Airport to ship on one metro line
Since Line 3 was extended to the port in October 2022, a direct airport train runs all the way to Dimotiko Theatro in Piraeus without a change, in just under an hour. Only some Line 3 trains go to the airport - typically one every 30 minutes - so check the destination board. As of 2026 the airport metro ticket is about EUR 9.
A taxi covers the 32 km in about an hour depending on traffic, at around EUR 60. There is no public parking or luggage storage at the cruise pier, so if you are flying in with a few hours to kill before boarding, you need somewhere else to leave your bags.
A, B or C decides your walk
The three main cruise terminals are Miaoulis (A), Themistocles (B) and Alkimos (C). A is closest to the port entrance at Gate E11; B and C share Gate E12. Ships are assigned by size and traffic on the day, so the letter on your boarding papers is the one that counts.
From Terminal A, Dimotiko Theatro station is about a 15-minute walk. From B and C it is closer to 30 minutes to either Dimotiko Theatro or the main Piraeus station - long enough in summer heat that a taxi starts to look sensible.
Line 1 or Line 3 into Athens
Line 1, the old green line, starts at Piraeus station opposite the ferry harbour and reaches Monastiraki in about 17 minutes. Line 3 from Dimotiko Theatro takes about 20 minutes to Monastiraki and 23 to Syntagma, runs more often, and has the newer trains with working air conditioning. A 90-minute ticket cost EUR 1 in 2026.20 and a 24-hour pass EUR 4.10.
The seasonal X80 bus runs from the terminal doors to the Acropolis and Syntagma in about 35 minutes, but it sells no single fare - you need the EUR 4.10 day ticket. A metered taxi to Plaka or the Acropolis runs roughly EUR 25-40 and 20-45 minutes; there is no fixed cruise fare. For a 4:30pm all-aboard at Terminal B, aim to be on a train back by about 2:30pm.
Sources: hollandamerica.com, artvisitguide.com, thetraveler.org