Syros to Piraeus, Piraeus to Patras and Patras to Venice!

The Question:

Gday! StavrosWe are going to be staying on Syros Island for a couple of weeks and then need to get to Venice to catch a Costa Cruise on the 23rd May 09. Flights from Athens to Venice are complicated We thought we would try the Ferry from Syros to Piraeus (or Corinth)?? then catch a train ride through to Patra where we can catch an overnight ferry to Venice. We are not sure if the journey can be completed in one day? as the ferry to venice leaves Patra at mid night?? Can you advise us with our best options? Do you know if the Cruise liners leave Venice from the same port as the Minoan ferry?Regards Sheila


The Answer:

Hey Sheila!
Well, I think you can make it in one day if you start early and with a good planning!
Syros-Piraeus lasts 2,5 to 4 hours depending on the ferry type you will choose. The timetable is not available, as the companies publish it around March. One good site to check it out then is www.fantasticgreece.com.
Then at Piraeus you will have to take the train. There is proastiakos train line until Kiato and then OSE train until Patra. I know 2 routes for Piraeus-Parta: one at 11.44 and one other at 18:44. You can find more departing hours by calling their call centre on 1110. The personnel is quite helpful! Ah and the port from Proastiakos train platforms is close enough so you will have to calculate in advance 30 minutes to get there.
If you want to catch the midnight ferry to Venice you should plan to arrive at Patras the latest 22.45 as you need to get from the train station to the port. The distance is not far away, don't worry about it. The trip with the train from Piraeus to Patras takes 3.30-4 hours.
I am not sure about the port at Venice..why don't you check their official site at http://www.costacruise.com ? I am sure you will find a great deal of useful tips!
Hope I have helped!
-Stavros

Do Buses heading to Patras from Kifissos Bus Station stop at Piraeus Port?

The Question:

Dear Stavros,
Thank you so much for that info you sent on the train toPatra. the ose site was a nightmare I will check now but as the trainsare every hour it could be less of a hassle than getting to Kiffisoubus station. 1 other question then please dont the athens to Patraskifisou buses run through Pireaus and if so couldnt I catch that busin Pireaus port?
Thanks again best wishes kalo xeimona na exete!!
Phillada


The Answer:

Hello Phillada!
The buses that depart from the Kifissos Bus station heading to Patras do not pass through Piraeus, because Piraeus is actually not in their way to Patras. They go straight to the National Road of Athens-Korinthos and then Korinthos-Patras. So in order to access Patras by bus, you need to reach the Kifissos bus station from Piraeus and from there the bus goes straight to Patras and the possible first stop is at Korinthos.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

From the Athens International Airport to Piraeus Port

The Question:

Hello!!I will be arriving in Athens airport mid-morning and want to go to the Piraeus Dream Hotel in Piraeus.How much would taxi fare be?Any other good options for 2 tired jet-lagged travelers with a couple suitcases each?


The Answer:

Hello!
The taxi transfer from the Athens International Airport to your hotel in Piraeus will cost you approximately 50 euros. I don't have any other suggestion, except the bus line X96 which departs from the Athens International Airport and arrives at the Piraeus port. From there you will need to catch a taxi and this is rather difficult if you arrive there at heavy traffic hours. The taxi transfer will certainly cost you no more than 10 euros though since the hotel is very close to the port.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Piraeus port to Athens International Airport

The Question:

Hello Stavros
We will be arriving in Piraeus Port Oct.25,2008 and staying at the Piraeus Dream Hotel.What is best way you would recommend?We would like to transfer to international airport by express bus for our 5:20 a.m flight to U.S.How would you recommend we proceed.
Thank You
Tony


The Answer:

Hello Tony!
From The Piraeus Dream Hotel you can catch the airport bus line X96 which departs from the metro station of Piraeus (green line). The bus departs at 00.30 and 01.00 and approximately takes 1 hour to reach the airport. As you need to take a transatlantic flight you need to be at the airport at least 3 hours in advance and this is why I am recommending this bus time. On the other hand, you can also take a taxi and even better reserve one to pick you up from the hotel. Since it is going to be in the night, traffic won't be an issue and you will arrive quite fast at the airport. The taxi cost won't exceed tha amoun of 55 euros. You can also ask at the hotel's reception to book you a taxi.
Hope this helps you!

