Delphi is about 180 km northwest of Athens. The easiest way to get there without a car is the KTEL bus from Athens’ Liossion bus station: four buses a day, about 2½–3 hours, and around €18 one way. Driving takes about 2¼–2¾ hours on the A1 motorway and the mountain road through Arachova. A guided day tour takes 10–12 hours in total. Delphi works well as a day trip if you take the 08:30 bus, and even better with one night in Delphi or Arachova.
Athens to Delphi: quick comparison
| Option | Time each way | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTEL bus from Liossion station | About 2½–3 hours | About €18 one way | Independent travelers on a budget |
| Rental car | About 2¼–2¾ hours | Rental from about €40 a day, plus fuel and motorway tolls | Combining Delphi with Arachova or Meteora |
| Guided day tour | 10–12 hours in total | Varies by group size and inclusions | First-time visitors who want a guide and no planning |
| Private transfer or taxi | About 2¼–2¾ hours | Highest; agree the price in advance | Families and small groups |
What is the distance from Athens to Delphi?
About 180 km by road. The route follows the A1 motorway (Athens–Lamia) north, turns west toward Livadeia at the Thebes junction, then climbs through the mountain village of Arachova to Delphi (Greeka). In a straight line the two are around 120 km apart, but the last section is winding mountain road, so the drive takes longer than the distance suggests.
How to get from Athens to Delphi by bus
KTEL Fokidas runs direct buses from Athens’ Liossion bus station (often called Terminal B, at Liosion 260) to the ticket office in Delphi village, a short walk from the archaeological site. The current timetable lists these departures (KTEL Fokidas, November 2026):
| Athens (Liossion) to Delphi | Delphi to Athens |
|---|---|
| 08:30 daily | 05:30 Monday–Friday |
| 10:30 daily | 11:00 daily |
| 15:00 (not on Saturdays) | 14:30 Sundays only |
| 18:00 daily | 16:00 daily |
| 18:30 daily |
Tickets from Athens can be bought online from KTEL Fokidas or at the Liossion station. For the return, buy your ticket at the Delphi ticket office, or on the bus if the office is closed. In summer and on weekends, buy the outbound ticket a day or two ahead.
How do you get to Liossion bus station, and how do you pay for transport in Athens?
Liossion station is north of the centre, not at the bigger Kifissos bus terminal, so check you are going to the right one. The nearest metro stop is Agios Nikolaos on line 1 (green), about a 10–15 minute walk away; a taxi from central Athens takes about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Athens metro and city buses accept contactless bank cards and the ATH.ENA ticket at the validators, but the KTEL intercity bus to Delphi needs its own ticket.
If you are still choosing a base in the city, see the best area to stay in Athens.
Driving from Athens to Delphi
Driving is the most flexible option and takes about 2¼–2¾ hours each way. Take the A1 toll motorway north toward Lamia, exit toward Thiva and Livadeia, and follow the signs for Arachova and Delphi. The final stretch over Mount Parnassus is twisty but well paved. Delphi has roadside parking near the site and the museum, and parking in the village.
A car is worth it if you want to stop in Arachova, stay overnight, or continue to Meteora. For a simple day trip with only the site and the museum, the bus is cheaper and you don’t need to drive mountain roads after a long day.
Can you take the train from Athens to Delphi?
Not directly. Delphi has no railway station. You can take a train from Athens to Livadeia and then a taxi of about 45 km to Delphi, but it costs more than the bus and takes about as long. Rome2Rio estimates the train-and-taxi route at about €50–75. For most travelers the direct bus is simpler.
Is Delphi worth a day trip from Athens?
Yes, if you are interested in ancient Greece. Delphi was home to the Oracle of Apollo and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country, set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus above an olive-filled valley. The trade-off is time: you spend 5–6 hours on the road for 3–4 hours at the site. If you only have two or three days in Greece, the Acropolis and Athens itself are a better use of the time; see how many days to spend in Athens.
How to plan a Delphi day trip by bus
- Take the 08:30 bus from Liossion. You arrive in Delphi around 11:00.
