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{{Short description|Economy of Greece}}
{{Short description|Economy of Greece}}
{{no footnotes|date=January 2013}}
{{Economy of Greece}}
{{Economy of Greece}}
[[File:Athen Metro Kifisia.jpg|thumb|right|[[Athens Metro Line 1|Metro Line 1]], the oldest Metro line of Athens Urban area]]
[[File:Athen Metro Kifisia.jpg|thumb|right|[[Athens Metro Line 1|Metro Line 1]], the oldest Metro line of Athens Urban area]]


'''Transport in [[Greece]]''' has undergone significant changes in the past two decades, vastly modernizing the country's infrastructure and transportation. Although ferry transport between islands remains the prominent method of transport between the nation's islands, improvements to the road infrastructure, rail, urban transport, and airports have all led to a vast improvement in transportation. These upgrades have played a key role in supporting Greece's economy, which in the past decade has come to rely heavily on the construction industry.
'''Transport in [[Greece]]''' has undergone significant changes in the past two decades, vastly modernizing the country's infrastructure and transportation.  


==Cable transport==
Although ferry transport between islands remains the prominent method of transport between the nation's islands, improvements to the road infrastructure, rail, urban transport, and airports have all led to a vast improvement in transportation.  
[[File:Attica 06-13 Athens 48 Lycabettus railway car.jpg|thumb|alt=Lycabettus railway car|Lycabettus railway car]]
 
[[File:Cable car of Santorini.jpg|thumb|alt=Cable car of Santorini|Cable car of Santorini]]
These upgrades have played a key role in supporting Greece's economy, which in the past decade has come to rely heavily on the construction industry.
*[[Lycabettus Funicular]]
*[[Parnitha Funitel]]
*[[Santorini cable car]]


==Rail transport==
==Rail transport==
{{Main|Rail transport in Greece}}
{{Main|Rail transport in Greece}}
{{See also|Athens Airport–Patras railway|Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli railway}}
Railways in Greece hold a history which began in 1869 with the completion of the then ''Athens & Piraeus Railway.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gale |first=Alexander |date=2023-03-02 |title=The Early History of Greece's Railways |url=https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/03/history-greece-railways/ |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=GreekReporter.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
From the 1880s to the 1920s, the majority of the network was built reaching its heyday in 1940. From the 1950s onward, the railway system entered a period of decline, culminating in service cuts in 2011. Ever since the 1990s, the network has been steadily modernized, but still remains smaller than its peak length.


===Railways===
A total of {{convert|2,571|km|mi|abbr=on}} rails exist in Greece. A total of {{convert|764|km|mi|abbr=on|disp=or}} of track are, or will be, [[Railway electrification system|electrified]]. {{convert|1,565|km|mi|abbr=on}} of track run on the {{Track gauge|1435mm|lk=on}} gauge, with {{convert|961|km|mi|abbr=on}} of track still running on {{Track gauge|1000mm|lk=on}} gauge. There are also small instances of the {{Track gauge|750mm|lk=on}} and the [[dual gauge]] in Greece.


*total: {{convert|2,571|km|mi|abbr=on}}, ({{convert|764|km|mi|abbr=on|disp=or}} are, or will be, [[Railway electrification system|electrified]])
===Operation===
*[[standard gauge]]: {{convert|1,565|km|mi|abbr=on}} {{Track gauge|1435mm|lk=on}} gauge
*[[narrow gauge]]: {{convert|961|km|mi|abbr=on}} {{Track gauge|1000mm|lk=on}} gauge; {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}} {{Track gauge|750mm|lk=on}} gauge
*[[dual gauge]]: {{convert|23|km|mi|abbr=on}} combined {{Track gauge|1435mm}} and {{Track gauge|1000mm}} gauges (three rail system) (2004)
The state-owned company that owns and maintains Greece's railway network is [[Hellenic Railways Organisation|OSE]], Gaiose also a state-owned company owns and maintains railway stations, while [[Hellenic Train]] is the company responsible for operating all passenger trains and the most freight trains.


===Metro===
[[Greece]] is a member of the [[International Union of Railways]] (UIC).
[[File:AMEL 1st Generation Stock C21 at Syngrou-Fix Station.jpg|right|thumb|Athens Metro Train (1st Generation)]]


