Athens in Two Days: Pre-Cruise Tips and Logistics
- RJ
- May 5
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
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Whether you are a first-time visitors to Athens, or a repeat travel warrior, taking on Athens in two days (pre-cruise) allows for ample time to get over jet lag and to see some sites.
My family recently booked a Celebrity cruise from Athens for 10 nights, planning a two night stay in Athens prior to our embarkation to allow us some flexibility in case of bad flying weather, flight delays or cancellations.
No matter how tempting, we never plan on arriving the day our ship is departing. We decided on a pre-cruise stay in Athens for two days and adjust to the new time zone.
Getting to Athens
Most flights from the United States to Athens are 10 hours of flying with 7 time zone changes. Jet lag is a real problem. By the time you land in Athens, usually around 8 or 9 in the morning, you are tired, grumpy, need a shower and just want some sleep.
Your body clock says it’s 2 in the morning yet everyone in Athens is wide awake and ready for a new day. I don't recommend going directly to the ship from the airport. You'll sleep through the first two days of your vacation. A better plan would be to include a pre-cruise stay in Athens.
When You Arrive at Your Destination
 Consider how you will get from the airport. Have a car rental booked in advance. Optionally, services like Kiwitaxi can be a great help in pre-arranged transportation.  If you encounter any delays or cancellations for your flight, you have rights. Contact AirHelp to see quotes on possible compensation for your troubles.  For additional travel medical insurance or trip insurance needs, be sure to consult Visitor's Coverage in advance of your travels. |
Booking Your Stay in Athens
When considering a pre-cruise stay, never book through the cruise company. This will cost you a small fortune that you don’t have to spend. Just book your favorite hotel before you leave home and make your way to the hotel from the airport. No need for the package deal through the cruise ship.
We stayed at the Marriott called New Hotel in Plaka, which is the beginning of a nice area of Athens. There are a lot of hotels in the area, great shopping and of course, ancient sites to see.
Pro tip: try to find a hotel less than 10 minutes walk from the Metro station with luggage.
Most hotels would not let you check in the early AM so you may find yourself on the street with your luggage in hand. Look up the nearest Bounce Luggage storage facility near you for the best and safest storage options.
Nearest Metro Stop for the Marriott: Syntagma Square
If you exit the Metro station at Syntagma Square and walk straight ahead it will take you to the Monastiraki Square.
The road between Syntagma Square and Monastiraki Square is loaded with shops and restaurants. Monastiraki Square is one of the most active tourist destinations in the city center and has it's own Metro Stop.
In other words, find a place that is not only convenient to the metro, but bustling with tourism. You'll be very comfortable in Plaka!
Transportation from the Airport to Your Athens Hotel
There are a number of ways to get to Athens city center from the airport:
You can pre-arrange for the hotel or a private car to pick you up (Kiwitaxi is a great service for this)
Take a taxi
Hop the Metro (subway) from the airport
The travel time to the center of Athens will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour in any of these cases.
Pre-Arranged Transport
Look into services like Kiwitaxi, which specialize in private transfers.
See example rates (and a convenient search form) below.
Taxis in Athens
Rates for taxis will be about the same as above, but often include added charges for baggage and airport fees. Having a pre-arranged taxi would be the most convenient way of knowing exactly what your costs will be up front.
Using the Athens Metro
The Metro stop is right at the airport, very convenient and the cheapest option. When you exit the baggage claim follow the signs to where it says “Trains”.
There are two types of trains that leave the airport, the overland train and the Metro.
The "Trains" sign will take you across the street, up an escalator over a little bridge and then down another escalator.
Tickets and Train Routes
Somewhere along the way you’ll see a train ticket window and some automated train ticket machines. Do yourself a favor and go to the agent in the ticket window. Minimizing errors at the machine, I was able to get two Metro tickets to Athens at the window, costing about €18 for both. It doesn’t matter where you are getting off the Metro because it’s all the same price for a one time ride.
Pro tip: Check Google Maps before you leave home for your hotel location and find the nearest Metro stop.
There is only one Metro line (Blue) leaving the airport so you can’t get on the wrong train.
Check a Metro map at the station, find your hotel stop and see if you need to change trains at one of the cross stations. Memorize the route or write it down.
When you approach the train platform, you come down an escalator and you want to take the Metro not the overland train. There is a sign pointing to the Metro, and it’s on your right hand side exiting bottom of the escalator.
