Private car transfer from Athens to Meteora
in 4 h 10 min
per seat
car
Trip Information
Pick-up
Your driver will meet you at your address in Athens.
- Door-to-door service
- Help with your luggage
Trip
You’ll travel in comfort for 4 h 10 min.
- Optional sight-seeing
- Clean, comfortable car
- Professional driver
- Bottled water
- Child seats
- Prepared for handicapped
- Smoke-free
- Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Meteora.
- Door-to-door service
- Help with your luggage
Overview: car trip from Athens to Meteora
The drive from Athens to Meteora takes 4 hours and 10 minutes with a Daytrip private car service, covering a distance of around 220 miles (355 km.) On the way, you can choose to stop and explore sights that you might otherwise miss out on during your tour of Greece.
For starters, consider a stop at the Archaeological Museum of Thebes. This incredible collection of artifacts showcases the daily lives of ancient people and walks visitors through the social evolution of Greece and the world. This is a fantastic introduction to the country’s history and culture, as highlighted by a diverse display of ancient objects.
Or, you could visit Delphi, once considered the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. The site is nestled in Mount Parnassus and is home to the Temple of Apollo as well as several other significant Greek monuments, theaters, and socio-political structures. A tour of Delphi brings visitors closer to the ancient Greeks through an exploration of their celebrations of the God of the Sun.
About Meteora
Meteora roughly translates as “suspended in air,” a moniker given to the monasteries there because of their position wedged into eroding rock faces. After your Athens to Meteora transfer, you will be able to experience the gravity-defying complex near the Pindos mountains. Here, a series of dark stone pillars support a series of monastic structures in an incredible feat of natural and architectural features.
It is believed that the monks originally built their complex here in order to be closer to god during the Byzantine era, with the foundations dating back to the 11th century. Over the centuries, various methods of transport were used to access the monasteries and to transport supplies. First, precarious scaffolding and ladders, followed by nets with hooks and rope ladders as well as baskets and pulley systems. Some of the wooden ladders in use were up to 131 feet (40 meters) long.
While in its prime, Meteora was home to around 30 monasteries; today, only around 6 survive due to raids in the 17th century. The 6 that remain are operational but are only home to a few monks (and only one nunnery survives, the Monastery of Agios Stefanos.) The site is popular for religious tourism and is visited by millions of travelers each year. The monasteries are open to the public for visitation, and the area is also a popular destination for hiking and rock climbing due to its sheer natural beauty.
Travelers hoping to stay longer than a day will often use the nearby town of Kalambaka as a home base for accommodation, shops, and other amenities.
From Athens to Meteora: travel tips
Ahead of your trip from Athens to Meteora, there are some quick preparations you can make that will ensure you have the best experience possible while exploring the monasteries.
Be aware of the Monastery dress code
Keep in mind that these are religious sites, and it is important to be respectful of the monastic customs while you are a guest here. Travelers should bring clothing that covers their knees and shoulders in order to be dressed appropriately. In the hot summer months, light, long, layers can be a great choice for keeping yourself protected from the harsh sun and serve as appropriate dress for entering the monasteries.
Bring water and snacks
While Meteora is certainly much more accessible than it was in ancient times, there are not many amenities for travelers at the top of the hills among the actual monasteries. Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle and a snack or two with you, as it can be a long day without refreshments until you get back to Kalambaka or another nearby town.
How to get from Athens to Meteora
There are a few options to cover the distance from Athens to Meteora, including both private and public transportation routes. As many people visit Meteora on a day trip, it may be worth choosing a private driving transfer as it is the faster and more convenient option that enables you to make the most of your time in Meteora.
Bus from Athens to Meteora
There are no direct buses from Athens to Meteora; the closest possible route will take you to Kalampaka where you can either hike or be driven the final 1.8 miles to Meteora (which may not seem far but is about 49 minutes of walking.) On the bus ride, you will need to transfer after 4.5 hours to a new bus in Trikala for an additional 30-minute bus ride. In total, this route takes 6 hours and 40 minutes on average, and tickets cost $28 to $40 (€26-€37).