Cities with a [[rapid transit]] railway network:
The state-owned company that owns and maintains Greece's railway network is [[Greek Railways]], which also owns and maintains railway stations, while [[Hellenic Train]] is the company responsible for operating all passenger trains and the most freight trains. Hellenic Railways was established in August 2025 from the merger by the [[Government of Greece]] of [[Railway infrastructure manager|infrastructure manager]] [[Hellenic Railways Organisation]], project delivery subsidiary ERGOSE, and property and [[rolling stock company]] [[GAIAOSE]]. It was established in response to the [[Tempi train crash]].<ref>[https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/tempi-accident-report-exposes-greek-railway-safety-failures/68381.article Tempi accident report exposes Greek railway safety failures] ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' 28 February 2025</ref><ref>[https://railmarket.com/news/infrastructure/38630-greek-railways-formed-through-merger-of-ose-ergose-and-gaiaose Greek Railways Formed Through Merger of OSE, ERGOSE, and GAIAOSE] ''Railmarket'' 4 September 2025</ref><ref>[https://www.railjournal.com/freight/greek-railways-formed-in-major-restructuring/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMylmpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnIxG53F-z5N1lEbE5-EFUYGjA9XNLxaBUOOQa5Fe67ZsaXASeAvPR8tMfh-_aem_OTdN3mgS6HyBq6wIJA-dSw Greek Railways formed in major restructuring] ''[[International Railway Journal]]'' 12 September 2025</ref>
*[[Athens Metro]] (3 lines) (another one under construction)
*[[Thessaloniki Metro]] (2 lines) (Extension)


===Commuter rail===
===Commuter rail===
[[File:20070606-Piraeus-Desiro GTW.jpg|right|thumb|[[Proastiakos]] commuter rail]]
{{Main|Proastiakos}}
{{Main|Proastiakos}}
[[File:20070606-Piraeus-Desiro GTW.jpg|right|thumb|[[Proastiakos]] commuter rail]]


Cities with a [[commuter rail]] network ([[Proastiakos]]):
Greece [[commuter rail]] service is called ''Proastiakos'' and is run by [[Hellenic Train]] on rail infrastructure owned by the [[Greek Railways]] (buildings and Trains). These services connect a participating city's [[Central station|central railway station]] to important locations such as a city's port or airport, as well as its suburbs and occasionally nearby towns and cities.
*[[Proastiakos|Athens]] (4 lines)
 
*[[Proastiakos|Thessaloniki]] (3 lines)
As of September 2020, there are three Proastiakos networks serving the country's three largest cities: [[Athens Suburban Railway|Athens]], [[Thessaloniki]], and [[Patras]], providing them with commuter rail links towards their suburbs and also with regional services to other cities and towns. In 2016, the three systems carried 10.1&nbsp;million passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trainose.gr/en/company/|title=Company – TrainOSE|website=www.trainose.gr|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>
*[[Proastiakos|Patras]] (2 lines)
 
As of 8 January 2017, the lines between the central stations of Athens and Halkida have been electrified, allowing EMU train service. The lines have been changed, making Athens's central station the main layover station. Those lines are Athens – [[Athens International Airport|ATH]], Athens – [[Kiato]], Athens – [[Chalcis]].
 
In [[Thessaloniki]], there are two Proastiakos services. The first connects the city's [[Thessaloniki railway station|Main Railway Station]] with the cities of [[Katerini]] and [[Larissa]], and the second links the city with [[Edessa railway station|Edessa]].


===Tram===
In July 2010, a new [[commuter rail]] service was launched in [[Patras]] on a section of the old [[Patras–Kyparissia railway|Patras–Kyparissia line]]<ref name=OSE>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ose.gr/en/o-s-e/network?download=78:network-statement-2017-2-2|title=OSE – 2017 Network Statement Annexes}}</ref> reconnecting the city with [[Rio, Greece|Rio]]. The service was later extended to [[Agios Andreas railway station|Agios Andreas]] as Line P2. In 2020 services were reconnected to [[Kato Achaia railway station|Kato Achaia]]<ref name=OSE>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ose.gr/en/o-s-e/network?download=78:network-statement-2017-2-2|title=OSE – 2017 Network Statement Annexes}}</ref> via [[Agios Andreas railway station|Agios Andreas]] as Line P1.
[[File:Athens tram Syntagma.JPG|thumb|[[Athens Tram]]]]
*[[Athens Tram]]
*[[List of town tramway systems in Greece]]


==Road transport==
==Road transport==
Line 57: Line 51:
}}
}}


*As of 2017, Greece has 2500&nbsp;km of [[motorways]].
The '''Motorways''' in [[Greece]] constitute the main road network of the country. A motorway in Greece is distinct in terms of its construction specifications. The main difference is that motorways ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Αυτοκινητόδρομοι) adhere to higher quality construction standards than National Roads ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Εθνικές Οδοί).
 
