Athens Subway. After Moscow thread let`s see Athens metro. It is more like a museum than a subway.

SYNTAGMA
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/20/7.jpg
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/20/8.jpg

Akropoli
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/4/7.jpg
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/4/6.jpg

Attiki
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/5/5.jpg
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/5/7.jpg

Daphni
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/6/5.jpg
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/6/6.jpg
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/6/7.jpg

Ethniki Amyna
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/7/3.jpg
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/8/1.jpg

Evangelisimos
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/8/3.jpg

MEGARO MOUSSIKIS
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/12/2.jpg

Monastiraki
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/14/7.jpg

Omonia
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/16/8.jpg

Sepolia
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/stations/19/13.jpg

AGHIOS DIMITRIOS/ALEXANDROS PANAGOULIS
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/extensions/ilioupoli/panagoulis_070604.jpg

Halandri
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication//gallery/images/stations/22/halandri_290704.jpg
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication//gallery/images/stations/22/halandri_270704.jpg

PLAKENTIA
http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication//gallery/images/stations/23/plakentia_280704.jpg

No comment because you love it or because you hate it?

i love it :)

Two years ago I took a ride in Athens subway, and it's great. Tough it was my first time in a subway ever. Hope I visit some more cities before I finally get to test the Belgrade's subway:)

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/gr/metro/AgDimitrios.jpg
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/gr/metro/Athens_Omonia2.jpg

Poli wrios!!
:)

DavoR from Barcelona ;)

hehehe looks as bad as belgrade one ;)

I I'd say love is an understatement here, perfect subway. :D Clean, modern and spacious.

You should admit. Athens metro stations are the best in the world. I have been many countries and seen many metro systems, biggers, olders, fasters. But I have never seen so wonderful stations anywhere else... Just three lines, but the best stations. You can spend your time in the metro...

^^

agree

Some more pics for all of you dear friends :)

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/omonia1.jpg

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/syntagma4-line3.jpg

http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/train/kantza_012.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/gr/metro/Athens_Omonia.jpg

http://www.cityverkehr.de/staedte/images/a1.JPG

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/gr/private/ISAP/station/Athens_Omonia2.jpg

http://www.cityverkehr.de/staedte/images/a22.JPG

http://www.cityverkehr.de/staedte/images/a25.JPG

http://p.vtourist.com/916713-Metro-Athens.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/712539-Metro-Athens.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/1893913-Metro-Athens.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/1194237-Metro-Athens.jpg

http://www.student.uni-kl.de/~asklavos/PhotoArchive/AthensMetro/DSCN1620.JPG

http://www.student.uni-kl.de/~asklavos/PhotoArchive/AthensMetro/DSCN1624.JPG

http://www.student.uni-kl.de/~asklavos/PhotoArchive/AthensMetro/DSCN1625.JPG

Looks simply excellent!

The ceramic tiling in Attiki reminds me of my bathroom tho. :D

I hope nobody calls Athens metro as ugly. It could be the world of jealousy. But I expect the photos of the most beautiful stations. Even these stations are not the most beautiful stations, can you believe it? Athens metro has more beautiful stations...

thats not a subway, subway's never see daylight, it's always underground, that train line isnt underground ^, also lol i was supprised u called it subway cos for a small city like that having a subway would be like wow

Only a part to the airport I think sees daylight.
Athens is a small city?
If you are talking about the worldwide statistics it is,but you should know that it's in the top 10 of european larger cities by population.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largest_urban_areas_of_the_European_Union

:) :)

You should admit. Athens metro stations are the best in the world. I have been many countries and seen many metro systems, biggers, olders, fasters. But I have never seen so wonderful stations anywhere else... Just three lines, but the best stations. You can spend your time in the metro...

Nope ... you should have been to Moscow ...

I v been there 3 years ago.. I still have a ticket, I never canceled it but I had no problems :D

Nice stations and trains, i like it :)

yeah moscow metro is the most beautiful...i never been there but i saw alot of pics

Awsome subway....the one in Toronto is shittyyyy......Montreal subway is way better than the one in Toronto and has more lines and stations,,,,and Montreal is smaller than Toronto.

