Increase visibility and reservations
Even if the most popular way to move around Greece is to travel by bus many people choose to travel by train. In fact travelling by train in Greece is a lot cheaper than in most other European countries and tickets often cost half as much as the bus tickets. Athens’ main train station is called Larissis station, while Thessaloniki’s most famous station is called Monastiriou Avenue and is located 15 minutes away from Aristoteles square.
Most important railways lines
The Greek railways are run by the association of Greek trains (OSE) and the main routes are the following:
1. Athens - Thessaloniki
2. Athens - Patra
3. Athens/Thessaloniki - Alexandropolis (Dikaia)
4. Athens/Thessaloniki - Florina
5. Athens/Thessaloniki - Kalambaka
In the last few years the Greek state has put a lot of efforts into renewing the railway lines and making trains more comfortable and faster. For furthermore information about the railway lines click here.
Some railway lines have been preserved by the OSE for cultural reasons and are now used as touristic attractions.
These trains are the following:
1. Diakofto-Kalavryta: This route starts in Diakofto in the the northern part of the Peloponnese, crosses the Vouraikos gorge and goes through the village of Zachlorou before finally arriving in Kalavryta. The trip lasts 1 hour and the train runs all year, even on weekends and national holidays.
2. Pelio steam train: Pelion’s steam train leaves from Ano Lehonia, stops in Ano Gatzea and finally reaches Milies, going through landscapes of pure beauty. The trip lasts 90 minutes and the train runs from April to October during the weekends, except from July to August when it is open every day of the week,. Tickets cost 18 euros for adults and 10 euros for kids (from 4 to 12 years old).
3. Trains for Katakolo: These trains reach the old city of Olimpia. The journey lasts about 45 minutes and it is very popular amongst the tourists that arrive in Katakolon on a cruising ship. The timetables of the trains change according to the season and train traffic.