The longest motorway in the country is the [[A2 motorway]] (also known as the '''Egnatia Odos''' ({{langx|el|Εγνατία Οδός}}))<ref name="bbc-20100927">{{cite web|last1=Deliso|first1=Chris|title=Driving Greece's modern ancient highway, the Egnatia Odos|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20100909-driving-greeces-modern-ancient-highway-the-egna|website=BBC Travel|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827201010/https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20100909-driving-greeces-modern-ancient-highway-the-egna|archive-date=27 August 2024|location=London|language=en-gb|date=27 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="road-numbers-20151204">[http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wE4q6ggiv8WTXdtvSoClrL8r8vpvR2eNoN5MXD0LzQTLWPU9yLzB8V6dxiWmYHFUbmCiBSQOpYnT00MHhcXFRTsqzOHdfNcfZ-aYZTAgXkf-L0doxKRzKL0i1BTgRf8otY. Ministerial Decision DOY/oik/5776/2015] (FEK AAP' 253/21.12.2015, pp. 2098–2099).</ref>; a [[toll road|tolled]] [[controlled-access highway]] in northern [[Greece]] that runs from the western port of [[Igoumenitsa]] to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at [[Kipoi, Evros|Kipoi]]. The entire route is part of the Greek section of the [[European route E90|E90 road]], which runs from [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]] in the west, and [[Zakho]], [[Iraq]] in the east.
 
===National roads===
 
{{main|National roads in Greece}}
 
National roads ({{langx|el|Εθνική Οδός}}) are all-purpose [[trunk road]]s: they are less important than a motorway but more important than a [[provincial road]]. The layout of the national road network varies a lot, ranging from fast multi-lane [[dual carriageway]]s to twisting two-lane [[single carriageway]]s.
 
The current system of national roads in Greece was created in July 1963,<ref name="eo-list-1963">{{Cite Greek roads|eo-1963}}</ref> and have been updated many times since then. Most national roads have route numbers that begin with "EO",<ref name="eo-example">{{cite web|title=Πρόσκληση για τη συνάψη Σύμβαση Παροχής Υπηρεσιών Χρηματοοικονομικού Συμβούλου για την κατάρτιση και υποβολή φακέλου για την ένταξη του Έργου: Μελέτη..του οδικού άξονα ΕΟ2 (Μαυροβούνι – Έδεσσα, Παράκαμψη Γιαννιτσών, Παράκαμψη Χαλκηδόνας) |url=https://www.ggde.gr/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6754|website=General Secretariat of Infrastructure|publisher=Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation|access-date=30 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030062159/https://www.ggde.gr/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6754|archive-date=30 October 2025|location=Athens|language=el|date=1 November 2021|trans-title=Invitation for the conclusion of a Financial Advisory Services Contract for the preparation and submission of a dossier for the inclusion of the Project: Study of the EO2 road axis (Mavrovouni – Edessa, Giannitsa Bypass, Chalkidona Bypass)}}</ref> non-continuously from EO1 to EO99, but some (such as [[Thessaloniki Inner Ring Road]]) have no number.
 
===Electric vehicles===
{{Main|Plug-in electric vehicles in Greece}}
{{as of|2022|9}}, there were 8,790 [[battery electric vehicle]]s registered in Greece.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsauto.gr/news/posa-ilektrika-aftokinita-kikloforoun-stin-ellada/|title=Πόσα ηλεκτρικά αυτοκίνητα κυκλοφορούν στην Ελλάδα;|date=2022-09-12|access-date=2022-11-03|lang=el|first=Giorgos K.|last=Andris|work=newsauto.gr}}</ref> {{as of|2022|9}}, 11.8% of new cars registered in Greece were electric.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.caranddriver.gr/eidiseis/arthro/acea_synexizoun_na_ayksanoun_to_meridio_tous_ta_ilektrika_aytokinita-7814872/|work=Car and Driver|title=ACEA: Συνεχίζουν να αυξάνουν το μερίδιο τους τα ηλεκτρικά αυτοκίνητα|lang=el|date=2022-11-03|access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref>


Roads:
==Public transport==
*total: 117,000&nbsp;km
 
*paved: 107,406&nbsp;km
===Rapid transit===
*unpaved: 9,594&nbsp;km (1996 est.)
[[File:AMEL 1st Generation Stock C21 at Syngrou-Fix Station.jpg|right|thumb|Athens Metro Train (1st Generation)]]
*over 2500 tunnels (est.)
{{See also|Athens Metro|Thessaloniki Metro}}
 
Greece is served by two [[rapid transit]] systems; one in [[Athens Metro|Athens]] and one in [[Thessaloniki Metro|Thessaloniki]].
 
In Athens, [[Line 1 (Athens Metro)|Line 1]] opened as a single-track conventional steam railway in 1869 and was electrified in 1904. Beginning in 1991, [[Elliniko Metro]] S.A. constructed and extended [[Line 2 (Athens Metro)|Lines 2]] and [[Line 3 (Athens Metro)|3]].
 
It has significantly changed Athens by providing a much-needed solution to the city's traffic and [[air pollution]] problem, as well as revitalising many of the areas it serves. Extensions of existing lines are under development or tender, like the Line 2 extension to Ilion where tender started in 2023, as well as a new [[Athens Metro Line 4|Line 4]], whose central section began construction in October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Υποβολή φακέλων εκδήλωσης ενδιαφέροντος στο διαγωνισμό για την επέκταση του Μετρό προς Ίλιον |url=https://www.athenstransport.com/2023/05/ilion-metro-ekdilosi-endiaferontos/ |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Athens Transport |language=el}}</ref>
 
The Athens Metro is actively connected with the other means of public transport, such as buses, trolleys, the [[Athens Tram]] and the [[Athens Suburban Railway]]. The Athens Metro is hailed for its modernity (mainly the newer lines 2, 3), and many of its stations feature works of art, exhibitions and displays of the archaeological remains found during its construction.
 
