Bus Hire in Olympia

Olympia, in the western Peloponnese region of Elis, is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece. The sanctuary of Zeus, the ancient stadium, and the two excellent museums sit in a green river valley a short way from the modern village of Archaia Olympia, which exists largely to serve the visitors who come by the coachload.

Because almost no one stays the night, Olympia is a destination defined by the arrival and departure of coaches. The two main flows are cruise shore excursions from the nearby port of Katakolo and full-day trips from Patras and the wider Peloponnese, so timing and a smooth site visit matter more here than almost anywhere else in the country.

Katakolo Cruise Excursions

Katakolo, around 35 kilometres west of Olympia, is one of the busiest cruise ports in Greece precisely because of the site. On a call day, dozens of coaches stage at the port to carry passengers the 40 minute drive inland to Olympia and back, timed tightly around the ship's all-aboard. We provide coaches with experienced drivers for these shore excursions, with the order of site, museum, and any village stop planned to fit the window between docking and departure.

Day Trips from Patras and Beyond

Olympia is also a classic day trip from Patras, around 115 kilometres north, about an hour and a half by coach, and features on many wider Peloponnese tours alongside Nafplio, Mycenae, and the coast. The small airport at Araxos (GPA) is around 95 kilometres away, while Athens is roughly 290 kilometres east, so most groups reach Olympia as part of a touring loop rather than as a single destination.

The Site and Museums

The archaeological site spreads across the valley floor, taking in the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the workshop of Pheidias, and the stadium with its original running track, where groups still line up to race. The Archaeological Museum holds the Hermes of Praxiteles and the temple pediments, and the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games sits nearby. Coaches use the site car park, and a visit comfortably fills two to three hours.

Popular Day Trips from Olympia

What Bus Hire Costs in Olympia

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Olympia runs around 250 to 450 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 400 to 700 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 600 to 1,100 EUR per day. Most Olympia work is a day trip from Patras or a Katakolo cruise call, so the running from the coast and the driver hours drive the cost more than the time on site. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your exact details for a free quote.

Services Available in Olympia