Athens to Ancient Corinth

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Ancient Corinth was one of the great cities of the classical world, and its ruined temple of Apollo still stands within sight of the isthmus that made the city so strategically important — the same narrow strip of land now sliced by the dramatic Corinth Canal. Both are an easy day trip from Athens by suburban train and a short onward hop. Here is how to get there and back.

The fastest way: the Proastiakos suburban rail

The Proastiakos, Athens's suburban rail network, runs from central Athens (with useful stops including Athens Airport and the city centre) to Corinth (Kiato line) station, taking around 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. This modern, comfortable service is the most straightforward way to reach the area, with a reasonable number of departures through the day, though it's worth noting that the station serves modern Corinth, a coastal town, rather than the archaeological site itself. If you're arriving into Athens from the airport before heading onward, see our guide to Athens airport to the city for getting into town first.

Getting from Corinth station to the ancient site

From the Corinth train station, a local KTEL bus runs the short distance inland to the village of Ancient Corinth, next to the archaeological site, though services can be infrequent, so it's worth checking the timetable in advance or being prepared to take a taxi instead, which covers the same distance quickly and reliably. Some visitors find it simpler to arrange transport for this final leg before setting off from Athens, rather than relying on finding a bus on arrival.

The bus direct from Athens

KTEL long-distance coaches run from Athens's Kifissos bus terminal towards Corinth and the wider Peloponnese, and some services stop closer to Ancient Corinth than the train does, which can make the bus a more direct option depending on the specific service and schedule. Journey times are broadly similar to the train once the connecting leg from the station is included, so it's worth comparing current timetables for both when planning.

Driving

Ancient Corinth is about 85 km from Athens, roughly a 1-hour drive via the toll motorway that crosses the isthmus, passing directly over the Corinth Canal — worth a stop at the viewing points near the canal bridge if driving. Driving is the most convenient way to see both the canal and the ancient site together without needing a connecting bus, and gives flexibility to continue further into the Peloponnese afterwards. See our guide to driving in Greece for tolls and motorway rules.

Organised day tours

Given Corinth's significance and its proximity to Athens, day tours are widely available, often combining Ancient Corinth with the canal and sometimes with other Peloponnese sites such as Mycenae or Nafplio in a longer circuit. These suit visitors who'd rather not coordinate the train-then-bus or train-then-taxi connection themselves, particularly if wanting to see the canal as well as the ruins in one organised day.

What to see once you're there

The Temple of Apollo, with seven surviving Doric columns dating to the 6th century BC, dominates the archaeological site and is one of the oldest substantial temple ruins in Greece. The site also includes the remains of the ancient agora, a theatre, and a small on-site museum with sculpture and mosaics recovered from excavations. The Corinth Canal itself, a narrow cut through solid rock connecting the Aegean and Ionian seas, is a dramatic sight from the road bridge above it, with sheer walls dropping around 90 metres to the water — worth the stop even for visitors mainly interested in the ancient ruins.

Combining with the wider Peloponnese

Corinth sits at the gateway to the Peloponnese, and travellers with more time sometimes extend a trip here into Mycenae, Nafplio or Epidaurus, all reachable by a combination of bus and onward connections, though this stretches what's realistic in a single day from Athens. As a standalone trip, Ancient Corinth and the canal comfortably fit into a half-day or full day without feeling rushed.

Bungee jumping and activities at the canal

The Corinth Canal bridge is also a well-known spot for commercial bungee jumping, run by a licensed operator on-site, which draws its own steady stream of visitors independent of anyone interested in the ancient ruins — worth knowing if travelling with anyone who fancies a look, even just as spectators watching from the bridge. There's a small cluster of cafés and souvenir stalls near the canal viewing point, making it an easy, self-contained stop of half an hour or so if driving past rather than stopping specifically for it.

Which should you choose?

The Proastiakos train plus onward bus or taxi works well for visitors without a car, though it involves a connection. Driving is the most convenient option if available, letting you see the canal and the ruins together without transfers, and organised tours suit those who'd rather have it all arranged. If you're exploring more of Greece, see our guide to Athens to Thessaloniki, Athens to Santorini, or Greece by train for how the wider Hellenic Train network fits together.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Athens to Ancient Corinth?

Take the Proastiakos suburban train to Corinth station (around 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes), then a local bus or taxi for the final 7–8 km to the archaeological site.

Is the Corinth train station near the ancient ruins?

No — the train serves modern Corinth, a coastal town, while Ancient Corinth and the Temple of Apollo are about 7–8 km inland, reached by a connecting bus or taxi.

Can I see the Corinth Canal from the train?

Not directly — the best views of the canal are from the road bridge that crosses it, making driving or a tour a more convenient way to see it alongside the ruins.

Is it worth driving instead of taking the train?

For many visitors, yes — driving covers the canal and the ancient site in a single hour-long trip without needing a connecting bus or taxi, which the train route requires.