Ioannina, the lakeside capital of Epirus, sits about 424 km northwest of Athens and is connected to the capital by frequent long-distance buses. The route follows the modern highway via the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, which is the fastest option and the one all KTEL services use. The trip takes 5–6 hours, making Ioannina easy to reach even for a short getaway. Below is everything you need to plan the journey. If you prefer, you can also look into a private transfer.
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Buses to Ioannina leave every day from KTEL Kifisou Bus Terminal (location). The simplest way to get there is to ride the blue metro line to Elaionas and continue either on foot for about 15 minutes or by catching one of the buses that head directly to the station. Several other city routes also serve Kifisou, including the X93 from Athens International Airport.
A one-way ticket costs €42.50, with a discount when buying a return. Tickets are issued onboard or online. Travel time typically ranges between 5 and 6 hours, depending on traffic leaving Athens and weather conditions in western Greece. The Ioannina bus station is located here, about a km north of the old town. Below is the current timetable. Look here for future updates.
| Departure | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | × |
| 11:00 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 15:30 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 18:00 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 20:00 | ✓ | × | ✓ | × | ✓ | × | ✓ |
Recommended Accommodations in Ioannina
- Splurge: Hotel Du Lac — Large lakeside property with spacious rooms, a reliable breakfast setup, and easy access to the promenade.
- Comfort: Elysian Castle — A restored stone building near the old town, offering modern rooms in a traditional setting.
- Save: Egnatia Hotel — Simple, central, and convenient for anyone arriving by KTEL and moving around the city on foot.
- Hostel: Backpackers Hostel Ioannina — The budget option for solo travelers, located within walking distance of the lake and the castle district.
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