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How to get from Aegina to Athens
Aegina is an island, so the trip to Athens starts with a ferry to the port of Piraeus: about 40 minutes by fast boat or about 1 h 15 by conventional ferry. From Piraeus the metro reaches central Athens in about 25 minutes, so the whole journey takes roughly 1 h 15 to 2 h.
Best option: Ferry. Ferries to Piraeus are the only practical link and run many times a day, with cheap conventional boats and quicker fast boats.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ferry Conventional ferries or fast boats from Aegina town to Piraeus (several ferry companies) | about 40 min (fast) to 1 h 15 (conventional) | many departures a day in summer, fewer in winter | about €10–13 conventional, about €16–20 fast boat | Conventional ferries carry cars; fast boats are passenger-only. Check current timetables, especially out of season and in strong winds. |
| metro From Piraeus port, metro line 1 (green) to Monastiraki or Omonia, or line 3 (blue) towards Syntagma | about 25 min | every few minutes | about €1.20–2 | The metro station is opposite the main ferry gates; Aegina boats usually berth near it. |
| taxi Taxi from Piraeus port to central Athens | about 25–40 min | on demand | about €20–30 | Useful with heavy luggage or late at night. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Buy the ferry ticket at the port or online; in July–August buy the evening return in advance.
- Fast boats are cancelled in strong winds more often than conventional ferries.
- Line 3 trains from Piraeus also go on to Athens airport, but the airport section needs a pricier ticket.
- Allow 20 minutes at Piraeus to walk to the metro if your boat docks at a far gate.
Common questions
Can I visit Athens as a day trip from Aegina?
Yes. Boats leave Aegina for Piraeus from early morning, and the crossing takes 40 minutes to 1 h 15. Add 25 minutes on the metro and you can be at the Acropolis by mid-morning, returning on an evening boat. In winter departures are fewer, so check the last boat back.
What is the cheapest way from Aegina to Athens?
A conventional ferry to Piraeus, at about €10–13, followed by the metro into the centre for about €1.20–2. The fast boats are quicker but cost more. There is no road or rail link, so a ferry is always part of the trip.
Do I need to book the ferry ahead?
Outside July and August you can usually buy at the port shortly before departure. In peak summer, especially on Sunday evenings when Athenians return from the island, boats fill up, so book the return online. Taking a car on the ferry also needs more planning in summer.
How do I get from Piraeus to the Acropolis?
Take metro line 1 (green) from Piraeus station, opposite the port, to Monastiraki, about 20–25 minutes, then walk uphill about 15 minutes to the Acropolis entrance. Alternatively change to line 2 at Omonia for Akropoli station. A taxi takes about 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.