How to Get From Athens to Delphi on a Day Trip

If you’re visiting Athens and want to escape the city for a day, a day trip to Delphi is one of the best choices you can make. Just a couple of hours from the capital, Delphi is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also one of the most sacred places of the ancient world.

I’ve been to Delphi many times, and every visit feels special — the mountain setting, the history, and the myths around the Oracle of Apollo are unforgettable. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to plan your Delphi day trip from Athens and what to see once you’re there.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

How to make a day trip to Delphi from Athens

Want to see Delphi before you go? Check out my video guide below, where I walk you through the highlights of a day trip from Athens to Delphi. And don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for more Greece travel tips and guides. Thanks!

How to get from Athens to Delphi

Getting from Athens to Delphi is simple, and you’ve got a few options depending on your travel style:

By Car

I don’t usually recommend renting a car just for a day trip to Delphi — by the time you factor in rental pickup and drop-off, it’s not worth the hassle. But if you’re already planning a Greece road trip (for example, combining Delphi with Meteora or the Peloponnese), then driving makes perfect sense. The drive from Athens to Delphi takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes without stops, and the scenery is beautiful, especially as you approach the mountain village of Arachova, a great place to stop for coffee or lunch.

I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.

Public Bus

The KTEL bus is the most budget-friendly option. Buses run daily from Athens to Delphi, with several departures depending on the season. The journey usually takes around 3 hours. It’s an easy and affordable choice if you’re traveling light and don’t mind sticking to a fixed schedule.

👉 Check the latest timetable directly with KTEL before your trip here.

Guided Tour

If you’re only visiting Delphi for the day, a guided tour from Athens is the most convenient and stress-free option. You’ll be picked up from your hotel or a central pick-up location, ride in a comfortable coach, and have a knowledgeable guide who brings the myths and ruins to life. You won’t need to worry about transport, tickets, or logistics — everything is taken care of.

There are many organized day trips going to Delphi. I recommend this 10 Hour Guided Day Trip to Delphi.

Tips for Visiting Delphi

• Wear comfortable shoes – the site is on a hillside with uneven paths.
• Bring water and a hat in summer — there’s little shade.
• Allow at least 2–3 hours to explore the site and the museum together.
• Start early if you’re visiting in summer to avoid the heat and the biggest crowds.
• Combine with Arachova – the nearby mountain town is perfect for a coffee or meal stop.

Brief History of the Delphi Archaeological Site

Delphi has been a place of mystery and power since ancient times. Nestled at the foot of Mount Parnassus, the sanctuary began to flourish in the 8th century BC, when priests from Crete brought the cult of Apollo here. But the area’s history goes back even further — archaeologists have found remains of a Mycenaean settlement and even traces from the Neolithic period.

What really made Delphi famous was the Oracle of Apollo. Pilgrims — from ordinary citizens to kings and foreign leaders — came here to ask the priestess Pythia for guidance before making big decisions. Her words, often cryptic, were believed to carry the voice of Apollo himself. Today, we know her trance was likely caused by gases rising from the ground, but to the ancient world, it was pure divine mystery.

Delphi wasn’t just about prophecy. It was also home to the Pythian Games, second only to the Olympics, featuring music, poetry, and athletic contests. Over time, control of the sanctuary shifted — from the Phocians to the Macedonians, then the Aetolians, and later the Romans. Emperors like Hadrian supported Delphi, while others looted it. Eventually, in 394 AD, the oracle was silenced when the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius banned pagan worship.

Even though the temples fell into ruins, the spirit of Delphi — as the “navel of the world” — still draws visitors today.

Things to see on your day trip to Delphi

There’s a lot to explore in Delphi, but these are the highlights you shouldn’t miss on a day trip:

Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia

Often, the first glimpse visitors get of Delphi, this sanctuary is famous for the Tholos, a striking circular temple built around 380 BC. Its exact purpose is still a mystery, but its elegance makes it one of the most photographed spots at Delphi.

Temple of Apollo

The heart of the sanctuary and where the Oracle of Delphi gave her prophecies. Here stood treasures and offerings to Apollo, as well as the records of the Pythian Games. Even in ruins, standing among its columns is a powerful experience.

Treasury of the Athenians

This small but elegant building was constructed to store offerings from Athens after their military victories. Today, it’s beautifully reconstructed, giving you a sense of the grandeur of ancient dedications.

Ancient Theatre of Delphi

Climbing up the Sacred Way leads you to the theatre, built into the hillside with stunning views over the valley. It hosted music and poetry contests during the Pythian Games, and sitting on its stone seats today is unforgettable.

Stadium of Delphi

A short uphill walk from the theatre brings you to the Stadium, one of the best-preserved in Greece. It was here that the athletic events of the Pythian Games were held, including foot races. With seating for around 6,500 spectators, the stadium really shows the scale of Delphi’s importance in the ancient world.

The Sacred Way

This ancient road once guided pilgrims through the sanctuary, lined with statues, treasuries, and monuments. Walking it today lets you literally follow in the footsteps of those who came seeking Apollo’s wisdom.

Ancient Gymnasium

Dating to the 4th century BC, this was where athletes trained for competitions. The complex included a gymnasium, a wrestling school, and later Roman baths — a place for both sport and intellectual debate.

Archaeological Museum of Delphi

One of Greece’s most important museums. Don’t miss the famous Bronze Charioteer, the Sphinx of Naxos, and the Twins of Argos — masterpieces that bring Delphi’s history to life.

Castalian Fountain

Once, the sacred spring was where pilgrims purified themselves before consulting the oracle. The fountain we see today dates back to the 6th century BC and can still be spotted along the roadside.

Click here to book your day trip from Athens check this 10 Hour Guided Day Trip to Delphi.

Delphi Opening Times & Tickets

The Delphi Archaeological Site and Museum are open year-round, but hours and admission vary depending on the season.

Opening Hours

• Winter (Nov 1 – Mar 31): 08:30 – 15:30 (last admission 15:10)
• Summer (Apr 1 – Oct 31): 08:00 – 20:00 (last admission 19:40)
  • Tuesdays: 10:00 – 17:00 (last admission 16:40)

Closures & Holiday Hours

• Closed: 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 25 & 26 December, May 1
• Special hours:
  • Good Friday: 12:00 – 17:00 (last admission 16:40)
  • Holy Saturday: 08:30 – 15:30 (last admission 15:10)

Tickets

• Full: €20
• Reduced: €10
• Tickets are valid for both the Archaeological Site & Museum.
• Available at the ticket office on-site or online.

Free Admission Days

• 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
• 18 April (International Monuments Day)
• 18 May (International Museums Day)
• Last weekend of September (European Heritage Days)
• Every first and third Sunday from November to March
• 28 October

Sharing is caring!