Delphi Day Trip From Athens: Bus, Driving, Tickets and Winter Hours

Delphi is about 180 km northwest of Athens. KTEL buses from the Liossion Street terminal take roughly three hours each way, and driving takes about two and a half. As of November 2026, one €20 ticket covers both the archaeological site and the museum, open 08:30 to 15:30 in winter.

The sanctuary of Apollo sits on the slopes of Mount Parnassus above a valley of olive trees that runs down to the Gulf of Corinth. In ancient times it was the seat of the oracle. Today it is the most popular long day trip from Athens, and in winter the short opening hours shape the whole day.

How do you get to Delphi by bus?

Buses to Delphi are run by KTEL Fokidas and leave from the Liossion bus terminal (sometimes called Terminal B) at Liossion 260, a short walk from Kato Patissia station on metro Line 1 (see our Athens metro lines guide).

1. Check the timetable on the KTEL Fokidas website. In recent seasons there have been about four departures a day on weekdays and fewer at weekends, with the first one in the morning.
2. Buy your ticket at the terminal or online. Seats are numbered, and the operator has asked online buyers to bring a printed ticket.
3. Take the earliest bus. In winter the site closes at 15:30, so a later departure leaves you very little time.
4. Get off at Delphi village, then walk about 10 minutes east along the main road to the museum and the site entrance.
5. Book or confirm your return seat as soon as you arrive. Afternoon buses back can be full at weekends.

Fares change, and the published figures we found conflict, so check the price with KTEL Fokidas. Expect a return trip to cost more than a single museum ticket.

Is it better to drive or take a tour?

Driving is the most flexible option. The usual route is the Athens–Lamia motorway north, then the turn-off towards Thiva and Livadia, then the mountain road through Arachova. The motorway section has tolls. In winter, check for snow or ice on the stretch around Arachova before you set off.

Organized tours from Athens include transport and a guide, and often a lunch stop. They save planning, but the time on site is fixed, and in winter it can be short. The table compares the three options.

How much are the site and museum tickets?

As of November 2026, the Ministry of Culture lists one €20 ticket that covers the Delphi Archaeological Museum and the archaeological site. The same price applies all year. Reduced tickets are half price for eligible groups, and EU citizens up to 25 and non-EU children up to 18 enter free with ID.

Last admission is 20 minutes before closing. State sites are also free for everyone on the first and third Sunday of each month from November to March and on a few fixed dates. Buy e-tickets on hhticket.gr, the official site for state monuments.

What should you see at Delphi?

Start with the site while you have energy for the climb, then finish in the museum. In winter, some visitors do the reverse when the morning is cold or wet.

• The Sacred Way. The path zigzags uphill past the foundations of treasuries built by Greek cities. The rebuilt Treasury of the Athenians is the easiest to picture.
• The Temple of Apollo. Only the platform and a few columns remain, but this was where the oracle spoke.
• The theater and the stadium. The theater sits above the temple with the best view of the valley. The stadium is higher still and worth the extra climb if the path is open.
• The sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. About 1 km downhill along the road, this holds the round Tholos, the most photographed ruin at Delphi.
• The museum. The bronze Charioteer, the Sphinx of the Naxians and the omphalos stone, which marked what Greeks considered the center of the world, are the main pieces.

Wear shoes with grip. The stone paths are steep and slippery when wet.

Can you combine Delphi with Arachova in winter?

Yes. Arachova is a mountain village about 10 km from Delphi on the road back to Athens. In winter it is a weekend base for the Parnassos ski center, with stone houses, tavernas and shops selling local cheese and woolens.

A combined day works best by car: see Delphi from opening time, eat lunch in Arachova, and drive back before dark. Arachova gets busy and more expensive on ski weekends, especially around Christmas and the New Year.

Should you stay overnight?

For shorter trips from the city, compare the options in our day trips from Athens guide. Stay one night at Delphi if you go between November and March by bus, or if you want to see the site without the midday tour groups. Delphi village has small hotels with valley views, and prices are lower than in Arachova on ski weekends.

An overnight stay lets you arrive the afternoon before and be at the gate at 08:30. That gives you seven hours on site instead of three or four. In summer, with the site open until 20:00, a day trip is easier.

Bottom line

In winter, take the first bus or drive up the evening before, because the 15:30 closing leaves no slack for a late start. If a free first or third Sunday falls on your date, expect more visitors and arrive at opening time.

FAQ

Can you do Delphi as a day trip from Athens?

Yes. With about three hours of travel each way by bus, you get four to five hours at Delphi if you leave early. In winter the 15:30 closing makes an early start essential.

Does the Delphi ticket include the museum?

Yes. As of November 2026, the €20 ticket covers both the archaeological site and the Delphi Archaeological Museum.

Where does the bus to Delphi leave from in Athens?

From the KTEL Liossion terminal at Liossion 260, near Kato Patissia metro station on Line 1. It does not leave from the Kifissos terminal.

Is there snow at Delphi in winter?

Snow is more common higher up, around Arachova and the Parnassos ski area, than at Delphi itself. The mountain road can still be icy, so check conditions before you drive.