Yes, you can explore a cruise port on your own and still be back on board in time. World City Trail games run on your phone in 87 cruise and river-cruise cities: you leave the ship, follow our directions to the start, solve riddles at the main sights in about two to three hours, and finish without waiting for a group or a guide.
How it works on a port day
- Book online before or during the cruise; your booking reference arrives by email straight away and has no time limit.
- Download the World City Trail app, check the port page below for the way from the ship to the start, and set off when you are ashore.
- Solve a riddle at each stop, hear the stories behind it, and keep an eye on the clock: you can stop whenever it is time to head back.
Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean ports
AntalyaPort Akdeniz, 13-15 km west of the old townAbout 25-35 min by shuttle or taxi to Republic SquareFits if you go straight into townAthensPort of Piraeus, Terminal A, B or C15-30 min walk plus about 20-25 min on metro Line 3Easy on a normal port dayBarcelonaMoll Adossat or World Trade Center terminalsT3 Portbus (10 min) plus about 20 min walk up La RamblaEasy on a normal port dayBariBari cruise terminal, inside the city by the old townAbout 30-35 min on foot or 10-15 min by taxi to Piazza Umberto IEasy on a normal port dayCagliariMolo Rinascita, at the edge of the city centrePort shuttle 5-10 min, then uphill walk or taxiEasy on a normal port dayCataniaCatania Cruise Terminal, Molo Sporgente Centrale or Pier 25About 30-35 min on foot or 10 min by taxi to Piazza StesicoroEasy on a normal port dayChaniaSouda Port, Souda Bay, about 7 km east of ChaniaAbout 15-25 min by shuttle or 15 min by taxi into ChaniaEasy on a normal port dayCorfuNew Port (Neo Limani), about 2-3 km from the Old Town10-15 min by bus or taxi, 35-40 min on footEasy on a normal port dayDubrovnikGruž cruise port, about 3 km from Pile GateAbout 10-20 min by bus 1A, 1B or 3 to Pile GateEasy on a normal port dayGenoaPonte dei Mille / Ponte Andrea Doria, about 1 km from the old townAbout 15-20 min on foot to San SiroEasy on a normal port dayIstanbulGalataport, Karaköy (European side)About 15-20 min by T1 tram to SultanahmetFits if you go straight thereKosKos Town harbour pier, by Neratzia Castle, about 200 m from the centreAbout 5-15 min on foot; no transport neededEasy, even on a short port dayMalagaLevante cruise terminals, about 2 km from the centreShuttle to Plaza de la Marina, then about 10 min on footEasy on a normal port dayMarseilleMPCT terminal inside the port, several km north of the Vieux-PortFree shuttle to Joliette (15-20 min), then metro or taxiFits if you go straight thereMonacoCruise pier on the Rainier III breakwater, Port Hercule (or tender)About 15 min up the Rampe Major, or lifts or bus 1/2Easy, even on a half-day callNaplesStazione Marittima, Molo Angioino, opposite Piazza MunicipioAbout 15-20 min by Metro Line 1 to MuseoEasy on a normal port dayNicePort Lympia (small ships) or tender at Villefranche-sur-MerShort walk from Port Lympia; from Villefranche by train or bus 15Easy, even with the tender from VillefranchePalermoPalermo Cruise Terminal, Via Francesco Crispi, by the centreAbout 25-30 min on foot or 10-15 min by taxi to the Norman PalaceEasy on a normal port dayPalmaMuelle de Poniente (terminals 1-4) or Dique del Oeste (5-6)About 20-30 min by EMT bus 1 or 15-20 min by taxiFits if you go straight thereRhodesTourist Port quay (Kolona), next to the Old Town wallsAbout 20 min on foot through the Old TownEasy on a normal port daySplitCity harbour: inner berths, outer breakwater or tenderAbout 15-25 min on foot to the Croatian National TheatreEasy on a normal port daySyracusePorto Grande, within walking distance of Ortigia; some ships tenderA short walk along the harbour to the Foro SiracusanoEasy on a normal port dayTarragonaCruise terminal, Moll de Balears, about 2 km from the centreAbout 