Visitors are sometimes puzzled when booking a train ticket in Greece. Here is how to book a train ticket on the Hellenic Train website, and a few tips that will get you the best price possible.
Trains in Greece
The train network in Greece connects several cities. Some of the most important ones are Athens, Thessaloniki, Kalambaka near the Meteora monasteries, Corinth, Larissa, Volos and Trikala.
The train is a great way to travel around Greece. It is efficient, convenient and punctual. Don’t let its outside appearance put you off – the trains are clean and comfortable, and have everything you need.
There are three ways to book your train ticket in Greece: on your laptop, through the HELLENIC TRAIN mobile phone app, and in person. Let’s check each of them in detail.
By the way, if, like many visitors, you are looking to visit Meteora, you can book an organized tour from Athens to Meteora. Your tour provider will arrange all transportation for you, not only from Athens to Kalambaka, but also around the majestic monasteries.
Another option is to hire a car and drive in Greece! Check out this great platform, DiscoverCars, where you can easily book a vehicle for the duration of your stay.
Note: As of January 2024, the train service in certain areas of Greece, for example Kalambaka – Meteora, is partially replaced by buses. Check out the official website for more information.
Book your Greek train ticket online
If you’ve been to Greece before, you may remember that the train company used to be called TRAINOSE. In summer 2022, the name was changed to HELLENIC TRAIN.
You can easily book your Hellenic Train tickets online. It will only take you a few minutes to book your ticket.
Go to the official HELLENIC TRAIN website, and you will immediately see the booking options. You will need to select your departure and arrival stations, whether you want a one-way or a return ticket, and your travel dates.
At the next step, you will be able to see all available itineraries for your chosen dates. You will need to select which one you want, for each leg of your trip.
Depending on your itinerary, you may see two types of services: ICE and IC. The services marked as ICE are slightly faster, as they only stop at Larissa and Thessaloniki. They are more expensive than those marked as IC, but they are a lot more modern, and, in my experience, can be less busy. Here’s a guide on using the train from Athens to Thessaloniki.
After you’ve chosen your preferred service, you will need to select your class and seats. Class A offers a little more legroom, but is more expensive. Most people will be happy with Class B, which looks like this on the IC services.
Note that the default option that comes up is Class A – so if you prefer to travel in Class B, make sure you select the right wagon.
Once you’ve selected your seat(s), you will be asked to fill in the names of passenger(s) and will proceed to payment. You can pay by debit / credit card or PayPal.
Your tickets will be emailed to you in a PDF document. You can either print them out, or save them on your phone / tablet / other electronic device.
Note that various discounts are available – more on that later on.
Book your train ticket in Greece on your mobile
I usually book my Greece railways tickets on the HELLENIC TRAIN app. You can download it for both Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store). There used to be an extra discount for people booking their tickets on the app, but not anymore 🙁
Once you have downloaded the app, you will need to choose a PIN and password. Make sure you take a note of them as they won’t autosave.
You can then check the timetables and buy your ticket through the “issue ticket” menu. Select the departure and arrival stations, choose the time when you want to travel and select your class and seats. You can then proceed to payment.
The tickets will be instantly available on the app, and will also be emailed to you as a PDF document.
If you are using the HELLENIC TRAIN app, here is what you need to pay attention to
Note that the app doesn’t work when there is no internet coverage or if you have no data. Also, make sure you have the PIN or password handy before you travel, as you won’t be able to retrieve your tickets otherwise.
To be on the safe side, you can always print your tickets from the PDF document and show them to the ticket inspector. Make sure the QR code has been printed properly. Or you can just save the PDF document on any electronic device.
Related article: How to buy a SIM card in Greece
Book your train ticket in person at the train station
If you are a spontaneous traveller, you can always book your ticket directly at the train station. Just make sure you allow for enough time before the train departs, as there may be queues.
You will receive a paper ticket, that you can show to the inspector on the train. If you buy a return ticket, make sure you hold on to the ticket for the second leg of your trip, as you won’t be able to reissue it if it’s lost.
Note that Friday and Sunday evenings are popular times to travel, so don’t expect to find a last-minute seat. Generally speaking, it’s best to buy your Hellenic Train tickets in advance.
Ticket prices and discounts on the trains in Greece
While many travellers will pay a full price ticket, there are several ways to get discounts for the trains in Greece.
Children, students, young people under 24 years old and people over 65 years old are entitled to various discounts. Children under 4 years old travel for free.
Disabled travellers are also entitled to a discount. You can travel on the train as a wheelchair user, but you will need to inform the train company in advance.
If you book a return trip on any IC services you get a 20% discount, and if you book early you get an additional discount. The policy for ICE services tends to change now and then, so check before you travel.
You can have a look at all available discounts and offers here.
FAQs about trains in Greece
Visitors who want to travel by train in Greece often ask the following questions:
How do I book train tickets in Greece?
You can book train tickets either online, or in person at the train station.
How do I buy train tickets in Greece online?
You can buy train tickets in Greece online either through the official HELLENIC TRAIN website, or through the HELLENIC TRAIN app, available for Android and iOS.
How do I book train tickets from my mobile?
You will need to download the HELLENIC TRAIN app, make an account, choose the dates and times you want to travel, and issue your tickets. Make sure that you remember your password and PIN, as you will need them to retrieve your tickets.
What documents are required for train reservation?
