KTEL, the long-distance bus network of Greece, is a vital part of traveling within the country since the terrain limits destinations reachable by train. With the rising price of fuel, even car travel can be cost prohibitive.

As the official KTEL Web site no longer provides free schedules and now charges money to use their phone service in Greek (no English), below are some links to local KTEL Web sites containing schedules and ticket fares (subject to change). In addition, English speakers can get printed schedules at EOT offices (Tourist Information Offices) or inquire at hotel reception, and Greek speakers can call local KTEL phone numbers (in Greek) to avoid paying a fee.

* Bus tickets to islands include a ferry ticket (i.e. Zakynthos, Kefallonia).
* Be aware that many cities have two or more bus terminals.
* Summer schedules typically run from April-October and winter from November-March, although the Ministry can announce differently at any time.
* Most people show up early to get a seat and do not reserve one (in Greek), although it is free.

KTEL Athens

Terminal ‘A’ (Kifissou Street)
Departs to Alexandroupoulis, Argos, Arta, Astakos, Corfu (Kerkyra), Corinthos, Epidavros, Florina, Githio, Igoumenitsa, Ioannina, Ithaki, Kalamata, Kalavryta, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallonia, Lefkada, Loutraki, Messolongi, Monemvassia, Nafpaktos, Nafplio/Mycenae, Neapolis, Olympia, Parga, Patra, Pylos, Pyrgos, Preveza, Sparti, Thessalonki, Tripoli, Veria, Xanthi, Xilokastro, Zakynthos

Terminal ‘B’ (Liosson Street)
Departs to Agios Konstantinos, Aidipsos (Evia), Amfissa, Delphi, Distomo, Galaxidi, Halkida, Kamena Vourla, Karditsa, Karpenissi, Katerini/Litochoro, Kimi (Paralia)/Skyros, Lamia, Larissa, Livadia, Thiva, Trikala/Meteora (Kalambaka), Volos/Pylio

KTEL Attikis - Travel within Athens (ktelattikis.gr)

Ag. Andreas, Ag. Apostoli, Ag. Dimitrios, Agia Marina, Ag. Nikolaos, Ag. Theodori, Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), Alepoxori, Anavyssos, Anatoli, Ancona, Avlaki, Dilesi, Erythres, Grammatiko, Halkoutsi, Kakia Thalassa, Kalamos, Kalenzi, Kalyvia, Kamariza, Kapandriti, Keratea, Koropi, Kouvara, Lagonissi, Lavrio, Legraina, Lykouriza, Marathona, Markati, Markopoulo, Mati, Megara, Mazi, Nea Makri, Oropos, Paiania, Pallini, Paralia Fokaias, Pikermi, Plaka, Polydendri, Porto Germeno, Porto Rafti, Psatha, Rafina, Saronida, Schinia, Sikamino, Souli, Sounio, Thymari, Varnava, Vilia, Vlastos, Vravrona, Zouberi

KTEL Argolis (ktel-argolis.gr)

Argos, Epidavros, Galatsas, N. Kios, Kranidi, Nafplio, Tolo

KTEL Chios (Summer schedule and Winter schedule)

Ag. Fotini, Ag. Galas, Ag. Georgios, Amades, Armolia, Didima, Elata, Emporios, Flatsia, Giari Beach, Kalamoti, Kalimasia, Kampia, Kardamyla, Kataraktis, Kini, Komi, Lagada, Limenas Lithi, Meston, Mesta, Mirmigki, Nagos, Nenita, Olympi, Pagida, Pantoukios, Paparia, Patrika, Pirama, Pyrgi, Pytios, Sykiada, Tholopotami, Vessa, Viki, Volissos, Vouno

KTEL Crete (bus-service-crete-ktel.com and ktel-heraklio-lassithi.gr)

Aetania, Ag. Galini, Ag. Nikolaos, Ag. Pelagia, Ag. Varvara, Anogia, Archanes, Arkalohori, Asimi, Assites, Astiraki, Dafnes, Elounda, Fodele, Gonies, Hania, Harakas, Heronissos, Ierapetra, Irakleio, Kastelli, Kroussona, Lassithi, Ledas, Malia, Matala, Megali Vrissi, Mires, Peza, Phaestos, Pr. Ilias, Prinias, Pyrgos, Rethymno, Rodia, Sikologos, Sisi, Sitia, Tibaki, Tilissos Kalessa, Venerato, Vianno

