Since Antiquity Delphi is a very popular destination for plenty of people. From Kings to slaves in process of liberation there was a constant flux of pilgrims and visitors using multiple routes and transport facilities. For the visitors of Delphi of the 19th century, the modes of transportation avalaible were: road, maritime and up to some point rail. The voyage lasted multiple days. Today visitors are getting to Delphi from Athens in just 2-3 hours and they dispose multiple choices of transport and routes.
2) Driving from Athens to Delphi
3) From Athens to Delphi by taxi or a transfer service – the best option
1) Getting to Delphi by bus
The KTEL buses and Terminals
The KTEL companies are regional bus companies and enjoy the monopoly for intercity public bus services around Greece. They are two KTEL terminals in Athens. The one deserving Delphi is the KTEL Terminal Liossion, located on 260 Liossion St. and deserves all KTEL buses lines located and operating north of Athens.
Ktel bus Athens to DelphiThe KTEL Terminal Liossion is located near the «Kato Patissia» metro station (on the green line). Delphi is deserved by the line Athens to Amfissa and there are many buses per day. Bus tickets to Delphi from Athens can be bought at the terminal (one way or both ways) even a few minutes before the departure of the bus. You can also buy your tickets online (a printed copy of your ticket is obligatory). Please note that seats are numbered and assigned.
Bus timetable
Athens to Delphi
Delphi to Athens
You can visit the KTEL bus Athens to Delphi website for more information on the timetable and buy your tickets.
The way back to Athens from Delphi is a little bit confusing as there is not an official bus station building. For bus timetable information or to purchase a ticket you need to go into a restaurant (named «in Delphi» at Apollonos street) a few meters from where the bus from Athens drops you off. There is a big «Bus station» sign painted on the wall outside with an arrow pointing at the building. You can purchase your bus tickets at the counter of the restaurant. You board the bus back to Athens from the opposite side of the road which is also directly opposite from where the bus from Athens to Delphi dropped you off.
2) Getting to Delphi by driving from Athens
A comfortable way to get to Delphi is to rent a car and drive from Athens to Delphi. The road trip is about 3 hours. Probably the hardest part of the trip is getting out of Athens, especially during rush hour. Once you are out of the city, you will enter the highway E75 direction Thessaloniki. You follow the highway for 90km (60m.) and then you take the exit to Thiva and Livadia. You must follow the road direction Livadia – Arahova – Delphi for another 90 km. That’s it you are now in the «Navel of the Earth»!
Please keep in mind that the speed limits in Greece are 120km/h (75m./h) on the highway and 90km/h (58m./h) on the regional roads. It is highly recommended that you have a GPS on board so there is no way of getting lost. You can also use your smartphone as a gps. Enable google maps and get directions from your place to Delphi!
3) Getting to Delphi by taxi or using a transfer service – the best option
As mentioned above taxi and transfers in Greece are inexpensive. Especially if you travel with company. So the easiest and more comfortable way to get to Delphi is to get a taxi or a transfer!
