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Greece by Train
Your Eurail journey through Greece will likely be unforgettable. Greece is a mystical blend of ancient history and modern-day hedonism. Take in the sights that take you back to a world before time, and then leap back into the present for sand, sea, and sun relaxation. Whether on the mainland or one of the countless islands, Greece is a true paradise.
Please note that train travel in Greece requires some preparation.
Train types in Greece
Rail network
Your Eurail pass is valid on trains operated by the Greek national railway company OSE.
Train types
Inter City trains
Traveling by InterCity train is always relaxing: air conditioning, meal served at the seat, snacks or drinks are available at the bar.
Suburban Proastiakos trains connect:
Athens – Korinthos and vice versa in 1 hour and 20 min
Athens (Central Railway Station “Stathmos Larissis”) – the E. Venizelos/Airport of Athens and vice versa in 45 min
Korinthos (New Railway Station) – the E. Venizelos/Airport of Athens and vice versa in 1 hour and 20 min
Domestic overnight trains
There is an overnight train connecting Athens and Thessaloniki and vice versa.
International overnight trains
The Hellas Express night train connects Thessaloniki to Skopje in FYR Macedonia and Belgrade in Serbia.
You can find the actual travel times on the Serbian Railways (ZS) website.
Reservations
Most domestic day trains in Greece do not require reservations.
Exception: for the InterCity trains reservation is compulsory. There are no reservation costs.
Overview of domestic reservation fees
Itineraries
Starting the train journey from Patras, in Peloponnese, the traveler can visit:
Olympia, where the first Olympic Games took place
Athens, using the OSE and Suburban Proastiakos trains with a change at Korinthos new railway station, and many other places
Starting the train journey from Athens, one of the biggest centers of the ancient culture, and also a modern city of our time, the traveler can visit:
the beautiful town of Volos, near the magnificent mountain of Pilion.
the city of Thessaloniki, the second biggest city of Greece, passing during the journey by Olympus, the mountain of gods and many other places.
The Rack Railway takes you from Diakopto to Kalavrita, a historic town of Peloponnese, on mountain Helmos at an altitude of 2,343 ft ascending for 22 km (14 miles) following the steep slopes of the Vouraikos gorge.
The steam train takes you from Ano Lechonia to Milies, through the picturesque mountain of Pelion, in the Thessalia area. Suburban trains connect:
Athens and Chalkida, the capital of the island Evia, in 1 hour and 30 min.
Athens and Loutraki, the well known seaside resort in 1 hour and 40 min.
Scenic route
* Kardítsa – Kalambáka
Extra info
Eurail aid offices in Greece
For questions about Eurail, you can go to the Hellenic Railways travel agency in Athens, the railway station of Patras or the Central railway station of Thessaloniki.
Detailed information about Eurail aid offices in Greece and the rest of Europe.
Airport links
From Athens E.Venizelos airport there is a train every hour to Athens Central railway station and to Kiato new railway station (change at Ano Liossia station).
Spelling of cities in Greece
On Greek train timetables and at train stations in Greece, you'll usually find the local spelling of Greek cities and stations.
Here is the local spelling of some popular Greek cities:
Athina = Athens
Kérkyra = Corfu
Iráklio = Heraklion
Pátra = Patras
Pireás = Piraeus
Benefits in Greece
Ferry crossings between Greece and Italy
If your Eurail pass is valid in both Greece and Italy, you can travel for FREE with a number of ferry providers. Those with Eurail passes for only one of these countries can receive a discount of up to 30% on full fares for selected routes.
Domestic boat trips
You can get special fares on domestic boat travel with the following ferry companies:
Blue Star Ferries
Superfast Ferries
Minoan Lines
rail pass options for Greece
Greece Pass
Spend your whole vacation traveling throughout Greece by rail.
Standard prices from € 80
Global Pass
Be free to explore Greece and up to 30 other countries by train.
Standard prices from € 185
Greek Islands Pass
Go island hopping in Greece and travel by ferry between Greece and Italy.
Standard prices from € 155
More about Greece
Quick facts
Capital: Athens
Population: 10.8 million
Language: Greek
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Dialing code: +30
Spelling of city names
On Greek train timetables and at train stations in Greece, you'll usually find the local spelling of Greek cities and stations. Here is the local spelling of some popular Greek cities:
Athens = Athina
Corfu = Kérkyra
Corinth = Kórinthos
Heraklion = Iráklio
Patras = Pátra
Piraeus= Pireás
Places to visit in Greece
The Temple of Zeus, Olympia
Ancient wonders in Olympia
As the site of the first Olympic Games, held in honor of Zeus beginning in 776 B.C., this was a natural shrine of the Greeks. It’s located in Litochoro, in western Peloponnisos, and features the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium and the Prytaneion.
Trains run daily from Athens to Larissa, and from Larissa, it’s a short bus ride to Litochoro.
Ruins in Plaka area, Athens
Athens, city of contradictions
When you first arrive in Athens, you may be surprised by the busy, fast-paced, high-traffic flow. But take the time to explore, and you’ll find plenty of interesting attractions. From the Acropolis and Parthenon to the hip and trendy clubs, you’re sure to find plenty of interesting contradictions in this ancient city. It received a pretty good makeover for the 2004 Olympics, so traveling in Athens should be a breeze.
The famous Acropolis and the surrounding attractions are best accessible by Metro. The closest stop is named Acropoli.
Mountaintop monasteries of Meteora
Delphi and Meteora
With breathtaking mountain scenery as its backdrop, it’s no wonder the amazing ruins of Delphi are one of the most popular sites in all of Greece. In ancient times, this was the center of the world, where people would go to consult the Oracle. It was also place of worship for the God Apollo. The day trip from Athens is well worth it, especially if you include a trip to the ancient mountaintop monasteries of Meteora.
From Athens, you’ll have plenty of options for a bus trip (around €10) or a sightseeing taxi to Delphi & Meteora. The taxis will charge per ride, and not per person, which makes them very affordable.
Beach of Rhodos
Island hopping
Greece has beautiful islands and beaches. Combine your rail trip with a boat trip to enjoy the beaches and islands at their best. Rhodos is extremely popular with western European travelers. It has the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, complete with fortified walls nearly 40 feet (12 meters) thick. Long and lush, unique and friendly, Kos is another island you won’t soon forget. From the active, Vegas-like nightlife to the ancient ruins it's all worth a trip.
Your Eurail pass entitles you to significant discounts on ferry crossings to the Greek Isles. A list of discount ferry providers can be found under the Benefits tab.
Ancient town of Mycenae
Mycenae: an archeologist's heaven
This fortress, which was built around 2000 B.C., is southwest of Athens in the northeastern Peloponnese and boasts impressive walls, amazing tomb shafts and a host of other archeological must-sees. The Mask of Agamemnon and many other treasures have been unearthed here.
From train station Mykines, it is best to take a taxi to the Mycenae ruins. The journey is just over two miles (3.5 km) from the station.
Beautiful beach on Crete
Royal Crete
Crete, Greece’s largest and southernmost island is an excellent ferry destination. Don’t forget to visit Knossos Palace. It’s believed to be the center of the Minoan civilization and culture and was home to King Minos, whose wife gave birth to the mythological Minotaur (half man, half bull). You can experience, firsthand, the royal quarters, throne room and queen’s quarters.
Go the last mile
Found yourself at the end of the line, but not at your destination? When public transportation ends, it's time to take matters into your own hands: rent a car for the last miles!
Eurailers get up to a 15% discount on all Avis retail prices.
You can find more information in the Terms & Conditions.