Proposed during the 1910s and reconsidered during the 1980s, construction of [[Thessaloniki Metro]] began in 2006. It began operations on 30 November 2024. The system in Thessaloniki consists of a single line with [[List of Thessaloniki Metro stations|13 stations]]; a further 5 stations are under construction for Line 2. It is fully automated and [[Automatic train operation|driverless]], the first system of its kind in Greece, and is operated by Thessaloniki Metro Automatic (THEMA), a {{nowrap|Franco-Italian}} [[consortium]].
 
===Tram===
[[File:Athens tram Syntagma.JPG|thumb|[[Athens Tram]]]]
{{Main|List of town tramway systems in Greece}}
 
The Athens Tram, opened in 2004, in time for [[Summer Olympics 2004]] currently consists of two routes, Lines 6 and 7. It is the only operating tramway system in [[Greece]]; however, historically, trams existed in Greece; they were [[horse-drawn]] or [[electric tram|electric]].
 
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|+ Athens Tram routes
! Line
! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Colour|Map colour}}{{Ref|A|a}}
! Opening<br/>date
! Last<br/>extended
! Length
! class="unsortable"|Route
! {{abbr|Stops|Number of stops}}
|-
| align="center" | {{ntsh|6}}{{rint|athens|T|6}}
| style="background:#{{rcr|Athens Tram|T6}}; color:white;" align="center" | Green
| 2004
| 2004
| {{convert|18.2|km|mi|1|sortable=on|abbr=on}}
| {{metro|Syntagma}} – {{stl|Athens Tram|Pikrodafni}}
| 19
|-
| align="center" | {{ntsh|7}}{{rint|athens|T|7}}
| style="background:#{{rcr|Athens Tram|T7}}; color:white;" align="center" | Green
| 2004
| 2026
| {{convert|16.1|km|mi|1|sortable=on|abbr=on}}
| {{stl|Athens Tram|Akti Poseidonos}} – {{stl|Athens Tram|Asklepieio Voulas}}
| 43
|}


===Bus transport===
===Bus transport===
Line 80: Line 131:


==Water transport==
==Water transport==
{{See also|Greek shipping}}
[[Image:Superfast XI.jpg|thumb|MS ''Superfast XI'' bound to [[Ancona]] passing [[Kefalonia]] island.]]
[[Greece]] is a [[maritime industry|maritime]] nation by tradition, as [[shipping]] is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the [[Greeks]] and has been a key element of Greek economic activity since [[Ancient Greece|ancient times]].<ref name="shipping">{{cite web |url= http://www.greece.org/poseidon/work/articles/polemis_one.html |title= The History of Greek Shipping |author= Polemis, Spyros M. |publisher= Greece.org |access-date= 9 April 2007}}</ref>
===Ferries===
There are several Greece owned companies that operate passenger ferries.
[[Superfast Ferries]] has operated lines in several parts of [[Europe]] (in the [[Adriatic Sea]], [[Aegean Sea]], [[North Sea]], and the [[Baltic Sea]]). Currently, they are active in the Adriatic Sea, operating between Greece and Italy. Their routes are between the Italian ports of [[Ancona]] and [[Bari]] and the Greek ports of [[Igoumenitsa]] and [[Patras]], as well as between [[Bari]] and [[Corfu]].
[[ANEK Lines]] operates passenger ferries, mainly on the Piraeus–Crete and Adriatic Sea routes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-24 |title=Attica and Anek shareholders approve merger |url=https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1147400/Attica-and-Anek-shareholders-approve-merger |access-date=2026-02-21 |website=Lloyd's List}}</ref> [[Blue Star Ferries]] provides [[ferry]] services between the Greek mainland and the [[Aegean Islands]].
===Waterways===
===Waterways===
[[File:Le port de Patras en août 2009 - 3.jpg|thumb|View of the port of Patras]]
[[File:Le port de Patras en août 2009 - 3.jpg|thumb|View of the port of Patras]]
Line 89: Line 151:
===Ports and harbours===
===Ports and harbours===
{{main|List of ports in Greece}}
{{main|List of ports in Greece}}
*[[Alexandroupoli]]
*[[Argostoli]]
*[[Elefsina]]
*[[Ermoupolis]]
*[[Heraklion]], [[Crete]]
*[[Kalamata]]
*[[Kavala]]
*[[Kerkyra]]
*[[Kos]]
*[[Chalkis]]
*[[Igoumenitsa]]
*[[Lavrio]]
*[[Patras]]
*[[Port of Piraeus|Piraeus]]
*[[Port of Thessaloniki]]
*[[Volos]]
*[[Katakolo]]
*[[Mykonos]]
*[[Mytilene]]
*[[Rhodes (city)]]
*[[Souda]]
*[[Syros]]


