How to get to Meteora from Thessaloniki and Athens
By car, bus or train: every way to reach the Meteora monasteries, how long it takes, and how to manage without the direct train to Kalambaka.
- About 3 to 3.5 hours by car from Thessaloniki; 4.5 to 5 hours from Athens.
- The direct Kalambaka train is suspended; take the train to Palaiofarsalos, then a bus.
- Each monastery costs €5 and has its own weekly closing day.
The easiest option is a hire car and a night in Kalambaka or Kastraki. If you take the train from Athens, check the line and the bus connection before booking.
How to get to Meteora
Meteora, with its monasteries perched on rock pillars above Kalambaka, is in central Greece: roughly 3 to 3.5 hours by road from Thessaloniki and about 4.5 to 5 hours from Athens. There are three main ways to get there: a hire car, a KTEL bus, or the train with a bus connection. You can also join an organised day tour.
How to get to Meteora from Thessaloniki
By car: the quickest and most flexible option. Take the motorway towards Larissa and Trikala, or the road via Grevena and then south to Kalambaka. You can leave in the morning and be back the same evening, but a night in Kalambaka lets you see the sunset over the rocks.
By bus: KTEL buses leave Thessaloniki's main bus station (Macedonia) for Trikala, where a local bus continues to Kalambaka in about 30 minutes. Check the timetable on the KTEL Trikala website before you travel.
Organised tour: agencies in Thessaloniki sell day trips to Meteora with transport and a guide. It suits anyone who doesn't want to drive, and fits well with other day trips from Thessaloniki.
How to get to Meteora from Athens
By train: there used to be a direct train from Athens to Kalambaka. According to Visit Meteora, the Kalambaka line has been suspended since the damage from Storm Daniel (September 2023) and the repair works. For now you take the train from Athens to Palaiofarsalos and continue by bus to Kalambaka. Visit Meteora also runs an express bus timed with the train. The situation changes, so check Hellenic Train before you book.
By car: a long drive of about 350 km north on the motorway via Lamia. Plan at least one night there.
By bus: KTEL from Athens (Liosion terminal) to Trikala, then a local bus to Kalambaka.
Getting around between the monasteries
The monasteries are spread along one winding road between the rocks, a few kilometres apart with steep climbs. With a car you can stop at every viewpoint and park near the entrances, though in summer the car parks fill early. Without a car there is a local bus from Kalambaka to the main monasteries, taxis, and waymarked footpaths from Kastraki. The paths are beautiful but steep, so bring comfortable shoes, water and a hat. Most visitors manage two or three monasteries in a day without rushing.
Where to stay near Meteora
The natural base is Kalambaka or the village of Kastraki below the rocks. From there you can reach the monasteries on foot, by taxi or on the local bus. One night lets you visit in the morning, when there are fewer groups, and catch the sunset in the evening.
Monastery opening hours and entrance fee
According to Visit Meteora (2026), six monasteries are open to visitors, each with its own weekly closing day. Entry to each costs €5. There is a dress code: long trousers for men, and a long skirt and covered shoulders for women. Winter opening hours are shorter. Check the current days and hours before planning your route.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from Thessaloniki to Meteora? About 3 to 3.5 hours by car. By bus with a change in Trikala it takes longer.
Is there a direct train from Athens to Kalambaka? Not at the moment. According to Visit Meteora the line has been suspended since Storm Daniel, so you take the train to Palaiofarsalos and then a bus.
Can you do Meteora as a day trip? Yes, especially from Thessaloniki, but one night gives you time for several monasteries and the sunset.
How much is entry to the Meteora monasteries? €5 per monastery, according to Visit Meteora (2026).
