Hotel logistics in Athens for precruise and for Athens exploring

We plan on Viator or Uber from the airport.

Uber drivers are banned in Greece. Only licensed taxi drivers are permitted to practice this profession.
If you use Uber, only an official taxi using the Uber app will come.

You can pre-order a official taxi that will be waiting for you at the airport, for example, with Welcome Pickups.

https://www.welcomepickups.com/athens/

Plan on a hotel near Piraeus cruise port or just stay downtown on the
way in?

There are a few hotels not too far from the cruise port, but none within reasonable walking distance to the port with luggage. Most of the hotels are located at the ferry port, 2 kilometers away. In my opinion, you could just as easily stay in Athens the first night and take a taxi the next day to the cruise port.

Do most Viator and other day trip tours originate from a central
station.

Viator is simply an intermediary headquartered in San Francisco, which only relays locally offered excursions and tours around the world, while charging more. Each local tour or excursion agency has its own departure points, which can vary depending on the day trip destination. You should check locally.

Regarding site visits in Athens, the packages or "passes" for site visits/museums, etc., offered by Viator or any other third-party service are generally pointless and at least 10% more expensive than on official websites.

Thank you for response.
So my impression then is to do central Athens on your own with the RS travel guide Vs a tour?
If so is there a “city ticket” or other that includes admissions to Parthenon, archeological museum, etc?
So we will book hotel in central district from Priceline…..not seeing the guide helps much.
Given we have 1 day coming in and 4 days going out……MUST DO’s?
Assume Delphi, Meteora, phelophenesse?
And 2 days Athens…….
Thanks

Yes, you can use the RS walking tour. If you'd like more, there are also group or private walking tours. Or you can simply use a city map and do your own walking tour. It's up to you.

All the main sites, including the Acropolis, are in the same area, which is largely pedestrianized.

The Parthenon is one of the monuments on the Acropolis Hill. You must therefore purchase a ticket for the Acropolis. It can be purchased in advance on the official website by specifying a date and time slot.

https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/english/tap.exe?PM=P1P&region=000000007

When the hotel has its own website, people book accommodations directly on the hotel's website. If you want to book through Priceline or booking.com, or whatever, it's up to you.

With only 4 days, you can't visit Athens and go to Delphi, to the Meteora, and to the Peloponnese. You would need at least 12 days, provided you optimize the trip as much as possible and rush from one place to another with a rental car.

The closest place is Delphi; you'll need a full day to get there, visit it, and return to Athens.

So you'll have to make choices.

All these generalities are perfectly detailed in any good travel guide. I think you should start by reading one (or two) of them.

No intent to do more than taste of Athens and maybe one (or two) things outside…..as this is on the back end of a 14 day cruise……

So Peloponnese, Corinth is out.
Athens; Agora and Parthenon is in.
Rental car outside of Athens is out.
Possible Viator to Temple of Poseidon 1/2 day in

Decision on Meteora or Delphi for full day. (Via Viator)….unless just insufficient time.

Understand need to get bus/ metro card for 3-4 days.
Viator provides screening of client tour companies…..does the RS guide provide reliable alternatives?

Any thoughts on optimal hotels to usual sites listed on pages 180-188 of RS 2023 Greece guide that you have stayed at for around $200 a night?

THANKS

Only one day to visit Meteora is insane. I wonder how anyone can offer this kind of day trip. Just the bus or car journey is almost an eight-hour drive.
Here's an example:

You have to be at the Athens Central Railway Station by 8:00 a.m. when the bus leaves. You arrive for lunch at a tourist-trap restaurant. You rush to see one or two monasteries and then get back on the bus, which drops you off at the Central Railway Station around 10:30 p.m. From there, you'll have to take a taxi back to your hotel.

Think twice!

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is doable.

But I repeat my question: why go through Viator? You can book excursions directly through local travel agencies. They're the same tours, but cheaper, and you'll be in direct contact with the travel agency.

Example here:

https://www.alternativeathens.com/tours/category/day-trips-from-athens/

Regarding hotels, other forum members can recommend them. I never stay in hotels in Athens.

Good point on Meteora. I wasn’t aware there were 2 day alternatives…….i would rather not drive so it has to be by tour…..I drive in France, Britain, not Greece.

Delphi might be a better choice.

I have been burned by local tour folks, tour companies and Viator does do vetting and responds to complaints.
Now if appears in RS book ….has some vetting.
I will look at Tune in Tours listed on p 43 of RS Greece 2023.

https://visitmeteora.travel/tour/meteora-day-trip-from-athens-by-train/

This is a very reputable company if you want a one day tour to Meteora. I have not done it. We spent two nights there. But we took two tours through the company while visiting,

But Delphi is much closer and more reasonable for a one day tour. I don’t have any recommendations though as we drove to Delphi and spent the night.