10 min by shuttle bus, then a short walk to the Rambla NovaEasy on a normal port dayThessalonikiPier 1 passenger terminal, on the central waterfrontRoughly 30 min on foot or 10 min by taxi to the Arch of GaleriusEasy on a normal port dayTriesteStazione Marittima, Molo dei Bersaglieri, on the waterfrontAbout 10-15 min on foot to Ponte RossoEasy on a normal port dayValenciaValencia cruise terminal, about 4-5 km from the old townAbout 20 min by taxi to Plaça de Bous (the bullring)Easy on a normal full port dayVallettaValletta Cruise Port, Valletta Waterfront, Grand HarbourAbout 10 min by taxi, or on foot via the Barrakka LiftEasy on a normal port dayVeniceMarittima or San Basilio; larger ships at Marghera or FusinaAbout 15-20 min by People Mover and on footFits if you go straight there
Northern Europe, the Baltic and the British Isles
AmsterdamPassenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA), 1.5 km from CentraalAbout 15 min on foot or tram 26 to Centraal StationEasy on a normal port dayAntwerpCruise pontoon at Het Steen, at the edge of the old townAbout 30 min on foot or about 10 min by tram to Antwerpen-CentraalEasy on a normal port dayBergenSkolten or Festningskaien by Bryggen; big ships at JektevikenAbout 20-25 min on foot from Skolten to Den Nationale SceneEasy on a normal port dayCopenhagenNordre Toldbod, Langelinie or Ocean Quay, 3-8 km outAbout 25-30 min by metro to RådhuspladsenEasy on a normal port dayDublinAlexandra Quay, Dublin Port, about 2 km from the centreShuttle, then about 15 min by taxi or 40 min by LuasFits if you head into town earlyEdinburghLeith terminal, or tender to Newhaven or South QueensferryTram about 25 min, or train from Dalmeny about 20 minFits a normal port day if you go straight thereGdańskWesterplatte quay, 11 km from the centre, or French Quay in GdyniaAbout 15-30 min by taxi from Westerplatte to the High GateFits if you go straight thereGlasgowGreenock Ocean Terminal, about 40 km west of GlasgowAbout 1 hour by foot and ScotRail train to St Enoch SquareFits if you go straight thereHamburgHafenCity, Altona, Steinwerder or Baakenhöft terminalAbout 10-15 min by U4 from HafenCity to the RathausFits if you go straight thereHelsinkiMostly Hernesaari; some ships at KatajanokkaTram 6 from Hernesaari; about 15 min by tram from KatajanokkaFits if you go straight thereLiverpoolLiverpool Cruise Terminal, Pier Head, in the city centreAbout 20-25 min on foot, near Lime Street stationFits if you go straight thereLübeckTravemünde (Ostpreußenkai, Skandinavienkai); small ships at BurgtorkaiAbout 25-30 min by taxi from Travemünde; minutes from BurgtorkaiFits if you go straight thereOsloRevierkaia by the Opera House; also Akershus quays and Filipstad5-10 min on foot from Revierkaia to Oslo Central StationFits if you go straight thereReykjavikSkarfabakki, 4 km from downtown; smaller ships at MiðbakkiAbout 40 min on foot or 7-10 min by taxi to Sun VoyagerFits if you go straight thereRigaRiga Passenger Port, Eksporta iela 3a, under 1 km from the Old TownAbout 20 min on foot along K. Valdemāra ielaEasy on a normal port dayRotterdamCruise Terminal Rotterdam, Wilhelminakade, by the Erasmus BridgeAbout 25-30 min on foot or 10-15 min by metro to the StadhuisEasy on a normal port dayStockholmFrihamnen (3 km out) or Stadsgården; small ships at SkeppsbronAbout 20–30 min by bus or shuttle from FrihamnenFits a normal call if you go straight thereTallinnOld City Harbour (Vanasadam), about 1 km from the Old TownA walk of about 1 km, or about 5 min by taxi, to the Viru GateEasy on a normal port day
Atlantic coast and the Canary Islands