Here some new pictures of new stations and entrances:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%203/AthensMetro-Kerameikosstationent-4.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%203/AthensMetro-KerameikosstationmainCo.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%203/AthensMetro-Kerameikosstationesc-1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%203/AthensMetro-Elaionasstationcorridor.jpg
http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295817/0/Halandri+Station+6-Interior+West.jpg
http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/akropoli4.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2751/dsc45428eq.jpg
http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295827/0/Halandri+Station+12-+Modern+Art.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1236/1005588642_4d0438f219_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1164/887766677_53c207468b_b.jpg
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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1200/1472123272_d889dec27c_b.jpg

You should admit. Athens metro stations are the best in the world. I have been many countries and seen many metro systems, biggers, olders, fasters. But I have never seen so wonderful stations anywhere else... Just three lines, but the best stations. You can spend your time in the metro...

Don't overdo it, what defines best in your words? Cause like you said, there's only three lines that they're maintaining and it's only a couple of years old. Other cities you been to probably have millions of people using the subway daily, and there are many more lines, and much older...which is the reason that they're not "better" to you

It's very nice, but don't get carried away.

Athens metro system is by far the best and -of course- the cleanest in Europe. The stations are state of the art museums
of ancient and contemporary art.

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by far the best in europe? WOW

(and i have seen it)

A short history of the Athens metropolitan railway system.

In 1867 after repeated auctions, offers and assignments, the railway’s construction was awarded to Edward Pickering, a businessman from England, and in November of the same year the works for the railway’s construction started.

One year later, in 1868, Pickering transferred his obligations to a company established by a group of other companies with the name “Railway from Athens to Piraeus” (S.A.P. SA).

This company completed the construction of the line from Piraeus to Thisseion and the first test ride took place on February 17th 1869. The railway’s formal inauguration took place on the 27th of February 1869 and a a train with a steam engine and 6 small wagons covered the distance from Thissio to Piraeus (8,5 kilometers) in 19 minutes.

Between the first scheduled trip, on the 27th of February 1869, and the 16th of September 1904, when the railway was electrified, a double line had been paved, a tunnel had been constructed from Thissio to Omonia, and the “old” Omonia station was inaugurated on the 17th of May 1895

Due to the 2nd World War the construction works stopped and so we reached 1950.During that year, a contract between the companies of E.I.S. and I.E.M., concerning the extension of the line from Attiki to Kifissia was ratified by Law and the line was finally completed up to Kifissia in August 1957 (25.6 Kilometers)

From 1960 to early 80s the priority was given to private cars and buses unfortunately as the main mean of transportation and the development of the city railway system came to a full stop.

The project for lines 2 and 3 started in February 1987. Nine Groups of Engineering and Construction firms participate in the preselection phase. Three Groups submit offers.
On June 1991 the contract is signed between the Greek State and the Olympic Metro Consortium and in January 2000 we have the partial operation of SYNTAGMA-SEPOLIA & SYNTAGMA-ETHNIKI AMYNA line.

At the same time, since in 1997 Athens won the 2004 Olympics, line 1 was modernised and all stations were either reconstructed or rebuilt. Changes were also made to the priority of certain metro lines and stations to serve the transportation needs for the Games, mainly from the airport to the centre.

The 3 lines serve about 1.065.000 passengers per day.

The Athens Metro is far from finished. Extensions are currently built and new ones designed.

The last station for the current expansion program will be operational in 2012, after which a new one will start. It is an ongoing process that will continue for a long time.

By the way, there is a reason it is so clean: try to light a cigarette, stick something on a wall, eat, drink or drop a paper on the floor and see what happens :)

The Athens Metro is far from finished. Extensions are currently built and new ones designed.

The last station for the current expansion program will be operational in 2012, after which a new one will start. It is an ongoing process that will continue for a long time.

By the way, there is a reason it is so clean: try to light a cigarette, stick something on a wall, eat, drink or drop a paper on the floor and see what happens :)

right, but by your post you're talking about proposals and such things, the current subway was finished building a couple of years ago. Of course it is far from finished, I've been to Athens and have seen it, this summer actually i was there...the city is HUGE, sprawled out, probably more sprawled out than New York, but they probably don't even half 1/20 of the lines that New York does for the Subway...it's important for the city to continue works on the subway otherwise Athens is done...especially since from what i saw the trams were usually pretty congested (and not really comfy to ride and they only ran two lines)...Athens is a metropolis, and NEEDS to expand if they want people going to work and so on.

