Athens Cruise Port (Piraeus): Metro, Bus, Taxi and Tour Costs (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Athens cruise ships dock at Piraeus, the port city's harbor on the coast, and the Acropolis is across town. A guide from the Acropolis site puts the cruise terminal about 1.5 km from Dimotiko Theatro metro station, a walk of roughly 22 minutes. From there the metro is the cheapest link, because the city sells a 90-minute ticket for EUR 1.20, $1.36, with free transfers across modes.

If you would rather not walk to the station, the X80 express bus runs from the cruise terminal to the Acropolis in cruise season. The ride is described as a little under 30 minutes, with departures every 30 minutes from 7:00 to 21:30, and the fare is EUR 4.50, $5.11, valid for 90 minutes. Taxis are listed at EUR 20 to 25 by day, $23 to $28, and EUR 25 to 35 at night, so they work for groups that share the cost.

Worked example, two adults. Metro both ways on 90-minute tickets costs 4 x $1.36 = $5.44. Two 24-hour passes at $4.66 each are $9.32, which only pays off with many hops. Taking the X80 out and metro back is 2 x $5.11 + 2 x $1.36 = $12.94. A daytime taxi each way, split between two, is about $23 to $28 each way per car, so $46 to $56 round trip. The metro plan is cheapest by a wide margin.

Government fees are light here. A tax guide lists EUR 5, $5.68, per passenger who goes ashore at Greek ports other than the premium islands from June to September, and EUR 3 in April, May and October. That is lower than the EUR 20 charged at Santorini and Mykonos. Your cruise line normally adds it to the bill, and on-board guests are not charged.

The excursion listings checked were thin: two food and sightseeing tours at 5 hours, priced $159.99 by e-bike and $183.99 on foot with Acropolis views. Both include a guide and transport from the terminal. Independent travellers can do the same sights for a few dollars in metro fares plus entry fees, which were not confirmed in the sources opened. Euro amounts are converted once at the ECB reference rate of 2026-09-30 (EUR/USD 1.1355) and rounded, so treat them as static estimates. Prices shown in US dollars. Check current exchange rates.

Compare this with the dock-side old town at Naples and the tender port at Santorini. Then add everything into the cruise excursion budget calculator.

Sources

• Acropolis Athens: cruise port to the Acropolis
• Athens Metro: tickets and fares
• Greek Trip Planner: Greece tourism taxes and cruise fees
• Shore Excursioneer: Piraeus (Athens) excursions

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

Prices shown in US dollars. Check current exchange rates.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.