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.
Car rental requirements
If your driving licence was issued outside the EU, check whether you need an International Driving Permit before your trip.
You will also need a valid debit or credit card for the rental deposit. I used my Visa debit card without any issues, so a credit card was not required in my case.
I usually travel with Revolut, and it worked perfectly for the deposit.
🚙 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
14:50
17:30
17:30-19:00
19:00-19:30
19:30-20:00
20:00-
07:30-08:30
08:30-10:00
10:00-13:00
14:40
🚗 Landed at Athens Airport and rented a car
🏛 Arrived at the Temple of Apollo ️
🏛 Explored the site
🏺 Visited the Archaeological Museum
🏨 Checked into my hotel
🍽 Had dinner and wandered around Delphi ️
🍳 Wake up and have breakfast
🌅 Visited the sites again after sunrise
🚘 Drove back to Athens, refueled, and returned the car
🛫 Flight home
🏨 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:
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Car Rental | €20.09 | 24 hours |
| Highway Tolls | €21.1 | Round trip |
| Fuel | €30.05 | Round trip |
| Parking | €0 | Free |
| Hotel | From €30 | Per night |
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:
07:30
08.00-08.30
08.30-11.00
11.00-12.00
12.00-13.30
13.30-16.30
16.30-19.00
☕ Breakfast
🚗 Pick up rental car
🛣️ Drive to Delphi
🏛 Visit Tholos of Athena Pronaia ️
🍴 Lunch in Delphi
🏺 Explore the Temple of Apollo and Museum
🚗 Drive back to Athens
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!
Athens: Delphi, Corycian Cave, and 300 Battlefield Day Trip
🕑 Duration: 12 hours
💰From €165 per person
🚌 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
| Option | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Car Rental + Overnight Stay | From €101.24 per car (for 2 people) |
| Car Rental Day Trip | From €71.24 per car |
| Guided Tour | From €50-60 per person |
| Public Transport | From €33 per person |
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!
❓ FAQ: Delphi Day Trip from Athens
Is Delphi worth a day trip from Athens?
Yes. Delphi is one of the easiest major archaeological sites to combine with an Athens trip, and a full day gives you enough time to see the Temple of Apollo, Archaeological Museum and Tholos of Athena Pronaia.
How long does it take to get from Athens to Delphi?
Allow roughly 2.5–3 hours each way, depending on where in Athens you start, traffic and your transport option. I drove from Athens Airport to Delphi in about 2.5 hours.
Can you visit Delphi from Athens without a tour?
Yes. You can visit independently by rental car or KTEL bus. I chose a rental car because it gave me more flexibility, while the bus is cheaper but ties you to a limited timetable.
Is it better to drive, take the bus or book a Delphi tour?
It depends on what matters most to you. Driving gives you the most flexibility, the bus is usually the budget option, and an organized tour is the simplest choice if you do not want to arrange transport yourself. Tours also commonly combine Delphi with a stop in Arachova.
How much time do you need at Delphi?
I would allow around 3 hours for the main archaeological site and museum, plus additional time for the Tholos of Athena Pronaia and lunch in Delphi. A full-day trip from Athens works well without having to rush through the site.
What is the best time of day to visit Delphi?
Early morning is my preference. I visited around both sunrise and sunset, and arriving early gave me a much quieter experience before the tour buses started arriving.
What should you see at Delphi?
Do not miss the Temple of Apollo and Sacred Way, the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, and the nearby Tholos of Athena Pronaia. Together they give you a much better picture of the ancient sanctuary than visiting the main temple alone.
