The second one is via Tripoli (323km). This route will take you through the mountains of Korinthia, through Artemisio tunnel, and then down hill from there through the mountains of Arkadia. This trip is more demanding as there are more twists and turns to the road, but it is definitely a very wild and beautiful road to travel.

By Plane
Reaching Ancient Olympia by plane is basically achieved by flying to Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), and then driving here via the 2 alternative routes given to you above.

Other smaller airports like Araxos, Kalamata, and Zante airport (only for charted airplanes) are operational only during the summer period but they are difficult to get to, and ticket availability is scarce and not on a regular basis. Nonetheless it is worth looking around for some tickets to these destinations.

By Boat
Getting to Olympia by boat is common if your are traveler coming from Italy.

Ships travel between Italy and Greece on a daily basis and the options are many if you wish to make this trip. The usual ports that are connected to Patras are Brindisi, Bari and Ancona. All the ships arrive in Patras and from there all you have to do is use your own means of transport to travel towards Pyrgos, and then follow the road for 20 minutes and arrive in Olympia.

Alternatively, you may wish to use public transport (bus/train) and that is very easy as there are many trains and buses leaving for Pyrgos every day. Both the stations (bus, train) are within 5 minutes walking distance from the port were the ships dock.

By Train - Bus
Getting to Olympia by public transport is common for backpackers as it is very cheap but we do recommend you avoid this means of transport if you have children, lots of luggage, or lose your temper easily.

For both train and bus your ticket will get you to Pyrgos. You then need to get off the bus/train and purchase a ticket for the remainder of the trip (20km) which also means you will have to wait for approximately 20 minutes.

TRAIN
Trains and buses take a considerable (usually) amount of time to get to their destinations. If your starting point is Athens the details you need are:

By train you have to ask for a ticket to Pyrgos. The train travels the route Athens-Patras-Pyrgos. Your starting station will be: "Stathmos Peloponnisou" which means Peloponnese station.

If you want more information please ask at these addresses:

• 13 Karolou street, Athens, Tel: (+30) 210 5240646-8 or
• 6 Sina street, Tel: (+30) 210 3624402

For information on the Peloponnese please call:

• (+30) 210 5222491 or (+30) 210 5131601

BUS
If you want to travel by bus then you need to get to Kifissou street 100 (else called "Stathmos Kifissou") were the bus terminals are. There you can catch a ride to anywhere in mainland Greece. You need to ask for a ticket to Pyrgos. The bus travels the same route as the train which is no other that via Patras.

The phone number of the Kifissos station is (+30) 210 5134110