Athens: Full-Day Cruise & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus 4 Lines

Two Days in Athens Without Planning Routes or Ferries

You board a traditional wooden boat in Piraeus for a full day cruising to Aegina and Agistri islands with lunch and drinks included, then use your 2-day bus pass to hop on and off across four lines covering central Athens, the port, and the southern beaches whenever you choose. The fixed boat day plus flexible bus days mean you see the major sights without renting a car or buying separate tickets, and you're back in the city by evening ready to explore on your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day cruise to Aegina and Agistri

• Meet at chosen central point
• Transfer to Marina Zeas in Piraeus
• Board boat at 8:45 am
• Enjoy coffee, juice, and pastries onboard
• Relax and sunbathe on boat
• Stop at Agistri Island for swimming and strolling
• Visit Moni Island nature park
• Have lunch with drinks on Moni Island
• Relax, swim, snorkel at Moni Island
• Explore Aegina Island independently
• Depart Aegina at 5:00 pm
• Return to Marina Zeas around 7:00 pm
• Transfer back to original meeting point

Day 2 — Hop-on hop-off bus tour in Athens

• Use 2-day hop-on hop-off blue bus ticket
• Explore Athens major sights and monuments
• Visit Acropolis and Parthenon
• Stop at Acropolis Museum
• See Syntagma Square and Greek Parliament
• Visit Benaki Museum and Panathenaic Stadium
• Explore National Archaeological Museum
• Visit Omonoia Square and Central Market

Day 3 — Additional hop-on hop-off bus day

• Continue hop-on hop-off bus tour
• Use all 4 bus lines: Athens, Piraeus, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni
• Visit Piraeus Cruise Terminal and Planitarium
• Explore Beach line stops including Glyfada and Vouliagmeni
• Enjoy Lake Vouliagmeni area

The Experience

The guy at the ticket window in Piraeus asked where we were headed first — the boat or the bus — and when I hesitated, he just laughed and said most people do the cruise on day one, then use the bus whenever they want after that. That flexibility is the whole point of this combo. You get one full day on a traditional wooden boat heading out to Aegina and Agistri islands in the Saronic Gulf, with lunch and drinks included, and then 2 days of hop-on hop-off bus access across all four lines: the orange line through central Athens hitting the Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum, the blue line down to Piraeus and the cruise terminal, and the yellow and green lines out to the beach towns of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni. The boat leaves early and you're back by evening, so you can start exploring by bus the same day if you want, or save it for later.

What actually saves time is not having to figure out which metro line goes where or whether you should walk from Syntagma Square to the Acropolis Museum. The buses stop at nine major spots on the orange line alone — Plaka, the Acropolis, the Parliament building, the Panathenaic Stadium — and you just get off when something catches you. The commentary comes through in 16 languages on free earphones, so you're not standing there guessing what you're looking at. On the boat, the crew speaks English and the stops at both islands let you swim or just sit on the deck with a coffee and watch the water. Lunch and drinks are included, which means you're not hunting for a taverna in Aegina at noon when you're hungry and the ferries are packed.

The timing works because you pick which day you want the cruise when you book, and then you can use the bus pass on any other two days — so if the weather turns or you change your mind about where to go, you're not locked in. Both the boat and the buses have WiFi, and you can use your phone ticket or print it out. The multilingual staff at the bus stops help if you're not sure which line goes to Lake Vouliagmeni or how long the ride takes to the Olympic Stadium.

What’s included

• One full-day cruise on a traditional wooden boat to Aegina and Agistri islands with lunch, drinks, and coffee included.
• shore stops for swimming and sunbathing at both islands.
• 2-day hop-on hop-off bus pass covering all four lines (Athens, Piraeus, Glyfada & Vouliagmeni) with 16-language commentary and free earphones.
• WiFi on both the boat and buses.
• English-speaking boat crew and multilingual staff at bus stops.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Open Top Bus hellas M.E.P.E.

Is this one for you?Best if you want to see Athens's main sights and take a full-day island cruise without arranging separate ferries, bus routes, or buying multiple tickets — the combo price and flexible bus days let you split your time between water and city without a fixed itinerary.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What islands does the cruise visit?

Aegina and Agistri in the Saronic Gulf. The boat makes shore stops at both islands where you can swim and sunbathe.

How many days can I use the hop-on hop-off bus pass?

Two days total. One day is included in the ticket, and you get one additional day free. You choose which days to use the bus after you book your preferred cruise day.

What's included on the boat?

Lunch, drinks, and coffee. The boat is a traditional wooden vessel with English-speaking crew and WiFi.

Which bus lines are covered?

All four: the orange line through central Athens (Acropolis, museums, Parliament), the blue line to Piraeus, and the yellow and green lines serving Glyfada and Vouliagmeni beaches.

Is commentary available on the buses?

Yes, in 16 languages through free earphones provided on board.

Can I use the bus pass on the same day as the cruise?

Yes. You can do the cruise on your chosen day and start using the bus pass that same evening, or save the bus days for later.

What if I need to reschedule the cruise?

You pick your preferred cruise day when you book. Check the provider's policy on changes, as flexibility depends on availability.

Is the ticket valid as a mobile ticket?

Yes, both mobile and printed versions are accepted.