Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
runs hourly to Kiató via Kórinthos (6am-11pm, 1hr
30min), so this makes a worthwhile alternative to the bus.
However, on the Peloponnese itself trains have been
disrupted by the financial crisis, with a planned upgrade of
narrow-gauge lines suspended. At the time of writing the
only routes still operating included: Pýrgos to Olympia and
the rack-and-pinion line to Kalávryta (see p.196), with
replacement buses operating on other routes.
By car
Most drivers heading from Athens to the
Peloponnese will take the express tollway, Néa Ethnikí
Odhós, although the old road, Paleá Ethnikí Odhós, is a
more scenic option. Alternatively, cross the spectacular
Andíro-Rió suspension bridge. Once on the peninsula, you
will need a good map. The 1:250,000 Peloponnese map
published by Emvelia is the most up to date (
W
mapgreece
.gr; €7) and is sold at service stations.
By boat
Arrival for many on the Peloponnese is by
hydrofoil from the Argo-Saronic islands (see p.342), linked
with the ports of Ermióni and Pórto Héli (see p.144). For
details and frequencies of services, which are drastically
seasonal, check with Hellenic Seaways (
W
hellenicseaways
.gr), the company that runs all services here and has a local
agent in Ermióni (Fun in the Sun,
T
27540 31514). Pátra
(see p.191) is the Peloponnese port of call for arrivals by
ferry from Italy, as well as from Igoumenítsa on the
mainland (see p.254) and from the Ionian islands (see
p.702). There are also ferries from the island of Kýthira (see
p.150) to Neápoli, Yíthio and Kalamáta.
2
Corinth and around
Throughout Greek history the
ISTHMUS OF CORINTH
, the mainland gateway to the
Peloponnese, was strategically important, accounting for the great significance of the
city of Corinth in the Classical world. In modern times, this small strip of land was
further enhanced, at least economically, by the cutting, at long last, of the
Corinth
Canal
. The modern city of
Kórinthos
, the capital of its eponymous province, fails to live
up to the historic hype, being now little more than a minor transport hub. By contrast,
the archeological site of
ancient Corinth
is one of the high points of a visit to the
Peloponnese, while the sanctuary of
ancient Nemea
is also an evocative spot.
Kórinthos
Like its ancient predecessor,
KÓRINTHOS
(modern Corinth) has been levelled on several
occasions by
earthquakes
- most recently in 1981. Repaired and reconstructed, with
buildings of prudent but characterless concrete, it is largely an industrial and
agricultural centre, its economy bolstered by the drying and shipping of
currants
, for
centuries one of Greece's few successful exports (the word “currant” itself derives from
“Corinth”). The modern city has little to offer the outsider, so plan on moving on
quickly if you land up here.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
KÓRINTHOS
By bus
Most buses between Athens and the Peloponnese
avoid going into Kórinthos, instead stopping at the Isthmós
KTEL station. Local buses run from here into town, leaving
you one block southwest of the centre, at the corner of
Aratoú and Ethnikís Andístasis, the main street. Kórinthos
KTEL bus station is a few blocks east of the centre, at
Dimocrátias 4 (
T
27410 75424). From here you can also
catch buses to Athens, Ancient Corinth and Nemea.
Destinations
Ancient Corinth (hourly; 20min); Athens
(hourly; 1hr-1hr 30min); Isthmós (4 daily; 15min); Nemea
(6 daily; 1hr).
By train
The new
Proastiakos train station is located about
3km southwest of town (
T
21052 72000) alongside the
Néa Ethnikí Odhós expressway; special shuttles run from
Kórinthos' central square 7 times a day, between about
7am and 7pm (10min). At the time of writing train services
were only running as far as Kíato from where replacement
buses connect to Pátra.
Destinations
Athens (hourly; 1hr 30min); Kíato (hourly;
15min).
INFORMATION AND GETTING AROUND
Services
You'll find various banks along northern Ethnikís
Andístasis, and the main post office on Adhimandoú, on
the south side of the park. There's a tourist police post at
Ermoú 51 (
T
27410 23282). For car rental try Vasilopoulos
at Adhimandoú 39 (
T
27410 25573;
W
cars-hire.gr), near
the post office.
Taxis
wait along the Ethnikís Andístasis side of the park.