===Merchant marine===
===Merchant marine===
Line 133: Line 172:
:*vehicle carrier: 2
:*vehicle carrier: 2


==Airports==
==Air transport==
[[File:SX-NEC A320NEO Aegean LHR 4.11.20.jpg|thumb|[[Aegean Airlines]] [[Airbus A320neo]].]]
{{main|List of airports in Greece}}
{{main|List of airports in Greece}}
[[File:Thessaloniki International Airport.JPG|thumb|[[Thessaloniki International Airport]]]]


*total: 82 (2005)
Greece counts 16 international, 11 military and 26 airports of mixed use. There are sixteen civil international airports; two biggest by passenger numbers are located in [[Athens Airport|Athens]] and in [[Thessaloniki Airport|Thessaloniki]]. {{As of|2025}}, [[Athens Airport]] is the [[List of the busiest airports in Europe|15th-busiest airport]] in Europe and the second busiest and second largest in the Balkans after [[Istanbul Airport]].
*With paved runways: 67
 
:*over 3,047 m: 5
Due to the [[Mediterranean climate]], secondary are [[Heraklion Airport|Heraklion/Crete]], [[Rhodes Airport|Rhodes]] and [[Corfu Airport|Corfu]] airports, which are key hubs for tourists, particularly during the busy summer season each year. The Greek subsidiary of [[Fraport]] manages 14 airports in Greece, including [[Thessaloniki Airport|Thessaloniki]], [[Rhodes Airport|Rhodes]] and [[Santorini Airport|Santorini]].
:*2,438–3,047 m: 16
:*1,524–2,437 m: 19
:*914–1,523 m: 17
:*under 914 m: 10 (2005)
*With unpaved runways: 15
:*914 to 1,523 m: 3
:*under 914 m: 12 (2005)
*heliports: 8 (2005)


==Pipelines==
[[Aegean Airlines]]<ref name="legal">{{Cite web |title=Conditions & Notices |url=http://en.aegeanair.com/legal-notice/legal-notice/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112211527/http://en.aegeanair.com/legal-notice/legal-notice/ |archive-date=12 November 2013 |access-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> is the [[flag carrier]] of [[Greece]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dron |first=Alan |title=Aegean 1Q losses widen as it invests in capacity |url=http://atwonline.com/data-financials/aegean-1q-losses-widen-it-invests-capacity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528010602/http://atwonline.com/data-financials/aegean-1q-losses-widen-it-invests-capacity |archive-date=28 May 2016 |access-date=9 December 2018 |website=atwonline.com |publisher=Penton}}</ref> and the largest Greek airline by total number of passengers carried, by number of destinations served, and by fleet size. A [[Star Alliance]] member since June 2010, it operates scheduled and charter services from [[Athens]] and [[Thessaloniki]] to other major Greek, European, Middle Eastern, African and Indian destinations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AEGEAN invests in two new Airbus A321neo XLR aircraft with even greater range and comfort. New direct flights to New Delhi and Mumbai in India to commence as of March 2026 {{!}} About Aegean |url=https://en.about.aegeanair.com/media-center/press-releases/2025/aegean-invests-in-two-new-airbus-a321neo-xlr-aircraft-with-even-greater-range-and-comfort-new-direct-flights-to-new-delhi-and-mumbai-in-india-to-commence-as-of-march-2026/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=Aegean Airlines |language=en}}</ref> Other Greek airlines include: [[Olympic Air]] (a regional subsidiary of [[Aegean Airlines]]) and [[Sky Express (Greece)|SKY Express]].
 
==Miscellaneous==
 
===Pipelines===
*crude oil: 26&nbsp;km
*crude oil: 26&nbsp;km
*petroleum products: 547&nbsp;km
*petroleum products: 547&nbsp;km
===Cable transport===
[[File:Cable car of Santorini.jpg|thumb|alt=Cable car of Santorini|Cable car of Santorini]]
*[[Lycabettus Funicular]]
*[[Parnitha Funitel]]
*[[Santorini cable car]]


==Major construction projects==
==Major construction projects==
{{Too many list sections|date=March 2026}}
===Completed projects===
===Completed projects===
====Motorways====
====Motorways====
Line 194: Line 236:
====Airports====
====Airports====
*[[Athens International Airport]]
*[[Athens International Airport]]
*[[Thessaloniki Airport]] - "Makedonia"
*[[Thessaloniki Airport]] – "Makedonia"


===Projects under construction===
===Projects under construction===
Line 239: Line 281:
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Rapid transit in Greece]]
*[[Rapid transit in Greece]]
*[[Greek shipping]]
* [[Plug-in electric vehicles in Greece]]


==References==
==References==
*{{CIA World Factbook}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 22:28, 27 March 2026

Template:Economy of Greece

File:Athen Metro Kifisia.jpg
Metro Line 1, the oldest Metro line of Athens Urban area

Transport in Greece has undergone significant changes in the past two decades, vastly modernizing the country's infrastructure and transportation.

