Getting from Mykonos to Meteora

If you're making the trip from Mykonos to Meteora you are doing Greece properly. Meteora is one of the most extraordinary places in the country, a complex of Byzantine monasteries built on top of massive rock pillars rising out of the Thessaly plain that looks like something from another world. Six monasteries are still active today and the setting at sunrise or sunset, when the light catches the rocks and the mist sits in the valley below, is something that is genuinely difficult to prepare yourself for. It is one of those places that exceeds expectations no matter how high you set them.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry connection to Meteora. It sits in the middle of mainland Greece, landlocked in the region of Thessaly. Getting there is entirely a matter of flying and driving or taking the train.

What about flying?

Meteora does not have an airport. The nearest options are Thessaloniki to the north, around 2.5 hours by car, or Athens to the south, around 3.5 hours by car. Flying from Mykonos to Athens and then driving or taking the train up to Kalambaka, the town at the base of the rocks, is the most practical route. The train from Athens to Kalambaka is actually one of the more scenic rail journeys in Greece and worth considering if you have the time.

Drive or bus from Athens

Flying into Athens and driving to Kalambaka takes around 3.5 hours on the E75 motorway heading north. KTEL buses also run between Athens and Kalambaka regularly and the journey takes around 4.5 hours. The train is another option and runs from Larissa station in Athens, taking around 4 to 5 hours with a change at Paleofarsalos. It is slower than driving but the route through the Thessaly plain as you approach Kalambaka with the rocks coming into view is worth every minute.

Your best option

Fly into Athens and either drive or take the train to Kalambaka. If you have a car the drive is straightforward and gives you flexibility to stop along the way. If you prefer not to drive, the train is a genuine pleasure on this route. Stay at least two nights in Kalambaka, visit the monasteries early in the morning before the tour groups arrive and go back in the late afternoon when the light changes everything.