Ancient Olympia via Katakolo: Transportation Mode

It's a pretty straightforward drive. With several people the car rental would save you money. Though you might not find a car that will seat 6-7 people. The roads to Olympia are well marked and the ancient site is just past the town (you go through town itself). All-in-all an easy drive. Lots of places to eat in town.

Do you mean to say you will be on a cruise and are wondering whether to take their excursion or just rent a car and do it on your own? While excursions are usually overpriced, your time may be limited. You have to rent a car, drive to the site and return on time without getting lost. You must have an International Drivers Permit to rent a car and drive in Greece. Having said that, driving in rural Greece is not that difficult and Olympia is small and easy to navigate. There really isn't anything else to see or do along the route.

I've driven in Europe before (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and France). That's not a problem. We are on a cruise with six other people and they want to take the excursion. We have very limited time and we can get to Olympia much quicker by car than via the excursion - as long as there are no unknown unknowns. Hence the inquiry. Getting an international permit from AAA is easy. The excursion leaves the port at 10:00 am. The boat arrives in Katakolo at 8:00 am. I'm thinking that with the car I can be in Olympia by 9:30 am. The excursion won't be there until 10:45 am. We have to be back on the boat before 3:30 pm. I'm thinking I can get in four hours in Olympia and still have two hours to make the 30 minute drive back to the port. If it's a crazy drive, I'd opt for the excursion. But if it's straight forward . . .

Hi Hank, (my husband's name!) We were on a cruise and hired a taxi in advance to meet the ship and take us to Olympia. This was in 2001 so don't have my notes but you might find the Cruise Critics Board helpful. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/ First scroll down to "Ports of Call" Shore Excursions, Europe, Greece Ports: There is George Taxi Tours http://www.taxikatakolon.com/ Hey! Rick Steves logo is on his site! Or, if you register and sign on you can access "Roll Call" for your exact cruise ship and cruise date and see what passengers on your ship are doing and if private tours are being organized.

There is a train from the port.

I've checked with some guides I know in Greece and the train is still running. It is your cheapest option. If you decide to rent a car, there is an Avis agency in Katakolo that is trustworthy. Some of the agencies by the dock seemed sleezy to me. I drove from Katakolo and found it an easy, half-hour drive. Rick has directions in his cruise book or you can ask at the rental agency.

I would think driving would be easy--no major towns--pretty flat. Katakolon is very small, as is Olympia. If you want to take the train, it has a run at 10 AM--gets there by 10:45. Return is at 12, 1, 2, and 3pm. I just took it last week. You can easily take the 2 and get back at 2:45. There are also buses that leave at 10AM and return at 1pm. Train and buses cost 10 euros RT.