What this solves
Athens has three ferry ports. Piraeus is huge (12 gates, southern & western Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese). Rafina is small (NE Cyclades: Andros, Tinos, Mykonos via Andros). Lavrio serves Kea, Kythnos, Sifnos, Milos. Most travellers default to Piraeus because every blog says "Piraeus", but if your first island is Andros, Tinos, or Mykonos via Andros, Rafina saves 30 minutes door-to-gate.
Calculator
How to read the result
The output recommends one port and shows the alternative with the trade-off. Transit time includes walking to metro + metro ride + walking from metro to gate. Piraeus metro line 1 ends at the port but the walk from the platform to gates E1-E12 is 10-20 min — that's where most travellers lose 30 min they didn't budget for.
Rafina is reached by bus from Pedion Areos or by taxi (~€35-€50). The bus ride is 60-75 min and runs roughly hourly. Taxis to Rafina are flat-fare €35-€50 from central Athens at any time.
Limitations
- Piraeus gate assignments change per sailing and are posted on the operator's app. The calculator gives you the area (E1-E7 for conventional Cyclades, E8-E10 for fast ferries, E11-E12 for Crete) but not today's specific gate.
- Rafina's bus schedule is hourly and stops before midnight. If your ferry is 22:00+, drive a taxi.
- Lavrio is rarely the right answer for first-time visitors. It's the only sensible port for Kea/Kythnos/Sifnos-only trips.
- If you have luggage, the metro stairs at Piraeus and the bus walk at Rafina are both painful. The 30-min door-to-gate figure assumes one bag per traveller.
FAQ
How do I get from the airport to Piraeus?
Take Metro Line 3 from the airport to Syntagma, then Line 1 to Piraeus. The whole trip is ~€9 (single ticket + metro surcharge for airport). Total time: 90-100 min. With luggage, allow 2 hours door-to-gate.
Is there a direct metro from the airport to Piraeus?
No. Line 3 (airport ↔ Syntagma) and Line 1 (Piraeus ↔ Kifissia) only connect at Syntagma. Total journey ~90 min including transfer.
Can I take a taxi from the airport to Piraeus?
Yes. Fixed airport-taxi rate to Piraeus is €38 day / €54 night (00:00-05:00). The trip is 45-60 min depending on traffic. With large luggage, this is the right choice over the metro.
Which is more reliable, Piraeus or Rafina?
Piraeus is more reliable for ferry cancellations because more operators run from it. Rafina is windier in Meltemi storms — boats occasionally divert back to Piraeus if conditions are bad. For high-season, both are reliable.
Related tools
Sources
- OASA — Athens Urban Transport Organisation — Line 1 Piraeus, Line 3 airport, Rafina bus schedules, 2025.
- Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, Fast Ferries, Golden Star — official Piraeus gate assignment policy by route.
- On-site observation: 9 Piraeus and Rafina transits in 2024-2025.
About this tool
Built because every "how to get to the Greek islands" article starts with "take the metro to Piraeus" without considering Rafina. For NE-island travellers, the metro-to-Piraeus-then-bus-back-to-Rafina pattern wastes 90 min.
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Disclaimer
For informational purposes only. Transit times and gate assignments are reference values; verify on the day. We are not affiliated with OASA, the Athens Urban Transport Organisation, or any port authority.