The Metro runs about every half hour and is usually sitting at the platform, doors open, waiting for its departure time.
Athens Metro Safety
Get on the train and find a seat near one of the luggage racks. Place your luggage on a rack but be sure you can keep an eye on them.
The Metro is very safe and very clean. I wouldn’t have any issues taking it. However, it got crowded as the train approached the city center.
Athens in Two Days for First-Timers
First timers to Athens should plan on spending at least four days touring the city before boarding your cruise. The iconic Acropolis is a must as a first timer, as well as the Parthenon.
Beyond that, you may want to consider a full day tour with Viator. My family tends to wander about shopping and dining, but for those trying to get a full sense of the culture and history of Athens, you'll really want to package it all up in a neat little private tour.
Browse options below:
Athens in Two Days (For Repeat Visitors)
If you’ve been to Athens before, two days is enough.
The best way to burn off the jet lag is honestly, rest, relax, shop and EAT! If you are a repeat visitor, the motivation to go-go-go isn't there, which actually allows for better immersion in the culture.
Where we stayed, Plaka is a clean and well-touristed area, full of souvenir shops, knock-off handbag stores (for $10 a bag!), and many nice restaurants for wiling away the afternoon hours.
Find some of the top ways to experience Plaka at Tripadvisor, here.
Expect day one to be a wash of jet lagged wandering, but day two in Athens can be anything you want it to be. Just don't forget - you've got a whole cruise ahead of you, so don't overdo it! Here's what we did to keep things low key.
Near our Plaka hotel there was a Botanical Gardens and small zoo. The Botanical Museum of the National Gardens was a lovely green space great for soaking in a little nature away from the otherwise busy city.
A short walk from the Botanical Garden you'll find the Presidential Palace and Greek War Museum.
If you’re interested in Greek war history, including guns and lots of artifacts, it was extremely interesting. The cost was only €6 per person to get in and well worth the time.
There is also a free outside exhibit of fighter aircraft.
At the Presidential Palace, don't miss the changing of the guards. It's very impressive with traditional uniforms and high stepping guards.
After two nights of shopping, dining and browsing off-the-beaten path sites in Athens like these, it will be time to board your cruise.
Athens Greece Piraeus Cruise Port
Home to the popular cruise Port of Piraeus, the Athens Cruise Port is one of the busiest Mediterranean embarkation points in Europe. If your ship is departing from Athens, it will leave from Piraeus.
Itineraries often include exotic ports in Turkey and the Greek Isles, the fascinating ports of Corfu and attractions at Meteora, Santorini, and many more. Longer routes may even bring passengers to Malta, Rome, and beyond.
In any case, clear teal waters and white washed buildings await, and the adventure continued. Here's how to get to and from the Cruise port in Athens.
Getting to Your Cruise Ship at Athens Cruise Port
On cruise day, getting a taxi off the street corner is the easiest and most convenient option, especially with luggage. It was a €16 taxi fare from the hotel right to the ship in Piraeus. The trip took about 20 minutes.
The taxi driver knows where the ship is docked. Just tell him the ship's name.
Optionally, the hotel wanted to charge a flat rate of €25 for the trip, which is reasonable, but not necessary.
Uber does work in Greece but as we learned, dialing up an Uber actually just calls a taxi for you at the same price.
All taxis by law are supposed to be metered and take credit cards. So, make sure the taxi driver starts the meter and then stops it when he gets to the ship. They’re all yellow and they’ll all take Visa so just grab a taxi go right to the ship. (Not sure if you need cash? Read up on my tips for whether or not you need cash abroad here).
Getting to the Airport from Athens Cruise Port
After our cruise, leaving the ship and getting to the airport was another adventure. We decided to take a taxi to the airport directly from the cruise port. When we woke up at 5 am, there must’ve been 50 taxis lined up to pick up passengers.
Once we got in the taxi, it was an excruciating 1 hour and 15 minute ride through the heaviest part of the city traffic to reach the airport. The price was about €65 including airport charges and baggage fees.
The only other options (same as above getting FROM the airport) are to pre-arrange a private car or use the Metro. You can probably take a taxi over to the Metro station, but we were looking for the easiest way off the ship.
The nearest Metro stop from the port is Demetrius Theater not the Piraeus Port Metro stop. It’s on the blue line and it takes you directly to the airport in about 40 minutes without traffic.
All in all, cruising in and out of Athens is very easy, and enjoyable with a little extra time in Athens before a cruise.
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