How to Get from Athens Airport to Ancient Olympia: Bus or Private Transfer

Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, is one of the great sites of Greece – but it is also one of the hardest to reach by public transport. Here is how the options compare from Athens airport.

Quick comparison

Option	Door to door time	Changes	Best for
Bus (X93 + KTEL to Pyrgos + local bus)	About 6 – 7 hours	3	Backpackers with plenty of time
Taxi from the rank	About 3½ – 4 hours	None	Last-minute travel
Private transfer	About 3½ – 4 hours	None	Families, groups, anyone with luggage

Times are approximate and depend on traffic, waiting time and timetables.

By bus

Take the X93 airport bus to the Kifissos terminal, then a KTEL bus to Pyrgos via Patras. In Pyrgos you change again to a local bus for the last 20 km to Olympia, often with a wait between the two. It works, but with luggage, children or a late flight it turns the journey into a long day.

By taxi

A taxi from the airport takes the motorway via Corinth and Patras, about 3½ to 4 hours. Nothing is booked in advance, and you should agree all the details before you leave.

By private transfer – the easy way

With a private transfer you go from the arrivals hall to your hotel in Olympia in one go – about 320 km, roughly 3 hours 30 minutes of driving, with a break whenever you like.