Cruise port Spetses

Spetses, a charming, largely car-free island in the Saronic Gulf, is easily accessible for cruise guests from the DACH region via the Greek mainland and subsequent ferry connections. Arrival requires careful planning of transfers, as private cars are not permitted on the island itself. Arrival usually takes place at Dapia Port, the new port of Spetses, which is located directly in the island's capital.

Airplane

The nearest airport is Athens International Airport (ATH), which is served by direct flights from numerous cities in the DACH region. From Athens Airport, you can easily reach the Port of Piraeus, the main departure point for ferries to Spetses. A journey on the Metro (Line 3, Blue Line) takes you directly to the Port of Piraeus in about 60 minutes, with a single ticket costing around 10 Euro. Alternatively, the Airport Express Bus X96 is available around the clock and reaches the port in about 90 minutes for approximately 5.50 Euro. Taxis offer a faster option with a travel time of 40 to 60 minutes and fixed rates of about 58 Euro during the day and 75 Euro at night.

Ferry Connection

High-speed ferries (Flying Dolphins and Flying Cats) operated by companies such as Alpha Lines, Blue Star Ferries, and Magic Sea Ferries run from the Port of Piraeus (Gate E8) to Spetses. The crossing takes between 1 hour 35 minutes and 3 hours 45 minutes, depending on the ferry company and route, with ticket prices starting at around 50 Euro. It is important to note that these ferries do not transport vehicles, as Spetses is a car-free island. A faster but more indirect option is to drive to the Peloponnese, for example to Porto Heli or Kosta (approx. 2.5 to 3 hours driving time from Athens). From Porto Heli, the ferry crossing to Spetses takes only 10 to 15 minutes and costs about 10 Euro. From Kosta, you can reach Spetses in just 2 to 5 minutes by water taxi or 15 minutes by local ferry.

Arrival the Day Before & Parking Options

Due to the required ferry connection and the potentially long journey by plane, we recommend arriving at least one day before embarkation. This allows for a relaxed start and avoids stress caused by possible flight or ferry delays. For travelers driving to the mainland ports, the Port of Piraeus offers an underground parking garage (PPA Underground Parking Lot) near Gates E7 and E8 with capacity for up to 700 vehicles and costs of approx. 15 Euro per 24 hours. There are also private parking providers with shuttle services to the port. At Peloponnese ports such as Metochi, guarded parking spaces are available for about 7 Euro per calendar day. In Porto Heli, free parking is available around the harbor, and the Marina Portoheli offers a parking lot for up to 60 cars.

Check-in & Embarkation

Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.

The same applies during the journey: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.