There is no direct train from Athens to Kalambaka, the town at the foot of the Meteora monasteries. You take the Athens to Thessaloniki Intercity as far as Palaiofarsalos and continue to Kalambaka with a Hellenic Train connection, on the same ticket. The whole trip takes about 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes, with two departures a day in each direction.
Athens to Kalambaka: departures
| Leave Athens | Change at Palaiofarsalos | Arrive Kalambaka | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:58 (Intercity 50) | arrive 10:01, connection leaves 10:30 | 12:30 | 5 h 32 min |
| 17:58 (Intercity 56) | arrive 21:01, connection leaves 21:15 | 23:15 | 5 h 17 min |
Kalambaka to Athens: departures
| Leave Kalambaka | Change at Palaiofarsalos | Arrive Athens | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:45 | arrive 07:45, Intercity 51 leaves 08:03 | 11:03 | 5 h 18 min |
| 16:50 | arrive 18:50, Intercity 57 leaves 18:57 | 21:57 | 5 h 7 min |
Times from the Hellenic Train timetable for November 2026, every day of the week. In this timetable the Palaiofarsalos to Kalambaka leg runs as a Hellenic Train bus, included in the same ticket.
What to know before you go
Take the morning train if you want to see Meteora the same day. The 06:58 from Athens arrives in Kalambaka at 12:30, which leaves the afternoon for the monasteries. The evening train arrives at 23:15, so choose a hotel that accepts late check-in.
Buy one ticket from Athens to Kalambaka. The connection at Palaiofarsalos is part of the same journey. Tickets are sold on the Hellenic Train website and at the stations.
The waits at Palaiofarsalos are short. Between 7 and 29 minutes in this timetable. Palaiofarsalos is a small junction station, so have water and a snack with you.
Trains leave from Athens Larissa station. It has its own Metro station (line 2, Larissa Station). From the airport, see our guide to Athens Airport to the city.
Check before you travel
- Confirm the times on the Hellenic Train website before your trip. Works, strikes or faults can change the timetable at short notice.
- With only two departures a day, book early in summer and on Greek holidays.
- The full Greek timetable for the next 7 days is on our Athens to Kalambaka page (in Greek, times are easy to read).
Airporika.gr is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with Hellenic Train.
Last updated: 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.