Railways of Greece
In terms of popularity, the railways of Greece are significantly behind the bus and water transport. The features of the relief in the country predetermined the difficulties in the development of the railway sector. Most of the railway lines are served by the state «Greek Railways Organization» or «OSE». The company was formed in Athens in 1971. There are quite a few routes in the country that are dedicated to trains. The railway is mainly used to move between large settlements. The network has a length of about 2,570 km.
The line between Thessaloniki and Athens is in great demand. The high-speed train covers the distance between these cities in 4 hours. Important branches connect Athens with Corinth, Alexandroupoli and other cities. From the Greek capital, trains go to the Peloponnese (south) and to Thessaloniki (north). The most picturesque route Diakopton - Kalavryta, which deserves a whitewash. International lines go from Greece to Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, Romania.
In Greece, different gauge tracks are used due to the mountainous terrain. Thanks to this, various trains move around the country. Greek Railways are used for regular trains, Intercity Express and Intercity trains. Greece's standard trains do not have a high level of service and comfort. The exception is the high-speed trains Intercity Express.
Fare
Railway ticket prices depend on the date of travel and the time of purchase. By planning your trip in advance, you can save a lot. You can see the timetable for Greek trains on the website of the national carrier www.trainose.gr, which is available in English. You can get to Thessaloniki from Athens for 47 euros, to Kalambaka - for 22 euros.
Travelers are offered travel cards «InterRail Greece Pass» for 3-8 days. This pass is only available to foreign tourists. You can get a discount on travel with a youth pass valid for 3-8 days. Tickets for international trains are sold not only at the box office, but also online. A passenger on the Internet can view the route, train schedule and buy a ticket. The e-ticket must be printed and presented to the controller before boarding the train.
Central station
The country's main railway station is located in Athens. It consists of two stations: Peloponnese and Larissa. Communication with the southern regions of Greece is provided by the first station. The second is used for the arrival and departure of trains on the northern routes. The station has a simple design and a modest atmosphere..
