Katakolon to Olympia Train

[ScratchTheRat]

Hi all!

 

Anyone got up to date train times? One website I found has three departures and another has only one. I am worried we'd miss the only train to Olympia and be stuck!

[Ine]

I cannot help you with the trainschedule. However you will see some tour buses at the end of the pier offering return transportation/tickets to Marathon.

[jas283a]

We did our excursion through the ship to Olympia, so I couldn't say.  For that stop, that may be worth considering (whether that's through the ship or a private excursion).  That way you don't have to worry about getting back either going there or coming back.  

[John Bull]

The train from Katakolon has a chequered history, sometimes it runs & sometimes it doesn't.

I wouldn't want to rely on it.

 

Other than ship's tours you have two choices

 

https://www.katakolon-express.com/katakolon/olympiaescortedtour.htm

Reliable coach service, leaves from close to the port gate. Worth pre-booking to be sure.

The price is for transportation only, ships' tours will include admission and (probably) a  guided tour

 

Or rent a car.

There are two (or more?) agencies very close to the port gate. Avis is one, the other is Dias https://www.rentacarkatakolo.gr/

We rented from the one listed as Dias, I recognise the premises from Google streetview, but that name doesn't ring a bell so it may have changed hands. We pre-booked, no front-money or card number required. Clean modern cars with aircon (check transmission if you need automatic), a little map to get to Olympia though it's very very simple - just two junctions. Return the car with the same amount of gas. About 22 miles to Olympia (Olimpia on Googlemaps, Olympia is a red-herring village)

For two, Katakolon Express & car rental cost about the same, for more than two the car is cheaper as well as more comfortable & flexible

 

JB 🙂

Edited September 3, 2021 by John Bull

[Muckyduckway]

@John Bull We were considering hiring from Dias. How long ago did you use them? Do you remember how much you paid? They are quoting €35 for a compact car but don't mention tax, CDW, 2nd driver etc. Last time we used the bus you reference which was €10 pp and was a good option but we had to hang around until they had enough to fill the bus, then traipse to the car park behind the marina to get on it. With covid things may be different, but think we might want to try car this time.

[PORT ROYAL]

On 9/1/2021 at 11:11 AM, ScratchTheRat said:

Hi all!

 

Anyone got up to date train times? One website I found has three departures and another has only one. I am worried we'd miss the only train to Olympia and be stuck!

This is a published one, but it may not apply in the future.

https://www.katakolon.org/katakolon-train/

Additional.

Most train drivers are very heavy smokers, so are their travelling companions.

Therefore, if the inhalation and smell of tobacco smoke is not to your liking, then do not take seats at the front of the train immediately behind the driver.

 

 

Edited September 4, 2021 by PORT ROYAL
Smoking

[ScratchTheRat]

3 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

This is a published one, but it may not apply in the future.

https://www.katakolon.org/katakolon-train/

Additional.

Most train drivers are very heavy smokers, so are their travelling companions.

Therefore, if the inhalation and smell of tobacco smoke is not to your liking, then do not take seats at the front of the train immediately behind the driver.

 

 

I actually chose to go with Geo Travel for a coach trip. 4 hours and only 10 EUR round trip!

[John Bull]

4 hours ago, Muckyduckway said:

@John Bull We were considering hiring from Dias. How long ago did you use them? Do you remember how much you paid? They are quoting €35 for a compact car but don't mention tax, CDW, 2nd driver etc. Last time we used the bus you reference which was €10 pp and was a good option but we had to hang around until they had enough to fill the bus, then traipse to the car park behind the marina to get on it. With covid things may be different, but think we might want to try car this time.

 

Must've been 5 or 6 years ago, but the rental fee was about €35.

 

By law, rental prices in Europe must include taxes and third-party insurance, and every vehicle I've rented anywhere in Europe has also included CDW in the rental fee. But CDW usually has high excess - anywhere between €800 and €1500.

We have an annual policy from a UK insurer to cover CDW excess, so I don't know what they charge for zero excess.  You can pay extra for zero excess but the fee for that, like for most extras, is a rip-off. But it's such a short and simple drive that even without that cover I'd not pay for CDW excess.

Charges for a second driver range from zilch to excessive, for that journey it's not worth paying extra.

 

Do make sure the car has air-con - it'll be a welcome oasis after the heat at Olympia 

 

No hanging around while the coach touts for more business, but also importantly you leave Olympia when you choose rather than the scheduled time.  

 

JB 🙂

[Muckyduckway]

@John Bull Thanks, we've rented in Europe before but tend to err on side of caution with CDW insurance cover (with longer rentals this is a negligible extra). Might just wait to decide - with a group the car would be a no brainer, but for 2 on price alone the bus wins. We're still on the fence about going, really need Greek and UK numbers to go down. Sigh!

[jennjess]

That sounds like a great deal!  Did you use them anywhere else on the trip?

[jennjess]

On 9/4/2021 at 5:11 PM, ScratchTheRat said:

I actually chose to go with Geo Travel for a coach trip. 4 hours and only 10 EUR round trip!

That sounds like a great deal, did you use them anywhere else?

[ScratchTheRat]

13 hours ago, jennjess said:

That sounds like a great deal, did you use them anywhere else?

 

13 hours ago, jennjess said:

That sounds like a great deal, did you use them anywhere else?

No, just this one. Most ports we're doing our own thing 🙂