Athens railway station
Railway and Athens Metro station

Hellenic Train
Αθήνα
Athina
Athens Suburban Railway
Σταθμός Λαρίσης
Larissa Station
View of the station building, January 2019
General information
LocationDomokou Avenue, Kolonos
Athens
Greece
Coordinates37°59′32.24″N 23°43′14″E / 37.9922889°N 23.72056°E / 37.9922889; 23.72056
Owned by
Operated by
Lines
Platforms8 (5 operational)
Tracks13 (7 operational)
Train operatorsHellenic Train
Athens Metro
Bus routes1, 057, 790, A10, A15, B5, B10, B15,
Connections
  • Bus Bus
  • Trolley Trolleybus
    Hellenic Train Bus
Construction
Structure type
Platform levels2
ParkingYes
Bicycle facilitiesNo
Accessible
Architectural styleModern
Other information
StatusStaffed
Fare zone1
WebsiteOfficial website
Key dates
8 March 1904Railway station opened[3]
28 January 2000Metro station opened[4]
30 July 2004Suburban Railway opened[5]
30 July 2017Railway electrified[6]
Services
Preceding station Hellenic Train Hellenic Train Following station
Terminus InterCity Express Larissa
towards Thessaloniki
InterCity
Athens–Kalambaka
 Oinoi
towards Kalambaka
InterCity
Athens–Thessaloniki
 Oinoi
towards Thessaloniki
Preceding station Athens Suburban Railway Suburban Rail Following station
Rouf
towards Piraeus
 Line A1 Agioi Anargyroi
towards Athens Airport
Line A4 Agioi Anargyroi
towards Kiato
Terminus Line A3 Agioi Anargyroi
towards Chalcis
Preceding station Athens Metro Athens Metro Following station
Attiki
towards Anthoupoli
 Line 2 Metaxourgeio
towards Elliniko
Location
Map
Athens station
Diagram not to scale; layout not
final due to ongoing construction
Legend
Athens Metro Line 2 to Anthoupoli
10
8
6
4
2
9
7
5
3
1
Athens Metro Line 2 to Elliniko

Athens railway station (Greek: Σιδηροδρομικός Σταθμός Αθηνών, romanized: Sidirodromikos Stathmos Athinon) is the main railway station of Athens and the second-largest station in Greece. Located in the central quarter of Kolonos, the railway station resulted from the merger of two separate railway terminals in 2005—Larissa station (Σταθμός Λαρίσης, Stathmos Larisis) of the Piraeus–Platy railway towards central and northern Greece, and the Peloponnese station (Σταθμός Πελοποννήσου, Stathmos Peloponnisou) of the Piraeus–Patras railway that formerly linked Athens with the Peloponnese. The station is still colloquially known as Larissa Station,[7] and is also the name of the adjacent Athens Metro station.

The station is currently undergoing a massive redevelopment, involving track realignment, new signalling and passenger facilities. Once complete, the station will have improved capacity, new platforms, improved though lines, better integration with metro/suburban rail, and upgraded passenger access.[8]

History

Early History

Inaugurated in 1904, the station was named after the city of Larissa (then the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Greece) and the one nearest the northern terminus of the standard-gauge Piraeus–Papapouli railway.[7] The adjacent Peloponnese Station, inaugurated on 30 June 1884, was served by the metre-gauge Piraeus–Patras railway to the Peloponnese.

Nationalisation

In 1920, Hellenic State Railways or SEK was established; however, many railways, such as the SPAP continued to be run as a separate company, becoming an independent company once more two years later. Due to growing debts, the SPAP came under government control between 1939 and 1940.

