We have a cruise booked next year, and are planning on arriving to Athens around 5:00 PM. Knowing how far the port is from the airport, and knowing that we have plenty of time the day of the cruise to get to the port, I'm curious on people's opinion of staying by the airport or the port the night we arrive. I'm not sure of the quality of hotels in either location (we prefer to not spend as much on a hotel for a single night) or if there are reliable transfers from the airport to the port for cruisers. I'm sure there are pros and cons, just not sure if I'm thinking this through correctly. Thanks in advance for any insight you may have!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5596 posts
Not sure if your flights are booked , but based on my experience, I'd come in a day earlier. Since COVID, flight cancelations, delays, rescheduling, and labor strikes seem to have increased.
Good luck and safe travels!
Posted by
Atlanta
5194 posts
...come in a day earlier...flight cancelations, delays, rescheduling, and labor strikes...
Very good advice. Remember Murphy's Law -- If it can go wrong......
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8876 posts
If you were to arrive 24 hours later, would you miss your cruise? I recently had a flight cancelled and they rescheduled me for the next day at the same time. Fortunately, I was on the way home so it worked out.
If you can't reschedule, make sure you know alternatives that would work if something does happen.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5596 posts
Carol, we also had the same experience- our flight was canceled at 10:00pm, and the airlines rebooked us on a flight 20 hours later. Thankfully we were traveling on our own, no tour to meet.
Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Wisconsin
19 posts
All valid points. I honestly didn't consider arriving a day before the day before. But considering the frequency of flights, I can see why that would be a little extra security. I have the option to change my flight and pay the fare difference. However, I booked on Tuesday when flights from Chicago actually dipped below $1000 and the same flight instantly rocketed up to $1800 the next.
I think I will set a price alert for another Delta/KLM flight leaving the day before and just watch prices. Concurrently, I'm going to do some research to see what the other flights out of Chicago would be the same day as a back up. We have a scheduled connection in Amsterdam. I feel that if the Chicago to Amsterdam leg doesn't change, I would have some more options once I'm in Amsterdam.
Either way you have given me something to think about and some homework. Thank you!
Posted by
Government Camp, OR, USA
20 posts
There aren't a lot of hotels close to the airport, oddly. And the airport is a long ways from Athens and Piraeus. I think I'd make my way directly to the port and have a leisurely day boarding your cruise. I think you'd save money, too, by just going straight to the port from your airport arrival instead of taking a taxi to a hotel not on or near the airport property and then taking another one again the next day to the port.
We just had a group there last month, and had to spend a night near (sort of) the airport, as we arrived at 11 pm, and had to pick up a rental car the next day. We found a very basic but clean place to stay that had free airport shuttle service. The free shuttle made the difference for us, and might for you. It was "Apartments Tina" in Spata (neighborhood of airport), through Booking.com. Don't expect a lot, "basic" was probably being kind, therefore a low price. Breakfast and shuttle made it work for us.
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
979 posts
When I took a cruise from Piraeus I spent a couple of nights in Athens first at a cheap and cheerful hotel in the Plaka area. I arranged a transfer through Welcome Pick-Ups from the airport to the hotel and later from the hotel to the port. A bit more expensive than a taxi but excellent service. In the past I have used the train from the airport to Athens but after a long flight from the west coast I like the luxury of being driven door to door especially with luggage.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
Book "Welcome Pickups" to meet you at the airport and take you into Athens. Have a relaxing night in an inexpensive hotel and have WP collect you the next day to take you to the cruise ship dock. I recommend the Omiros Hotel. They have an excellent breakfast buffet included in the room price and there are some restaurants very close for dinner.