Cruises from and to Athens via Piraeus, Greece

On the day of departure, cruises from Piraeus (Athens) sail from the cruise terminal and your ship will berth at one of the designated piers within the port area. Embarkation takes place either at Terminal A (Miaoulis), accessible via Gate E11, or at Terminal B (Themistocles) or Terminal C (Alkimos), both accessible via Gate E12. As terminal assignments may vary, guests are advised to follow the latest available departure information and on-site guidance at the port.

Reaching Athens from the port of Piraeus is quick and straightforward. On cruises from Piraeus (Athens), guests can easily explore Greece’s historic capital – the city centre lies approximately 12 kilometres from the port and can usually be reached in under an hour, depending on traffic conditions.

Public transport offers convenient alternatives. The 24-hour 040 bus connects Piraeus with Syntagma Square in the heart of modern Athens, or there’s the X80, an express bus available from May to October. Taxis are readily available outside the cruise terminals for those who prefer a direct, quicker and more comfortable transfer.

Although there’s no train or metro station inside the cruise port, the main Piraeus railway and metro station is nearby and can therefore be reached on foot or via a short taxi ride. From here, there are various options, including Line 1 (the green line), which provides a direct connection to central Athens through key stops such as Monastiraki, a great area for shopping – especially for handicrafts – with brilliant views of the Acropolis.

Those wanting a closer look at the city’s ancient citadel can change at Omonia for Line 2 (the red line), which stops at Akropoli Station, just steps from the Acropolis Museum and the city’s most famous landmark.

On 21 July 2025, the Greek Government introduced a mandatory cruise passenger fee for all guests visiting Greek ports. This fee applies to everyone, regardless of age and whether you explore independently or take part in a shore excursion.

The fee is part of Greece’s Sustainable Tourism Programme and is designed to support local infrastructure, promote responsible tourism and therefore enhance the travel experience for all visitors to the country. The chargeable fee varies in price, depending on the season.

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To get from Athens International Airport (ATH) to the departure point for cruises from Piraeus (Athens), you have a few options, which will depend on your budget, timing and how much luggage you’re carrying. The most convenient public transport route is the metro – Line 3 (the blue line) runs directly from the airport to Piraeus Station and takes around an hour.

If, however, you’re arriving late at night, the 24-hour X96 express bus is a good alternative – it even operates on holidays. Departing from the airport to Piraeus, the X96 is the cheapest option, though the journey can take longer and is dependent on traffic.

Travellers with lots of luggage might prefer taking a taxi, although please be aware that this option is more costly than public transport. Taxis are available round-the-clock and can be picked up at designated taxi ramps. The drive should take about 45 minutes, depending on travel times, but traffic can sometimes push this timing beyond one hour.

If you’re travelling from the main railway station in the Greek capital, Larissa Station, for cruises from Piraeus (Athens), you can reach the port easily by metro. Take Line 2 (the red line) from Larissa Station, disembark at Omonia and then transfer to Line 1 (the green line) towards Piraeus.

The journey typically takes around 25-35 minutes, depending on waiting times between trains. Once in Piraeus, allow a little extra time to locate your specific cruise gate, as the port area is large and some terminals are farther away from the station than others.

MSC Cruises offers itineraries that cater for a wide range of budgets – simply browse here in our website to find the perfect cruise from Piraeus (Athens) for you and your holiday plans. Then, prepare to start wandering ancient streets, enjoying Greek hospitality (and plentiful Greek cuisine, of course) and learning about the innumerable treasures of the Eastern Mediterranean. Perhaps best of all, this can be experienced at a price that suits you. 

Greece operates on Eastern European Time (EET) and observes Daylight Saving Time (DST) between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October. As a result, holidaymakers on an Athens cruise will find that the local time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the UK.

A cruise from Athens opens up the Eastern Mediterranean, giving you the chance to experience Greek Island life at its best, as well as the shores of Turkey, Croatia, Italy and Valencia in Spain.

In Greece, an Athens cruise can take you to the ancient jewel of Corfu, Katakolon on the Peloponnese (a short drive from Olympia), the island of Cephalonia – where excursions from Argostoli allow you to explore Melissani Cave – Santorini (housing the photogenic village of Oia, which lies on the edge of a volcanic caldera) and Heraklion in Crete, which boasts ancient castles, celebrated cuisine, Venetian architecture and globally renowned archaeological sites.

Remember, though, that on cruises from Piraeus (Athens), Greece is just the beginning. You can travel east to explore Turkey and visit Istanbul, the only city to have been a capital to consecutive Christian and Islamic empires. From İzmir and Kuşadasi, south of Istanbul, you can explore the incredible ancient ruins of Ephesus.

In Croatia, stroll the streets of Split’s Old Town and the fortified walls of ever-cinematic Dubrovnik, while Italy offers charming and lively Bari, romantic and sight-packed Venice, and stylish Trieste. Heading west, cruises from Piraeus (Athens) also visit grand and historic Genoa, street food capital Naples and sun-blessed Sicily (the largest island in the Mediterranean), boasting a wealth of architecture, archaeology and inspired cuisine.

Most cruises from Piraeus (Athens) last seven nights, allowing you ample time to explore the highlights of the Eastern Mediterranean. However, you’ll also find a selection of extended sailings that cruise from Athens, for those wishing to travel further afield. Shorter mini-cruises – designed to suit tighter schedules – are also an option.

There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do in the Greek capital on a cruise to Athens. Towering above the city, the majestic Parthenon stands among the ruins of the ancient Acropolis, a historic citadel perched on a rocky cliff above the city.

Don’t miss the chance to explore this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site on one of MSC Cruises’ excursions. Walk up Acropolis Hill to admire the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, then explore the Acropolis Museum and its exceptional collection of artefacts and archaeological treasures.

From the heights of the Acropolis, our excursions also descend into the district of Plaka, known as the ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’. Meander through its maze of colourful streets, soaking up the sights and picking up a few souvenirs along the way, perhaps also stopping in a taverna to refuel in traditional surroundings.

Other excursions take you to the Corinth Canal, completed in 1893. Connecting the Peloponnese with mainland Greece, this narrow waterway is crossed by bridges carrying both roads and railways. An excursion can take you through the Greek countryside by coach before you embark on a boat cruise along the canal.

You’ll discover all this and much more on our excursions – get ready to explore a truly unforgettable destination.