How To Get From Athens to Meteora | Santorini Secrets
How To Get From Athens to Meteora
You basically have 4 ways to get from Athens to Meteora: I honestly believe that the Best Way to get from Athens ...
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Published: November 11, 2024•Updated: April 28, 2025•By Pavlos Inglesis•9 min read•
GreeceMeteora
The best way to go from Athens to Meteora is by train and, to be more precise, by 2 trains as you have to change in Trikala town and get on another train to Kalambaka (the town closest to Meteora Monasteries and rocks); I highly recommend though you just book a guided tour like this one that also includes all train tickets and tours there
You basically have 4 ways to get from Athens to Meteora:
Public Intercity Train from Athens to Trikala (4.5 hours) and then a second train from Trikala to Kalabaka (20 minutes), and then a taxi to actually take you to the monasteries/rocks or just walk for about 1 hour (uphill)
Licensed Guided Tour that includes all train tickets from Athens to Trikala and Kalabaka, a tour guide that will explain to you what you are seeing and will also provide a minibus to take you to Kastraki village and the best locations for views on the rocks
I honestly believe that the Best Way to get from Athens to Meteora is by booking a licensed guided tour. This can also be done as a day trip to Meteora from Athens, but get prepared for a long, tiring, but totally rewarding day because Meteora is deep in mainland Greece, and it’s a 5-hour train trip.
In order to get to Meteora rocks and monasteries, you have to get to Kalabaka (or Kalambaka) town, which is a 20 minute train from the city of Trikala in central Greece
A guided tour from Athens to Meteora, like this one, will take you on a train from Athens Train Station (“Larissis Station” or “Larissa Station”) to Trikala Town. From there, you will get another public train to Kalabaka town, which is next to the rocks. A licensed guide will escort you anywhere during the train trips. Once you get to Kalabaka, private minibuses will pick you up and drive you to the best places on the monasteries and the local museums on the rocks. They will explain everything to you, along with many stops to the best spots for photos and views.
However, you have a few other options to get to Meteora from Athens, if you want to explore the area by yourself. These are all the options:
this can be a 14-hour day trip from Athens to Meteora with a train (or bus) that departs from central Athens Larissis Train Station, takes you with a minibus to the Meteora Monasteries and return back to Athens in the evening
Inside a train to Meteora (Trikala and Kalabaka towns)The train to Trikala and then to Kalabaka goes through some of the most scenic places in mainland Greece
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It goes without saying that whatever I am detailing in this post also applies to the return trip from Meteora to Athens. Kalabaka train station is literally on the outskirts of the famous Meteora rocks but the monasteries are closer to Kastraki village so you have to get a taxi from there or walk if you are brave enough (more than 1 hour hike to the rocks)If you book a private guided tour, then a minibus with a guide will pick you up from Kalabaka train station and will get you to the best spots on the monasteries; totally worth it in my opinion
Best way To get From Athens to Meteora: by a licensed guided bus/train tour (like this one)
There are no flights to Meteora; the only way to get there is by bus, car or train. The place is up on the mountains in a remote area of mainland central Greece.
Official Website for KTEL Buses to Meteora: KTEL Trikalon
Bus from Athens to Meteora: you have to take it from the Liosion KTEL Bus Station (on Google Maps), which is unfortunately the worst in the country and really dated without any modern facilities
How much does it cost to take a train from Athens to Meteora: the train ticket to Meteora costs 30 euros (to Kalabaka final station) but this may change so always check the official Hellenic Trains website.
Where to Get the bus from Athens to Meteora: 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)
Where to Get the train from Athens to Meteora: you have to go to the “Larissis Train Station” in Athens (or “Larissa Station”)
Best Way to Get From Athens Airport to KTEL Liosion Bus Station is by taking the Express Bus X93 (see its route here)
Best Way to Get From Athens Airport to Athens Train Station (Larissis Station) is by taking the“Proastiakos Train – Suburban Train” (see its route and timetables here) ; it’s a 45 minutes train from the airport
The private guides in Meteora will even take you to secret caves that the monks of Meteora monasteries used to hide or just used for storage of food in the pastA guided tour in Meteora will even take you to the best spots for photos with the most stunning viewsYes, the sunsets at Meteora can be as mesmerizing as the ones in Santorini…Ok, so let’s see all the options from Athens to Meteora (that also apply to the return trip from Meteora to Athens):
ATHENS TO METEORA BUS (KTEL)
You can certainly take the Ktel bus to Trikala from Athens instead of the train (and then another bus to Kalabaka town).
In order to get the KTEL Trikalon Bus to Meteora you have to go to Liosion Bus St Station in Athens (on Google Maps). This is not the same station as Kifissos Bus Station and it’s in a different location.
The KTEL Buses from Athens to Meteora (Trikala and Kalabaka) depart from Liosion Bus Station in Athens.Liosion Bus Station for KTEL Buses in Athens is probably the worst in the country and it’s better if you avoid itThe KTEL Buses from Athens to Meteora stop at Trikala first and then go to Kalabaka town
HOW TO GET TO “LARISSA” ATHENS TRAIN STATION (ALSO CALLED “LARISSIS”)
Larissis train Station (just “Athens” stop on train routes is very easilly accesible from the airport with the suburban train (“Proastiakos”) and you can check the timetables here.
You can also get to the Larissa Train Staion by metro line 2.
The metro stop at Larissa Station is literally just outside of the Train Station
HOW TO GET TO LIOSION BUS STATION
You can reach the Liosion Bus Terminal in Athens either with a bus or Metro Line 2 from Syntgmuare.
From Athens International Airport: you have to take the X93 Express Bus
This is the route of the express bus X93 from Athens Airport to Liosion Bus Station (it’s a 1 hour ride and the ticket costs 6 euros)
From Syntgma Square to Kifissos Bus Station: you have to take the Metro Line 2 (M2) and then walk for about 15-20 mins
This is the best way to get to Liosion Bus Station from Syntagma Square: Metro Line to Attiki stop and then walk for about 15-20 minutesThis is how to get from Syntagma Square to Liosion bus station in Athens
CONCLUSION
You basically have 4 options to get from Athens to Meteora: by a guided tour or by a KTEL bus or by the public train or by renting a car and driving there. I recommend taking the guided tour because you will experience the whole trip in a much better way.
Tags:GreeceMeteora
Last updated: April 28, 2025
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AUTHOR
PI
Pavlos Inglesis
Born and raised in Oia, Santorini
Native Greek islander and local guide with deep knowledge of Greek culture, history, and traditions. Pavlos provides authentic insights into the real Greece beyond the tourist facade.
Local CultureGreek HistoryTraditional CuisineIsland Life
