railway winter times and ticket costs

florida
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railway winter times and ticket costs
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Can anyone please update me on the status of the Diakofto - Kalavryta railway?

It's my understanding that it's now up and running again after being down some time for upgrades. In fact, last I read was that it's so insanely busy with bus tour bookings, etc that you have to book well in advance to have a chance of getting on? I passed through the area in 2004 and hoped to see it, but it was closed that day. I'd hate to miss it a second time. Can someone advise me on winter schedules, ticket prices, and the booking process?

Thanks

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South Pole
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1. Re: railway winter times and ticket costs
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We rode this railway last May & it was amazing. Getting tickets was a bit stressful as we found it impossible to buy in advance, however I like to think my badgering by email of Alexis (whose father was instrumental in restoring the line) prompted the realisation that overseas visitors, who were not part of an organised coach journey, would like a bit more certainty in being able to make reservations. The following is a link to the railways website & on the left you will see a link to web ticket purchase. This does only seem to be in Greek, but am sure someone will kick in to help you out on this if it is a problem.

http://www.odontotos.com/index-en.htm

BTW - the timetable & fares are for 2010 & may be subject to change.

The first part of the journey, from Diakofto to Zachlorou is most specatacular. In fact we got off at Zachlorou & walked back down the route - a designated footpath but beware of trains!!

Edited: 10 years ago
florida
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Thank you, that was very helpful.

So are you saying that going as far as Zachlorou is all that's really needed, then you can walk back through the gorge? Might make for a fun and interesting walk.

South Pole
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Our main holiday activity is hiking, so it was a done deal for us. We left the car at Diakofto, took the first morning train (8am), got off at Zachlorou (about an hour's ride) then it took us almost 4 hours to walk back down - lots of photo stops, admiring the scenery & engineering (we could have done it in under 3 hours if we had kept moving). We then drove to Kalavryta, where we spent a couple of nights & took the chance to visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum & nearby monasteries of Mega Speilou & Agia Lavra.

Walking the rail route was downhill all the way, but pretty rough on the feet as you have to walk on or beside the track which is stony (the sleepers are badly distanced for adult legs!) but we saw no-one apart from people on two later passing trains. You have to hope not to meet a train at a very narrow place - take note of the timetable & stay aware of the time as you walk so you can avoid being in wrong place at wrong time. The trains will slow down for you - if you have got off at Zachlorou they will be expecting to see you walking somewhere on the line anyway.

Edited: 10 years ago
South Pole
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Just had another look at the site I gave above & realised there is an option to get the booking page in English (very small "en" on the top left of the booking details boxes). Note that for Zachlorou as either start or destination station you will have to set "Mega Speiliou" as that is the actual name of the station. BTW at that station is a hotel/taverna ("Remetzo" - we did not find any signs of life at 9am on a Monday in early May, so do not rely on it being open. They do offer rooms there. If you drive from Diakofto to Kalavryta there are some wonderful views out to the coast & down into the valley where you can see the railtrack snaking it's way along the Vouraikos Gorge. A definite highlight of the Peloponnese!

florida
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Thanks so much for taking the trouble to pass on all of that information. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to seeing the railway, especially after missing out on it 6 years ago.

Much appreciated.

South Pole
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You are welcome - hope that a six year wait will all be worth it!! Do come back & tell us about your trip as it makes interesting reading for future travellers.

florida
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Will do. I gather from the flag and all that you are Greek, or of Greek background?

My family is from the area around Amfissa, Arochova, and Galaxidi. The latter is where my father was born and grew up. I try and make the trip back there as often as I can. With the spectacular bridge crossing the gulf of Corinth near Patras, it makes it so much easier now to hop over and see places like Olympia and the railway at Diakofto while staying in the area.

Edited: 10 years ago
South Pole
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No Greek blood at all - I am English through & through & seven eighths Yorkshire at that!! Just passionate about Greece, but can only manage one annual trip so it is important to pack a lot into the time!! That rail trip last year was a highlight of a first trip to Peloponnese.

florida
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Well there's a laugh for you! I thought the moniker and the Greek flag indicated otherwise, even though I saw you were from Stockport! I mean, Greek's live everywhere - I sometimes think there's more Greeks living abroad than there are in Greece!

Thanks again.

Melbourne
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10. Re: railway winter times and ticket costs
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Hello all,

On this note, Melbourne is believed to have the world's third largest Greek-speaking population after Athens and Thessaloniki...

1/3 of all Melbournians were born overseas - the Vietnamese surname Nguyen is the second most common in our phone book! and information is often printed in many different languages. eg signs in medical rooms, hospitals, tax returns, employment offices, family assistance etc

After 20 years in Australia, my first reaction was surprise when, visiting family in England, the signs on the walls of a doctor's surgery were only in English! Doh!

I have to say that the cultural diversity in Melbourne makes dining out fun!

Many thanks, Tsipouro, for the link to the Odontotos Railway page in English, as I hope to use it in April. Can't wait!

G

PS Nowt wrong wi' Yorkshiremen, by 'ek!

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