Here a detailed map (click for image it's huge)

http://www.greekbelievers.com/e107_images/church/athens.jpg

and for that last part...come on, be more creative please. Try to do ANY of that stuff in ANY subway station and you will see what happens. Nothing if they don't catch you, and you'll get a ticket if they catch you. That's what happens.

Besides, from my experiences the workers were not professional at all...the tram driver (or w.e he's called) almost hit a car once when i was in, started cursing the guy. Another day, the tram driver stopped the tram in the middle of the tracks, everybody was like "wtf" and he went to get something at the store...came back, and acted as if everything was normal...these two things happened to me within a week of staying there.

These are the kind of things that have to be looked at for real, not how "clean" the metro is, or how many ancient artifacts are hanging off the wall, but by the professional level of work done by the workers, and also, the efficiency of the trains....the subway is a means of transportation, not a museum.

People in NY for example always seem to complain about how dirty the subway is, yet they fail to realize that these trains get the job done at any time of the day...if there is an accident it will be fixed within minutes, and you can get to any part of the city (one of the largest cities) within an hour because the subway is THAT great...

my problem with some people's posts is that they claim it's THE BEST in Europe; it's not. It's nice, creative, different (cause of history really) but not the most practical.

The first face of construction ended in 2002. The Metro is operating since 2000. The second face is under way as we speak and will finish in 2012. Line extensions and new stations are being built and delivered for use as we speak. The operational lines are lengthened and stations are getting more every year.

So no, i am not talking about plans etc. i am talking about what is happening as we speak.

What i am saying is that the construction is not going to finish in 2012. Just the second phase.Athens, as you said, needs more lines and stations and that is exactly what it gets.

Athen's metro is fast, always on time, clean, policed , has aircondition, beautiful stations, modern and is expanding every year. Size comes with time, not overnight and it already serves 1 million people daily.

As for which is best and so on, i am not going to get into such a childish discussion.

^^I agree. Athens metro system is very practical and handles a great percentage of city's transport. What proposals? 3 new stations this year and 5 new during the next year.

As for which is best and so on, i am not going to get into such a childish discussion.

i agree with everything you said especially about this part, because some members decided to say it was easily the best in europe etc.

It is a very nice subway station, even surprised me, however, there's no need to exaggerate

Well, I went to Athens in 2006...overall the metro network coverage was very good and I was quite impressed by the fact that it reaches the Venizelos airport (we have great problems with our metro reaching Sofia airport...that should be a fact somewhere in 2012), Of course, we can't compare Athens with Sofia cause Athens is 2 times bigger and has more developed metro network of course. But as for the Athens metro...well I was not very pleasantly surprised. Some of the stations were really bad (Monastiraki in particular). And there was no air conditioning, I was sweating in that inbearable heat most of the time. Some of the trains looked like shit, sprayed in grafitti and dirty. Anyway, I can't compare Athens metro to the Sofia's one, the Athens one is much more developed (in means of lines and network coverage for sure). Anyway...I don't really think that Athens' metro is the best of Europe. It's much better than Rome's metro network for sure...but compared to Paris' metro...it is far behind. Anyway, those are good photos and there is great progress in terms of a year, that's just perfect.

And there was no air conditioning, I was sweating in that inbearable heat most of the time.
This is true. I think that 30% of the trains are air-conditioned but there is a plan
for upgrading the rest in 2008.

Some of the trains looked like shit, sprayed in grafitti and dirty.
Hmm I haven't seen any grafitties. Are you talking about proastiakos maybe? (because the airport has a ''double'' train feeding).

Athen's metro is fast, always on time, clean, policed , has aircondition, beautiful stations, modern and is expanding every year. Size comes with time, not overnight and it already serves 1 million people daily.


This is true. I think that 30% of the trains are air-conditioned but there is a plan
for upgrading the rest in 2008.


hmmmmmm....makes you think about what is being said here :ohno:

P.S when i went in there, there was NO police, it is modern, it is clean, wouldn't say always on time OR fast...i waited pretty long when i was there...And also, the trains are not comfortable, they're VERY loud, they shake around.

