Is the Metro a realistic option for traveling from a hotel in the Plaka neighborhood of Athens to the cruise ship port? Much less expensive than taxi, but with a roll-aboard and a tote bag each, we would stand out as tourists. Is that section of the Metro safe? Once off the Metro at the port, is there a local shuttle to get one a bit closer to their appropriate dock, or does everyone have to go through some central security point anyway? Are taxis permitted closer to the cruise ships thsn where one would exit the Metro...or is it six of one/half dozen of another, so to speak? We normally don't mind walking, but with temps at 100 degrees and luggage in tow.... Advice please.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3143 posts
Plaka to Piraeus on the Metro is safe. The Piraeus Metro Station is about 1/2 mile from the cruise ship docks. Taxis can take you there.
You should be able to get accurate answers/information from your fellow cruisers over on www.cruisecritic.com.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3390 posts
Your taxi from Plaka area to the "regular" docks of Piraeus (gates 5-6-7) should be about 15€ Daytime... you should add another €5 to get you to cruise docks. If you are uncertain about this, ask hotel desk staff... and if you want to be extra sure that a taxi gets the message, have a hotel staffer come out and speak to the Taxi driver in Greek.
If you decide to go on the Metro, yes it's "safe". The only problem has been pickpocketing. However if if you are prudent, you'll be fine. I've been taking that metro for 10 years without incident but then, I'm an ex-New YOrker, used to subways, and some targets are suburbanites dazzled by their first experience on public transport . Keep your daybags inFront of you with hand on zipper. Keep nothing important in pants or jacket pockets. Majority of pickpocket victims are are men who stubbornly believe "nobody can get into my pocket without me knowing". BTW, the pickpocket scene, while still with us, apparently abated quite a bit after Athens police succeeded in rounding up a "ring" of more than 70 people (all but one were Rumanian). Various balkan types have been blamed for this phenom, let's hope this roundup helped.
Posted by
OP
TN, USA
2145 posts
Huge thank for the quick replies. Also thank you for your guidance on appropriate taxi fare.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23562 posts
We have made that run a couple of times - both ways. You will have plenty of company with luggage. The locals use that line to get to the ferry boats in addition to cruise passengers. The metro is a good walk to the cruise ship port but it safe. Use a goggle map to get a visual of the area.
There is a checkin point for your ship. You luggage will be taken, x-rayed and delivered to your cabin with a couple hours of boarding. Your carry on luggage will also be check but it is fairly light. No concerns about liquids, etc. Again, depending on the docked used, after checkin you might be bused to your ship.
Pickpockets are always a potential problem but don't think it is any worse in Athens than any other major European city. Good luck.
Posted by
Lantana, Florida, USA
52 posts
Margaret,
We will probably return to Athens and wondered if you could recommend a nice hotel in the Plaka when you find time. please contact me at [email protected]
Thanks, My experience a the Port was pleasant with not far to walk to our transportation station.
Posted by
OP
TN, USA
2145 posts
The AVA Hotel in the Plaka neighborhood received "just about perfect" reviews from users on the Trip Advisor web site. www.tripadvisor.com
Posted by
Edmonton, AB, Canada
668 posts
Make sure you know where your ship will dock. We did this, but without luggage and from where we were docked it was quite a lengthy walk to the metro. There were berths closer that some other ships were using. No problem on the metro. Get a good map of the Plaka. The streets are narrow, sometimes end in stairs and can be quite confusing to find our way around.