- Must visit
Acropolis Museum
World-class museum for Acropolis finds, with superb archaic sculptures and Parthenon marbles displayed in a striking modern building.
Cheapest price on Sep 24
€88
Average ticket price on Sep 24
€96
Fastest journey on Sep 24
16 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Sep 24
16 h 45 m
Buses on Sep 24
2
Distance
589 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Veliko Tarnovo to Athens is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Veliko Tarnovo to Athens will cost around €96 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €88.
On Thu, Sep 24, we found 2 buses from Veliko Tarnovo to Athens, including 2 direct services.
On Thu, Sep 24 the direct buses cover the 589 km distance in an average of 16 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 16 h 45 m .
On Thu, Sep 24 the slowest buses will take 16 h 45 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Union Ivkoni | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 16h45 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €57 |
Operator Union Ivkoni | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 16h45 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price €69 |
The table below shows live departures for Veliko Tarnovo to Athens buses for tomorrow, Thursday, September 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:15 AM Veliko Tarnovo | 16h45 | 5:00 PM Athens | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:15 AM Veliko Tarnovo | 16h45 | 6:00 PM Athens | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Veliko Tarnovo to Athens run on average 1 times per day, taking around 16h 11m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €51 if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 07:00, the last at 20:20. The fastest bus covers the 365 miles (589 km) distance in 16h 0m.
Distance 365 miles (589 km) |
Average bus duration 16h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price €51 |
Buses per day 1 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 16h 0m |
First bus 7:00 AM |
Last bus 8:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Discover the best of Athens — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Athens trip today.
World-class museum for Acropolis finds, with superb archaic sculptures and Parthenon marbles displayed in a striking modern building.
Greece’s premier archaeology museum, spanning prehistory to late antiquity. Essential for masterpieces from across the country.
Outstanding museum of Cycladic art and ancient Greek culture. Known for elegant figurines and thoughtful contemporary presentation.
Athens’ oldest neighborhood charms with neoclassical houses, lanes, and easy access to major ancient sites and traditional atmosphere.
Busy square and market district known for street life, shopping, and strong transport links. Ideal for feeling the city’s energy.
Central ceremonial square before Parliament. A practical hub for visitors and a prime place to watch the guard-changing ritual.
Moussaka is a baked casserole of eggplant, minced meat, potato, and béchamel, iconic in Greek home cooking and tavern menus.
Souvlaki is grilled skewered pork or chicken, a classic Athens street food, usually served with pita, onions, and tzatziki.
Spanakopita is a flaky pie filled with spinach, herbs, and feta, a beloved everyday snack found in bakeries across Athens.
Michelin-starred restaurant offering refined modern Greek cuisine and Acropolis views in an elegant setting.
Long-standing Psiri taverna serving classic Greek dishes, live music, and a warm traditional atmosphere.
Historic central market taverna known for grilled meats and traditional meze in a lively, old Athens setting.
Moderate for Europe; hotels in peak season rise, but dining and transit stay fairly reasonable for tourists.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% at restaurants, round taxi fares up, and leave small change at cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Veliko Tarnovo to Athens by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Athens, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Veliko Tarnovo to Athens buses use the Veliko Tarnovo, Avtogara Ûg (Велико Търново, Автогара Юг) to Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού) station pair, with some services arriving at Athina, Platia Karaizkaki (Αθήνα, Πλατεία Καραϊσκάκη). Use this guide to compare Veliko Tarnovo and Athens bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού) is 3 km from Athens city centre. Public transport options include:
Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού). ATMs are available at Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού).
Ticket office support is available at Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού).
Available at Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Athens, Lagoumitzi / Ilia Iliou (Αθήνα, Λαγουμιτζή / Ηλία Ηλιού): Ramps available for wheelchair access.
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