Delphi Day Trip from Athens: Car, Bus or Tour?

If you’re in Athens and have a free day, why not take a trip to Delphi? You’ve got three ways to make this trip:
1. Book a guided tour – This is the most popular choice.
2. Rent a car – Great if you want flexibility and independence.
3. Take public transport – Not the easiest option, but possible.

🚗 Renting a Car

Because of my unusual schedule, renting a car was the most practical option. I landed in Athens at 13:20 from Paros, and my flight home was the following day at 14:40. Since I had already explored Athens on a previous trip, I decided to use the time for a quick escape to Delphi instead.

All the major car rental companies are available at Athens Airport, and I found a small car for just €20.09 for 24 hours. For two people with luggage, it was more than enough, and I generally prefer smaller cars because they are easier to drive and park.

The only downside was the pickup. Europcar had a long queue with just two agents working, so it took around 70 minutes before I finally got the keys. Once I was on the road, though, the rest of the trip was straightforward.

🚙 Driving in Greece

It took me 2.5 hours to drive the 200 km from Athens Airport to Delphi. There wasn’t much traffic on this late September afternoon. I found a gas station offering unleaded fuel for €1.808, so the round trip cost me €30.05 for gas.

The tolls are €10.55 each way, or you can skip the tolls, but doing so will add about an hour. The toll booths accept both cash and credit cards. I used the TollGuru website to check the toll fees before my trip.

Parking in Delphi is free! There aren’t many spots, but I found one in the evening. The parking at the museum and temple is also free.

🕒 My Itinerary

🏨 Hotels in Delphi

There are plenty of accommodations in Delphi. You can find a double room for as low as €30 a night. My hotel breakfast wasn’t great. In hindsight, I wish I had skipped it. I should have headed straight to the temple at sunrise!

💶 Total Costs

Here’s a breakdown of my expenses:

For a 24-hour car rental, expect to pay around €71.24, plus the cost of the hotel.

📅 Classic Day Trip

You can also adjust my itinerary for a typical day trip. Here’s an example if you rent a car in the morning:

You can have dinner in Delphi, Athens, or somewhere along the way!

👩 Guided Tour

Want to sit back and relax? A guided tour might be your best option. You can easily find tours on GetYourGuide. Most tours stop in Arachova, a charming mountain village nearby, which you won’t regret visiting!

🚌 Public Transport

There’s a direct bus from Athens to Delphi, but it’s not the most convenient. There are only four buses each day:

• From Athens: 08:30, 10:30, 15:00, 18:00
• From Delphi: 05:30, 11:00, 16:00, 18:30

Tickets cost €16.50 one way, and you can check the schedule online.

💶 Cost Comparison

Note: These estimates do not include food, entrance tickets, or any additional personal expenses.

🏛️ Visiting Delphi

I visited both at sunrise and sunset, and the atmosphere was magical. I highly recommend visiting early in the morning. The tourist buses arrive as early as 08:30. Visit early if you want to enjoy the sites without crowds.

🏛️ Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo is the heart of the Delphi site. Built in 510 B.C., it’s where Pythia gave the famous oracles. The sacred road leading up to the temple is surrounded by treasuries and monuments. The current temple was rebuilt around 330 B.C. after an earthquake destroyed the original. It’s a stunning example of ancient Doric architecture.

The temple is open daily, with seasonal hours. From April to August, it’s open from 08:00 to 20:00.

Tickets: You can buy them on-site at the ticket booth or online. Entry costs €12 and covers both the temple and the Archaeological Museum.

🏛️ Tholos of Athena Pronaia

This beautiful circular building, built between 380-370 B.C., was part of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. Its exact purpose is still a mystery, but it’s one of the most unique structures at Delphi.

🏺 Archaeological Museum of Delphi

One of Greece’s most famous museums, the Archaeological Museum of Delphi houses treasures from the site. It’s a bonus that admission is included in your ticket!