How to Get from Athens Airport to the Peloponnese: Car, Bus or Private Transfer
Landing at Athens International Airport and heading to the Peloponnese? Whether your destination is Nafplio, Kalamata, Ancient Olympia, Monemvasia or the mountain villages of Arcadia, there are three main ways to get there: by car, by public transport or by private transfer. Here is how they compare, with approximate travel times, so you can choose what suits your trip.
Option 1: Rent a car
Driving gives you the most freedom. From the airport you take the Attiki Odos motorway west, then the motorway towards Corinth, and cross into the Peloponnese at the Corinth Canal. From there, modern motorways continue towards Patras, Tripoli, Kalamata and Sparta.
- Good for: travellers who want to explore at their own pace.
- Keep in mind: motorway tolls, fuel, parking in old towns, and narrow, winding roads in the mountains. After a long flight, a 3-hour drive is not for everyone.
Option 2: Public transport
By bus: intercity KTEL buses to the Peloponnese (for example to Nafplio, Tripoli, Kalamata, Sparta, Patras and Pyrgos for Ancient Olympia) leave from the main intercity bus terminal of Athens, not from the airport. The X93 airport bus connects the airport with the Kifissos bus terminal. A new central bus station is planned at Eleonas, so always check the current departure point and timetable with KTEL before you travel.
By train: the suburban railway (Proastiakos) runs west towards Corinth and Kiato. Some trips need a change of train, and for most destinations you will still need a bus or taxi to continue, as there are no regular passenger trains further into the Peloponnese.
- Good for: budget travellers with light luggage and flexible plans.
- Keep in mind: transfers between airport, bus terminal and coach take time; buses to small villages run only a few times a day, and some villages have no direct service at all.
Option 3: Private transfer
A private transfer is the simplest option: your driver meets you at the airport and drives you straight to your hotel, with stops for coffee or photos if you like. It works at any time of day, including late-night arrivals.
- Good for: families, groups, travellers with luggage, late arrivals, and anyone heading to a village without good bus connections.
- Keep in mind: book in advance – especially in high season.
Approximate travel times by road from Athens
Times below are typical driving times without long stops; traffic leaving Athens can add time.
| Destination | Distance | Approx. time | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Corinth | 85 km | 1 h | View |
| Mycenae | 120 km | 1 h 30 | View |
| Nafplio | 140 km | 1 h 45 | View |
| Epidaurus | 150 km | 2 h | View |
| Porto Heli | 179 km | 2 h 15 | View |
| Kalavryta | 200 km | 2 h 45 | View |
| Sparta & Mystras | 213 km | 2 h 40 | View |
| Patras (port) | 215 km | 2 h 30 | View |
| Stemnitsa (Arcadia) | 245 km | 3 h | View |
| Kalamata | 250 km | 2 h 45 | View |
| Areopoli & Diros Caves | 295 km | 3 h 40 | View |
| Pylos | 305 km | 3 h 35 | View |
| Ancient Olympia | 320 km | 3 h 30 | View |
| Monemvasia | 320 km | 3 h 45 | View |
See all our private transfers – we also connect Arcadia with the rest of the Peloponnese, for example Lagkadia – Nafplio or Lagkadia – Ancient Olympia.
Which option is best for you?
- Short city break in Nafplio or Corinth: bus or rental car can work well.
- Mountain villages of Arcadia such as Lagkadia, Dimitsana or Stemnitsa: a private transfer saves you several changes – read our guide to the mountain villages of Arcadia.
- Hiking holidays: combine transfers with luggage transport on the Menalon Trail.
- Late arrival or lots of luggage: a private transfer is the stress-free choice.
Book your transfer with a local team
Tell us your flight time, destination and number of passengers, and we will confirm your transfer. Contact us – we reply within 24 hours.