Piraeus Port luggage storage

About Piraeus Port

Greece will forever be associated with the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The ancient Hellenic seafarers were some of the first humans to expand their horizons by fearlessly setting sail. There is plenty to do on the mainland, namely the massive UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Greek Capital of Athens. But hundreds of Greek islands still beckon most travelers. 

Taking cruises and ferries around the Greek islands is one of the most popular honeymooning activities, and there are some of the buzziest clubbing destinations on the planet dotting the Aegean Sea as well. Even families will embark on a trip to explore the natural beauty of the islands. Nearly all of these travelers will board their boats at Piraeus Port, situated just south of Athens. 

Piraeus is part suburb, part port city, and part beach destination all rolled into one. It has the wonderful and breezy atmosphere you’d expect of a coastal city, with a bustling district and waterfront with amazing seafood restaurants, luxury boutiques, and everything else you’d want. It’s also home to a few beaches, like Mikrolimano and Votsalakia. It even has a few museums in case you couldn’t get enough history back in Athens.  

But the main reason you’ll be visiting is to board a cruiseliner or ferry and to do that you’ll need to travel through the Port of Piraeus, which is Greece’s largest and one of the busiest in Europe. Here’s everything you need to know: 

Is there a place to store luggage at Piraeus Port?

Piraeus Port luggage storage facilities consist of limited lockers for rent by either the hour or by the day. The luggage storage desk is situated near the main hall, and you can rent a locker either for a few hours or even a few days, as many cruise passengers will store larger items while they sail the Mediterranean. 

How early should I arrive at Piraeus Port?

As is the case with any form of travel, it’s best to err on the side of caution by arriving early. It’s recommended that you arrive at Piraeus Port around 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. This leaves time for loading your bags, checking in, and also some wiggle room in case things don’t go according to plan. The waiting period will hardly be uncomfortable, as there are cafes, restaurants, a bar, and stellar views of the waterfront at the viewing platform. 

Can I store luggage at Athens International Airport?

Athens Airport does offer luggage storage options onsite. At the arrivals terminal, there will be a help desk and locker area near the lost & found; simply follow the signs. They can accept most sizes, including specialty items like sporting goods. They charge by the hour or day as they can accept items overnight. The only downside is that customer service might be limited, especially for those who don’t speak Greek.

Where should I store my luggage when traveling in Europe?

While there are transit facilities and attractions with storage lockers in most European cities, the best options are luggage storage services like Bounce. Unlike luggage lockers, you’ll be able to find secure luggage storage locations nearby with Bounce’s website or mobile app. You’ll be able to use the handy search function and can even book luggage storage online. With BounceShield Protection and strict quality guidelines for our facilities, you can rest easy knowing that a luggage storage service like Bounce is taking care of the bags. 

Things to do near Piraeus Port

Enjoy Pasalimani’s Waterfront 

If you only have an hour or so before your cruise, take a quick walk to the Marina Zeas to enjoy the wonderful Piraeus waterfront. Running parallel to the water, Themistokleous Street is lined with cafés, seafood restaurants, and charming little shops to explore. You can also simply walk around to admire the hundreds of luxury yachts docked in the harbor along with fishing and sailing boats motoring by. 

Check out The Hellenic Maritime Museum 

If you know nothing about Greek history or haven’t noticed the massive boats docked at the port you’re visiting, Greece has a storied seafaring heritage. You can learn the full story at the Hellenic Maritime Museum, fittingly located steps away from Zea Harbour. You’ll find hundreds of artifacts dating back thousands of years to the earliest years of Greek navigation. There are antique maps, books, flags, and other rare items. The museum is also a great place to bring the kids, as there are larger artifacts like the fin of a submarine and the propeller of a ship that will capture their imagination.  

Shop around a bit

Being a luxury travel destination (at least for a short while before the cruise ships leave), Piraeus has become quite the retail hotspot. It helps that the lovely coastal town is one of the more affluent suburbs of Athens. You'll find plenty of luxury boutiques, unique Greek stores, and designer outlets on pedestrianized streets like Vasileos Georgiou A Avenue, Grigoriou Lambraki Avenue, and Pasalimani are all lined with shops and cafés. For something a little more relaxed, head to Iroon Polytechniou Avenue and Sotirios Dios Street, which are also popular with locals. These stores are especially useful in case you forgot to pack something for your cruise.

Hagia Triada Cathedral

If you have a few hours before your cruise ship departs, taking a stroll through the historic Port of Piraeus offers a wonderful experience most international travelers never get to. The key landmark here is the wonderful Greek Orthodox church, Hagia Triada. Though it dates back to the early 18th century, it was restored a few decades ago to showcase its marvelous Byzantine architecture. The intricate details of its facade and interior are only overshadowed by the impressive size of this cathedral, as it holds over 3,000 people. The most noticeable feature is its glorious dome boasting 40 large stained glass windows and eight massive arches.  

Airport travel from Piraeus Port

There are a few ways to get to Port Piraeus from Athens International Airport, but the most common route is the metro. You can take the rapid transit line from the airport to Syntagma Square, and then take the connection through Metro Line 3 to Piraeus Train Station, which is situated just outside the port. The trip only takes about an hour and costs $10.  You can also take the X96 Express Bus directly to Piraeus Port from the Airport, but this takes between 90 minutes and a few hours because of traffic. It only costs $7, but the small savings might not be worth the extra time when compared to the metro. 

Easily the fastest way to get there, many travelers will spend $90 - $100 on a taxi just to make things easier. Because you’ll end up paying for parking at the port, renting a car won’t really make sense. 

Getting around the city from Piraeus Port

How to get to The Acropolis from Piraeus Port

If you’re back from a cruise and want to hit Greece’s most iconic landmark, you’re less than an hour away. You can take Metro Line 1 from Piraeus Station to Monastiraki Station, transfer to Metro Line 3 (Blue Line), and get off at the Acropolis Station. The trip takes a little over half an hour and costs less than $10. In a way, you can include a stop at the Acropolis when heading to Piraeus from Athens Airport as it’s on the same route. 

How to get to Piraeus Port from Athens Railway Station (Larissa)

Piraeus Port is a common destination from Athens city center, and easily the top way to get here is the Metro Line 2 (or the Red Line) to Omonia Station before transferring to Metro Line 1 (Green Line) towards Piraeus. It only takes about 30-40 minutes and costs less than $10. Taxis are another option, and easily the quickest. If you want to splurge on a $50 cab ride or Uber, you can get there door-to-door in as little as 29 minutes. 

Luggage storage near Piraeus Port

Whether you’re simply taking a day trip to Piraeus from Athens or embarking on a cruise through the Mediterranean, you’ll want your trip to be as simple and carefree as possible. Worrying about your luggage the whole time simply won’t do, so look into a secure place to stash the bags while you poke around the ports of Mykonos or Piraeus. Bounce has the most convenient luggage storage locations in Greece and other countries in Europe, not to mention a full suite of useful functions that’ll only make your trip more enjoyable. So if you’re going to use a luggage storage service, you know who to trust!