It's more for look rather than service in my opinion.

yeah moscow metro is the most beautiful...i never been there but i saw alot of pics

Moscow subway has an impressive architecture, but it is dark and depressive, as it has been neglected in the past years. What it needs is an extensive refurbishment. If all stations looked as shiny as Trubnaya or Business Center, then it would be by far the best subway in the world:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=238866&page=4&

Unfortunately most stations look like this:

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1223/moscow1fr4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3158/moscow2yf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And the (very few) surface stations look horrible:

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5162/moscowsurfacepb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Looks very nice and filled with alot of nice art :) Thats my kinda subway.

The question is...
is it easy to access..
why no one put a map of the stations?

right, but by your post you're talking about proposals and such things, the current subway was finished building a couple of years ago. Of course it is far from finished, I've been to Athens and have seen it, this summer actually i was there...the city is HUGE, sprawled out, probably more sprawled out than New York, but they probably don't even half 1/20 of the lines that New York does for the Subway...it's important for the city to continue works on the subway otherwise Athens is done...especially since from what i saw the trams were usually pretty congested (and not really comfy to ride and they only ran two lines)...Athens is a metropolis, and NEEDS to expand if they want people going to work and so on.

Here a detailed map (click for image it's huge)

http://www.greekbelievers.com/e107_images/church/athens.jpg

and for that last part...come on, be more creative please. Try to do ANY of that stuff in ANY subway station and you will see what happens. Nothing if they don't catch you, and you'll get a ticket if they catch you. That's what happens.

Besides, from my experiences the workers were not professional at all...the tram driver (or w.e he's called) almost hit a car once when i was in, started cursing the guy. Another day, the tram driver stopped the tram in the middle of the tracks, everybody was like "wtf" and he went to get something at the store...came back, and acted as if everything was normal...these two things happened to me within a week of staying there.

These are the kind of things that have to be looked at for real, not how "clean" the metro is, or how many ancient artifacts are hanging off the wall, but by the professional level of work done by the workers, and also, the efficiency of the trains....the subway is a means of transportation, not a museum.

People in NY for example always seem to complain about how dirty the subway is, yet they fail to realize that these trains get the job done at any time of the day...if there is an accident it will be fixed within minutes, and you can get to any part of the city (one of the largest cities) within an hour because the subway is THAT great...

my problem with some people's posts is that they claim it's THE BEST in Europe; it's not. It's nice, creative, different (cause of history really) but not the most practical.

Athens metro has a length is 55 km (33 km underground) with 51 stations, not including the 20 kms with 4 stations from Doukissis Plakentias to the Airport, that actually belong to Suburban Railway.

Here is the map by Robert Schwandl:

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6210/athensmapgy5.gif (http://imageshack.us)

New York subway has a total length of 368 km (219 km underground) with 468 stations (153 elevated, 38 at grade or in an open cutting and 277 underground).

This means that it is 6.7 times longer. But New York Metro Area has a population more than 18 mln compared with 4 mln for Athens, which is 4.5 times higher. Hence the difference is not that big.

What does make a difference is the quality. New York subway is the dirtiest, ugliest and most dangerous subway in the world.

So basically you have 3 lines and the 4th one is some suburban rail, which is light rail?

To go to the airport or from the airport you go on the light rail and head towards the purple line? or what does the suburban rail do/take you?

How much does it cost to board these trains?

U can go from the airport to city center by metro line 3 (International airport-city center---stations "Syntagma" and "Monastiraki") or by Proastiakos-suburban railway (International Airport-city center---Athens centre and Pireus as well).
Metro map:

http://www.ametro.gr/main/project/description/zoom/map_big_downgr.jpg

Proastiakos (Athens Suburban Railway) map:

http://www.proastiakos.gr/files_files/Image/XrtPir050607.jpg

Athens metro has a length is 55 km (33 km underground) with 51 stations, not including the 20 kms with 4 stations from Doukissis Plakentias to the Airport, that actually belong to Suburban Railway.


New York subway has a total length of 368 km (219 km underground) with 468 stations (153 elevated, 38 at grade or in an open cutting and 277 underground).

This means that it is 6.7 times longer. But New York Metro Area has a population more than 18 mln compared with 4 mln for Athens, which is 4.5 times higher. Hence the difference is not that big.

