Getting There By Rail
The Greek railway service is run by Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), Karolou 1 (tel: 1110 (information); website: www.ose.gr). Greek trains have first- and second-class accommodation and there are luxury sleeper trains on selected routes. However, the rail service is limited to the northern and eastern mainland and parts of the Peloponnese. Trains are cheaper than buses but generally much slower. Reservations are available for no extra charge and there is a 20% rebate on return fares. Touring cards, issued by OSE, entitle the holder to unlimited second-class travel at a reduced cost for 10, 20 or 30 days – there are further discounts for groups. The main railway stations in Athens are Larissis (tel: 210 529 8829) and Pelopónnisos (tel: 210 513 1601), both situated off Dheliyáni. Facilities at these stations are minimal, basically left-luggage and a couple of bars.
Rail services: The domestic railway network is limited to the mainland and is generally slower than travel by road. Destinations include Patra (journey time – 4 hours), Kalamata (journey time – 7 hours) and Argos (journey time – 3 hours). Trains to the Peloponnese depart from Pelopónnisos station. Trains for destinations in northern Greece, Evia and the rest of Europe depart from Larissis station. International train services require changing at Thessaloníki (journey time – 6 hours), from where the only direct services are to Bulgaria, FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and Turkey. A train to London, for example, requires a complicated series of changes and takes three and a half days.
|
