Getting to Meteora from Athens
Meteora from Athens - Your Complete Travel Guide
If you're planning a trip to Greece, getting to Meteora from Athens is easy and one of the most rewarding travel experiences you can have.
Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its awe-inspiring rock formations and cliff-top monasteries, is easily accessible from the capital. Whether you’re interested in a day trip or a longer stay, there are several convenient ways to travel from Athens to Meteora — by train, bus, or car.
Athens to Meteora Train – Update
Unfortunately, all rail links between Athens and Meteora have been out of service since the twin storms Daniel and Elias tore through Thessaly in September 2023. There are no direct train services connecting Athens to Meteora. While the central Athens–Thessaloniki route resumed in December 2023, the critical 90-km segment from Palaiofarsalos to Kalambaka and Meteora remains closed. Services are unlikely to resume before mid-2026!
How to get to Meteora from Athens
Getting to Meteora from Athens by car gives you the flexibility to explore the region at your own pace, while buses are a budget-friendly alternative that connects Athens with Kalabaka, the town at the base of Meteora.
No matter how long you stay in Athens, don’t miss the chance to visit Meteora. It’s a unique destination that combines natural beauty, spiritual significance, and cultural heritage — a must-see on any Greek itinerary.
Getting to Meteora from Athens, hassle-free, consider joining a guided tour. Our company offers day trips and tours with luxury coaches, local guides, and monastery visits included. This is the ideal solution for travelers who want comfort, insight, and unforgettable memories without the stress of planning transportation and logistics.
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How to reach Transportation Hubs from Athens International Airport
Below, we give a few options on how to travel from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) to different locations and transportation hubs of Athens:
Central Athens:
Take the Metro line 3 (Blue line) direct to Syntagma, or the Suburban Train (1 train every hour, first train departs 06:09 am, last 22:50 pm) or catch the public bus line X95.
Larissa (or Larissis) Athens Train Station:
Take the Metro Line 3 (Blue line) to Syntagma Station and there change to Line 2 (Red line) to Larissa Station. You may also take the Suburban Train (same as above) from the airport, it goes straight to Larissa train station.
Piraeus Port:
Metro Line 3 (Blue line) to Monastiraki Station and there change to Line 1 (Green line) to Piraeus port, the Suburban Train (1 train per hour first train depart 06:09 am, last 22:50 pm) or take the Bus Line X96.
Liosion Bus Terminal (KTEL):
Liosion Bus Terminal is the bus station you need to be to in order to take a (KTEL) bus to travel north of Athens. If that’s the case then take the Bus Line X93.
Important notice: From 2017 and on, Athens’s public transport ticketing system transitioned from the traditional paper ticket to a modern paperless ticket with the usage of smart cards (similar to London’s Oyster cards). If you are planning to travel to Athens during 2018 9, then you should definitely check the Athens Transport Tickets and Cards, for the latest updates on how to buy and use this new form of the electronic ticket on all major Athens public transportation means.
Taxis from Athens International Airport to central Athens should cost around 38.00€ Euros (05:00 am till 23:59 pm) and 54.00€ Euros (00:00 am till 04:59 am). The taxi price quotes above are indicative and may vary depending on your destination or traffic.
Larissa (or Larissis) Athens Train Station
Liosion Bus Terminal (KTEL)
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How to get from Athens to Meteora by train
Thanks to the Metro system getting a train to Meteora is most probably the easiest way to go. No matter where you are, there will be a metro station nearby and once you are in there, getting to the train station is easy as pie.
For example
if you arrive at Athens International Airport and want to get to the central train station in Athens you can follow these easy steps:
- Get into the Metro (Athens Airport Station – Blue line). The ticket for the metro from the airport costs 8 Euro.
- Change line at Syntagma station and get to the red line heading to Anthoupoli
- Get off at Larissa Station, which is the central train station in Greece.
At the Train station, you can board the train to Kalampaka, which is the city below Meteora. Kalambaka is a terminal station, meaning that if you get on a direct train you won’t have to worry about getting off at the right station. It will be the last one!
Please take into consideration that some train routes change to Paleofarsalos station. You should be aware of your train if it is a direct one or not!
Find the best tours for Meteora from Athens here!
Useful info
Here you could find the time schedules for busses and trains;
Be aware of Greece’s public holidays and general strikes. Some of the dates that are better avoid traveling by public transports are the following;
- 1st of May (general strike for trains)
- Orthodox Easter holiday
- New Years Eve
- 28th October and 25th March (public holidays)
- 17th November (general strike)
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Getting a bus to Meteora is a bit more tricky than getting a train. The bus station is located near Kato Patissia (green line) station. There are a few ways to reach it.
- From any metro line, change at Monastiraki station and get into the Greenline heading to Kifissia.
- Get off at Kato Patisssia station and either walk about 1km to the bus station or get a taxi to get you there. The taxi should cost 3.20 Euro plus any extra charges for arriving at a bus station but it won’t go over 5 Euro.
- If you are going to get a taxi then you should tell the driver to get you to Liossion Station and not Athens bus station.
- At the bus station, you should get a bus to Trikala, which is the big city near Kalampaka and Meteora. Once you get to Trikala you can catch a bus to Kalampaka.
If you wish to find more details about the Greek public buses then you can read our blog post “How to travel by bus around Greece”
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How to drive from Athens to Meteora
Driving to Meteora from Athens is easy! With the recent completion of the E65, Meteora is connected to Athens by highway! This mystical destination is now more accessible than ever, transforming the journey from Athens into an enchanting experience. Travelers can expect a seamless and scenic 3-hour drive, winding through picturesque villages and lush countryside, which gives a glimpse into the vibrant culture of the region.
Visiting Meteora is not merely a trip; it’s an unforgettable adventure that offers a perfect blend of spirituality, history, and nature. The striking monasteries, with their intricate frescoes and timeless architecture, invite exploration and reflection, while the surrounding landscapes provide opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and photography.
It is highly recommended that you have a GPS onboard so there is no way of getting lost. Certainly, if you have a smartphone and have Google Maps enabled, then you can use our interactive map of Meteora to get directions from your place to your hotel here easily.
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