There are three ways to get from Athens to Delphi: take the public KTEL Bus, book a guided tour, or rent a car.
I honestly believe that booking a licensed guided tour is the best way to get from Athens to Delphi. This can also be done as a day trip from Athens. It’s 100% doable, but it’s going to be a long day, as expected.
- Best Day Trip from Athens to Delphi: Delphi Archaeological Site Full-Day Guided Trip
A guided tour from Athens to Delphi. Like this one, it will take you on a bus from central Athens and drive you to Delphi. A licensed guide will talk to you during the three-hour drive. When you arrive in Delphi, she will guide you to the Delphi Archaeological Site and the Delphi Museum and explain to you exactly what you are seeing and the history behind everything. I think you are really getting the best out of the trip.
However, if you want to explore the area, you have a few other options for getting to Delphi from Athens. These are all the options:
| How Long Does It Take | Cost* | |
| Licensed Bus Guided Tour | This is a 10-12 hour day trip from Athens to Delphi that departs from central Athens, takes you to Delphi, and returns in the evening. | it varies (check here) |
| KTEL Bus (KTEL N. Fokidas bus Company) | 3 hours (The bus departs from Liosion Bus Station in Athens) | 15.10 euros |
| Rent a Car | Renting a car from Athens can cost 40 euros per day | Renting a car from Athens can cost from 40 euros per day |
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It goes without saying that what I detail in this post also applies to the return trip from Delphi to Athens.
Keep reading…
ATHENS TO DELPHI TIPS:
- You have three options for getting from Athens to Delphi: by a guided bus tour, by KTEL Bus, or by renting a car and driving yourself.
- The bestway to get from Athens to Delphi is by a licensed guided bus tour (like this one)
- There are no flights to Delphi, and the only way to get there is by bus or car. The place is in the mountains in a remote area of mainland Greece.
- Official Website for KTEL Buses to Delphi: KTEL N. Fokidas
- Bus from Athens to Delphi: you have to take it from the Liosion KTEL Bus Station (on Google Maps), which is unfortunately the worst in the country and dated without any modern facilities
- Delphi on Google Maps
- Delphi is also called Delfi or Delphoi or Delfoi (it’s from the Greek word “Δελφοί”)
- Between April and October, there are usually 4 KTEL Buses from Athens to Delphi and from Delphi to Athens.
- How long is the bus ride from Athens to Delphi? The bus ride takes about 3 hours.
- How much does it cost to take a bus from Athens to Delphi? The bus ticket on KTEL Buses costs 15.10 euros, but this changes, so always check the official website.
- Where to get the bus from Athens to Delphi:You have to go to the Liosion Bus Station in Athens (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE Kifisos Bus Station; it is a different Bus Station).
- The best way to get from Athens Airport to KTEL Liosion Bus Station is by taking the Express Bus X93 (see its route here).
- Where to Book the Bus from Athens to Delphi: from the KTEL Fokidas website
Ok, so let’s see all the available options from Athens to Delphi (that also apply to the return trip, Delphi to Athens):
ATHENS TO DELPHI BUS (KTEL)
In order to get the KTEL Bus to Delphi you have to go to Liosion Bust Station in Athens (on Google Maps). This is not the same station as Kifissos Bus Station and it’s in a different location.
HOW TO GET TO LIOSION BUS STATION
You can reach the Liosion Bus Terminal in Athens by bus or Metro Line 2 from Syntagma.
- From Athens International Airport, you have to take the X93 Express Bus
You can also see the details of the X93 Route and timetables on the official website of Athens Buses.
- From Syntagma Square to Kifissos Bus Station: you have to take the Metro Line 2 (M2) and then walk for about 15-20 mins.
You have three options for getting from Athens to Delphi: a guided tour, a KTEL bus, or renting a car and driving there. I recommend taking the guided tour because you will experience the whole trip much better.
Apart from the nice views and the archaeological site and museum, there is not much to do in Delphi, and a day trip from Athens is highly recommended.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long is the bus ride from Athens to Delphi?
KTEL Bus takes about 3 hours to get from Athens to Delphi. The same applies to the guided tour, but if you include the whole day trip to Delphi, it’s a 10-12-hour overall trip.
What is the best way to travel from Athens to Delphi?
The best way to travel from Athens to Delphi is by a guided tour that will also take you around the archaeological site and the Delphi Museum.
How much does the bus from Athens to Delphi cost?
A one-way ticket on the public KTEL N. Fokidas bus costs €15.10 (as of 2026). You can purchase tickets directly at the Liosion Bus Station or book them in advance through the official KTEL Fokidas website.
Where do I catch the bus from Athens to Delphi?
You must catch the bus from the Liosion Bus Station (KTEL Bus Station B). Do not go to the main Kifissos Bus Station. To reach Liosion from central Athens (Syntagma), take Metro Line 2 to Attiki Station, then take a short taxi ride or walk 15 minutes. From the Athens Airport, take the X93 Express Bus directly to the Liosion terminal.
Is it worth doing a day trip from Athens to Delphi?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Because Delphi is a small mountain town centered entirely around the archaeological site and museum, you can comfortably see all the major ruins (including the Temple of Apollo and the Athenian Treasury) in 3 to 4 hours, leaving plenty of time to return to Athens by evening.
Can I take a train from Athens to Delphi?
No, there is no direct train station in Delphi due to its mountainous location. If you prefer not to drive or take the public bus, booking a licensed guided bus tour is the most efficient alternative.