During the Axis occupation of Greece (1941–44), Athens was controlled by German military forces, and the line was used for the transport of troops and weapons. During the occupation (and especially during the German withdrawal in 1944), the network was severely damaged by both the German army and Greek resistance groups. The track and rolling stock replacement took time following the civil war, with regular service levels resumed around 1948. In 1954, SPAP was nationalised once more. In 1962, the SPAP was amalgamated into SEK.[9] In 1970, OSE became the legal successor to the SEK, taking over responsibilities for most of Greece's rail infrastructure. On 1 January 1971, the station and most of the Greek rail infrastructure were transferred to the Hellenic Railways Organisation S.A., a state-owned corporation. Freight traffic declined sharply when the deregulation of the transport of agricultural products and fertilisers occurred in the early 1990s.

GAIAOSE

In 2001 the infrastructure element of OSE was created, known as GAIAOSE; it would henceforth be responsible for the maintenance of stations, bridges and other elements of the network, as well as the leasing and the sale of railway assists.[10] In 2003, OSE launched "Proastiakos SA", as a subsidiary to serve the operation of the suburban network in the urban complex of Athens during the 2004 Olympic Games. In 2005, TrainOSE was created as a brand within OSE to concentrate on rail services and passenger interface.[citation needed]

In 2003, the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) launched the Athens Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) as a subsidiary responsible for the establishment of a suburban rail network in the Athens metropolitan area for the 2004 Summer Olympics. Peloponnese Station was closed on 7 August 2005, along with the metre-gauge line between Piraeus and Agioi Anargyroi. Its services were transferred to Larissis Station upon the opening of the Suburban Railway line to Corinth on 27 September 2005.[11][12] In 2005, TrainOSE was created as a brand within OSE to concentrate on rail services and passenger interface. In 2008, all Athens Suburban Railway services were transferred from OSE to TrainOSE.

In 2009, with the Greek debt crisis unfolding OSE's Management was forced to reduce services across the network. Timetables were cut back, and routes closed as the government-run entity attempted to reduce overheads. In 2011 it was reported that the Greek government was looking at divestiture of certain high-profile assets of OSE, namely a number of the larger terminal stations, most notably Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Volos, Larissa and Athens.[13] In 2017 OSE's passenger transport sector was privatised as TrainOSE, (Now Hellenic Train) a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane.[14] Infrastructure, including stations, remained under the control of OSE.

The final service departed the unmodernized Larissis Station on 4 June 2017 before it was closed for various upgrades, including the installation of the 25 kV AC, 50 Hz railway electrification system.[15][16] The upgraded station was reopened on 30 July 2017.[17] The Athens Metro station, inaugurated on 28 January 2000, lies underground and is served by Line 2 between Anthoupoli and Elliniko. In July 2022, the station began being served by Hellenic Train, the rebranded TrainOSE.[18]

A “second phase” renovation was formally contracted on 12 July 2022, under a budget of €42.1 million.[19] The works concern involves reconstruction and re-alignment of tracks; building new platforms (No. 1, 2 & 3) to serve lines 1 through 6; installation of electrification and necessary infrastructure; and upgrading of the station’s access and passenger-use facilities (pedestrian underpass, lifts, shelters and underpasses.[20]

Facilities

The station comprises a large, two-floor building in central Athens. Three platforms and four tracks are currently in use. The second phase of upgrades is underway, including the construction of new tracks and platforms, a central underpass connecting all platforms and the metro station, additional pedestrian underpasses and overpasses, building restoration works and an overhaul of road traffic surrounding the station.[21] In the meantime, trains will continue to use the platforms and tracks built during the previous upgrade, located where the goods yard of the old Peloponnese Station once stood.[22]

Services

Various Hellenic Train services call at the mainline station, including the InterCity and InterCity Express (ETR) service towards Larissa and Thessaloniki, and the Athens Suburban Railway towards the rest of Attica and the northern coast of the Peloponnese.[23]

Suburban rail services

The station is served by the following lines of the Athens Proastiakos or suburban railway:

National rail services

Before the Tempi train crash and Storm Daniel in 2023, the following weekday following Hellenic Train services called at this station:

Regular InterCity services still run, but they are infrequent until long-term repair works are completed.