-Stavros

Recommended Sight Tour in Athens

The Question:

Hi Stavros!
I'm writing and asking a second request. We (two of us) will be in Athens for one day - a Saturday in October. We arrive and depart on a cruise ship. I would like to list the sites we would like to see and ask that you put then in the order that would be best for our walking tour. We plan to take the Green line of the metro from the Piraeus station, change to the Red line at Ononia and get off at Akropoli. If this is not the best way, please tell me.
These are the sites we want to see:
Acropolis
Filopappou Hill
Plaka
Ancient Agora
Roman Forum/RomanAgora
Hadrian's Arch
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Olympic Stadium
Changing of the Guard
National Garden
Then we need to know where to get the metro to go back to the ship. What time must we be at the metro station in order to be at the ship by 4:45? Can we do all this in one day if we get to Akropoli station by 8 a.m.?
Some of the places we just want to look at - arch, stadium, Temple of O Zeus. Some we just want to walk through - Agoras and Plaka.
Please give us any suggestions that you have to make this day work out for us.
Thank you so much,
Marlene


The Answer:

Hello Marlene!
So these are a lot sights to visit in just one day and in your case few hours.
In order to be at the Piraeus port at 4.45, you need to take the subway from the "Monastiraki" station (green line) at 4.15.
As a result here is a quick sight plan that you can follow if you arrive at 08.00 at the "Acropolis" station.
Firstly, visit Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus which is 5 minutes from the Acropolis station and will take you about 40 minutes. Then head to the Acropolis, which will take you at least 1,5 hour and then visit the Filopappou hill which is close nearby and will take you 1 hour. From there take the road through the Acropolis and Pnyka and walk down the Ancient Agora and at tha same time you will also walk through the Roman Agora. As soon as you have finished with that you will be in Plaka, so pay a quick visit. This will take you almost 1.5-2 hours. You can stop for midday break and eat something or if you're still feeling strong, you can catch the subway from "Monastiraki" and take off at Syntagma, to see the guards and the change of the shift in front of the Greek Parliament.
You won't have enough time for the National Garden and the Olympic Stadium, unless you visit these sights after the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch and omit the Acropolis, but this would be a shame and pity in my opinion.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Athens International Airport to Aegina

The Question:

Dear Mr. Stavros,
How and how fast fast we could get from the Athens airport to Aegina?Our son is a musician on a theatre ship (Caravan Stage Co.) that will leave Aegina to go through the Corinth Canal to Kaito. He said we could ride with him. This will be sometime around the time we get to Athens, but right now, we do not know exactly when. In case we get to Athens in time to meet up with them for this adventure, we want to know how to move as quickly as possible through customs and head off to Aegina.
Thanks
CathyB

The Answer:

Hello Cathy!
As soon as you arrive at the Athens International Airport, then you have 2 options: either to take a taxi to the port of Piraeus and from there take the ferry to Aegina or to take the bus (X96) from the airport straight to the port of Piraeus and then take the ferry to Aegina. Depending on the day and the time of the day that you will arrive the traffic can be strong and it can take you up to 40-45 minutes to reach the port. From there the ferry route with a flying dolphin (highspeed ferry to Aegina) is 40 minutes.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Travelling from Italy to Lefkada, Zante and Santorini

The Question:

hello I will be travelling from italy to greece and would like to visit santorini as well as lefkada and possibly zante and am having troubles connecting the pathways,
can you please assist me,
thanks Stavros!!


The Answer:

Hello!
This sounds like a nice trip!
So, if you start from Italy then you will probably stop at either Igoumenitsa or Patras. From Patras you need to either rent a car or catch a bus to reach Zante or Lefkada. There is no direct ferry connection from Lefkada to Zante. To reach Zante you can take the bus from Patras which will take you to Killini and from there you will take the ferry to Zante. To reach Lefkada, you can take the bus from Patras and it will take you straight there, without having to take a ferry since the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Another interesting way to travel from Lefkada to Zante is to take the ferry from Vassiliki in Lefkada and go to Kefallonia and from the Kefallonia (southern part) take the ferry to Zante.
Santorini is on the other side of Greece and belongs to the Aegean Sea islands. To reach Santorini you need to take the ferry from the port of Athens (Piraeus) or take a plane from the Athens International Airport.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Taxi charge from Piraeus to Ledra Marriot Hotel

The Question:

How much would you charge for a taxi from the cruise ship terminal to the Ledra Marriott?

The Answer:

Hello!
Depending where exactly the cruise ship terminal is the prices for a taxi transfer can vary. If the terminal is at the Piraeus port, then the taxi, considering light traffic, should not take you more than 8-10 euros (luggage included).

