Katakolon to Olympia

[newyorkmary]

Question about transport from Katakolon to Olympia. We are there in June. We were going to take the train but I read that there is only one train at 8:40AM but our ship arrives at 10AM. Ship excursions are sold out so that won't work. Does anyone know if there are buses (not public transport but tour buses) at the port that we can buy tickets for without a reservation? I also read an old report that they will sometimes add extra trains if there are a lot of cruise passengers. Has anyone seen that? As a last resort, is it likely there will be taxis for hire? Recent experiences please. Thanks.

[Alatraveler1]

We are using Niki Olympia Tours and the Olympia Project 6 hour excursion.  Haven't been yet and only read about not personally experienced positive reviews but it might be an option for you.  This is VERY similar to the ships tours.

[newyorkmary]

Thanks Alatraveler. Sounds like a great option.

[Alatraveler1]

8 hours ago, newyorkmary said:

Thanks Alatraveler. Sounds like a great option.

Like I said, can't recommend them as we haven't been yet, but seemed like a great option of the limited possibilities we had as well.  I don't usually go for excursions that have a meal included, but this one sounds low key and fun in conjunction with seeing the ruins.

[John Bull]

The train service is intermittent and unreliable, best to ignore it.

 

There's a bus transfer service called Katacolon Express. You can pre-book or they accept walk-ins if seats are available. I think the bus (buses?) don't leave until full - not a big deal if you don't mind hanging around for a while because they allow a min. of 2 hours at Olympia so with a drive time of about 40 mins in each direction it will very comfortably fit in with the ship's time in port. It's described as "escorted", but that's merely commentary en-route, you buy your admission tickets on arrival & aren't accompanied into the site. 

Price is €30 p.p., that's a great deal higher than it used to be, but that's the way of things over the past few years.

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

(they have other transfer options - click on Katacolon in the header bar.)

 

We pre-booked a rented car from Dias car rental  https://www.rentacarkatakolo.gr/en/

Their office is just a few yards from the port gate, cars are parked nearby. They accept walk-ins subject to availability. I needed only my national driving licence  Good clean little modern car, for four of us it was as cheap as the Katacolon Express - probably a lot cheaper now. Includes insurance, I don't know how high the insurance excess because we have an annual internet excess policy. Return the car with the same level of fuel, there's a filling station on the way into Katacolon, probably won't need more than about 5 litres.  The route is very very simple, easy parking at Olympia.

There are also a couple of other rental agencies in Katacolon, including Avis 

My info. is about 5 years old, things may have changed.

 

JB 🙂

 

 

[d9704011]

20 hours ago, Alatraveler1 said:

We are using Niki Olympia Tours and the Olympia Project 6 hour excursion.  Haven't been yet and only read about not personally experienced positive reviews but it might be an option for you.  This is VERY similar to the ships tours.

We took this excursion a couple of years ago; it was very good.

[VMax1700]

There are buses at the dock gates that do tours to Olympia.  Just walk up and they go when full. The price in 2022 was €15 per person.  30 minutes drive to Olympia, 2 hours free time and then 30 minutes back to Katakalo.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology in Katakalo (it is near the 'train terminus'). It is very interesting.

[PurpleTraveller]

I was there in June 2022 on a Sunday and the train was not running and there was no one at the port exit selling tours or bus trips. We met up with another couple who were also waiting at the train station and we got a taxi to Olympia. It cost €80 (so €20 per person) for the taxi to drive us from Katakolon to Olympia, the driver to wait two hours for us and then drive us back to Katakolon. We bought entry tickets to Olympia at the ticket booth and there was no line. It was a great day. 

 

[newyorkmary]

Thank you for all the help. It looks like the train or getting a bus at the last minute may not be the best options. We will book ahead with one of these options.

[Alatraveler1]

On 5/17/2024 at 1:02 PM, newyorkmary said:

Thanks Alatraveler. Sounds like a great option.

 

On 5/18/2024 at 6:15 AM, d9704011 said:

We took this excursion a couple of years ago; it was very good.

There is still space available as of today, Olympia, museum, buffet lunch with wine and of course transportation to and from ship.  Much smaller group than ships tour.

[new_cruiser_22]

Information only here for a possibility. We booked a transfer from Katakolon to Olympia with Viator, haven't used them yet. Price is US$24/pp, 5 hours, cancellable up to 24 hours before the departure time. 

[VMax1700]

4 hours ago, new_cruiser_22 said:

Information only here for a possibility. We booked a transfer from Katakolon to Olympia with Viator, haven't used them yet. Price is US$24/pp, 5 hours, cancellable up to 24 hours before the departure time. 

Viator are an intermediary.  They do not run the transfer.  It will be booked with a local supplier and you will be able to book it cheaper with the local supplier too.