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Railbookers · Independent rail and ferry vacation

Rome and Athens

8-day independent rail and ferry trip from Rome to Athens

Illustration of Rome and Athens

Railbookers operates this 8-day, 7-night independent rail and ferry vacation, linking two of the ancient world's great capitals. Three nights in Rome include a small-group tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, followed by an early morning visit to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica. A direct train then carries travelers to Bari for an overnight ferry to Patras, Greece, in a 2-berth inside cabin, with breakfast onboard the next morning and views of the Greek coastline through the Gulf of Patras. A private transfer to Athens includes a photo stop at the ancient Corinth Canal, ahead of three nights in Athens. There, a half-day guided tour covers the Acropolis, its Museum, and the ancient Agora, followed by a day trip to Delphi, once considered the center of the classical world, with lunch included. As an independent trip built around small-group tours, this suits travelers drawn to ancient history in both Italy and Greece.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists several hotel options in Rome (including the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace and the Kolbe Hotel Rome) and in Athens (including the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens and the Divani Palace), so the specific hotel depends on which property you're allocated.
  • Rail travel covers only the Rome to Bari leg on day 4; the rest of the journey to Greece is by overnight ferry, and the transfer from Patras to Athens is by private car, so this is as much a ferry and road trip as a rail one.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Your Journey Begins in Rome

    Welcome to Rome! You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel for a 3-night stay. Take an evening stroll and admire how beautiful Rome is at night.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    This afternoon embark on a great tour of the Colosseum and nearby Roman Forum.

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Rise early today for a visit to the Vatican Museums before the crowds arrive. Continue to the Sistine Chapel and your tour ends in St Peters Basilica itself.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard ferry

    Italy to Greece By Overnight Ferry

    Take a morning direct train to Bari and check in for your ferry crossing. Once onboard settle into your cabin for the night.

  5. Day 5overnight: Athens

    Arriving in Greece

    Enjoy breakfast onboard and head out on deck to admire the Greek coastline as your ship navigates through the Gulf of Patras. You will be met and driven to Athens, with a photo stop at the ancient Corinth Canal.

  6. Day 6overnight: Athens

    Athens

    A half day tour + guided visit to the Acropolis and its Museum, followed by a stroll around the ancient Greek Agora, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch.

  7. Day 7overnight: Athens

    Athens

    An early start to visit the sacred town of Delphi, considered the centre of the classical world, with a local lunch included before returning to Athens.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Athens

    You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A tour covers the Colosseum and the nearby Roman Forum.
  • Day 3An early visit to the Vatican Museums, before the crowds arrive, continues to the Sistine Chapel and ends at St Peter's Basilica.
  • Day 5Breakfast is served onboard the ferry while the ship navigates the Gulf of Patras along the Greek coastline, with a photo stop at the ancient Corinth Canal on the drive to Athens.
  • Day 6A half-day guided tour covers the Acropolis and its Museum, followed by a stroll around the ancient Agora, the Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian's Arch.
  • Day 7An early start visits Delphi, considered the center of the classical world, with a local lunch included.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 berth inside cabin from Bari to Patras
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Athens
  • Small-group tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome
  • Small group morning tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica in Rome
  • Half-day guided tour of Athens including: The Acropolis, The Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora of Athens
  • Small-group day trip to Delphi from Athens
  • Private transfers from Rome airport to Hotel, Patras to Athens and Athens hotel to the airport

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, for one day. A direct train covers Rome to Bari on day 4, where travelers board an overnight ferry to Greece; the rest of the trip uses ferry and private car transfers.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Railbookers lists it as an independent rail and ferry vacation with small-group tours included, such as the Colosseum, Vatican, Acropolis, and Delphi tours.
Do travelers sleep on the train?
No. The overnight leg on day 4 is spent in a 2-berth inside cabin aboard a ferry from Bari to Patras, not on a train.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers lists several hotel options in Rome, including the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace and the Kolbe Hotel Rome, and in Athens, including the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens and the Divani Palace.
What does the trip include?
Rail travel from Rome to Bari, a 2-berth inside cabin on the ferry to Patras, hotels with breakfast in Rome and Athens, small-group tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, the Acropolis, and Delphi (with lunch included), plus private transfers.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $2,509 USD for the 8-day, 7-night trip.

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