Train and taxi from Athens to Meteora
There is not a direct train route to Meteora from Athens, but you can take a train as far as Paleofarsalos (a 2-hour and 45-minute journey) before taking a taxi to Meteora (about 1 hour and 15 minutes.) This option will take around 4 hours but can take longer depending on the taxi wait times.
The train fare is only around $10 to $17 (€9-€16) as the initial trip isn’t far, but adding the taxi fare brings the total trip cost up to $120 to $157 (€111-€145). Keep in mind that you will also spend time navigating to the train station in Athens, so your total journey is closer to 5 hours minimum from door to door.
Private transfer from Athens to Meteora
The best option for many travelers is to take a private driving service from Athens to Meteora. With Daytrip, the journey takes only 4 hours and 10 minutes from door-to-door and starts at $89 per person. This gives you a seamless experience with stress-free booking and much greater control over your departure time and overall itinerary (you can even add sightseeing stops!)
A private transfer will also give you the most time in Meteora if you’re only visiting for a day trip.
Things to do when you get to Meteora
After your journey from Athens to Meteora, you can enjoy a day (or two) spent exploring the incredible mountainscape and monasteries.
Tour the Monastery of Grand Meteoron
The largest and highest monastery in the area is that of Grand Meteoron, founded in 1340. The nave and narthex of the structure are original from its founding and blend into the later additions of smaller chapels and joined ladders. The monks have worked over the centuries to carefully preserve religious artifacts such as illuminated manuscripts and rare icons.
This is a good place to start your journey exploring the monasteries but bear in mind that you should check the scheduled opening times for each monastery ahead of time, as one of each of the monasteries closes every day of the week.
Tour the Monastery of Agios Stefanos
This is the only nunnery in the area, and evidence suggests that it was built slightly later than Grand Meteoron around the mid-15th century. The primary church is dedicated to Agios Charalambos and is actually still the resting place of the skull of the saint, given as a gift to the nuns in the 19th century by Prince Vladislav of Wallachia.
Visitors will enjoy the positioning of this monastery, as it offers incredible views down below of the plain of Kalambaka. This nunnery is open every day except for Mondays.
Explore the Antichassia Natural Park
This massive nature reserve covers nearly 2,050 acres (830 hectares) of land and is home to a diverse range of native plants and animals. There is an abundance of walking and hiking trails as well as opportunities for mountain climbers. The area encourages visitors to be mindful of the fragile ecosystem and to be careful not to disturb the wildlife while enjoying the natural sights.
When is the best time to visit Meteora?
As you prepare for your Athens to Meteor transfer, you will likely be wondering about the best time of year to visit. While many people head to this part of Europe in the sunniest months of the summer, you may be better off visiting during the shoulder seasons of autumn and early spring. Consider a visit in October or November for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds or a visit from March to April for a sunnier stay that isn’t as hot or overcrowded as in the summer.
The winter months may be a good choice for reduced rates on accommodation and flights, and the nearby ski center will be in full swing. However, for those trekking to see the monasteries, the winter months can yield slippery and dangerous paths for inexperienced hikers.
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Athens to Meteora
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Visit these sights on the way
Archaeological Museum of Thebes
This is one of the best archaeological museums in a country known for its ancient history. The History of History
Delphi
Thousands of years ago, Greeks would travel to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to receive a prophesy from the Oracle of Apollo. Historic Vision
Battle of the Thermophylae Museum
It was here that 300 Spartans, and a handful of other soldiers, held off the Persian army in one of the most famous battles in history. The Stuff of Legends
Castle of Lamia
This ancient castle sheltered locals from the Bronze Age through World War II. Shelter through the Ages
Porta Panagia
This medieval church is stunning example of the Byzantine architecture in and idyllic setting. Byzantine Beauty
Trikala
Settled for over 50,000 years, this ancient city is home to a multitude of monuments spanning a millennia. Heritage From Every Era
Why people love Daytrip
- 326 travelers took this route with us
“I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.”
“We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.”
Best transport company anywhere
“We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.”
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Reasonably Priced and Safe Transportation
“Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.”
“We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.”
“Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.”
Comfortable and Safe Rides in Mexico
“Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.”
Great way to travel and see some sights on the way
“We did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.”
“We used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.”
Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
- Big luggage
- 29x21x11 inches
- 74x53x28 cm
- Small luggage
- 22x14x9 inches
- 56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
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