KTEL Evia (eviapress.gr)

Aidipsos, Aliveri, Amarinthos, Athens, Halkida, Istiaia, Karistos, Kymi, Limni, Mantoudi, Prokopi, Psachna, Rovies

KTEL Halkidiki (English or Greek)

Ag. Mama, Dionysiou, Flogita, Gerakini, Hanioti, Ierisos, Kalamitsi, Kalikratia, Kalyves, Kassandra, Kriopygi, Marmara, Moundania, Mt. Athos, Olynthos, Ouranoupoli, Paliouri, Pefkoxori, Plagia, Polygyros, Potidea, Sikia, Simantra, Skioni, Sozopoli, Thessaloniki, Toroni

KTEL Kefallonia (kefallonia.net.gr)

Ag. Efimia, Argostoli, Athens, Divarata, Fiskardo, Irinna, Ithaca, Katelio, Kylini, Lixouri, Myrtos, Patra, Poro, Sami, Skala, St. Gerasimo, Xi

KTEL Kozani (ktelkozanis.gr - Greek only)

Ag. Dimitrios, Aiani, Anthotopo, Athens, Chromio, Ektakto, Eratyra, Florina, Gallatini, Grevena, Ioannina, Kastoria, Larissa, Lefkara, Livera, Mathitiko, Metamorfosi, Neapoli, Pontokomi, Ptolemaida, Rymnio, Serbia, Siatista, Sidera, Sparto, Thessaloniki, Tsotyli, Velvendo, Veria, Volos, Xteni

KTEL Samos (samos-online.com)

Ag. Konstantinou, Airport, Ambelos, Arvanites, Avlakia, Drakei, Hora, Ireon, Kallithea, Karlovasi, Kastania, Kokkari, Kondeika, Koumeika, Lekka, Lemonakia Beach, Marathokampos, Mavratzei, Mytilini, Ormos, Pagondas, Platanos, Potokaki, Pyrgos, Pythagorio, Samos Town, Spatharei, Tsamadou Beach, Tsambou Beach, Votsalakia, Vourliotes, Ydrousa

KTEL Santorini (ktel-santorini.gr)

Airport, Akrotiri, Athinios Port, Baxedes, Fira, Imerovigli, Kamari, Monolithos, Oia, Perissa, Vlihada

KTEL Syros (syros.com.gr)

Ano Mana, Ano Syros, Azolimnos, Bissa, Chroussa, Danakos, Finikas, Galissas, Hermoupoli, Kini, Megas Gyalos, Pagos, Parakopi, Poseidonia, Vari

KTEL Thessaloniki (ktel-thes.gr)

Apollonia, Asprovalta, Athens, Ioannina, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kozani, Larissa, Olympiada, Ptolemaida, Stavros, Volos, Vrasna

KTEL Volos (ktelvolou.gr - Greek only)

Almyros, Athens, Ioannina, Kozani, Lamia, Larissa, Patra, Pylio, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Velestino

KTEL Zakynthos (ktel-zakynthos.gr - Greek only)

Agalas, Ag. Leon, Alykes, Argasi, Ekso Xora, Galaro, Gerakaria, Kalamaki, Kambi, Katastari, Keri, Korithi, Kypseli, Laganas, Lithakia, Maxairado, Nerotsoulithres, Tragaki, Tsivili, Vasilikos, Volima, Zakynthos Town

* More Web sites will be added if they come available. Valid additions and corrections are welcome, as always.

Related posts

“KTEL Web site“
“The first time I drove in Athens“

* Hat tip to Graf for his input on KTEL Crete.

Back in April, the official KTEL Web site pulled all schedules and information about its vital long-distance bus network in Greece from public view. It wasn’t covered in English-language media, but what I understand from Greek media is a private company was using KTEL’s free information to make money by starting a pay-for-info call service.

Instead of starting a free service to put this company out of business — which should have been done years ago to prevent this kind of violation to begin with — KTEL countered by also starting a pay-for-info call service. With most residents addicted to their cars, not to mention damage to the environment, traffic getting worse and trains being limited in destinations, it seems wrong to create obstacles and make people pay money for information that should be free to the public.

Further, many travelers and residents will have a difficult time since these services are only offered in Greek. As tourism is Greece’s primary source of income, the timing couldn’t be worse as it happened just before Easter when many Greeks abroad came home and now it’s high season.