-Stavros

Where exactly is the Piraeus Subway station and how long is it from the Acropolis to Filopappou hill?

The Question:

1. Exactly where is the subway station in Piraeus? How close to where a cruise ship would berth? You wrote to someone that the station is right outside of the port. Does that mean just a few minutes away?
2. How long would it take to walk from the Acropolis to the top of Filopappou Hill? We are medium speed walkers, definitely not slow. What is the best route to take?
Thank you, Stavros
Visitors from USA

The Answer:

Hello from Greece!
Concerning your first question, the subway station in Piraeus is exactly opposite gates E6 and E7 from where the majority of ships depart. This means that as soon as you get of the station, you only have to cross the air bridge to other side of the street and you will have entered the port. From there, depending on your departure gate, you will either see the ships in front of you (gates E5, E6, E7 and E8) or you will have to take the internal bus to reach gates E1, E2, E3, E4 and E10.

The Filopappou hill is across the gates of the Acropolis, so I would say that it is approximately a 15 minute walk up to the hill. You will find it quite easily and the view is astonishing!

Hope you will have a nice stay in Greece and that I have helped!

-Stavros

From Athens International Airport to Piraeus Port by taxi

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
Thanks for speaking to the uninformed like the Oracle of Delphi!
1. Is the airport - port traffic heavy around 6h30 -7h30 on a Thursday morning? I have just one hour to collect the ticket and catch the ferry... or rebook and wait 10 hours.
2. Do you have the phone numbers of two regular taxi companies in Pireus that I can contact, please? (Any idea of what a reasonable fare would be?)
Thanks!
Celia Mendelsohn

The Answer:
Hello Celia and thank you for your kind words!
Regarding your first question, the traffic on Thursday morning is not heavy so you won't stuck anywhere for a long time and the journey should be easy by car or taxi. On the other hand, if you take the metro, then you won't stop anywhere so this won't be a problem too. By saying that you need to collect your tickets, where exactly do you mean? Because if you have to collect your tickets from the Piraeus port, then this should not be a problem, whereas if you need to pick them up from somewhere in the city center, then you may need more time!
As far as the price from the Athens International Airport to the port of Piraeus is concerned, then a reasonable price would be 58 euros and you can also check this online at www.taxireservations.gr!
Hope I have helped you!

-Stavros

From Parga to Athens and Piraeus

The Question:

My sister is travelling from Parga to Athens on Monday September 8th 2008.I arrive from UK at the airport at 16.10 - we want to meet either at the airport or at Pireaus.I am getting no luck emailing parga info, or anywhere else as to bus services - we need to know:1. Are there direct buses Parga-Athens, or does she have to go to Igoumenitsia or Ioannina and change? And where can I find out bus times please?2. Is there a bus from Kifissou bus terminal to Pireaus - she may not be early enough to meet me at the airport(we want to get the evening crossing to Poros, so may not have time!)
Thanks
Joanna

The Answer:

Hello Joanna!
First of all, there are buses going from the Kifisos Suburban Bus Station to Parga and if you are interested in time schedules then you can call +30 210 5124910. To reach the Piraeus port from the Kifisos station, there is no direct bus. You need to either use the 051 bus to the city center and then tha subway to Piraeus or take a bus from the Kifisos avenue which will take you up until one point in Piraeus. Otherwise you can catch a taxi, especially if your time is limited.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Kifisos Suburban Bus Station to Piraeus Port

The Question:

Hello!
In a few days I'll be coming from Patra to Athens by bus.They told me I will arrive to Kifisos Bus Station. From there I have to get to Piraeus port within 1 hour.Do you know how I can get from the bus station to Piraeus?
Thank you very much for your attention
Alessio

The Answer:

Hello Alessio!
To reach the Piraeus port, you need to take the bus 051 from the suburban bus station KTEL, take off at the end of the its route and then take the subway (green line) from Omonoia to Piraeus (final station). Since you have limited time, maybe it would be a better idea if you could catch a taxi from the suburban bus station. Keep in mind that depending on the time you arrive and the day the traffic maybe heavier and as a result take you longer than 30 minutes to arrive at the port!