Although ferry transport between islands remains the prominent method of transport between the nation's islands, improvements to the road infrastructure, rail, urban transport, and airports have all led to a vast improvement in transportation.

These upgrades have played a key role in supporting Greece's economy, which in the past decade has come to rely heavily on the construction industry.

Rail transport

Main article: Rail transport in Greece
See also: Athens Airport–Patras railway and Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli railway

Railways in Greece hold a history which began in 1869 with the completion of the then Athens & Piraeus Railway.[1]

From the 1880s to the 1920s, the majority of the network was built reaching its heyday in 1940. From the 1950s onward, the railway system entered a period of decline, culminating in service cuts in 2011. Ever since the 1990s, the network has been steadily modernized, but still remains smaller than its peak length.

A total of 2,571 km (1,598 mi) rails exist in Greece. A total of 764 km or 475 mi of track are, or will be, electrified. 1,565 km (972 mi) of track run on the Template:Track gauge gauge, with 961 km (597 mi) of track still running on Template:Track gauge gauge. There are also small instances of the Template:Track gauge and the dual gauge in Greece.

Operation

Greece is a member of the International Union of Railways (UIC).

The state-owned company that owns and maintains Greece's railway network is Greek Railways, which also owns and maintains railway stations, while Hellenic Train is the company responsible for operating all passenger trains and the most freight trains. Hellenic Railways was established in August 2025 from the merger by the Government of Greece of infrastructure manager Hellenic Railways Organisation, project delivery subsidiary ERGOSE, and property and rolling stock company GAIAOSE. It was established in response to the Tempi train crash.[2][3][4]

Commuter rail

File:20070606-Piraeus-Desiro GTW.jpg
Proastiakos commuter rail
Main article: Proastiakos

Greece commuter rail service is called Proastiakos and is run by Hellenic Train on rail infrastructure owned by the Greek Railways (buildings and Trains). These services connect a participating city's central railway station to important locations such as a city's port or airport, as well as its suburbs and occasionally nearby towns and cities.

As of September 2020, there are three Proastiakos networks serving the country's three largest cities: Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras, providing them with commuter rail links towards their suburbs and also with regional services to other cities and towns. In 2016, the three systems carried 10.1 million passengers.[5]

As of 8 January 2017, the lines between the central stations of Athens and Halkida have been electrified, allowing EMU train service. The lines have been changed, making Athens's central station the main layover station. Those lines are Athens – ATH, Athens – Kiato, Athens – Chalcis.

In Thessaloniki, there are two Proastiakos services. The first connects the city's Main Railway Station with the cities of Katerini and Larissa, and the second links the city with Edessa.

In July 2010, a new commuter rail service was launched in Patras on a section of the old Patras–Kyparissia line[6] reconnecting the city with Rio. The service was later extended to Agios Andreas as Line P2. In 2020 services were reconnected to Kato Achaia[6] via Agios Andreas as Line P1.

Road transport

Highways

Main article: Highways in Greece
File:A2 Motorway, Greece - Section Ioannina-Driskos - Driskos-Tunnel, southern entry - 03.jpg
A2 motorway (Egnatia Odos)
File:MoreasMotorway.JPG
Moreas Motorway.
File:Attiki-odos1.jpg
Attiki Odos, near the Athens International Airport

The Motorways in Greece constitute the main road network of the country. A motorway in Greece is distinct in terms of its construction specifications. The main difference is that motorways (Greek: Αυτοκινητόδρομοι) adhere to higher quality construction standards than National Roads (Greek: Εθνικές Οδοί).

The longest motorway in the country is the A2 motorway (also known as the Egnatia Odos (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.))[7][8]; a tolled controlled-access highway in northern Greece that runs from the western port of Igoumenitsa to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi. The entire route is part of the Greek section of the E90 road, which runs from Lisbon, Portugal in the west, and Zakho, Iraq in the east.

National roads

Main article: National roads in Greece

National roads (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) are all-purpose trunk roads: they are less important than a motorway but more important than a provincial road. The layout of the national road network varies a lot, ranging from fast multi-lane dual carriageways to twisting two-lane single carriageways.

The current system of national roads in Greece was created in July 1963,[9] and have been updated many times since then. Most national roads have route numbers that begin with "EO",[10] non-continuously from EO1 to EO99, but some (such as Thessaloniki Inner Ring Road) have no number.

Electric vehicles

Main article: Plug-in electric vehicles in Greece

As of September 2022, there were 8,790 battery electric vehicles registered in Greece.[11] As of September 2022, 11.8% of new cars registered in Greece were electric.[12]

Public transport

Rapid transit

File:AMEL 1st Generation Stock C21 at Syngrou-Fix Station.jpg
Athens Metro Train (1st Generation)
See also: Athens Metro and Thessaloniki Metro

Greece is served by two rapid transit systems; one in Athens and one in Thessaloniki.

