Car hire Piraeus

Introduction

Already in ancient times Piraeus was an important port city, where the Greek navy was based. Piraeus never gave up that port function; it's still the port of Athens, the capital of Greece.

Population

Approximately 175,000 people live in the city itself, but Piraeus lies in a metropolitan area with a population of half a million people.

Location

Piraeus is located 12 kilometers southwest of Athens, on the Saronic Gulf (in Greek: Saronikós kólpos), part of the Aegean Sea. The suburbs of Athens start east and northeast of the city.

Economy

Piraeus' port is the main port of Greece and the largest passenger's port of Europe. Annually, about 20 million people travel from the port to one of the Greek islands, Cyprus, or destinations in the Middle East. It's also the largest transshipment port in the eastern Mediterranean.

Airports

The nearest airport is Athens International Airport, in a direct line about 30 kilometers east of Piraeus, but by road the distance amounts to 40 to 50 kilometers (depending on the route). The longest, but often also fastest route, runs via the E75 and Attiki Odos.

Public Transport

Piraeus is connected with the Greek capital's subway system. Subway line 1 connects the center of Athens with the ferry port. Most ferry bridges are at walking distance from the subway station and free shuttle buses run to ferries further out. Buses also run between the port of Piraeus and Athens, Athens International Airport, and other places on southern Greek coast.

Traffic and Parking

The port of Piraeus is busy and chaotic. Think of the traffic in the center of the Greek capital, but then even worse. Cars, taxis and trucks often run crisscross around the port. You'll have no trouble parking your rental car: there are large parking lots near the port. Don't leave any valuables in your car, not even in the trunk. Attention: the official spelling of Piraeus has recently been changed to Pireas and this is how the city is currently signposted.

Hotels

Piraeus doesn't offer a lot of accommodations, because most people don't stay in the city but immediately take the ferry. There are some basic guesthouses and hotels near the bus station, not far from the ferry port.

External Sources

For more information about Piraeus, we recommend Google and the following sources:

• Wikipedia, Piraeus
• Official website Piraeus
• Tourist Information Piraeus