BilbaoGetxo Cruise Terminal, about 10-15 km from central BilbaoAbout 45 min by shuttle or metro to Doña Casilda ParkFits a normal port day if you go straight thereBordeauxCity-centre quays by Place des QuinconcesAbout 20 min on foot or tram B to Place Pey-BerlandEasy from a city berth; long day from Le VerdonLisbonLisbon Cruise Terminal, Santa Apolónia, below AlfamaAbout 10 min by metro (Blue Line) to RossioEasy on a normal port daySevilleMuelle de las Delicias, about 1.5 km from the centreAbout 15 min on foot to the Hispalis FountainEasy on a normal port dayTenerifePort of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 1–2 km from the centreAbout 10 min by taxi or 35–45 min on foot to Parque García SanabriaEasy on a normal port day
North America and Hawaii
BostonFlynn Cruiseport Boston, about 2 miles (3 km) from Boston CommonAbout 15 min by taxi, or 35-45 min by Silver Line and subwayEasy on a normal port dayCharlestonColumbus Street Terminal, an industrial cargo area (since July 2026)About 5-10 min by taxi or transfer to The Charleston MuseumFits if you go straight thereHonoluluPier 2 (main) or Pier 11 by Aloha TowerFlat walk, roughly 1 km from Pier 11; taxi about 5-10 minEasy on a normal port dayMontrealGrand Quay (Grand Quai) in the Old Port, by Old Montréal1.5-2 km on foot, or Orange line Place-d'Armes to BonaventureEasy on a normal port dayNew OrleansJulia Street and Erato Street terminals, on the riverfrontShort flat walk or a few minutes by Riverfront streetcarEasy; best before boarding or after your cruiseNew YorkManhattan Cruise Terminal, Piers 88/90, Hudson River at W 48th StTaxi about 15-25 min, or subway B/C plus a walkFits a full day if you go straight thereOld QuebecRoss Gaudreault Terminal, Wharves 21/22, Old Port (Lower Town)About 1 km uphill on foot, or by the Old Québec FunicularEasy on a normal port day
Australia
BrisbaneBrisbane International Cruise Terminal, about 21 km from the CBDAbout 30-40 min by taxi, rideshare or cruise-line shuttleFits if you go straight thereMelbourneStation Pier, Port Melbourne, roughly 4-6 km from the CBDExpress bus 109 (about 15 min) plus a walk, or Tram 109Easy on a normal port dayPerthFremantle Passenger Terminal, about 20-25 km from PerthRoughly 1 hour each way by walk and trainFits a full port day if you go straight thereSydneyOverseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay; some ships at White BayAbout 30–35 min on foot or 15–20 min by train to Darling HarbourFits a normal call; from White Bay keep a good margin
River cruise stops
River-cruise boats usually moor close to the centre, which makes these games easy to fit between breakfast and the next sailing.
BaselSt. Johann, Klybeck or Dreiländereck landing stage on the RhineAbout 30 min by tram 11 or 8 to Basel SBBFits if you go straight thereBelgradeSava passenger terminal, Savamala, below Belgrade FortressAbout 20-30 min uphill on foot, or 10 min by taxiEasy on a normal port dayBonnBrassertufer, the central Rhine quay on the west bankAbout 15-20 min on foot to Bonn HbfEasy, even on a half-day callBratislavaPassenger Port, Fajnorovo nábrežie, beside the Old TownAbout 10-15 min on foot to the Blue ChurchEasy on a normal port dayBudapestPest embankment piers, Chain Bridge to Elisabeth BridgeAbout 15-30 min on foot or 5-10 min by tram 2 to ParliamentEasy on a normal port dayCologneRhine landing stages near the Hohenzollern Bridge, by the Old TownAbout 10-20 min on foot to the cathedralEasy on a normal port dayDresdenTerrassenufer on the Elbe, below Brühl's TerraceAbout 10-15 min on foot to the ZwingerEasy on a normal port dayDüsseldorfRhine promenade by the Old Town, Burgplatz to Theodor-Heuss BridgeAbout 15 min on foot to Martin-Luther-PlatzEasy on a normal port dayFrankfurtUntermainkai quay by the Nizza park, north bank of the MainA flat walk north, or about 5-10 min by taxi, to the Alte OperEasy on a normal port dayHeidelbergNeckar landing stages by the Stadthalle, edge of the Old TownAbout 10 min on foot along the river to BismarckparkEasy; also doable from Mannheim by trainLyonQuai Claude Bernard (Rhône) or Quai Rambaud (Saône)About 15 min on foot to Place Bellecour, start just southEasy on a half or full dayMaastrichtMaasboulevard, west bank of the Maas, city