Fortunately, some municipalities and independent Web sites have put up schedules to fill the void. In the next post, links will be provided for anyone in need of schedules and information in English for KTEL long distance buses operating in different areas of Greece.

Related posts

“KTEL Buses of Greece“

* Hat tip to Costantinos, whose KTEL post reminded me I never wrote up an article.

Certain American and other non-EU citizens vacationing or intending to illegally work in Greece may need to show Greek authorities they have at least 50 euros a day for the length of their stay.

An interior ministry decision published in the Government Gazette on December 31, 2007 states in Article 1 that non-EU nationals traveling to Greece with a Schengen visa must show upon entry that they have at least 50 euros for each day of their stay, or a minimum of 300 euros for up to five (5) days. Non-EU minors need a minimum of 25 euros per day.

Article 2 says that non-EU citizens entering Greece with a national visa — a visa granted by Greece for entry to Greece only — with a validity of up to 90 days must have at least 300 euros for the entire length of their stay, whether it is one day or 90 days. The amount increases to 30 euros a day for anything beyond 90 days.

Finally, Article 3 says that the above two rules are in effect for non-EU citizens who are from countries that impose the same requirements on Greek citizens. Meaning, this legislation was written to retaliate or prevent against certain countries targeting or planning to target Greek citizens. As Australia, Canada and the USA currently do not require visiting Greek citizens to show financial means upon entry, American, Canadian and Australian citizens are technically not included as part of these new laws. But border police can still question anyone from any country at anytime for any reason.

Whether or not this applies to you, or authorities actually request that you show a credit card or cash at the border/airport, 50 euros a day is an accurate estimate of how much travelers to Greece need for food, transportation and sightseeing. Getting by on 20 euros a day is unrealistic.

* Convert 50 EUR to your currency by going to www.xe.com

In the “news”

An incomplete version of this story in the Athens News misled readers — particularly Americans — to believe the 50-euros-a-day rule applied to all non-EU citizens. It does not.

It primarily applies to non-EU citizens from countries that target Greek citizens, “undesirables” trying to live/work in Greece illegally, hooligans and citizens from western countries (Americans and Canadians) who overstay their visa.

The number of American tourists to Greece increased to nearly 436,000 in 2007, and the Greek tourism sector is a growth market that accounts for almost 20 percent of this country’s GDP. This country would be ill advised to impose monetary restrictions on all non-EU countries, and this is why I investigated further.

In discussion

The 50-euros-a-day topic was opened on posting boards, where more misinformation and rumors were spread. These rules are not amendments to existing legislation in law 3386/05 regarding a minimum financial requirement, as none existed previous to December 31, 2007 (I read it). It is a new addition. It is also not guaranteed that being clean shaven, well spoken and neatly dressed will absolve you from being checked. Whether you are questioned is purely the discretion and mood of border/passport control.

Greece is not alone in asking certain visitors to show minimum financial means. Bulgaria does the same thing, and other EU countries have historically asked select non-EU visitors to show a return ticket or financial resources if border/passport control suspects a person has intentions of staying/working illegally in the country.*

A lot of Americans, Canadians and other non-EU travelers who come each summer to work illegally in island bars and restaurants account for the highest number of overstays in Greece. There are no official stats, but the indicators are there — “Overstaying a visa in Greece” is one of the most popular posts on this site, and there are a number of Americans, Canadians and other non-EU citizens posting in forums requesting advice and job leads specifically for Greece, not Germany, Sweden or Spain. It is illegal to work in Greece as a traveler.

Therefore, Greece is within its right to discourage “undesirables” and question or demand proof of financial support from anyone they deem suspicious.

Two stories of many

* Upon learning my profession, certain countries have requested proof of financial means, a handwritten and signed statement that I promise to not work in their country, and the confiscation of some of my possessions. This happened in the UK, Germany, Hungary, France, India, Egypt, Mexico and the former Yugoslavia.

I provide this as an example that border police can question anyone at anytime for any reason, then decide to allow passage or turn someone away. Their actions need not be supported by written law.

* I urge you to read Dubaibilly’s comment attached to this post, which details what happened to his stepson. His story illustrates that a non-EU citizen may be asked to show 50 euros a day even before a visa is issued.

For related stories, see “Travel” or “Visas for Greece.”

