Eleftherios Venizelos airport lies about 50 kilometres from Piraeus port — a journey that crosses the whole of Attica. There are four realistic options, and the right one depends less on cost than on whether you have a deadline.
The options compared
| Option | Time | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 3 | ~1h 10m | Limited at night | Predictable, cheap |
| X96 bus | 60–90m | 24 hours | Night arrivals |
| Taxi | 45–70m | 24 hours | Lots of luggage, tight timing |
| Rental car | 45–60m | 24 hours | If you continue with the vehicle |
Metro Line 3
Line 3 connects the airport directly with Piraeus station, no change required. It’s the most predictable option because traffic doesn’t affect it at all — and in Attica that counts for more than it sounds. Airport services run less frequently than the rest of the line, so check departure times.
The line terminates beside the port’s central gates. For gates E1 and E2 at the southern end you’ll want the free port shuttle — check which gate concerns you in our guide to the E1–E12 gates.
The X96 bus
The X96 links the airport with the port around the clock. It’s the cheapest option and the only public transport running through the night. The drawback is time: the route passes through the coastal suburbs and in traffic can exceed ninety minutes.
Taxi
The airport–Piraeus run has a fixed fare, different by day and night, so there’s no surprise at the end. It’s the sensible choice with a lot of luggage or small children, or when the margin before your sailing is thin.
By rental car
Via the Attiki Odos the drive is simple and quick, with tolls. The question isn’t whether it works, but whether it’s worth it: if you’ll leave the car in Piraeus and continue by ferry, you’re paying rental and airport fees for a single journey.
If, on the other hand, you plan to drive around Attica over the following days or take the vehicle to an island, a car from the outset is logical. Many of our customers come to Piraeus by Metro and collect the vehicle there instead, with no delivery charge — see rental at the port.
If you have a ferry to catch
The rule we always give: allow at least three hours from landing to sailing. It sounds excessive, but in between sit baggage reclaim, a fifty-kilometre transfer, and finding the right gate inside a port that spreads over kilometres.
If the margin is under two hours, take a taxi and don’t think about it further. And if you’re travelling with a vehicle, remember that vehicle loading closes well before foot boarding.
