My husband and I are flying to Athens in late August arriving at 4:30pm. We are boarding our Viking cruise the following day. By the time we collect our luggage and go through customs, it will be cose to 6:00pm. Any reccomendations for a nice hotel after a long day of travel? Should we stay near the airport or in Piraeus or somewhere else? I am trying to minimize any hassles. Any suggestions would be helpful!
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA
700 posts
There is another port in Rafina. Make sure it's not that one. We arrived there by ferry, then took a bus 30 minutes then subway. Piraeus is closer and there is a subway station very near to it. We stayed near Omonia Square a month or so ago, and found it a good location, just steps from the subway station. There is also a subway route from the airport into the city center (although its the most expensive subway I ever experienced in EU ... I think 9 eu each). Fro the airport, there was one transfer to another train to Omonia 2 stops away. And we walked from there to acropolis about 25 minutes away.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7937 posts
We used Peri’s Hotel back in 2018. It was relatively close to the airport, and while they don’t have a restaurant, after we arrived at night after long flights, they placed our order for dinner from a restaurant down the road, and it was delivered so we could enjoy it in our room.
The next morning, the proprietor drove us to Piraeus for our boat.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
For your purposes, "to minimize any hassles," the Sofitel right at the airport might be the right choice. It's expensive but very convenient if all you want to do is eat and crash after a long travel day. If you're up for a little sightseeing in Athens that night, you might want a hotel near the Acropolis or Syntagma Square. We liked the Herodion, just south of the Acropolis, but there are many others.
Presumably your ship doesn't sail from Piraeus until the following midday or afternoon, so there's no point getting there the night before. Depending on how long you sleep and when the ship sails, you might have time for a little Athens sightseeing on your way to the port. But hopefully you've already been there, or plan to spend some time there after the cruise.
Posted by
France Southwest
2318 posts
No need to stay near the airport where there is nothing to do or see (and the Sofitel is extremely expensive).
Above all, do not go to this hotel or to the Peris hotel (located at the port of Rafina which is not the cruise port)
Book a room in Athens in the Plaka district, so you can take advantage of your evening in Athens and head to Piraeus the next day to catch your cruise. There are plenty of hotels of all categories in Plaka, I'm sure forum regulars will give you some good addresses. From the airport you can take a taxi to Athens. it is a fixed price of 40 euros. (take only yellow official taxis at the airport rank). You can also book a taxi in advance, for example with welcomepickups. The driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the baggage carousels with a sign showing your name (and the drivers speak English).
You can also take the metro from the airport to Athens (9 euros) but this hotel must be located near a metro station to avoid walking.
The next day take a taxi (you can ask your hotel to book one). Specify that you are going to the CRUISE port which is not the same as the ferry port.
Posted by
585 posts
If you stay in Athens, and the Herodian is a good choice, it is well worth getting a cab or a car/driver came to pick you up and take you to the port. I used Welcome Pick-ups and they drove me from the hotel right to the terminal the ship left from. The driver was also very helpful when the handle on my suitcase broke loading it into the cab, and he helped me buy a cheap replacement (which is still going strong!). I also had them pick me up at the airport on arrival, their charges are on a par with taxis and you can book on line before you go.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you everyone for your suggestins. I appreciate all te help!