Major city · Greece
Rafina
Spend a night in Rafina if you need a ferry to the Cyclades or Crete after a late flight; otherwise skip and stay in Athens.
Rafina is a small port town east of Athens, best used as an overnight stop for ferry connections to the Cyclades and Crete. One night is enough to catch a morning ferry; otherwise a day visit is enough for the municipal pool and waterfront cafés.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowded ferries)
- Airport
- ATH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Rafina100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rafina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Greece-wide
- SIM or eSIMCosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.Greece-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland.Greece-wide
- TippingTaverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.Greece-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Greece-wide
- SafetyRafina is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings in crowded ferry areas and stay hydrated in summer heat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés (buy something), museums and sites.Greece-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 166 ambulance · 199 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysArchaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 08:00–15:00 or 17:00) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Archaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 8:00 AM–3:00 PM or 5:00 PM) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Greece-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportATH Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos).
- Getting aroundWalk the compact town centre; local buses connect the port, square and airport shuttle stop.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ATH Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Dec (7 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rafina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the compact town centre; local buses connect the port, square and airport shuttle stop. Taxis are available but cost about €30 from the airport.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Athens city centre
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Taxi or regional bus from Rafina (≈30 min)
Visit the Acropolis or Plaka; return by bus or taxi.
Marathon
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Regional bus to Marathon (≈45 min) then walk
Ancient battlefield and museum; good for a half‑day.
Lavrio port
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Local bus from Rafina (≈20 min)
Ferry hub for Cyclades; useful if catching a later ferry.
Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus to Athens then express bus to Sounion (≈1 h 30 min total)
Scenic but long for a half‑day; consider if time permits.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Avra Rafina
3‑star, sea‑view rooms, 24 h airport shuttle, from €65
Corali
2‑star, central square, from €60
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–60 (≈ US$55–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–85 (≈ US$70–100) excl. bed
- High
- €85 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Fish tavern meal | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Coffee | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Taxi from airport | ≈ €30 |
| Bus ticket (airport‑Rafina) | €3 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi fares from the airport are €30 (≈ US$35) daytime; confirm price before boarding.
- Bus to Rafina runs every 1–2 h from the airport, but not on Saturdays and Sundays for some services – check the schedule.
- Summer heat can make walking uncomfortable; carry water.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 166
- Fire
- 199
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RafinaRafina
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Παρακαλώ, στο παρακάτω σημείοTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Ambulance166
- Fire199
Embassy
US consulate in Athens; other embassies in Athens.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → Rafina (taxi): ≈ €30, 40 min (check traffic)
- Airport → Rafina (bus): €3 (≈ US$4), 1.5 h, departures every 1–2 h (check schedule)
Say or show
- Συγγνώμη — Excuse me / Sorry (see-ŋ-ˈno-mee)
- Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (ef-ha-ree-STO)
- Πόσο κοστίζει; — How much is it? (PO-so ko-STEE-zee)
- Πού είναι η στάση του λεωφορείου; — Where is the bus stop? (POU EE-neh ee STAH-see too le‑o‑fo‑RE‑ou)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rafina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowded ferries) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Rafina
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rafina, revision 5216411 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Rafina
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