- Walk to the site and museum, about 5–10 minutes from the bus stop.
- Spend 3–4 hours at the Sanctuary of Apollo, the museum and the Tholos.
- Catch the 16:00 bus back (or 18:30 in summer, when the site stays open later). You are back in Athens around 18:50 or 21:20.
From November to March the site closes at 15:30, so the 08:30 bus is the only one that leaves enough time on a day trip.
How much time do you need at Delphi?
Plan 3–4 hours. Allow about 2 hours for the Sanctuary of Apollo, which climbs past the Treasury of the Athenians and the Temple of Apollo to the theatre and the stadium at the top, and about an hour for the archaeological museum. The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia with the round Tholos is a 10–15 minute walk down the road and takes another 30 minutes. The path is steep and uneven in places, so wear proper shoes and bring water in summer.
Delphi tickets and opening hours in 2026
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Combined ticket (site and museum) | €20 |
| Reduced | €10 for EU citizens over 65 |
| Free | EU citizens under 25 with ID; the first Sunday of each month from November to March, and several national days |
| Summer hours (April 1 to October 31) | 08:00–20:00; Tuesdays 10:00–17:00 |
| Winter hours (November 1 to March 31) | 08:30–15:30; last entry about 15:10 |
| Closed | January 1, March 25, Orthodox Easter Sunday, May 1, December 25 and 26 |
What is the best Delphi tour from Athens?
Most tours follow the same pattern: a coach or minivan pick-up in central Athens, a licensed guide at the site and the museum, and a stop in Arachova. When comparing tours, check four things: whether the €20 entry ticket is included, how long you actually get at Delphi, the group size, and whether lunch is included. Small-group and private tours cost more but get you there earlier and avoid the slowest hotel pick-ups. If you are happy to read the signs yourself, the bus does the same trip for a fraction of the price.
Should you stay overnight in Delphi or Arachova?
An overnight stay lets you see the site early in the morning, before the tour buses arrive, and avoids two long bus rides in one day. Delphi village is small and quiet, with hotels on the hillside overlooking the valley. Arachova, about 10 km away, is livelier, with tavernas and cafés, and it is a ski-season base in winter, so prices rise on winter weekends.
👉 Compare hotels in Delphi and Arachova on Booking.com
Can you visit Delphi and Meteora in one trip?
Yes, but not comfortably in one day. Delphi to Meteora is roughly 3½–4 hours by car, and there is no direct bus. The usual plan is two or three days: Athens to Delphi, a night in Delphi or Arachova, then on to Kalambaka for Meteora, and back to Athens by train from Kalambaka. Two-day tours from Athens follow the same route. For the second leg, see Athens to Meteora, including the current train status. If you are continuing north, see Athens to Thessaloniki.
What is Delphi, Greece known for?
Ancient Greeks considered Delphi the centre of the world, and for centuries people came to consult the Oracle of Apollo, whose priestess, the Pythia, gave the answers. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for the Temple of Apollo, the theatre and stadium above it, the Tholos of Athena Pronaia, and the museum’s bronze Charioteer of Delphi.
For more ideas, see our Greece travel guides and how much a trip to Greece costs.
FAQ
How long is the bus from Athens to Delphi?
About 2½–3 hours. KTEL Fokidas buses leave Liossion station at 08:30, 10:30, 15:00 (not Saturdays) and 18:00.
How much is the bus from Athens to Delphi?
About €18 one way, so about €36 return, plus €20 for the site and museum ticket.
Can you do Delphi in a day from Athens?
Yes. Take the 08:30 bus and return on the 16:00 bus, or join a guided day tour. It is a long day of about 10 hours.
Is it easy to drive from Athens to Delphi?
Yes. Most of the route is motorway, and the last part is a winding but well-maintained mountain road. Avoid driving it after dark if you are not used to mountain roads.
When is the best time to visit Delphi?
Spring and autumn, when it is warm but not hot and the site is open long hours until the end of October. In summer, arrive early because there is little shade.
Bus times, fares and ticket prices checked on November 10, 2026.
