It took twelve years to build the first railway line in Greece, although the length of the line was only 8,8 km. The line from from Athens to the port of Pireus was opened on 24 February 1869. It was extended to Omonoia Square in 1895 and electrified in 1904. Due to topography of the country subsequent development of the railway was difficult. In 1918 the standard-gauge line from Athens to Thessaloniki (506 km) was completed.
Last update: 06.02.2024
The Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) was founded in 1971.
Many services were cut in 2011 due to the debt crisis. In next decade most of the surviving narrow gauge lines were converted to standard gauge.
In 2016 the public train operator, TrainOSE was sold to the Italian FSI (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane).
In 2021 the railway line from Athens to Thessaloniki wad doubled and electrified along its entire length. The line was upgraded and partially rerouted.
In 2023 part of the infrastructure, especially in the Volos area, was was damaged by flooding.
Train travel in Greece – domestic trains
Passenger trains in Greece are operated by Hellenic Trains. The train is a good choice if you want to travel quickly and comfortably from Athens to Thessaloniki, or to cities along the route.
However, trains in Greece do not reach many interesting places. There are no railways on the Greek islands, including those that are popular destinations for tourists from all over Europe.
Hellenic Train – information, timetable, announcements. New website contains a little information.
Dromologia (Hellenic Train) – trip planner and online shop
Please note that during hot weather, trains on some routes (especially Thessaloniki – Florina) are canceled because old diesel multiple units break down in hot weather. Passenger trains are usually replaced by buses.
Long-distance trains:
Athens – Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki – Alexandroupolis (temporarily suspended)
Regional trains:
Thessaloniki – Larissa
Thessaloniki – Florina
Piraeus – Athens – Kiato
Piraeus – Athens – International Airport
Athens – Chalkida
Palaeofarsalos – Kalambaka
Suburban trains:
There are suburban trains in Patras and Athens area.
Types of the trains in Greece:
The following train categories operate in Greece:
ICCityExpress – ETR 470 – Italian Pendolino trainset, ex-Cisalpino, served on selected connections between Athens and Thessaloniki. The fastest train covers the route in 3 hours and 55 minutes.
IC/Intercity – long-distance trains, mostly hauled by electric locomotive and comprised of open coach equipped with air-conditioning, although there are diesel multiple units from Thessaloniki to Alexandroupolis. Tickets are expensive, seat reservation is compulsory. In some trains you will find dining car.
The first class carriages have six seats compartments – three forward-facing and three backward seats.
P/Proastiakos (ΠΡΟΑ) – suburban or agglomeration trains. Found on lines around Athens, Patras and Thessaloniki.
ΑP/Aplo (ΑΠ) – regional or fast long-distance trains. Various rolling stock.
Train travel in Greece – international trains
There are no international passenger trains from Greece to adjacent countries.
Albania
There is no railway link with Albania but there are plans to build a new railway line from Pogradec to Krystallopigi and Florina in Greece (130 km).
Bulgaria
Many years ago daytime train Thessaloniki – Sofia with sleeping car from Athens to Sofia ran. The service was suspended. After that the Bulgarian train reached the border station, passengers were transferred by bus between border stations, and travelers on the Greek side were boarded the Greek train. Currently most likely there is only a passenger train from Sofia to border station.
North Macedonia
There are no passenger trains between Thessaloniki and Skopje. North Macedonia has a two railway border crossing with Greece: Gevgelija – Idomeni, Bitola – Florina. In 2010 there were two trains from Belgrade to Thessaloniki through Skopje: daytime and overnight train. Several years later daytime train was shortened to Skopje and ceased, overnight train ran as a summer train and was suspended.
There has never been a passenger train between Bitola and Florina and the line from the beginning is used only for freight transport.
Turkey
Overnight train from Thessaloniki to Istanbul was suspended about ten years ago. Train was comprised of comfortable Turkish sleeping cars but tickets were expensive.
Diakopto – Kalavrita rack railway
One of the biggest tourist attractions in mainland Greece is the Diakopto – Kalavrita rack railway, considered one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. It’s the narrowest rack railway in the world (750 mm gauge).
The construction of the railway line began in 1889 and it was inaugurated on 10 march 1896. The proposed line was to reach Tripoli, 90 kilometers away, but the cost of building the Diakopto – Kalavrita section exceeded the estimated budget three times and the plan of the extension of the line was abandoned. The project is considered a masterpiece of engineering even nowadays.
The train covers the distance of 22 km within 60 minutes. After left the railway station of Diakopto, the train passes through the Vouraikos gorge. The most interesting parts are situated between the 3.1 km and 16.9 km from Diakopto where the ground is particularly steep. There are totally 49 bridges and some tunnels (longest tunnel is located on the 6.8 km from Diakopto)
The line was rehabilitated in 2003-2009 and old rollick stock was replaced with new Stadler railcars without toilet.
Tickets are expensive.
Trains run three times daily, all year round, but sometimes service is temporarily suspended due to flooding or landslides.
Additional information, timetable, prices
Tourist trains
There are a two seasonal narrow gauge trains in Greece.
The Pelion train
Another scenic narrow gauge railway line in Greece starts in Ana Lechonia, 12 km away from Volos. The first section of the line from Volos to Ana Lechonia was inaugurated in 1896. The rest of the line to Milies was put into operation in 1903. The trains covered the route from Volos to Milies. The line was closed in 1971 because of financial losses.
Seasonal passenger traffic was reinstated between Ana Lechonia and Milies in 90s. Trains hauled by diesel locomotives are comprised of old-style restored carriages with wooden benches and without toilet. The length of the entire line is 28 km, of which 16 km is in operation. The railway is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the region.
Trains run every day from June to September, but during flooding in 2023 part of the route was damaged and trains were suspended until further notice.
Additional information, timetable, prices
Katakolo – Olympia tourist train
An additional tourist train has recently been launched on the Peloponnese peninsula. The train from Katakolo to Olympia via Pyrgos runs from Monday to Saturday. The journey from the port to the popular archaeological site takes 45 minutes, the return journey costs 10 euros. The train is intended mainly for tourists arriving by ferry to Katakolo.
Additional information, timetable, prices