Former international services

During the twentieth century, especially in the first half, Athens station was the terminus for some international trains, such as an Express to Berlin (departing from the former Anhalter Bahnhof) or the "Arlberg"[28] route of the Orient Express (London-Athens via Paris-Zürich-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Skopje), in service until 1962 and then of the Direct Orient Express (Paris-Lausanne-Venice-Ljubljana-Zagreb-Belgrade-Skopje) until 1976.[29]

Local public transport

Metro

The underground Larissa Station is served by Athens Metro Line 2 trains towards Anthoupoli to the north, and Elliniko to the south.[30]

Bus and trolleybus

The station is also served by local and regional buses:

Transport for Athens operates Lines 790, A10, A15, B10, B15 while OSE operates some services.

The 1 Trolleybus also calls at the station.

Note: All services are accessible from the forecourt.

Station layout

Level
L1 		Platform 11 Not in regular use
Island platform, doors will open on the left, right
Platform 10 Athens Suburban Railway Line A3 to Chalcis (Agioi Anargyroi) →
Platform 9 ← Athens Suburban Railway Line A1 Athens Suburban Railway Line A4 to Piraeus (Rouf)
Island platform, doors will open on the left, right
Platform 8A TrainOSE towards Thessaloniki (Oinoi / Larissa) →
Platform 8Β TrainOSE towards Leianokladi (SKA) →
Platform 7 Athens Suburban Railway Line A1 to Athens Airport / Athens Suburban Railway Line A4 to Kiato (Agioi Anargyroi) →
Island platform, doors will open on the right
Platform 6 Under reconstruction
Platform 5 Under reconstruction
Island platform, doors will open on the left, right
Platform 4 Under reconstruction
Platform 3 Under reconstruction
Island platform, doors will open on the left, right
Platform 2 Under reconstruction
Platform 1 Under reconstruction
Side platform, doors will open on the right
Ground/Councourse
G/C 		Customer service Shops/Buffet
Tickets/Exits
Theodorou Diligianni Street
Ground/Concourse
G/C 		Customer service Tickets
Exits
Level
L2 		Side platform, doors will open on the right or interchange to TrainOSE / Proastiakos
Platform 12 ← Athens Metro Line 2 towards Elliniko (Metaxourgeio)
Platform 13 → Athens Metro Line 2 towards Anthoupoli (Attiki) →
Side platform, doors will open on the right or interchange to TrainOSE / Proastiakos