No documents are required. If you are booking your ticket online, you will need to type in your name and surname. It is possible to pay by debit / credit card or PayPal.
How do I get a train ticket from Athens to Meteora?
There is only one direct train per day from Athens to a town called Kalambaka, near the Meteora Monasteries. There are more routes, but you’d have have to connect at a town called Paleofarsalos. You can get your train ticket from Athens to Meteora either online, or in person.
What are the trains in Greece called?
As of summer 2022, the company running the trains in Greece was rebranded and is now called HELLENIC TRAIN. If you’ve been to Greece before, you may remember the old name, TRAINOSE.
Taking the train in Greece
So there you go, now you are an expert in booking your train tickets in Greece!! Here are a few more informative guides:
- How to take the Athens airport metro
- How to take the Athens airport bus
- Strikes in Greece
- How to use the Athens metro in the city
- Useful words in Greek
Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens. I think that travelling by train is one of the best ways to explore Greece 😊 Follow my FB page and FB group for more tips on Greek travel!
Hi!
How far in advance can I book a train ticket on TrainOSE?
I’m trying to book tickets from Athens to Kalambaka for the 16th May 2022, and as of the 26th of April there still aren’t any tickets available on the website yet.
Do tickets usually become available only 2 weeks in advance? Thank you
Hi! Yes, try again in a few days and you should be fine! Enjoy your time – Have a look at this article about Meteora!
Hi!
There still aren’t any tickets from Athens to Kalambaka on 16th May; and thats 9 days away.
I am searching correctly?
Yes, at the moment the system only shows up to a week ahead for some reason… It happens sometimes! So you can try again in a couple of days!
thanks for the reassurance!
was getting worried that I was making a mistake in my search!
Hello,
I tried to book tickets from Athens to Kalambaka through the TrainOSE app but the price is the same as in the website. The app 10% discount is no longer valid?
Thank you!
I get the discount on my app, I think you have to register a new account to get it. Btw, there was a website issue in the past few days, so I hope you’ve made it!
Hi . Can You Please Tell Me How Can i Sign Up In Trainose
Because There Is No Sign Up Option In Website Or The App
.
I Was Wondering If I Can Buy Train Ticket Without The Sign Up.
Yes you can buy the tickets without the signup. If you sign up and get them through the app, you get a 10% discount.
Thank You Very Much.
And There’s Another Thing
How Can i Use The Ticket.
Should I Print It Or Keep It In My Phone.
Do They Verify The Ticket Before Boarding The Train At The Station Or In The Train.
My Question Is Should I Go Direct To The Station Master And Show The Ticket Or Should I Board The Train And When Someone Come Asking For Ticket Then I Can show it In The Train..?
Waiting For Your Answer.
I keep it on my phone and use the app. However, if you have no data, it will not show up… so it’s best to either print it or download a pdf version on your phone. Depending on the station you are departing from, you might need to show it before you board the train (this is what happens in Athens), or while on the train.
Okay Thank You Very Much
You’re Very Helpful.
One Last Question.
Can You Please Tell Me İs There Any Daily Train From Soufli To port of alexandroupoli And port of alexandroupoli To Thessaloniki.
Can You Please Tell me Timing.
On Google And On Trainose Timing Are Different.
As far as I know, some of these rail services have been replaced by buses. Trainose.gr is always your best source, as this is also where you can get the tickets… However, for those itineraries, you can always get your ticket last minute at the station. Hope this helps!
How to sign up?
Thank You For Your Help .
Is There A Train That Goes To Thessaloniki From Alexandroupolis. Or Not . I’ve Been Trying On The App And The Website But I Found Nothing?
I believe this service has been discontinued. You can take a KTEL bus instead though!
I have gone to the Trainose website and I clearly see “member registration.” Everytime I click on it I get sent to the purchasing site and they want me to login. And, of course, that doesn’t work because I am not registered. Any idea what I’m missing?
Thank you.
Sorry you are having this experience. I know they were updating the website with new train timetables, so I’m hoping it’s working again. However, as far as I know, you don’t need to be registered to buy a ticket. Hope this works out for you!
Hi.
Does euro rail passes work in evros Greece. Like Alexandroupolis to Thessaloniki train.
Hi. Again And Can You Tell Me How Does This Euro Rail Passes Work İf I Buy Online.
Do I Have To Show It On The Train And Sit On Any Seat I Like Or İs There Another Way. Thanks?
Hi. You should be able to find all the info you need on the Euro Rail website, as this does not depend on the Greek trains. The Eurail website gives you an option to reserve your seat, so once you have your Eurail pass you should be able to? In any case, this route shouldn’t be too busy so you could ask at the Alexandroupolis station on the day before you travel.
I’m wanting to travel from Athens to Korinthos. If I buy a return ticket, can I use it on any convenient train, or am I restricted to the train time I specified when I booked?
You cannot pre-book a seat in those trains, so you can use your return portion for whichever service you want. As always, it’s best to confirm that at the time you buy your tickets.
Hello,
I’m trying to purchase 2 tickets Athens – Kalambaka for July but there are no tickets available in the website yet. Is this normal? Is it too soon? How far in advance can tickets be purchased? Thank you!
Hi! Train tickets for July will go on sale much later in the month – at the moment, you can only find tickets for June – and yes, this is normal! Please keep checking every now and then.
Thank you!! I feel better now!