I am trying to plan my first trip to Meteora from Athens and am torn between the 3 options of train, bus, rental car. I'm leaning towards train because I hate driving and train sounds quickest. I've read a number of posts about the train and need some help from anyone who has had actual experience with Athens to Kalambaka route. Hopefully you all can help me make this decision. Here are my issues/questions:

1. What is the best transfer for the Athens-Kalambaka route? (I've read about Paleofarsala and Larissa???)?
2. Is there a luggage allowance on these types of ICITY trains?
3. If not, what is the luggage storage like in the train station?
4. Do you buy the tickets in advance & if so how long in advance & where?
5. How far is the train station in Kalambaka from hotels etc.?

Best link is a direct train (no changes) that runs daily:
882 Zug (Train # 882)
Athenes dep 08:50
Acharne dep 09:00
Ag. Stefanos dep 09:11
Avlon dep 09:30
Inoi dep 09:40
Thive dep 09:57
Aliartos dep 10:07
Levadia dep 10:18
Amfiklia dep 10:39
Bralos dep 10:49
Lianokladion dep 11:17
Anghie dep 11:55
Domokos dep 12:17
Paleopharsalos dep 12:26
Karditsa dep 12:42
Trikala dep 12:59
Kalambaka Th, 27.07.06 arr 13:13
Duration: 4:23; runs daily

For schedules on the exact date you want to go i'd go to the German Rail web site which i always use for schedules for all of Europe - where i got info above and copied. An easy way to reach the www.bahn.de site's English schedule page is to go to: www.budgeteuropetravel.com and on the home page click on the link "All european railway schedules" (or some such wording) and up pops the English schedule page where you just put in the boxes Athenes and Kalambaka and the date and you'll get all the trains - the direct ones and the ones you have to change - the home page i've referenced has several tips on it to use the bahn.de site - for instance you can get the train's itinerary and if having to change see how many minutes you have to change, etc.
I haven't taken this train so can't answer you other questions.

I considered the train and decided the bus would be faster - so you might want to evaluate that option too. There is a direct bus to Kalambaka from Athens Terminal B bus station. You can also bus to Trikala which was a four hour bus ride (mine was a late bus so it took 4 hours because there was less traffic - it is supposed to be 5hrs), then transfer and its about another hour to Kalambaka (or a 15Euro taxi ride). Its easy. Luggage is stored beneath the bus. I personally bought my bus ticket 2 hours before I left, but it was slightly off season.

Enjoy Meteora - it is stunning. Bring water and good sturdy hiking shoes as there is alot of walking (stairs) to be done.

Since your are travelling by public bus may I suggest taking a taxi to the highest monastery (6Euros) - Grand Meteora (pick up a map at tourist office). Then you can hike down to the other monasteries. A few will be out of your reach, but I managed to see 6 by this route and was satisfied.
There are payphones around the monasteries so you could also call a taxi to pick you up if you don't want to do any more walking.

Cheers,

Murphy

Murphy

Anyone got info on getting to Meteora from Thessaloniki by public transport?

Oh. If you do take the bus via Trikala -be sure to ask the info desk at the station WHERE the bus to Kalambaka will be parked as it doesn't leave from right in front of the station like all the other buses (this is how I know its a 15Euro taxi to Kalambaka). Don't except any vague hand waiving in a general direction either - find out specifically where it stops - lol!

Murph

Gertie, I threw out my guide book to make room for souveniors but I know in general there are daily buses to Thessoloniki from the Terminal A bus station in Athens.

The schedule is posted on this site (click bus schedule and scroll down):

http://www.athensguide.com/schedules/buses.html

Hennesda - the Meteora/Trikala/Kalambaka schedules are posted here to under bus terminal B.

Thanks Murphy. We're staying in Thessaloniki and won't be in Athens! I'm sure I'll find buses when we get there.

Oh sorry, I totally mis-read your post -lol! I have no idea what the schedule is from Kalambaka sorry.

I am planning for a bus trip from Kalambaka to Athens on 24th May 2011. It seems many sources from the internet indicate that I can only first travel from Kalambaka to Trikala and then from Trikala to Athens.

I happened to see Murphy89's advice that there is direct bus from Kalambaka to Athens. I really appreciated this direct bus as I have to hurry to visit the monastery Agios Stefanos in the morning and take a bus from Kalambaka at about noon to reach Athens in the early evening. I should be grateful if Murphy or any other member could advise where I can get more substantiated or updated information on the direct bus through internet? Thanks a lot.

Keep checking here, they obviously haven't complete the English version of the site, they may so though at some point:

http://ktel-trikala.gr/?module=defau..._id=14&lang=en

I checked Greek version, and I got the impression there is not a bus taking you sraight from Kalambaka to Athens. You have to change bus at Trikala. But this connection is timed most of the day, so waiting time in Trikala will be limited.
It is a bit hard to research on Greek bus shedules online. Easier to check on the spot, or find a Greek- speaking person to call the local station.

Keep checking here, they obviously haven't complete the English version of the site, they may so though at some point:

http://ktel-trikala.gr/?module=defau..._id=14&lang=en

I checked Greek version, and I got the impression there is not a bus taking you sraight from Kalambaka to Athens. You have to change bus at Trikala. But this connection is timed most of the day, so waiting time in Trikala will be limited.
It is a bit hard to research on Greek bus shedules online. Easier to check on the spot, or find a Greek- speaking person to call the local station.

Sory for duplicated post, I don't know how that happened.

So, here you'll see current timetable Meteora to Trikala:

http://ktel-trikala.gr/?module=defau..._id=28&lang=el
Καθημερινές= Weekdays
Σαββατοκύριακα=Weekends

And here is current bus shedule from Trikala to Athens:
ΤΡΙΚΑΛΑ-ΛΑΜΙΑ-ΑΘΗΝΑ= TRIKALA-LAMIA-ATHENS

Days σηοςν start from (Δευτερα=)Monday.

I hope I helped a bit!

Trikala to Athens:

http://ktel-trikala.gr/?module=defau..._id=16&lang=el

Buses are good for short hops not hundreds of miles like this!

The train is more appropriate here, and best of all it's a spectacular journey - the train passed though the mountains south of Larissa, up an escarpment and over dramatic viaducts whose predecessors were blown up by the SOE and partisans in WW2. Don't miss this great trip because some told you to cram yourself into an ugly motorway bus!