Most travelers reach Greece through Athens International Airport. However, some visitors arrive by sea, docking at one of Athens' maritime gateways—Piraeus, Rafina, or occasionally Faliro. Understanding how these ports connect to the city makes your arrival seamless and stress-free.

Piraeus Port: Greece's Main Maritime Hub

Piraeus stands as Greece's busiest harbor, serving as the primary gateway to the islands. The HSAP train station connects directly to Athens' metro network, offering you easy access to every corner of the capital. Your walking distance to the station varies significantly depending on where your vessel docks.

Ferries sailing to the Dodecanese archipelago and Crete typically berth at the more distant terminals. Instead of enduring a twenty-minute walk under the Mediterranean sun with your luggage, consider taking a brief taxi ride—it's just five minutes and well worth the convenience.

Other ferry services dock much closer to the metro station, making the walk manageable and straightforward for most travelers.

If you're arriving in Greece by ferry from Italy, disembark at Patra rather than Athens. From Patra, buses run regularly to the capital.

Ferry operators typically offer coordinated bus service, with tickets available for purchase at the ship's reception desk during your voyage. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Patra's port to the KTEL bus station and catch a scheduled service to Athens—though this requires waiting for the next departure. View Piraeus port on the interactive map

Rafina Port: The Eastern Alternative

When you dock at Rafina, located on Athens' eastern coast, you'll need taxi service to reach the city center. The journey typically takes thirty minutes, though traffic conditions can easily double or triple this time—especially during peak hours.

Plan accordingly and allow extra time if you have connecting flights or appointments in Athens. While Rafina serves fewer international routes than Piraeus, it's increasingly popular for Cyclades island connections.