In Athens, Line 1 opened as a single-track conventional steam railway in 1869 and was electrified in 1904. Beginning in 1991, Elliniko Metro S.A. constructed and extended Lines 2 and 3.

It has significantly changed Athens by providing a much-needed solution to the city's traffic and air pollution problem, as well as revitalising many of the areas it serves. Extensions of existing lines are under development or tender, like the Line 2 extension to Ilion where tender started in 2023, as well as a new Line 4, whose central section began construction in October 2021.[13]

The Athens Metro is actively connected with the other means of public transport, such as buses, trolleys, the Athens Tram and the Athens Suburban Railway. The Athens Metro is hailed for its modernity (mainly the newer lines 2, 3), and many of its stations feature works of art, exhibitions and displays of the archaeological remains found during its construction.

Proposed during the 1910s and reconsidered during the 1980s, construction of Thessaloniki Metro began in 2006. It began operations on 30 November 2024. The system in Thessaloniki consists of a single line with 13 stations; a further 5 stations are under construction for Line 2. It is fully automated and driverless, the first system of its kind in Greece, and is operated by Thessaloniki Metro Automatic (THEMA), a Franco-Italian consortium.

Tram

File:Athens tram Syntagma.JPG
Athens Tram
Main article: List of town tramway systems in Greece

The Athens Tram, opened in 2004, in time for Summer Olympics 2004 currently consists of two routes, Lines 6 and 7. It is the only operating tramway system in Greece; however, historically, trams existed in Greece; they were horse-drawn or electric.

Athens Tram routes
Line Coloura Opening
date 		Last
extended 		Length Route Stops
Template:NtshTemplate:Rint style="background:#Template:Rcr; color:white;" align="center" | Green 2004 2004 18.2 km (11.3 mi) Template:Metro – Template:Stl 19
Template:NtshTemplate:Rint style="background:#Template:Rcr; color:white;" align="center" | Green 2004 2026 16.1 km (10.0 mi) Template:Stl – Template:Stl 43

Bus transport

Urban bus transport

File:20090412-Piraeus-FIAT-704.JPG
Preserved vintage trolleybus of O.SY., Piraeus-Kastella line
  • OSY subsidiary of Transport for Athens (OASA) organizes mass bus (Busses and trolleybuses) transit in Athens.
  • OASTH organizes mass bus transit in Thessaloniki.
  • Companies named Astiko KTEL provide mass bus transit in many of the other cities of Greece.

Intercity and regional bus transport

Main article: KTEL (Greece)

KTEL is the common name for every company which is responsible for intercity and regional bus transit. Most of the regional units, though, have their own regional network of buses, and have their regional unit names labeled on KTEL vehicles that operate there. (e.g. KTEL Argolidas).

There are 4 major bus terminals in Greece, the biggest is in Thessaloniki (Macedonia Inter city bus terminal) which serves all of Greece while Athens has 2 separate bus terminals serving different parts of Greece (Kifissos bus terminal and Liossion bus terminal). A new Athens bus terminal in Elaionas will replace the two separate terminals and serve all of Greece with completion by 2026. A new bus terminal in Patras which will replace the old one is currently under construction in Agios Dionyssios just 200m from the current one and it will open in late 2024 after many delays due to COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Water transport

See also: Greek shipping
File:Superfast XI.jpg
MS Superfast XI bound to Ancona passing Kefalonia island.

Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and has been a key element of Greek economic activity since ancient times.[14]

Ferries

There are several Greece owned companies that operate passenger ferries.

Superfast Ferries has operated lines in several parts of Europe (in the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, North Sea, and the Baltic Sea). Currently, they are active in the Adriatic Sea, operating between Greece and Italy. Their routes are between the Italian ports of Ancona and Bari and the Greek ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras, as well as between Bari and Corfu.

ANEK Lines operates passenger ferries, mainly on the Piraeus–Crete and Adriatic Sea routes.[15] Blue Star Ferries provides ferry services between the Greek mainland and the Aegean Islands.

Waterways

File:Le port de Patras en août 2009 - 3.jpg
View of the port of Patras

The 80 km system consists of three coastal canals including the Corinth Canal (6 km) and three unconnected rivers.

The Corinth Canal crosses the Isthmus of Corinth, connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf; and shortens the sea voyage from the Adriatic to Athens port of Piraeus by 325 km.

Ports and harbours

Main article: List of ports in Greece

Merchant marine

Air transport

File:SX-NEC A320NEO Aegean LHR 4.11.20.jpg
Aegean Airlines Airbus A320neo.
Main article: List of airports in Greece

Greece counts 16 international, 11 military and 26 airports of mixed use. There are sixteen civil international airports; two biggest by passenger numbers are located in Athens and in Thessaloniki. As of 2025, Athens Airport is the 15th-busiest airport in Europe and the second busiest and second largest in the Balkans after Istanbul Airport.