Sources

- All sources are linked above
- Special thanks to Stathis for retrieving the necessary documents, which I then translated from Greek to English
- Hat tip to DubaiBilly for sharing his story attached to comments
- Photo source: www.Bilderkiste.de

My connection to the poem “Hellas” by Percy Bysshe Shelley spans 20 years and grows with each unexpected turn in this journey called life.

It started in high school, while acquainting myself with the Romantic period and developing a particular fondness for Shelley and Lord Byron, and John Keats to a lesser extent. Confused by words I hadn’t seen before and verse sometimes too sophisticated to comprehend, I favored simpler works that rhymed, such as “When we two parted” and “Ode on a Grecian urn.” I vaguely recall reading “Hellas,” however I cannot remember ever knowing each poet’s tragic biography or his connection to Hellenism.

Ten years ago I came to know each man better by being lost in Rome. I carry no guidebook when traveling and happened upon Keats’ house near the Spanish Steps, then got off at the wrong metro stop and wandered into a cemetery (Cimitero acattolico), while trying to figure out why there was a pyramid (Cestius) in Italy. A gravekeeper greeted me, placed a map in my hand and explained in Italian that I might be interested. I never used the map because I was content to be somewhere quiet for a change, roaming amongst the Russian, American and German elite, thinking what interesting and intelligent conversation was possible if ghosts could speak.

In front of Shelley’s grave at the back wall, I stood in contemplation for at least a half hour before coming to terms that he was indeed mortal and not just a fictional character who wrote poetry three centuries ago. Keats was there too, albeit in a greener, sunnier plot with flowers adorning his nameless tombstone. It was somehow a little too real, but also the most impressionable memory I took away from my time in Rome. After a week in Venice to celebrate Carnival, I set foot in Greece for the first time.

Greece was not somewhere I’d always dreamed about, nor planned on going during my winter in Europe. It was a destination that my friend Janisse and I had planned together in Lyon because she had friends in the capital, but she instead went to London to mend a broken heart and I to Athens. My first impression was unfortunately not a good one — people pawing me as I disembarked, streets full of garbage, pollution and smoke, a cement jungle of depressing grays and no green. Now I live here, and I wonder how this happened.

Feeling discontent with my first landlord in Plaka, I moved across the street from the American Embassy to an apartment that had a painting of Lord Byron in the entry way. He watched over me. I would later spend the majority of my 10 years living in a shadow of the poet’s name, even if there was nothing poetic about the municipality itself.

Today, someone gave me a photo containing a verse I recognized as being from Shelley’s “Hellas.” It makes me think that perhaps my journey has come full circle.

HELLAS

The world’s great age begins anew,
The golden years return,
The earth doth like a snake renew
Her winter weeds outworn:
Heaven smiles, and faiths and empires gleam
Like wrecks of a dissolving dream.

A brighter Hellas rears its mountains
From waves serener far;
A new Peneus rolls his fountains
Against the morning star.
Where fairer Tempes bloom, there sleep
Young Cyclads on a sunnier deep.

A loftier Argo cleaves the main,
Fraught with a later prize;
Another Orpheus sings again,
And loves, and weeps, and dies.
A new Ulysses leaves once more
Calypso for his native shore.

Oh, write no more the tale of Troy,
If earth Death’s scroll must be!
Nor mix with Laian rage the joy
Which dawns upon the free:
Although a subtler Sphinx renew
Riddles of death Thebes never knew.

Another Athens shall arise,
And to remoter time
Bequeath, like sunset to the skies,
The splendour of its prime;
And leave, if nought so bright may live,
All earth can take or Heaven can give.

Saturn and Love their long repose
Shall burst, more bright and good
Than all who fell, than One who rose,
Than many unsubdu’d:
Not gold, not blood, their altar dowers,
But votive tears and symbol flowers.

Oh cease! must hate and death return?
Cease! must men kill and die?
Cease! drain not to its dregs the urn
Of bitter prophecy.
The world is weary of the past,
Oh might it die or rest at last!

≈ End ≈

Written in honor of Greece’s struggle for freedom during the War of Independence, interpretations can be found here.

Related posts

“Greece: Land of Gods“
“Live Your Myth in Greece 2008“

Every year, the Greek National Tourism Organization releases a new commercial to promote Greece as the ultimate destination. Past campaigns have included overly smiley people with happy feet…

and the “Explore your…” series.

See which ones didn’t make the cut for 2008.

* Warning: If you have no sense of humor, look away now.

Smoke Your Myth in Greece

Swim Your Myth in Greece

Syrtaki Your Myth in Greece