Hello, can anyone advise if there is public transportation to from the cruise port to Ancient Olympia? I am trying to determine if I need to book an excursion or not. Thank you.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23642 posts
There is a train from the port to the town of Olympia but not the site of the Olympia games. The schedule is limited-a couple of trains in the AM. I am sure one of the train experts will help you find the schedule. From the town I am sure there would be public or taxi transportation to the site.
Posted by
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
290 posts
There are both trains & buses. Check out:
Posted by
OP
Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
37 posts
I may have to sign up for a tour then. I really want to see Ancient Olympia and the sites there. I will check out the schedule as well. Thank you.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3401 posts
No problemo... if the train goes to the TOWN of Olympia, the ancient site is walking distance, the other end of town ... about a 15 minute walk. If you are elderly or disabled, you can take a taxi from the train, for a few euros.
You do not need to do an excursion Wanda... but it will enrich your experience if you will take the time to do some homework beforehand. Many cruise people do not do this, then they have only a blurry memory of what they saw.
Use the computer. Google "Olympia site" and "Olympia Museum". Wikipedia has a good article to print out. The museum is quite self explanatory ... the site, it helps to have a print-out of a map, or from a guidebook.
TIP: where you see the mob of cruise-people going, go the other direction. I went in the museum while all the tourists crowds were out in the ruins, and it was blessedly quiet & uncrowded. I left just as the throngs started lining up.
Posted by
OP
Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
37 posts
Thank you Janet,
We can most certainly walk. I am trying to avoid paying costly fees for tours offered by Princess. I am all about research ahead of time. It seems to me that the most cost effective way would be to take the train from the port to Olympia and then walk through the town to get to the sites. Thank you.
Posted by
OP
Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
37 posts
Janet,
I have a question. Will I also be able to see the site for the 2004 Olympics or is this a different sight altogether?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8123 posts
The 2004 Olympics were held in Athens, though there were some events and functions held in Olympia, not sure if there is anything to see in regards to that.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
417 posts
Wanda-
Depending on the amount of people, renting a small car may be just as cost effective as the train, and far more flexible. We rented a small car for 4 people for 25 Euros for a half day. Driving to Ancient Olympia was extremely easy as the signs were very clearly posted. Parking was a breeze.
Car rental places are just outside the cruise pier. Haggle for better prices, but even then, I think we only got them to lower it by 2 Euro! haha.
Posted by
OP
Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
37 posts
That's an idea. Thank you!
Posted by
nanaimo
156 posts
We just did this trip from a cruise ship last fall. If you disembark early, I think there is a train about 8.30 but you will probably catch the next one. It takes about 45 minutes to Olympia.You walk down to the end of the main street and the station is a little yellow house by itself which you cant miss. It cost 2.50 Euro return trip to Olympia and the site is just 10 minutes or so walk away. Its so easy, I wouldnt waste time and money renting a car. If you miss the early train you will have lots of time to run the gauntlet of stores on the main street....