If your Greek islands cruise lists “Athens” as its departure city, the ship actually sails from Piraeus, a port city southwest of Athens. Piraeus is one of the largest ports in Europe, and even within the “Port of Piraeus,” cruise terminals and ferry berths for the islands are spread over a wide area. If you get dropped at the wrong gate on embarkation day, you may have to drag your luggage a long way.
This article walks through the day before boarding in Piraeus and embarkation morning. It covers how to identify your terminal, getting there from Athens Airport, where to stay the night before, and managing your time on embarkation morning. We include only times and fares confirmed in official guidance.
First, the takeaway: arrive the day before and check the terminal letter first.
When the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) surveyed about 4,000 cruise passengers across 8 countries in 2022, 69% said they stayed at least 1 night before boarding. As of the lookup date, no regular nonstop flights from Korea to Athens were confirmed, so most travelers take a connecting flight. Each additional airport transfer adds a potential source of delay. If you booked the cruise separately, the cruise line is not responsible for helping you catch up at the next port if a flight delay makes you miss the ship, so arriving at least the day before is the standard approach.
If you remember just one thing about Piraeus, make it “Which terminal is my ship at: A, B, or C?”. If you get this right, the rest is straightforward.
The 3 Cruise Terminals in Piraeus
The Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) operates 3 cruise passenger terminals and 11 cruise berths. According to Holland America’s information, the terminals are arranged as follows.
- Terminal A (Miaoulis): Gate 11. It is closest to the port entrance.
- Terminal B (Themistocles): Entrance to the left of Gate 12.
- Terminal C (Alkimos): Entrance to the right of Gate 12.
Holland America notes that “the terminal assignment may change at short notice.” Check the terminal on your boarding documents and check the cruise line’s app again the evening before and the morning of embarkation. If the ship docks at a berth far from the terminal, the port authority operates a free shuttle between the ship and terminal.
One more thing: Holland America advises that there is no public parking or luggage storage facility at the pier. The usual plan is to leave your bags at your accommodation and pick them up just before boarding.
Where to stay the night before: two options
1. Near the Port of Piraeus (if boarding is your priority)
This gives you the shortest transfer on embarkation morning and avoids Athens city traffic. Even if your connecting flight arrives late at night, the next morning will be more relaxed. We recommend this option if it is your first cruise or you are traveling with family and lots of luggage.
2. Near Syntagma or Plaka in central Athens (if you also want to explore Athens)
If you want to see the Acropolis, it is natural to stay in central Athens for one or two days. However, on embarkation morning you will need to travel down to Piraeus by taxi or metro, so allow plenty of travel time. Another option is to spend one or two days in Athens, then move to Piraeus for the final night.
Whichever area you choose, ask your accommodation whether it offers luggage storage after checkout and can call a taxi in the morning in advance.
Getting from Athens Airport to Your Hotel
- Taxi: Holland America gives the distance from the airport to Piraeus as about 32 km, taking about 60 minutes, with a fare of about €60. A fixed fare applies between the airport and central Athens, but since there were reports of an increase in September 2026, confirm the fare before taking a ride.
- Metro Line 3: Since October 2022, you can travel directly from the airport to Piraeus on Line 3. The journey takes about 1 hour. You do not need to transfer, so it is a reasonable option if you do not have much luggage.
- X96 express bus: An express bus connecting the airport and Piraeus. The Port of Piraeus also lists it as an airport link.
After a long connecting flight, a taxi is the least tiring option. If you take the metro, check the walking distance from the Piraeus end to your hotel on a map in advance.
How to get moving on embarkation morning
Use this as your reference time on embarkation day: the arrival time slot selected in your cruise line app or during online check-in. Royal Caribbean asks guests to arrive during their selected time slot, while Holland America accepts check-in from noon until 1 hour and 30 minutes before departure, and MSC closes check-in 2 hours before departure.
- If You Are Staying in Piraeus Leave your hotel about 1 hour before your arrival time. Show the taxi driver the terminal letter and gate number (for example, Terminal B, Gate 12).
- If You Are Staying in Central Athens Leave about 2 hours before your arrival time. It takes time to travel from the city to the port even by car, and traffic is worse during the morning commute.
- If You Are Taking the Metro According to Holland America, it is about a 15-minute walk from the metro station to Terminal A (Gate 11) and about 30 minutes to Terminals B and C (Gate 12). If you have large bags, it is better to transfer to a taxi at the station.
Pack your passport, boarding documents, regular medications, and a change of clothes for a day in your carry-on. You can check larger bags at the terminal, and they will be delivered to your cabin a few hours later.
The first few hours after boarding
Your cabin may not be ready immediately after boarding. Pack a swimsuit or a change of clothes and a charger in your carry-on so you can have lunch and explore the ship while you wait.
All passengers must take part in a safety drill before departure. Follow the cruise line’s instructions for the format and timing. If the weather is clear, you can look down on the Port of Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf from the deck as the ship sails away.
What to check so you do not miss your ship
- Terminal and Gate: Terminal A is Gate 11; B and C are Gate 12. Assignments may change at short notice, so check the cruise line’s app the day before and on embarkation morning.
- Departure port name: Even if your cruise says “Athens departure,” the ship sails from Piraeus. Smaller ships may depart from another port near Athens, so check the port name on your boarding documents.
- Luggage Storage: The pier is listed as having no luggage storage facility, so leave your bags at your accommodation.
- Arrival time slot and check-in cutoff: Many cruise lines close check-in 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours before departure.
- Connecting Flights: Avoid arriving on embarkation day; arrive at least the day before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go directly from the airport to the Piraeus terminal?
If you arrive the day before and stay near the airport, one option is to take a taxi directly there. The drive from the airport to Piraeus takes about 60 minutes according to Holland America; allow extra time for morning commute traffic as well.
Is the cruise terminal right by Piraeus Station?
No. The port is large, and walking from the station to your terminal may take 15–30 minutes, according to Holland America. If you have luggage, taking a taxi is safer.
Can I fly home on the same day I disembark in Piraeus?
Since you will be taking a connecting flight, allow plenty of time after disembarkation to get to the airport and complete check-in. For tips on choosing a flight on disembarkation day, see Flights on Cruise Disembarkation Day: What to Check When Planning Your Trip Home.
Plan the days before and after around your cruise dates
For cruises departing from Piraeus, see the Piraeus port page. If you have already chosen a cruise, the Cruise Planner lets you coordinate flights, a hotel for the night before, and a day ashore at your port of call based on your departure date and port. To find out what time to return from island ports of call, see Why Start with the All-Aboard Time.
Sources checked (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Holland America Piraeus (Athens) port guide: hollandamerica.com
- Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) cruise terminals: olp.gr
- Athens Metro (STASY) Line 3 schedule: stasy.gr
- Report on airport taxi fare increase (2026-09-17): greekcitytimes.com
- Royal Caribbean embarkation arrival time information: royalcaribbean.com
- Holland America embarkation and check-in information: hollandamerica.com
- MSC Cruises embarkation information: msccruisesusa.com
- CLIA 2022 cruise passenger survey (69% stayed before boarding)
For more detailed travel advice, plan your trip with AI in the Cruise Planner below.
