Only one free day? · Day trip from Athens
Delphi or Meteora?
| Field | Delphi | Meteora |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 3 h + 15 min walk from the village | 4 h rail line to Kalambaka closed since 2023 |
| Transport | KTEL bus | Tour coach |
| Self-guided | € 50.20 | – |
| Tour | € 24 | € 84 |
| Time needed | 3–4 h | 4–6 h |
| Closed | None | Each monastery 1 day a week; Great Meteoron Tue (Tue-Thu in winter) |
| Best time | Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct; closes 15:30 Nov-Mar | Apr-Oct, when most monasteries open 6 days a week |
| Verdict | Worth a full day | Better to sleep there |
Our verdict
Delphi. Meteora deserves a night.
With one free day, pick Delphi. It is 3 hours each way against 4, the tour lasts 10 hours against 14, and it starts at € 24 against € 84 plus € 15 in cash for three monasteries. You also keep your evening in Athens. Choose Meteora only if you have already had your fill of ruins and can face a day that ends 14 hours after it starts, or better, if you can add a night in Kalambaka and see the monasteries in the morning before the coaches arrive.
Last checked: · Bus times from KTEL Fokidas, KTEL Argolida and KTEL Korinthias; opening days and ticket prices from Hellenic Heritage (hh.gr), the Greek culture ministry's ticket service.