-Stavros

From Piraeus Port to the City Center and the Athens International Airport

The Question:

Hello Stavros
We will be arriving at the Piraeus port Oct 1, 2008 and would like to get into Athens (Cecil Hotel).. What is the best way you would recommend.
We would also like to transfer from the Cecil Hotel to the international airport by express bus for our 6:40 am flight back to canada. How would you recommend we proceed????
Many thanks....Marc....friends from Canada

The Answer:

Hello Marc!
To reach the Cecil hotel in Athens from the Piraeus port, you can take the green line of the subway (station Piraeus right outside the port of Piraeus) and take of at Monastiraki station. From there it is a 4 minute walk up to your hotel walking on Athinas street.
Since you have a transatlantic flight, you need to ne at the airport at least 3 hours prior the departure of your flight, so you should be there until 03.30 am. The express bus from the city center to the Athens International Airport will make the journey in approximately 50 minutes. The Express bus line X95 which departs from Syntagma sqaure runs quite often 24 hours a day, but the most suitable itinerary for you would be the one at 02.25. To reach Syntagma square from your hotel you can take a taxi because there is no public transport at the time of the night and it is quite close, so the taxi driver should not charge you more than 8 euros (with your luggage). To check timetables and stops of the X95 express bus line to the airport, visit
http://www.oasa.gr/index.asp?asp=routes/bus_stop.asp&route_id=+%D795&rvariant_id=1&medium=0&s_t=16.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Ferry connection between Skiathos and Mytilene (Lesvos)

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
I want to go by ferry from Skiathos to Mytilene (lesvos)Can it be done? What ferries and connections will I need?
Thank you

The Answer:

Hey!
There is no ferry connection between Skiathos and Mytilene (Lesvos). You need to depart from the port of Piraeus in Athens in order to reach Mytilene (Lesvos). To reach the port of Athens you can take a suburban bus KTEL from either Volos or Agios Konstantinos (ports where the ferry from Skiathos arrives).

-Stavros

How to reach Ferry Embarkation Gates in Piraeus port

The Question:

Hallo to athens,
The ferry embarkation changes from E9 to E2. On the map it looks a little far for walking from the metro station.How far and how long do you think it takes to walk - or is there another way ?From landing at the airpot until the ferry leaves i have about two hours.
Thank for answering

The Answer:

Hello!
The gate is approximately a 20-30 minutes walk, but there is an internal port bus that will take you from E5, which is where the metro station is, and leave you at any gate you wish. As soon as you arrive at the port, enter it, and you will find the bus stops or someone at the port to ask for these internal buses.

-Stavros

Travelling to Skiathos by Bus and Ferry

The Question:

Hi there,
I need to get from Athens to Skiathos and back again, but I am having trouble finding flights - is there any other way you can reccomend?
Thanks
Bronwyn

The Answer:

Thank you for asking me stuff!
So, there is actually a flight connection between Athens and Skiathos but unfotunately there is only one flight per day and airplanes have approximately 40 seats capacity which means that everything is fully booked two months in advance.
You can also reach Skiathos by bus and ferry. You can take the suburban bus KTEL from the Athens central bus station under the name "KTEL Liosion", which can easily be reached as I mention in aprevious answer of mine, and head to Volos or Agios Constantinos. Both cities have ports from where ferries to Skiathos depart daily and with more than 3 itineraries per day and no availability problems in general.
I hope this has worked for you!

-Stavros

How to reach Milina from Piraeus Port

The Question:

We need to get to Milina from Pireaus, whats the best way?
Thanks


The Answer:

First of all I would like to know if you are referring to Milina, a small village near the city of Volos or to the port of the island Lemnos, which is called "Myrina".
In the first case, Milina can be reached obly by bus or by car. From the port of Piraeus you need to reach the "Liosion Bus Station" and from there take a bus to Volos and then to Milina village.
If the case is the island of Lemnos, then you need to take the ferry of the ferry company NEL lines from Piraeus port. The ferry doesn’t have daily scheduled itineraries and the majority of them begin from July. For example on the 18th of July the ferry departs fro Piraeus port at 17.00 and arrives in Lemnos at 13.30 the next day. Otherwise you can fly to Mytilene and take the ferry from there.

Hope this has been useful to you!

-Stavros

Taking the bus from Piraeus port to Athens airport

The Question:

Please could you advise how long the bus trip is from Pireaus port to Athens Airport and what the journey time is.
Thank you!

The Answer:

Thank you for sending me questions!
The bus from the port of Piraeus to Athens International airport is the X96 and it takes approximately 50 minutes or even an hour in case there is heavy traffic.
Feel free to e-mail or contact me in case you need any further information!

-Stavros