Athens - with or without cruise excursion
 

RCI cruise ship offers an excursion for $82 which includes the Acropolis and 3 hours in the pedestrian zone. I know the entrance fee is 12 Euro. Is $70 a fair price for transport to and from the ship. Should I take the shuttle and do Athens on my own? What is the cost of the Shuttle? They also have an excursion "Athens on your Own" which drop you off for 5 hours in the city for $60. Seems too many $$$ We have taken excursion from ships before and felt that we paid way too much. Confused!!

cim, so far, here is what we plan to do in Oct. Depart ship and take shuttle to terminal, if shuttle not offered by cruise line, walk. I understand it is a 10-15 min walk to the cruise terminal. At the cruise terminal catch bus # 843 from terminal to the Metro. Take the Green Line to Omonia station and transfer there to the Red Line. Travel on Red Line to Akropolis. Fare is one Euro. When you get off the metro visit Hadians Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zesu. 12 euro combo ticket includes Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaia and Odeion of Herodes Atticus and the Theater of Dionysus.

I got this info from cruisemom. Lots of info on Crusecritic.com

Frommer's book 'Athens Past and Present' was recommended.

Also, we were in Athens a few years ago and walked to the Plaka area from the Acropolis for some lunch and some shopping. Enjoyed the shops and narrow streets and some great spinich pie!

Just so you're clear, there is no "shuttle" from where the cruise ships dock in Piraeus to Athens. You'll need to take a taxi, a bus, the metro, or a combination. In my experience Athens cabdrivers are among the worst anywhere in Europe. As cd says, you'll get a lot more information on cruisecritic.com.

Another consideration is your age and fitness level. Getting to Athens can be strenuous and you don't want to be exhausted when you get there. If I did this cruise again I would pay the $82.

I was on an RCI cruise to Athens in Oct. 2008. We took a cab to the Acropolis (metro was on strike until 12Noon). Shared cab with another couple. Actually there were several couples from the ship that went with us. We hired a guide at the Acropolis. We got there before all the guided tours from the ship, so there was not as many people. We visited several areas in Athens via local bus and walking. Even had time to visit the Archaeological Museum and have lunch at a wonderful cafe with a view of the Acropolis. We took the meto back to the pier area. We had done our research via cruise critic and knew which metro line, buses, etc. When we were unsure, locals were very helpful. It is about a 20-30 minute walk from the ship to the metro station at the wharf area. Give yourself enough time on the way back.

Here is a great way to get an overview of the Acropolis and Plaka area. http://www.sunshine-express.gr/Welcome_Page.htm

We took this first and then walked back to the Acropolis. It is also a great way to save your feet - its a long climb up to the Acropolis!!

Thanks everyone for your help.

You can certainly get to the Acropolis and back and visit the site and the museum for less than $70 per person. Be sure to visit the new museum, which is right at the exit for the Metro. But be aware that you have to do a LOT of climbing to reach the top from the Metro station. If you aren't up to that, it might not be the best option. You could take a taxi (shared preferably to save) to another entrance closer to the steps and then walk down, visit the museum, and take the Metro back to Piraeus.

After getting off the Metro, how far to the entrance of the Acropolis and is it all uphill before even getting to the steps of the Acropolis? If taking a taxi, what entrance should we tell him to take us to?

If you enter by the Theater of Dionysis, which is the closest entrance from the Metro station, it's a long climb straight up the hill to the top. If you go to the bus entrance, which is around the hill on the west side, you must still climb a flight of steep stone stairs, but it's significantly less than the climb up from the theater, which is the way I first approached the hill. It's possible to walk on around past the contemporary theater and climb up the stairs at the main entrance rather than going straight up the side, but you are still going to be doing an uphill walk (but it's much less strenuous than the steeper climb directly up the south side of the hill).

Thanks Doug. The last time we were there we were on a bus tour so I guess that was the west side. You have convinced me that I do not want to do the Metro. We will take a taxi from port to the west side.

How do you choose a taxi from the cruise port? DH said he read some are not certified.

We used Athens Taxi http://www.athenstaxi.org/. There were 4 of us so we split the cost. You should check with cruise critic roll call to see if anyone else wants to share the taxi with you. He was very reliable - waiting at the dock with our name etc. I also think you may meet someone on board who would like to share the taxi with you. Just email him (Paul) his son also works with him - very very nice people and get a quote.

Thanks traveller, the more recommendations, the better! I had already emailed him after getting recommendations from Cruisecritic He emailed me his price and itinerary. Sounds good but he is more expensive than the Ship's tour of 70.00. Paul charges 200 euros and that does not include entrance fees. We are traveling with another couple but it is still more than the ship....so....we are wondering if a private hire is better then either the ship or just grabbing a taxi to take us to the Acropolis. Please share what made him the best choice. Thanks again.

Well, although uphill, the walk from the Metro around to the west side didn't seem all that bad to me. But I think it's worth the extra cost to do a taxi one way (but not both). I don't think you need or should pay for a private tour guide.

I would highly recommend Paul's Taxi. I have used Paul twice while in Athens and have recommended him to many others. He is very honest, reliable and will show you Athens.

I would also suggest that you go to CruiseCritic.com website and look for your roll call for the cruise you will be on. You may see someone looking to share a ride from the port. If you don't see anyone looking to share a ride, you can post and see who responds.

Only licensed guides can give you a tour of the Acropolis. You would have to pay an extra fee (above the E12.00 admission to Acropolis) for a 2 hr. tour of the Acropolis.

You could take the metro from the port and then do your own touring. Athens is very easy to navigate and the Plaka area is pedestrian only.

Good luck. You will love Athens.

CD - At today's rate for the euro the cost would be approx $67.50 pp if there are four of you. With Paul you would be more comfortable and of course he is more flexible than the tour bus from the ship. He gave us lots of info and a bit more scenic route to the Acropolis. He would certainly let you off at the best spot etc. I would definitely go with him and if you are concerned about the euro being more expensive in the fall buy some now. You would have a much better time and be far more comfortable.

Thanks Doug and traveller....decisions, decisions, decisions..

cim, hopefully this discussion has also helped you. Thanks for starting the thread.

Thanks all for your reply, very helpful