Getting from Athens airport to Piraeus port, the gateway to the islands, is easy by direct metro, the 24-hour X96 express bus or a taxi. Plan your ferry connection alongside island tickets and tours from My Greece Tours for a smooth journey from plane to boat.
This practical transfer guide complements the wider Athens travel guide. The sections below cover the options at a glance, the direct metro, the X96 bus, taxis and transfers, timing your ferry connection, and key tips.
What are the options from Athens airport to Piraeus?
There are three main ways from Athens airport to Piraeus port: the direct metro line 3, taking 50 to 60 minutes for around €9; the X96 express bus, running 24 hours and taking about 1.5 hours for €5.50; and a taxi or private transfer, the fastest at around 45 to 60 minutes but the priciest at roughly €55 to 70 by day. The metro is the best all-round value, the bus the cheapest, and the taxi the most comfortable, especially with heavy luggage.
Connecting Athens airport directly with the great port of Piraeus, the departure point for ferries to most of the Greek islands, is a very common journey for travellers, and happily there are three good options to choose from depending on your budget, luggage and schedule. The first is the metro, specifically line 3, the blue line, which since its extension now runs directly from the airport all the way to Piraeus without any change of train, taking around fifty to sixty minutes for a fare of about nine euros; it is the best all-round choice for value, reliability and avoiding traffic. The second is the X96 express bus, a dedicated airport-to-Piraeus service that runs around the clock, twenty-four hours a day, taking roughly an hour and a half and costing only about five and a half euros, making it the cheapest option, though slower and subject to traffic.
The third is a taxi or pre-booked private transfer, the fastest and most comfortable choice at around forty-five to sixty minutes door to door, but also the most expensive at roughly fifty-five to seventy euros by day. Each suits a different traveller, and knowing the trade-offs helps you choose. The right pick depends on your priorities. The metro is the standout for most.
How does the direct metro work?
The metro line 3, the blue line, runs directly from the airport station to Piraeus port without changing trains, taking about 50 to 60 minutes, with departures every 15 to 30 minutes. The fare is around €9 (a special airport ticket). Lifts serve both the airport and the Piraeus stations, so it is manageable with luggage, and the Piraeus terminus is right by the ferry gates. It is the most reliable and best-value way to reach the port for an island ferry.
For most visitors heading to an island ferry, the metro is the best way to get from the airport to Piraeus, combining good value, reliability and freedom from traffic. The service uses line 3, the blue line, extended through to Piraeus in recent years and now runs in a single direct ride from the airport station, located right at the terminal, all the way to the Piraeus terminus, with no need to change trains along the way, taking around fifty to sixty minutes in total. Trains depart frequently, roughly every fifteen to thirty minutes through the day, and the fare is a special airport rate of about nine euros one way, with reductions for eligible passengers.
A practical reassurance for travellers with luggage is that both the airport station and the Piraeus station are fitted with lifts, so you can manage suitcases without struggling on stairs, and the Piraeus metro terminus emerges conveniently close to the ferry gates, making the final walk to your boat short. Because it bypasses the city’s often heavy road traffic, the metro offers predictable journey times, which is invaluable when you have a ferry to catch. For these reasons it is the recommended choice for the airport-to-port run. It is efficient and dependable. The bus offers the cheapest alternative.
How does the X96 express bus work?
The X96 is a dedicated express bus running directly between Athens airport and Piraeus port around the clock, 24 hours a day, every day, departing every 15 to 30 minutes. The journey takes about 1.5 hours or more depending on traffic, and a ticket costs around €5.50, with reductions for children, teens and seniors. Buy tickets at the booth outside arrivals. It is the cheapest option and useful for early or late ferries when the metro is closed.
The cheapest way to get from the airport to Piraeus, and a valuable option at times when the metro is not running, is the X96 express bus, a dedicated and direct airport-to-port service. Its great advantage is that it operates around the clock, twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year including public holidays, with departures roughly every fifteen to thirty minutes, making it the go-to choice for travellers arriving in the middle of the night or catching a very early ferry, when the metro is closed. The journey takes approximately an hour and a half, though it can be longer in heavy traffic since the bus travels by road, and the fare is only around five and a half euros one way, with reduced prices for children, teenagers and seniors, making it by far the most economical option.