What does make a difference is the quality. New York subway is the dirtiest, ugliest and most dangerous subway in the world.

what kind of numbers are you giving me? I live in NY and have been to athens and used the subway, the difference is HUGE, not just "that big."

Again :ohno: with the dirty stuff. New York subway is ten times older than the subway in athens, if not that, more. And A LOT more people use those lines than the athens ones, try the NY trains during rush hour and you'll see efficiency, the trains come in the station in less than a minute...no they are not the dirtiest, they're not CLEAN but there's a reason for this.

Ugliest? HAHAHA have you ever been to New York subway stations, honestly? the pictures posted from the Athens subway system are probably like only 3 stations- all of them near the acropolis which is where the ruins are put on the walls...those are the few good stations athens has

Come to NY and check out the MASSIVE stations here...the underground world here is like another city. Plus there are projects under construction

And no the subways are not that dangerous, they may dangerous in CERTAIN neighborhoods at certain times at NIGHT- but that can't be a problem in athens, because the trains don't operate after midnight do they? (or is it earlier)- NY subways are only more dangerous cause they actually work 24/7.

P.S all trains are air conditioned here and the train fare is not nearly as expensive as the one there (in comparison to how much people make)

Are you serious? OK this is your personal opinion but comparing the metro of a city that has 5 times the GDP of Greece is:nuts:

try the NY trains during rush hour and you'll see efficiency, the trains come in the station in less than a minute
Athens <2min

Ugliest? HAHAHA have you ever been to New York subway stations, honestly? the pictures posted from the Athens subway system are probably like only 3 stations- all of them near the acropolis which is where the ruins are put on the walls...those are the few good stations athens has
Oh I will not comment this, Athens metro stations have something that no city has or will have. You guess.

the train fare is not nearly as expensive as the one there (in comparison to how much people make)
AThens metro is veryy cheap 19 Euro/month for a student and 38 euros for the other.

when i went in there, there was NO police,
Lol of course there is (police, security service billions of cameras etc) but if you are comparing a tromo-hysteric city with one of the safest cities in Europe based on the criminality rates you may have a point. But of course in Athens metro you don't face the danger of ''electrification'' behind your back or losing your life because some cables went out of your jacket.

Enough with the dirties vs not.....

I say the dirtiest station in NY is Flushing Meadows - and thats where all the greeks are.... so let it go :D


tell me something, where line 1, 2, 3 meet..is that some sort of central train station or something? or perhaps the busiest center in Athens?

Whats the busiest station/center? Where there is buisness park or something?

haaahahahah vari karin try harder..come on..a little bit more...come one....awwwwww..:lol:...You really really have no idea what you're talking about seriously....from one of the best,i'm not saying the best,i haven't been to all metro stations in Europe...you try to make Athens metro look like one of the worst or something ahahahaa do you even have a real life,or do you have something more important to do than trying to prove false statements or something?:lol:

L

the pictures posted from the Athens subway system are probably like only 3 stations- all of them near the acropolis which is where the ruins are put on the walls...those are the few good stations athens has


A big LOL!!!

Actually the the 3 stations u mentioned are these with the ancient stuff. All, but ALL the rest are full of modern art. And are far far from Acropolis, if u believe that only the 3-4 central stations are worthseeing.

Take a look at the map before your next comment

Halandri station (far....very far from Acropolis.....):

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295827/0/Halandri+Station+12-+Modern+Art.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295817/0/Halandri+Station+6-Interior+West.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/96876670_ce1249dc62_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1243/1439138320_258261747d_o.jpg


Eleonas station (has nothing to do with Athens center but it is an amazing station):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/516602321_4f2fdde7e2_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/516601133_324babba13_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/516819371_fdb3b58330_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1247/539000488_02c739dfd6_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/516823441_45d62297e9_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/516792808_562321d95a_b.jpg

Ethniki Amyna station (far far far from the center...)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/572868583_0af961705f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/1839956685_561b43f34a_b.jpg

Egaleo station (end of the line...)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/516808834_53ade18464_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/516811070_461b557697_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/516808288_84380d1e5b_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/516836869_13aa411e77_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/516812236_be9ed5a22c_b.jpg

Plakentias station (so far from center, almost the east end of Athens)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/462065615_1736b77d54_b.jpg

