[Travel] Plan - Travel among Athens, Nafplio, Olympia and Delphi with KTEL buses etc. in Greece

We can explore key Greek destinations by combining KTEL buses, limited trains, and organized tours. Here is a detailed guide (Copilot): 

1. Athens → Nafplio

Distance: ~140 km

Mode: KTEL bus

Departure Point: Kifissos Bus Terminal, Athens (accessible via metro Line 1 to Elaionas or taxi)

Journey Time: ~2–2.5 hours

Ticket Cost: €12–16 one-way

Bus Frequency: Roughly every 1–2 hours

Arrival Point: Nafplio central bus station, within walking distance of the old town

Notes: Comfortable air-conditioned buses; direct route without transfers.

2. Nafplio → Olympia

Travel Consideration: No direct public bus line exists frequently for this route, so we have two common options:

Via Tripoli:

Nafplio → Tripoli by KTEL Argolidas (~1h)

Tripoli → Olympia by KTEL Arkadias and KTEL Elis (~3–3.5 h combined)

Alternative: Join a guided or semi-private tour from Nafplio to Olympia, which accommodates historical site stops, such as Mycenae or Epidaurus. This is simpler and often more reliable than public buses.

3. Olympia → Delphi

Public Transportation: Minimal direct connections; the usual approach:

Olympia → Patras by KTEL (~1.5 h)

Patras → Delphi by KTEL via Livadia (~4–5 h, with at least one transfer)

Alternative: Arranging a private transfer or booking a guided tour covering Olympia → Delphi is highly recommended for comfort and efficiency.

4. Delphi → Athens

Distance: ~180 km

Mode: KTEL bus

Journey Time: ~3 hours

Ticket Cost: €15–20 (approx.)

Departure Point: Delphi central bus station

Arrival Point: Athens Kifissos Bus Terminal

Notes: Direct buses connect twice daily; pre-check schedules is advised, especially in off-peak months.

Practical Tips:

KTEL Buses: Check the specific KTEL operator websites for updated timetables:

Argolidas (Athens ↔ Nafplio): KTEL Argolidas

Peloponnese and Elis regions (Tripoli ↔ Olympia)

Phocis (Delphi ↔ Athens)

Organized Tours: For a 3–4 day itinerary covering Nafplio, Olympia, and Delphi, tours may include all transfers, entry tickets, and accommodations, reducing complexity.

Flexibility: Greece’s public transport works best with advance planning; expect traffic delays in summer and holidays.

Local Transfers: In cities, taxis or local buses provide the last-mile connection from bus stations to hotels or historic sites.

Suggested Route Using Public Transport (without scene-seeing):

Day 1: Athens → Nafplio (KTEL bus)

Day 2: Nafplio → Olympia (via Tripoli + KTEL)

Day 3: Olympia → Delphi (Patras + Livadia transfer)

Day 4: Delphi → Athens (KTEL bus)