We are two women who will be in Greece in May, 2018. We will spend two nights in Athen and then want to travel to Delphi. I've seen several comments online about spending the night in Delphi and taking our time to explore the sights. We do NOT want to rent a car. Any thoughts about whether to do this trip in one day or to stay overnight and explore more leisurely? Any thoughts on a hotel in Delphi? Also, anyone have ideas of whether there is a private bus company that we could use, instead of using public transportation? Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8050 posts
For a one day trip, your only dependable options are to rent a car (or driver) or take a packaged tour. There are a number of agencies that offer a one day trip to Delphi, usually including some other point of interest and shopping time.
An overnight would work well, you could get there in the morning, spend as much time as you like, spend some time in Delphi, stay overnight, return the next day.
There is also another town nearby, Arachova, that is pleasant, maybe less touristy than Delphi, but would require a taxi or other transport to get to Delphi.
Posted by
Washington DC
28065 posts
I went to Arachova about 20 years ago. At that time the town was known for needlework, including needlepoint rugs. Window shopping was fun.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
It's a three-hour trip one-way by bus. You could do it in a day, but it would be a long day. According to the KTEL bus schedule, you could leave Athens at 7:30, arriving at 10:30. Spend seven hours in Delphi and leave on the 17:30 bus, arriving back in Athens at 20:30. Or you could sign up for a private tour that will do the same thing--for a lot more money. The Greek buses run by KTEL are clean and comfortable if you choose that option.
If you have the time, staying overnight is a good option. There are several great hotels listed in Rick's book. Hotel Acropole and Hotel Leto are two fine places that I would recommend.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1441 posts
I too believe that an overnight is the best way to do it. You don't have to take the early morning bus. Take a later KTEL public bus, arrive in the village and look for a hotel. In May there will be lots of rooms available on a walk up basis. Drop your bags and head to the Museum. That way you get a good perspective on what you will see. The is a lower part of the site which is always open at no charge so you could wander down there then enjoy an evening in a quiet Greek village with an amazing view. Next morning get up early and get to the main site. You will have it virtually to yourselves until the tour buses arrive around 10:30. Leave the site and catch the next bus back to Athens. You will enjoy it so much more doing it this way rather than arriving at the same time as all the bus crowds arrive.
Some images
Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157645469717811/
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Stan has the best plan, I think. Give Delphi an overnight and see the museum first, temple sites second.
We stayed at this hotel in Delphi and liked it. But there will be many other choices.
Posted by
Jasper, GA, USA
105 posts
Stay overnight. It can be packed with tours during the day, but every time of year that I have been there, around 5 or 6 the buses fade away and it's charming and magical. Such great views!
The Hotel Pitho is wonderful. Small; Acropolis has better views, but the hotel owner at Pitho, George, is amazing and more than makes up for not having the view!
Posted by
Portland
3643 posts
Here’s another thumbs up for Pithos Rooms. Clean, very reasonably-priced rooms, nice breakfast. You’d have to search far to find a more welcoming, helpful host than the owner, George.