiaki Odos Peanias-Loutsas.
• Map of Rafina
Discover the map of the port of Rafina.
• Port Gates
Unlike Piraeus port, the port of Rafina is quite small and there are no gates. There is only one terminal with 15 launch ramps in total. 2 of them are used for high-speed ferries and the rest serve the conventional ones. One area is also available for catamarans.
• Facilities on the port
- Terminals: One main terminal and one area for catamarans. Outdoor covered seating area.
- Parking: 160 parking spaces in the vicinity of the port as well as parking at the nearby beaches in the summer months.
- Toilets: Toilets in the port area.
- ATM: Piraeus Bank and Eurobank ATMs lie on Arafinidon Alon, the street behind the port.
- Taxi rank: Taxi rank at the southern end of the port.
- Shops: Shops close by include a pharmacy, a bookshop, and a supermarket.
- Restaurants: Several seafood restaurants, tavernas and café bars overlooking the port.
• Routes from Rafina
Ferries from Rafina sail to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Santorini (Thira). Ferry companies operating from Rafina include Fast Ferries, Seajets and Golden Star Ferries.
You can check all schedules on our Ferry Booking engine.
• Contact info
Port Address: Akti Andrea G. Papandreou, 19009, Rafina, Attiki, Greece
Phone: +30 229 4022840 (Rafina Port Authority: +30 229 4321200 - 201)
Website: www.rafinaport.gr
Email: info@rafinaport.gr
Rafina port Police: +30 229 4022840
Attica KTEL bus: +30 210 8808080 - 117
Rafina KTEL bus terminal: +30 229 4023440
• What to do in the area
If you have some spare time to spend exploring the area around the port, you can go to Rafina downtown to visit one of the local fish taverns and restaurants.
The area's signature landmark is the church of Agios Nikolaos which offers amazing sea views, only 5 minutes away from the port.
The nearest beaches are Marikes, which offers tourist facilities and Kokkino Limanaki, which is not organized. Rafina Beach is also located very close to the port and it is popular for watersports (kitesurfing).
Karamanli Park can be found near Rafina beach and it is a nice place for a stroll. The most important ancient monument in Rafina is Askitario prehistoric settlement.
For those with more free time and a car, the temple of Artemis at Artemidos beach, the Archaeological Site of Brauron and a few beaches along the coastline are worth visiting, all less than 30 minutes away from the port.
• Hotels
One of the best hotels is Avra Hotel.
Lavrio port
Lavrio (port code: GRLAV), also known as Lavrion or Laurium, is the third biggest port in the area of Attica, serving approximately 180,000 passengers per year.
It is located 50 km away from the Greek capital and is a great alternative for passengers traveling to the Cyclades among other islands of the Aegean. Its close proximity to the airport makes it quite popular, while it is closer to the Cyclades than the port of Piraeus. It is a relaxing atmosphere, as it is much smaller and with a less congested environment compared to the busy Piraeus port.
This area was developed even during the Ancient times, thanks to the Lavrio silver mine which contributed greatly to the local economy. The old mines bear great historic and cultural significance and they were open until the early 20th century to extract various minerals.
A few landmarks and museums in this area are worth visiting, while several facilities are also available, including shops and restaurants.
• How to go to Lavrio port?
Lavrio port is located close to the airport of Athens and it can also be reached easily from Athens city center. For those who do not have a car, taxis are available but they are quite expensive. Alternatively, the most affordable option is one of the KTEL buses that depart both from a central location in Athens and the airport.
From the Athens center
By taxi: A taxi ride from the center of Athens to Lavrio costs around 65 euros in the daytime and 80 euros at night (24:00-05:00), and the journey lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can book your taxi online.
By bus: The public bus network (KTEL) runs from the center of Athens to Lavrio. The journey to Lavrio port takes 2 hours and costs 5.30 euros one-way. The buses depart from Pedion Areos in Athens centre but also from "Nomismatokopio" metro station. To get to Pedion Areos, take the green metro line to Victoria station and walk up Heiden street.
By car: Lavrio port can be reached by car via Attiki Odos (A6) or Vouliagmenis Avenue and Lavriou Avenue. The trip lasts between 60'-90'.
From Athens airport
By taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. The ride to Lavrio port takes 30 minutes and costs around 50 euros in the daytime and 70 euros at night (24:00-05:00). You can book your Athens Airport transfer online.
By bus: The KTEL bus network connects Athens airport and Lavrio port indirectly, via Markopoulo (with 1 bus transfer). The journey takes 60 minutes; one-way tickets cost 4 euros . The airport's bus station is located outside the Arrivals, between Exits 2 & 3.
By car: From Athens International Airport, you can reach Lavrio port via Attiki Odos (A6), direction: Markopoulo (E94) and then via Lavriou Avenue until Exit 4 (Miki Theodoraki Avenue). The trip lasts about 30 minutes.
• Map of Lavrio
Discover the map of the port of Lavrio.
• Port Gates
Keep in mind that Lavrio port is not only used for passenger ferries. It can also accommodate cruise ships, yachts, fishing boats and cargo ships. 5 launch ramps are available for passenger ferries at the eastern side of the port.
• Facilities
The port's facilities include a Passenger Station. In addition to a covered outdoor seating area, you will find ticket offices.
Parking is not allowed inside the port, but near the departures there is a private car parking area. For free parking, you will have to head to Lavrio downtown and look for a car parking space in the streets.
The area around the port is full of restaurants, cafes and shops.
• Routes from Lavrio
Ferries from Lavrio port sail to Kea, Kythnos, Syros, Folegandros, Ios, Kimolos, Milos, Paros, Sikinos, Naxos, Kavala, Agios Efstratios and Lemnos.
Lavrio port serves both conventional and high-speed vessels by the companies Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Seajets, Goutos Lines and Karystia N.E.
You can check all schedules on our Ferry Booking engine.
• Contact info
Port Address: Akti Andrea Papandreou, 19500, Lavrio, Attiki, Greece
Phone: +30 229 2022089 (Lavrion Port Authority: +30 229 2025249, +30 229 2320400)
Website: www.oll.gr
Email: info@oll.gr
Lavrio port Police: +30 229 2320401
Attiki KTEL buses (Lavrio Terminal): +30 229 9040738
• What to do in the area
In the town of Laurio, there is an Archaeological site of Thorikos, a Mineralogical Museum, the historic landmark Galliki Skala and several cafes, restaurants and shops that you can visit until your ferry arrives.
To spend some time at the beach, you can visit Lavrion Islet beach near the port or Perdika beach, which is located 2.5 km south of the port. Near Perdika beach you will find the old abandoned mines.
Another place worth visiting is the Laurion Technological and Cultural Park which houses the Handicraft-Industrial Educational Museum. The palm tree garden is also a nice place for a short stroll.