Getting to Our Sailing Bases by Train: Corinth, Pula and Palermo
Travel advice · By train
Arriving by train is a lovely way to start a sailing holiday. It’s often cheaper than a taxi, kinder to the planet, and you see far more of the country on the way. Here’s how to reach three of our flotilla bases by rail, and how to travel all the way from London without flying.
In short
To get from Athens airport to Corinth by train, take the suburban train from the airport station and change once for the Kiato line. It takes about 90 minutes to Kiato, crossing the Corinth Canal on the way. For our Sicily flotilla, the airport train runs to Palermo Centrale in about an hour, and for Pula you can arrive by train from Ljubljana or by summer catamaran from Venice.
About 90 min
Athens airport to Kiato by train
1
change of train on the way to Corinth
About 1 hr
Palermo airport to the city by train
3.5 hrs
summer catamaran from Venice to Pula
On this page
Greece · Corinth flotilla
Athens airport to Corinth by train
Our Corinth and Saronic flotilla starts in Kiato or Korfos, depending on the week. Both are easy to reach from Athens airport by train, with hourly, great-value services and just one change.
Find the airport station
From arrivals, follow the signs for Trains. The station is a short walk from the terminal, with lifts down to the platforms.
Buy a ticket to Kiato or Corinth
Buy your ticket at the station ticket office or machines before you board. Ask for Kiato on Kiato weeks, or Korinthos (Corinth) on Korfos weeks.
Change once for the Kiato line
Take the suburban train from the airport and change once onto the Kiato line. The change is at Kato Acharnai or Ano Liosia, depending on the timetable, so check your ticket and the departure boards.
Enjoy the coast and the canal
The Kiato line runs along the coast and crosses the Corinth Canal just before Corinth, so keep your camera ready.
On to the yacht
On Kiato weeks, stay on to Kiato, where a short taxi ride takes you to the harbour. On Korfos weeks, get off at Corinth, where the station connects with our transfers to Korfos.
Arriving late?
Trains run roughly hourly from early morning to late evening. If your flight lands late, check the last connection onto the Kiato line before you travel, or ask us about a taxi transfer instead.
The Kiato line also calls at Athens’ main station, Larissa, so it’s easy to add a night or two in the city before or after your sailing.
From Larissa, the metro takes you to the Acropolis and the old town in a few stops. See the flotilla page for our Athens hotel options.
Croatia · Pula to Venice flotilla
Getting to Pula by train and sea
Our Pula to Venice explorer flotilla starts and finishes at ACI Marina Pula. Most guests fly to Pula, but there are two good ways to arrive without flying.
By catamaran from Venice
- Fast passenger catamarans run from Venice to Pula in summer
- The crossing takes about three and a half hours
- Venice is easy to reach by train from across Europe
By train from Ljubljana
- Trains run from Ljubljana to Pula, usually with a change
- The journey takes about six hours through Istria
- Pula station is a short taxi ride from the marina
Check the dates
Catamaran and train timetables change each season. Check that they run on your travel dates before you book, and our team can help you plan the connection.
Italy · Sicily flotilla
Palermo airport to the marina by train
Our Sicily explorer flotilla starts at Marina La Cala, right in the heart of Palermo. The airport train is a simple, cheap alternative to a taxi.
Take the airport train
Trains leave the airport station about twice an hour and reach Palermo Centrale in about an hour.
On to Marina La Cala
From Palermo Centrale, it’s a short taxi ride to Marina La Cala, by the old harbour.
Palermo is a foodie’s city, so it’s worth arriving early. The markets and street food stalls are a short walk from the marina, and the city is full of Norman, Arab and Baroque architecture.
Without flying
Travelling all the way from the UK by train
If you’d like to make the journey part of the adventure, you can reach all three bases from London by train and ferry. It takes longer than flying, but dinner in Paris, a morning in Milan and a night at sea are all part of the trip.
To Venice and Pula
Eurostar to Paris, then the direct Frecciarossa to Milan. Venice is about two and a half hours on, and the summer catamaran takes you to Pula.
- Overnight in Milan
- Catamaran in summer
To Sicily
Continue south from Milan or Rome on the overnight sleeper to Palermo. The train rolls onto a ferry to cross the Strait of Messina, and you can stay in your bed.
- Sleeper from Rome or Milan
- Train ferry to Sicily
To Greece
Take the train down Italy to Bari, then the overnight ferry to Patras. From Patras, Hellenic Train’s connecting bus runs to Kiato, the start of our Corinth flotilla.
- Overnight ferry from Bari
- About two nights from London
Break up the journey
One of the joys of going overland is stopping on the way. A night in Paris, Milan, Venice or Rome turns the journey into a holiday of its own.
Common questions
Getting to our bases by train: your questions answered
Can I get from Athens airport to Corinth by train?
Yes. Take the suburban train from the airport and change once for the Kiato line. The journey to Kiato takes about 90 minutes, and Corinth is the stop before.
Where do I change trains for Kiato?
At Kato Acharnai or Ano Liosia, depending on the timetable. Your ticket and the departure boards will show which.
Can I get to Pula without flying?
Yes. In summer, fast catamarans run from Venice to Pula in about three and a half hours, and trains run from Ljubljana to Pula, usually with a change.
Is there a train from Palermo airport to the city?
Yes. Trains run about twice an hour from the airport to Palermo Centrale and take about an hour. Marina La Cala is a short taxi ride from there.
Plan your journey
Talk to us about getting to your flotilla
Whether you fly, take the train or go all the way overland, our team can help you plan the journey and your transfer to the yacht.
Call or email us
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00 · Saturday 09:30 to 17:00
Book with confidence. Seafarer has run sailing holidays since 1995, and every payment you make to us is financially protected: ATOL licence 9511 for holidays with flights, ABTOT member 5660 for holidays without.