We have been trying with no success, to purchase return train tickets from Athens to Kalambaka on May 6/7 via the trainose website. I have tried various things to see if doing something a different way might help but nothing we have done has resulted in being able to purchase our tickets. We are wanting to get the early train from Athens to Kalambaka for an overnight stay, returning late afternoon or early evening the next day. Nothing shows up when I put in our dates and chosen times. I thought it was something to do with not having signed up for an account, so I tried that. It. would not allow me to open an account. I thought maybe it would work better in Greek than English, but that did not change anything. I am at a loss as to what I might be doing wrong. Anyone with ideas? Thank. you.
Posted by
France Southwest
2319 posts
During other trip researchs on TrainOSE I had already noticed that you cannot see the timetables a long time in advance.
For an Athens-Kalambaka on the trainOSE website it is not yet possible to book a ticket after April 30, anyway the timetables are not displayed.
I tried a reservation for a trip on April 30, I can go to the payment page.
So I think you will have to go back to the website later to see if the train schedule is displayed.
Posted by
Bavaria
2480 posts
Connections for April are available, but for May there is not a single one even for the main line Athens - Thessaloniki. So the publication of the timetables might be delayed.
You might consider taking a bus of the KTEL Trikala (all infos here), which offers more connections and is in my experience more reliable than OSE.
Posted by
OP
51 posts
Thank you JoLui and Sla019 for your input. At least now I think it is safe to assume that it is nothing that I either am doing or not doing that is preventing the showing of available trains for my dates. It did cross my mind that it was due to the schedule not being available yet but it seems that it is close enough you would think it would be available so people could plan. My husband agreed that if the train is unable to be booked we might want to check out the bus as an alternative.
Posted by
10 posts
I had some issues with the trainose website and used another way to book my tickets. See my post here https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/greece/rain-in-meteora.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
SharLee, just FYI, in early June 2018, I wanted to do just exactly what you have described. I booked a small “excursion” with VisitMeteora, which included: (1) train up early one morning, mid-day arrival in Kalambaka, (2) nice but not fancy hotel room in Kalambaka, with breakfast, (3) two guided tours by van, one mid-afternoon through sunset, then the next morning from after breakfast through noon or a little after. Each tour included various monasteries, some to wander the interiors, others viewed from the exteriors, plus an ancient church in town. I think which monasteries depended on the days of the week, since days open may vary. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel. (4) return train which left late afternoon the second day, arriving Athens around 11:00 pm. This left me free time for dinner the first evening on my own, and time to wander the town and have lunch on the second day before train departure.
Communications by e-mail from VisitMeteora were very clear. Everything went very smoothly. I think they offer excursions of different lengths, maybe some with hiking, biking, etc. involved. I don’t know how this excursion price compared to arranging and buying each element separately, but it seemed very fair to me.
Posted by
OP
51 posts
Thank you Larry so much for sharing. We may have to start thinking of alternate modes of transportation. I am glad your experience was a positive one and makes me hopeful that in the end, all will be well for us also. I think maybe the schedule for May just has not been put up yet. I am one who tends to like getting loose ends tied up early and not wait until last minute, so it makes me a little anxious. Travel is an adventure and these kinds of things are all just part of the experience!