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Athens, Greece
Shore Excursion and Port Reviews
The Plaka and Acropolis, On Your Own by Train

The Erechtheion. and the Parthenon at Athen's Acropolis

After being cheated by Athen's famous taxi drivers on my last trip to Athens, I decided to find out about the train service and what was available for cruise passengers as an alternative to being ripped off. I was shocked at how easy it was to get to the Plaka and Acropolis via train from Piraeus and thought I would share every detail so you can do the same thing. It is actually the best way to see the Plaka district and the Acropolis, besides being the least expensive. Here is exactly how to do it.

When you disembark the ship you will go through the cruise terminal and be led out the front door where many taxis will be waiting. The taxi drivers will bug you to death. Just ignore them and keep walking right out of the port facility. When you nit the street simply turn left and follow the road around the harbor. It will be about a 20-minute walk to the train station.

Turn Right at this Corner

As you round the harbor, you will come to the area where the ferries dock (there may or may not be ferries in the port at the time. You will come to a large intersection with two roads converging on the road that you are on. Take the road to the immediate right (pictured above). The train station is about four short blocks on the right hand side.

The Piraeus Train Station

You will come to a square and see the train station on the far side of the square. There are a number of doors that you can enter.

Piraeus Train Station Ticket Counter

Look for the main ticket counter (pictured above) and then purchase a round-trip ticket to the Plaka. The entire fare to get there is only 1 euro and 20 cents. Once you have purchased your ticket just go up the steps to the waiting train and find a seat.

The 7th stop that you will make will display this sign. This is where you want to get off the train, as you are right in the heart of the Plaka district. If for any reason there are a different number of stops, just look for this sign.

The Plaka Train Station and the Road to the Acropolis

When you leave the train station, you can look up towards the Acropolis. If you turn to the right and start going up hill (pictured above) it will lead ou to the ticket office so that you can then gain entrance and climb to the Acropolis. Entrance to the Acropolis is current 12 euro. On the way you will pass several sights and ruins worthy of exploration.

The Erechtheion

The Erechtheion

The Backside of the Parthenon

Once you have explored the Acropolis to your satisfaction, you can head back down the hill to the Plaka any number of ways to see more sights. Back at the train station, you are right in the middle of the Plaka. There are restaurants.

Plaka Restaurants by the Train Station

and there is unlimited shopping for everything under the sun.

Typical Plaka Shopping

A Typical Plaka Shopping Street

A Typical Plaka Crowd

You should be very wary in and around the Plaka, as it can get quite crowded and the area is known to have pick pockets that look for tourists. When you are ready to go back to Piraeus and the ship, just return to the train station and go down the right side (opposite side) of the tracks to catch the train to Piraeus (you will see a sign clearly marked "Piraeus" in the station. Again you must validate your return ticket when entering the station.

The sign for the Piraeus Station

Once again, Piraeus will be the seventh (and finl) stop for the train. Look for this sign as confirmation that you are, indeed in the right station.

The Piraeus Train in the Piraeus Train Station