You buy your ticket at the ticket booth located outside the arrivals hall, between the exits, before boarding the bus at the clearly marked stop. While slower and more vulnerable to traffic delays than the metro, the X96 is reliable, inexpensive and runs at all hours. It is the budget traveller’s friend. For speed and comfort, a taxi wins. Private options round out the choices.
What about taxis and private transfers?
A taxi or pre-booked private transfer is the fastest and most comfortable way from the airport to Piraeus, taking around 45 to 60 minutes door to door and dropping you right at your ferry gate. Official taxis charge roughly €55 to 70 by day, more at night, holidays or with extra luggage. A private transfer offers a fixed price and a driver meeting you. Best for groups, those with heavy luggage, or tight ferry connections, though it is the priciest option.
For travellers who prioritise speed, comfort and convenience over cost, a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer is the most hassle-free way to get from the airport to Piraeus, particularly valuable when carrying heavy luggage, travelling as a group who can share the cost, or facing a tight ferry connection. A taxi or transfer takes you directly door to door in around forty-five to sixty minutes off-peak, depending on traffic, and crucially can drop you right at your specific ferry gate within the sprawling port, sparing you any walking with suitcases. Official Athens taxis to Piraeus charge a metered fare that typically works out at roughly fifty-five to seventy euros during the day, with surcharges pushing it higher at night, on public holidays, and for additional pieces of luggage, so it is the most expensive option.
A pre-booked private transfer offers the added reassurance of a fixed, agreed price and a driver waiting to meet you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, removing any uncertainty. Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Uber also operate, dispatching official taxis. For the right traveller, the comfort and directness justify the cost. It is the premium choice. Above all, timing your ferry connection matters most.
How do you time your ferry connection, and what tips help?
Allow plenty of time between your flight and ferry: aim for at least 3 to 4 hours to cover baggage, the transfer and finding your gate in the huge port. The metro is best for reliable timing; for early or late ferries use the X96 bus or a taxi. Know your ferry gate (E1 to E12) in advance, as the port is large. Buy ferry tickets ahead in summer, keep luggage manageable, and build in a buffer for delays so you do not miss the boat.
The single most important consideration when connecting a flight with an island ferry via Piraeus is timing, as the port is vast and missing a ferry can derail a trip. It is strongly advised to allow a generous buffer between your flight’s arrival and your ferry’s departure, ideally at least three to four hours, to absorb any flight delays and to cover the time needed to collect your luggage, make the transfer to the port, and locate your ferry within the large and sometimes confusing harbour. For reliable, traffic-free timing, the metro is the safest bet; only for ferries departing in the small hours, when the metro is closed, should you rely on the round-the-clock X96 bus or a taxi.
It pays to find out in advance which numbered gate, from E1 to E12, your ferry departs from, since the gates are spread far apart and you may need extra time or the free port shuttle to reach a distant one. Other sensible habits include booking your ferry tickets ahead, especially in the busy summer season when sailings sell out, keeping your luggage manageable for the metro and the walk to the gate, and always building in a comfortable margin for the unexpected. With good planning, the plane-to-boat journey is smooth and stress-free. The port itself is detailed in the Piraeus port guide. The questions below cover the points visitors ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to reach Piraeus from the airport?
You can get from Athens airport to Piraeus port three ways: the direct metro line 3, taking 50 to 60 minutes for around €9; the X96 express bus, running 24 hours and taking about 1.5 hours for €5.50; or a taxi or private transfer, the fastest at 45 to 60 minutes but the priciest at roughly €55 to 70 by day. The metro is the best all-round value and avoids traffic.
How long does it take from Athens airport to Piraeus?
The direct metro from Athens airport to Piraeus takes about 50 to 60 minutes, the X96 express bus around 1.5 hours or more depending on traffic, and a taxi or private transfer roughly 45 to 60 minutes off-peak. Allow a generous buffer of at least 3 to 4 hours between your flight and ferry to cover luggage, the transfer and finding your gate in the large port.
Is there a direct metro from Athens airport to Piraeus?
Yes, metro line 3, the blue line, now runs directly from Athens airport to Piraeus port without changing trains, since its extension to Piraeus. The journey takes about 50 to 60 minutes for a fare of around €9, with departures every 15 to 30 minutes. Both stations have lifts for luggage, and the Piraeus terminus is conveniently close to the ferry gates.