Rail travel in Greece is more limited than in much of Europe, but the trains that do run serve some genuinely useful routes — and Hellenic Train (formerly TrainOSE) has been modernising steadily. The Athens–Thessaloniki axis is the flagship route, and a handful of regional lines fill in corners of the Peloponnese and northern Greece. If you know what the network covers — and what it does not — travelling by train in Greece can be both practical and rewarding.
Hellenic Train: the national operator
Hellenic Train is the commercial operator of Greek passenger rail services, running on the infrastructure of ERGOSE (the state infrastructure manager). The operator was formerly known as TrainOSE, and before that as OSE — you may encounter older references under either name. Hellenic Train is now majority-owned by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (Trenitalia's parent company), which has brought Italian rail expertise and new rolling stock into the network.
Key routes
Athens to Thessaloniki is the most important and most used route. The journey covers about 500 km and takes approximately 4h15–5 hours on Intercity (IC) trains running the modernised line via Larissa. This line has been significantly upgraded, with a new electrified double-track section between Athens and Thessaloniki making it faster and more reliable than in previous years. Several services run daily in each direction.
Other routes from Athens include:
- Athens (Larissa Station) to Chalkida: a short regional run of about 1h30 across to Euboea.
- Athens to Kiato: the suburban Proastiakos line runs west along the coast to Kiato on the northern Peloponnese — about 1h30, with connections to the regional bus network for the rest of the Peloponnese.
- Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli: covers the northern Greek coast toward Turkey, about 5–6 hours, a scenic and useful route for onward travel to Istanbul by rail-ferry combinations.
- Athens to Patras and the Peloponnese: until recently this route used older diesel services. The network here continues to evolve — check current schedules with Hellenic Train, as significant changes have occurred in recent years.
What the train does not reach
Greece's geography means large areas are not reachable by rail. The islands — including Crete, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Ionian Islands — have no rail connections and must be reached by ferry or plane. Many Peloponnese destinations (Nafplio, Epidaurus, Monemvasia, Olympia) are most practically reached by bus or car from the rail head. KTEL (the national long-distance bus network) fills many of the gaps, though with varying frequencies and comfort levels.
Athens' rail geography
Athens has two main railway stations of note:
- Larissa Station (Athina-Larissis): the main intercity terminus for Hellenic Train services to Thessaloniki and northern Greece. Metro Line 2 connects directly to the station.
- Athens Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos): served by the Proastiakos suburban rail line (about 45 minutes from central Athens).
Booking tickets
Hellenic Train tickets are best booked through the operator's website, which is available in English. Advance fares are cheaper and advisable on the Athens–Thessaloniki route during peak summer season and Greek public holidays. The Athens–Thessaloniki service tends to fill up on summer weekends, so booking a few days ahead is wise. Walk-up fares at the station are available but cost more.
Seat reservations are required on Hellenic Train's Intercity services — you cannot simply board without a reserved seat. This is true whether you have an Interrail or Eurail pass or a point-to-point ticket. See our seat reservations guide for how this works when combining a rail pass with Greek train travel.
Rail passes and Greece
Greece is covered by Interrail and Eurail Global passes. However, given the limited network and the relatively low cost of individual Greek rail tickets, a dedicated pass is rarely worth it for Greece alone. It is most useful as part of a wider Balkan or Mediterranean circuit. See our Interrail vs Eurail comparison for more detail on how to choose.
International connections
Greece's rail connections to neighbouring countries have been limited in recent years, though connections toward Skopje and Belgrade via Thessaloniki continue to develop and improve. The Athens–Thessaloniki–Thessaloniki toward the north Macedonian and Serbian rail networks is the most practical international direction. No direct train currently connects Athens to Istanbul (the historic Balkans route is operational only in sections).
Practical tips
- Trains in Greece are air-conditioned and the IC trains on the Athens–Thessaloniki route are comfortable and modern.
- Food and drink service varies — carry snacks on longer journeys to be safe.
- Delays are more common in Greece than in northern Europe. The network is improving, but build in buffer time for connections.
- Greek station names in the booking system use transliterated Greek, so "Athina" for Athens and "Thessaloniki" for Thessaloniki — double-check you have the right city.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Athens to Thessaloniki?
About 4h15 to 5 hours on Hellenic Train Intercity services. The route has been significantly upgraded in recent years and journey times have improved. Several services run daily.
Can I reach the Greek islands by train?
No. All Greek islands require a ferry or flight. Piraeus port (for most islands) is connected to central Athens by Metro Line 1 and the Proastiakos suburban rail line from Larissa Station.
Is a seat reservation required on Hellenic Train?
Yes. Seat reservations are compulsory on Intercity services, including for rail pass holders. Book through the Hellenic Train website in advance, especially in summer.
Do Interrail and Eurail passes work in Greece?
Yes. Greece is included in the Interrail and Eurail Global pass. Given the relatively limited and affordable Greek rail network, a pass is most useful as part of a broader European itinerary rather than for Greece alone.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables and booking: Hellenic Train official website.
- Infrastructure updates: ERGOSE.
- Pass validity: Interrail, Eurail.