Due to the Mediterranean climate, secondary are Heraklion/Crete, Rhodes and Corfu airports, which are key hubs for tourists, particularly during the busy summer season each year. The Greek subsidiary of Fraport manages 14 airports in Greece, including Thessaloniki, Rhodes and Santorini.

Aegean Airlines[16] is the flag carrier of Greece[17] and the largest Greek airline by total number of passengers carried, by number of destinations served, and by fleet size. A Star Alliance member since June 2010, it operates scheduled and charter services from Athens and Thessaloniki to other major Greek, European, Middle Eastern, African and Indian destinations.[18] Other Greek airlines include: Olympic Air (a regional subsidiary of Aegean Airlines) and SKY Express.

Miscellaneous

Pipelines

  • crude oil: 26 km
  • petroleum products: 547 km

Cable transport

Cable car of Santorini
Cable car of Santorini

Major construction projects

Template:Too many list sections

Completed projects

Motorways

Railways

Ports and harbours

Pireaus Port Rafina Port Lavrion Port

Airports

Projects under construction

Railways

Ports and harbours

Airports

Future projects

Motorways

  • Larisa–Kozane Motorway
  • Eleusina-Oinofyta
  • Attiki odos extension to Lavrio and Rafina

Railways

  • Igoumenitsa–Ioannina–Kalampaka line
  • Thessaloniki Metro extensions
  • Athens metro line 5
  • Kalampaka–Kastoria line
  • Florina–Pogradec line
  • Kalamaka–Kozani–Thessaloniki–Kavala–Toxotes line
  • Ioannina–Rio line
  • Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki line
  • Thessaloniki–Giannitsa–Skydra line
  • Chania–Rethymnon–Herakleion line
  • Thessaloniki Tram
  • Heraklion Tram
  • Patras Tram
  • Larisa Tram
  • Ioannina Tram
  • Volos Tram

Airports

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gale, Alexander (2023-03-02). "The Early History of Greece's Railways". GreekReporter.com. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  2. ↑ Tempi accident report exposes Greek railway safety failures Railway Gazette International 28 February 2025
  3. ↑ Greek Railways Formed Through Merger of OSE, ERGOSE, and GAIAOSE Railmarket 4 September 2025
  4. ↑ Greek Railways formed in major restructuring International Railway Journal 12 September 2025
  5. ↑ "Company – TrainOSE". www.trainose.gr. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "OSE – 2017 Network Statement Annexes".
  7. ↑ Deliso, Chris (27 September 2010). "Driving Greece's modern ancient highway, the Egnatia Odos". BBC Travel. London: BBC. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  8. ↑ Ministerial Decision DOY/oik/5776/2015 (FEK AAP' 253/21.12.2015, pp. 2098–2099).
  9. ↑ Template:Cite Greek roads
  10. ↑ "Πρόσκληση για τη συνάψη Σύμβαση Παροχής Υπηρεσιών Χρηματοοικονομικού Συμβούλου για την κατάρτιση και υποβολή φακέλου για την ένταξη του Έργου: Μελέτη..του οδικού άξονα ΕΟ2 (Μαυροβούνι – Έδεσσα, Παράκαμψη Γιαννιτσών, Παράκαμψη Χαλκηδόνας)" [Invitation for the conclusion of a Financial Advisory Services Contract for the preparation and submission of a dossier for the inclusion of the Project: Study of the EO2 road axis (Mavrovouni – Edessa, Giannitsa Bypass, Chalkidona Bypass)]. General Secretariat of Infrastructure (in Greek). Athens: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation. 1 November 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  11. ↑ Andris, Giorgos K. (2022-09-12). "Πόσα ηλεκτρικά αυτοκίνητα κυκλοφορούν στην Ελλάδα;". newsauto.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  12. ↑ "ACEA: Συνεχίζουν να αυξάνουν το μερίδιο τους τα ηλεκτρικά αυτοκίνητα". Car and Driver (in Greek). 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  13. ↑ "Υποβολή φακέλων εκδήλωσης ενδιαφέροντος στο διαγωνισμό για την επέκταση του Μετρό προς Ίλιον". Athens Transport (in Greek). 3 May 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  14. ↑ Polemis, Spyros M. "The History of Greek Shipping". Greece.org. Retrieved 9 April 2007.
  15. ↑ "Attica and Anek shareholders approve merger". Lloyd's List. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  16. ↑ Dron, Alan. "Aegean 1Q losses widen as it invests in capacity". atwonline.com. Penton. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  17. ↑ "AEGEAN invests in two new Airbus A321neo XLR aircraft with even greater range and comfort. New direct flights to New Delhi and Mumbai in India to commence as of March 2026 | About Aegean". Aegean Airlines. Retrieved 2026-01-17.

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