How to Get from Athens Airport to Kalamata: Bus, Taxi or Private Transfer

Kalamata is the lively capital of Messinia and the gateway to the Mani, Pylos and the beaches of the south-west Peloponnese. If you land at Athens airport, this is how you can get there – and how to make the journey part of your holiday.

Quick comparison

Option	Door to door time	Changes	Best for
Bus (X93 + KTEL Messinias)	About 4½ – 5½ hours	2 (airport bus + intercity bus)	Solo travellers with little luggage
Taxi from the rank	About 3 hours	None	Last-minute travel
Private transfer	About 3 hours	None	Families, groups, late flights

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

By bus

Take the X93 airport bus to the Kifissos intercity bus terminal (about 45–60 minutes). From there KTEL Messinias buses go to Kalamata in a little over 3 hours, via Corinth and Tripoli. Add waiting time at Kifissos, and remember that the last buses of the day leave in the evening – a late flight may mean a night in Athens.

By taxi

A taxi from the airport rank takes the Moreas motorway via Tripoli, about 3 hours. It is fine for a last-minute trip, but nothing is booked in advance.

By private transfer – the easy way

Your driver meets you at arrivals and drives you non-stop to your hotel in Kalamata or straight on to Pylos, Kardamyli or Stoupa – about 250 km, roughly 2 hours 45 minutes to Kalamata on the motorway.

Meet and greet at arrivals, whatever time you land.
Straight to your hotel – Kalamata, the Mani or the Messinian coast.
Stops on request – lunch in Tripoli, or a visit to Ancient Messini on the way.
Waiting time available on request.

See: private transfer Athens – Kalamata · Athens – Pylos · Athens – Kalamata Marina.

Ideas for your stay

From Kalamata it is easy to explore the hiking trails of the Mani, Pylos and Voidokilia beach, and Ancient Messini. For a complete route, see 7 days in the Peloponnese with a private driver.