centreA few minutes on foot to the Sint ServaasbrugEasy on a normal stopNurembergPersonenschifffahrtshafen, Europakai, on the Main-Danube CanalAbout 15-20 min by shuttle or taxi; 25-35 min by bus and U-BahnFits if you go straight thereParisPort de Grenelle or Port de Javel Bas, 15th arrondissementAbout 1 km on foot, or RER C from Javel (15-20 min)Easy; plan 3 hours plus the RER C ride backPortoVila Nova de Gaia quays, opposite RibeiraAbout 25 min on foot over the Luís I bridgeEasy on a normal port dayRegensburgDonaulände, Old Town bank, by the Museum of Bavarian HistoryAbout 20-25 min on foot, or 10 min by taxi, to the Kepler MonumentFits a full day or long half-day if you go straight thereStrasbourgQuai des Belges or Rue de la Minoterie, Port of StrasbourgAbout 25-40 min by tram and on footFits if you go straight thereViennaReichsbrücke main mooring, 2nd district (some boats: Nussdorf)About 30 min by U-Bahn U1 and on foot, or 15 min by taxiEasy on a normal port dayWürzburgLudwigkai (most boats) or Alter Hafen, on the Old Town bankOn foot along the Main; Old Main Bridge about 10 min from LudwigkaiEasy on a normal port day
Day trips from the cruise port
Here the ships dock in a nearby port and you travel on by train or bus, so plan for a longer day ashore.
BrugesZeebrugge (mostly Swedish Quay), about 15 km from BrugesAbout 1 hour by tram and train, 30-45 min by coachFits if you go straight thereFlorencePort of Livorno, about 90 km from FlorenceAbout 2 hours by shuttle, bus and train to Santa Maria NovellaOnly with a long port day (9-10 hours)GhentZeebrugge for ocean ships; river boats moor in Ghent itselfAbout 2 hours by shuttle, tram and train to Saint Michael's ChurchOnly with a long port day (9-10 hours) from ZeebruggePisaPort of Livorno, about 26 km from PisaAbout 1 hour by shuttle, bus and train to TuttomondoFits if you go straight thereRomeCivitavecchia (Roma Cruise Terminal), about 80 km from RomeAbout 2 hours by shuttle, train and on footOnly with a long port day (8-9 hours ashore)SintraLisbon Cruise Terminal by Santa Apolónia; Sintra is 27 km by railAbout 1 h to 1 h 15 by metro and train to Sintra stationFits a normal port day if you go straight there
Why a self-guided game works on a port day
- You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
- Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
- You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
- Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.
Cruise port days: questions
What can I do on a cruise stop without booking a tour?
Play a self-guided city game: you get directions from the ship to the start, then walk at your own pace between the main sights, solving a riddle at each one. There is no meeting point, no group and no fixed start time.
How long do I need ashore?
Most of our scavenger hunts take about two to three hours, with 20 to 60 minutes of actual walking. Add the time from the ship to the start shown on each port page and keep at least an hour of margin before your all-aboard time.
Which game should I choose on a port day?
The scavenger hunt is the best all-rounder for couples, families and friends. The outdoor escape game suits groups who like puzzles, and the audio walking tour is for people who simply want the stories while they walk.
Can we play if our port day is cut short?
Yes. You can stop at any time and the ticket has no time limit, so you can finish the remaining stops on another visit.
Do I need to book a time slot?
No. You book online, receive your booking reference by email straight away and start whenever you are ashore. The ticket has no time limit, so it still works if your ship arrives late or your plans change.
What do we need on the day?
A charged smartphone with mobile data, the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play, and your booking reference. A power bank helps on a long port day.
Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.