Corinth: Day Trips and Tours from Athens

Thanks to its strategic location, the ancient town of Corinth was once one of the richest trading settlements in Greece. Today, reminders of the past stand proud in the form of temples, fortresses, and forums. Taking a day trip to Corinth from Athens is the best way to appreciate these impressive archaeological sites.

Check out our guide for everything you should know about visiting Corinth, one of the most exciting destination for day trips from Athens.

Getting to Corinth from Athens

Corinth lies about 90 kilometers west of Athens, on the far eastern side of the Peloponnese peninsula. The ancient town about 5 kilometers from the modern city with the same name.

• By car: The journey to Corinth from Athens takes just over an hour by car. It’s an easily navigable route as you can follow the A8 National Highway west, all the way to your destination.
• By bus: Buses to Corinth from Athens depart half-hourly from the Kifissos Terminal in the west of the city. The trip takes about 90 minutes.
• Guided tour: By far the easiest way to discover this ancient city is to take a day trip to Corinth from Athens. Most tours last a whole day to give you more time at the site, with hotel transfers making the whole experience hassle-free.

Ancient Corinth ticket prices

Tickets for Ancient Corinth provide access to the archaeological site and the museum.

• Standard entry: €8
• Discounted entry: €4
• EU visitors 25 and under: Free
• Visitors with disabilities (plus escort): Free

The discounted price is available to all visitors from November to March. The rest of the year, it is available to non-EU visitors aged 6 – 25 years and EU seniors (65+).

Opening hours of Ancient Corinth

The archaeological site and museum are accessible all year round and typically every day of the week, with opening times varying according to the season. It is closed on Easter Sunday, May Day and official holidays.

Winter

• Nov 1 to Dec 15: 8 AM to 5 PM
• Dec 16 to March: 8 AM to 3 PM (closed on Tuesdays)

Summer

• April: 8 AM to 7 PM
• May to August: 8 AM to 8 PM
• Sept 1 to Sept 15: 8 AM to 7:30 PM
• Sept 15 to Sept 30: 8 AM to 7 PM
• Oct 1 to Oct 15: 8 AM to 6:30 PM
• Oct 16 to Oct 31: 8 AM to 6 PM

Typical itinerary for Corinth day tours from Athens

You’ll be picked up from your Athens hotel and driven down to Corinth in a comfortable minivan or car. Most Corinth day trips stop at the famous canal for photos, before continuing to the archaeological site.

Some excursions include guided tours around the ancient city, while others give you free time to explore at leisure. There will be a stop for lunch at a local café or restaurant, since most trips last a full day.

Many tours then continue to other sites in the Peloponnese, before returning you to Athens in time for dinner.

Best Corinth tours from Athens

Day Tours to Corinth from Athens

Join a small-group tour and discover Corinth without breaking the bank. Both half- and full-day trips are available. Some may include a guide, while others give you time to explore the sites you visit independently. Hotel pick-ups and mini coach travel are provided.

Our pick: Half-day Trip to Corinth from Athens

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, tour guide, entry tickets
• Price: €64 (for adults) and €45 (children 4-12)
• Duration: 6 hours

Private Day Trips to Corinth from Athens plus other Peloponnese highlights

Want a jam-packed day out? Then choose a Corinth excursion from Athens that also visits other iconic destinations in the Peloponnese. Top sites include Epidaurus, Nafplio, and Mycenae.

Our pick: Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus & Nafplio Private Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, optional tour guide, lunch
• Price: From €85 (with lunch) and €42 (without lunch)
• Duration: 8-9 hours

Private Day Trips to Corinth from Athens plus Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Railway

Get off the beaten track and explore some unusual Peloponnese destinations on this epic day trip. You’ll begin with a drive through vineyards, before visiting the mystical underground Cave of Lakes. Next up is a ride on the historic Odontotos Railway and a wander around Ancient Corinth.

Our pick: Corinth, Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Railway Private Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, optional tour guide, lunch
• Price: From €144, depending on group size
• Duration: 10 hours

Private Wine Tour of Corinth from Athens

Add a delicious twist to your Corinth day trip with a visit to Nemea, to discover the art of winemaking and get down to some serious wine tasting with an expert guide by your side. Swing by Nemea’s ancient stadium and the Temple of Zeus before you leave.

Our pick: Private Corinth & Nafplio Tour with Nemea Wine Tasting

• Includes: Luxury roundtrip transportation, wine tasting with enologist, snacks
• Price: From €117, depending on group size
• Duration: 8 hours

Multi-day Private Tours to Corinth plus other Peloponnese gems

Choose a multi-day tour to Corinth from Athens if you want to pack in several sites. You will visit places like Olympia, Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Nafplio, as well as Ancient Corinth. The ruins at Delphi feature on some tours too.

Hotel accommodation and most meals are provided.

Our pick: Private Tour of Olympia, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

• Includes: Luxury roundtrip transportation and accommodation, breakfast, optional tour guide
• Price: From €290 (2-day trip) and €492 (3-day trip), depending on group size
• Duration: 2 or 3 days

Prices of tours to Corinth from Athens

Group excursions to Corinth from Athens start at €60 for half-day tours and €100 for full-day trips. Transport is included, but entrance fees are at your own expense.

Prices for private tours of Corinth with visits to other Peloponnesian sites start to pay €129 for half-day trips, and €150 for full-day excursions.

For day-trips to Corinth Athens that visit the Cave of Lakes and include a ride on the the Odontotos Railway expect to pay €100 to €160 per person, depending on group size and whether you include a guide.

Corinth excursion with wine tasting cost €110 to €180 per person, with the price depending on number of participants and itinerary.

Prices for multi-day tours of Corinth and other Peloponnesian destinations start at €550 for 2-day trips, €870 for 3-day tours and €1,200 for 4-day excursions.

Highlights in Corinth

Acrocorinth

This towering acropolis looms over the old city of Corinth. It was used to defend mainland Greece from invasion by way of the Peloponnese peninsula. Buildings and castle earthworks from all eras can be seen here, including the Byzantine and Venetian periods.

Temple of Apollo

This eye-catching temple is a fine example of Doric architecture and sits to the north of the acropolis. Built to reflect the power and prosperity of the city, the Temple of Apollo could be seen for miles. Today several columns still stand tall, making for some striking photos.

Bema of St. Paul

St. Paul lived and preached in Corinth around the 1st century AD – he stayed for a couple of years. Not everyone welcomed his presence, and he was taken to trial at the Bema in the Roman Forum, charged with illegal teachings. The Bema was a stone rostrum, which can be seen during a tour of the archaeological site. If you want to walk in the footsteps of a saint, this is the place to come!

The Corinth Canal

First used in 1893, this iconic waterway runs for four miles, connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. Slicing through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, the man-made canal was once an important route for traders. The ships of today are too large to fit down this slim passageway, but it’s still quite a sight to see local vessels giving it a go.

Best time to visit Corinth

The best time to visit Corinth from Athens on a day trip is during spring (April to early June) or autumn (September to October) due to mild weather and fewer crowds. Start early in the morning to explore ancient sites and enjoy leisure activities before returning in the evening. Avoid summer's peak tourist season to dodge extreme heat and large crowds, ensuring a more comfortable and enriching experience.

Travel tips

• Reserve tickets online for your Corinth day tour from Athens so you can bag the best deals for your chosen dates.
• Take money for lunch if this is not included on your tour – you will be able to stop at a local restaurant or café.
• It’s a good idea to carry a bottle of water with you as the sites are exposed and can be hot in the sun.
• Don’t forget your camera – make sure those batteries get fully charged the night before.