Upgrades

The work comprises the construction of lines 1-6, part of the underground crossing providing a connection to all the platforms and the connection to “Larissa” station, of Attiko Metro S.A. as well as the inclusion of provisional sheds and E/M works at ground level. The works will be implemented without rail traffic interruption, with the electrified right half corridor of the Railway Station (Lines 7-10) in operation and the uninterrupted passenger access from the east (Diligianni street) and the west (Konstantinoupoleos street) secured.[31] Due to the contract signing in July 2022 (with a 3-year timeframe), nominal completion of “Phase B” was scheduled for mid/late 2025.[32] Public infrastructure-project reporting for 2025 still lists the upgrade among active railway modernisation efforts, is either delayed or final completion is imminent.[33]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ιστορικό Εταιρείας" [Company History]. GAIAOSE (in Greek). Athens. Archived from the original on 1 January 2026. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  2. ^ "Annexes". Network Statement (PDF) (2023 ed.). Athens: Hellenic Railways Organization. 17 January 2023. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  3. ^ Οι Ελληνικοί Σιδηρόδρομοι [The Greek Railways] (in Greek). Athens: Militos. 1997. p. 77. ISBN 9608460077.
  4. ^ Delezos, Kostas (28 January 2000). "From today, Athens moves to the rhythm of the Metro". Ta Nea (in Greek). Athens: Alter Ego Media. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  5. ^ Chatziioannidou, Efis (31 July 2004). "Και ο προαστιακός σιδηρόδρομος μπήκε σε τροχιά" [And the commuter rail gets on track]. Kathimerini (in Greek). Athens: Kathimerini Publishing. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Σημαντικές αλλαγές στον Προαστιακό Σιδηρόδρομο Αθήνας από 30/07/2017" [Important changes for the Athens Suburban Railway from 30/07/2017]. TrainOSE (in Greek). Athens: OSE. July 2017. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b ""Larissa Station", or Athens Railway Station". Athens: Hellenic Train. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Press release – Signing of the contract for the second phase of the development of the Athens Central Railway Station". ΕΡΓΟΣΕ. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  9. ^ Ν. 4246/1962
  10. ^ "Home". gaiaose.com.
  11. ^ "Athens Guide: Trains in Greece". www.athensguide.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Σε μία ώρα στην Κόρινθο από αύριο ο Προαστιακός". Naftemporiki (in Greek). Athens. 26 September 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Θεσσαλία: Πωλείται ο σταθμός Λάρισας!". 20 July 2011.
  14. ^ "It's a new day for TRAINOSE as FS acquires the entirety of the company's shares". ypodomes.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  15. ^ "Electrification of 3 Gefires – Piraeus". ERGOSE. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  16. ^ "OSE 120 — Trainspo".
  17. ^ "Δελτίο Τύπου 28/07/2017 - Νέος χάρτης γραμμών και δρομολογίων στον Προαστιακό Σιδηρόδρομο Αθήνας από την Κυριακή 30 Ιουλίου 2017" (in Greek). TrainOSE. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  18. ^ "TrainOSE renamed Hellenic Train, eyes expansion". Kathimerini. Athens. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Press release – Signing of the contract for the second phase of the development of the Athens Central Railway Station". ΕΡΓΟΣΕ. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  20. ^ "Athens Railway Station in second phase of renovation". in.gr (in Greek). 12 July 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Completion of Athens Railway station upgrading – Phase B". ERGOSE. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Μεταμορφώθηκε ο Σταθμός Λαρίσης με τις νέες Αποβάθρες". Ypodomes.com (in Greek). 7 July 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Athens Suburban Railway". Athens: Hellenic Train. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  24. ^ Antoniou, Georgios (16 November 2025). "Timetable: Airport–Athens–Piraeus & Airport–Ano Liosia, Monday–Friday" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek and English). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
    Antoniou, Georgios (16 November 2025). "Timetable: Airport–Athens–Piraeus & Airport–Ano Liosia, Weekends and national holidays" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek and English). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
    Antoniou, Georgios (16 November 2025). "Timetable: Piraeus–Athens–Airport & Ano Liosia–Airport, Monday–Friday" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek and English). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
    Antoniou, Georgios (16 November 2025). "Timetable: Piraeus–Athens–Airport & Ano Liosia–Airport, Weekends and national holidays" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek and English). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  25. ^ Antoniou, Georgios (17 November 2025). "Timetable: Athens–Chalkida and Chalkida–Athens" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek and English). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  26. ^ Antoniou, Georgios (17 November 2025). "Timetable: Piraeus–Athens–Kiato & Kiato–Athens–Piraeus" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek and English). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Hellenic Train Ticketing". Hellenic Train. Athens. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  28. ^ See map on Commons
  29. ^ "Darstaed TP - gauge '0' tin plate trains - Your stop for a ride through the past". www.darstaed.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Metro and Tram Map" (PDF). STASY (in Greek). Athens. 11 October 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  31. ^ "Completion of Athens Railway station upgrading – Phase B".
  32. ^ "Press release – Signing of the contract for the second phase of the development of the Athens Central Railway Station". ΕΡΓΟΣΕ. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  33. ^ "Tenders for 3 major railway projects in Greece now underway". Ypodomes.com (in Greek). 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  • Media related to Athens Larissa Station at Wikimedia Commons
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