Rafina vs Piraeus at a glance
Both are the main passenger ports of Athens. Rafina is the smaller, eastern port — closest to the airport and the gateway to the northern Cyclades. Piraeus is the huge main port to the south-west, with the widest network of any Greek port.
- From Athens Airport: Rafina ~25 km / 20–30 min · Piraeus ~50 km / 45–75 min in traffic.
- From central Athens: Piraeus is on Metro Line 1 (direct) · Rafina is by KTEL bus or taxi.
- Rafina serves: Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, plus seasonal high-speed to Paros, Naxos, Santorini & Ios, and Marmari on Evia.
- Piraeus serves: almost everywhere — all Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, the Saronic islands and the most frequent sailings.
Quick facts
- Rafina from airport
- ~25 km · 20–30 min
- Piraeus from airport
- ~50 km · 45–75 min
- Rafina best for
- Andros, Tinos, Mykonos
- Piraeus best for
- Santorini, Crete, most islands
- Time saved via Rafina
- ~1 hour from the airport
When should you choose each port?
The decision comes down to where you're starting and which island you're heading to.
Choose Rafina if…
- You're coming straight from Athens Airport.
- You're going to Andros, Tinos or Mykonos.
- You want to avoid Athens traffic and save ~1 hour.
- You'd like a swim or a fresh-fish lunch before you sail.
Choose Piraeus if…
- You're already in central Athens (Metro Line 1).
- You're going to Santorini, Crete, Milos or the Saronic islands.
- You want the most sailings and the widest choice of operators.
Tip from a local: some islands (Paros, Naxos, even Mykonos) are served from both ports. If you're landing at the airport, check Rafina first — the shorter transfer and lighter traffic usually win.
Rafina vs Piraeus FAQ
Quick answers to the questions travellers ask most.
Is Rafina closer to Athens Airport than Piraeus?
Yes. Rafina is about 25 km from Athens International Airport — roughly 20–30 minutes by road — while Piraeus is about 50 km and 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. From the airport, Rafina saves around an hour.
Which islands go from Rafina and which from Piraeus?
Rafina is the main gateway to the northern Cyclades — Andros, Tinos and Mykonos — plus seasonal high-speed sailings to Paros, Naxos, Santorini and Ios, and the short hop to Marmari on Evia. Piraeus serves almost everything else, including Crete, the Saronic islands, the Dodecanese and the most frequent sailings to Santorini.
Can I get to Mykonos from both ports?
Yes — Mykonos is served from both Rafina and Piraeus. If you're flying into Athens, Rafina is usually faster overall thanks to the shorter, lower-traffic transfer from the airport.
How do I get from the airport to Rafina port?
By taxi or a private transfer it's about 20–30 minutes (fixed transfers from €45). There's also a direct KTEL bus from Athens Airport to Rafina port for a fixed €4.00. See our transfers guide for all the options.