Agios Antonios station (miles away from center):

http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication//gallery/images/stations/24/080904.jpg

http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication//gallery/images/stations/24/080904_2.jpg

http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication//gallery/images/extensions/peristeri/ag.antonios_1.jpg

Aghios Dimitrios-Alexandros Panagoulis station:

http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication/gallery/images/extensions/ilioupoli/panagoulis_020604.jpg

http://www.ametro.gr/main/communication//gallery/images/extensions/elliniko/ag.dimitrios.jpg

^^According to vari karin (indeed:lol:) this is better
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/South_ferry.jpg
It's quite funny that the density of the stations in the New York subway is lower than Athens.

Even the stations of line 1, which most of them are not undergraound, are not that bad as other non-underground metro stations of London or Paris. Note that Athens metro line 1 dates back to 1890's. All stations are totally renovated or rebuilt, absolutely clean and 100% friendly to whellchair owners and blind people as well.Is any other metro system in Europe whith all of the stations 100% , old or new, approached by wheelchairs and blind people?

Faliro station:

http://www.eurometalart.gr/faliro/2004_0912Image0101.jpg

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-02-Faliro-04.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-02-Faliro-06.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-02-Faliro-02.JPG

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/197567884_cf47ab5eb4_o.jpg

Kato Patisia station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-14-Kato-Patissia-04.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-14-Kato-Patissia-01.JPG

Kifissia station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-24-Kifissia-02.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-24-Kifissia-03.JPG

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/16/91405171_b358128f73_o.jpg

Omonia station:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/414784287_348bb7796a_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/345467450_39e9d97e63_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/304456409_31795789fc_b.jpg

Tavros station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-05-Tavros-07.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-05-Tavros-01.JPG

Marousi station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-22-Marousi2-02.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-22-Marousi-02.JPG

Attiki station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-12-Attiki-01.JPG

Moschato station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-03-Moschato-01.JPG

Petralona station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-06-Petralona-03.JPG
http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-06-Petralona-04.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-06-Petralona-06.JPG

Victoria station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-11-Victoria-08.JPG


Thiseion station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-07-Thissio-05.JPG

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/1470752257_52be70e8aa_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2006/2004855082_8d9009d3ec_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/439114642_ee54e0d8ff_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/469635206_23cb421181_b.jpg

Monastiraki station:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2194/2071161295_230436fbf4_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/135118801_0ac7affa63_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/242/462072641_868b1a2d27_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1380/1019185332_c9a67b278a_b.jpg

Neratziotissa station:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/71762202_3203f71403_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/208959313_46c129565b_b.jpg

Irini olympic station:

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-20-Irini-03.JPG

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/pix/L1-20-Irini-01.JPG

http://isap.gr/images/anaplasi/eirhnh_shmera_big.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1038/1325611909_d5f31095c2_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/1417160862_cfd73e55ce_o.jpg

Piraeus station:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/204741984_ef19a00d50_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2142/2004058345_83314bc1c7_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1023/1332525968_246e4bb98a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/2004893706_edeadd1248_b.jpg

and some other unknown line 1 stations:

http://isap.gr/images/anaplasi/ag_nikol_shmera_big.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/334552833_b017ffb498_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/129329453_eb2256f4a3_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/1417160862_cfd73e55ce_o.jpg

If Athens subway survived the invasion of all those soccer fans, it can cope with anything!

When is the hours of operation for the subway in athens? 24 hours?

Honestly I was amazed at how good your subway is. I really liked the historical & modern blending. Plus riding the subway itself was amazingly smooth. All in all... kickass :D Thanks for the pictures.

You' re welcome mate :cheers1:

One of the best subways indeed! If Greece is Balkans on the ground it's definitely more modern than Japan underground. I like how your subway is very classy with archaeological findings and music plus it's very smooth and modern.

When is the hours of operation for the subway in athens? 24 hours?

no they are not...they stop working before midnight i believe...im not sure though


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/197567884_cf47ab5eb4_o.jpg

i have pictures from this subway my family lives nearby, it's right by the tram as well...ill post it later maybe the view from up there was cool


look i dont mean to take away anything from the athens subways, but dont compare them to NY and other major cities please....and the pic you posted is one subway station....out of the 300 that new york has...

haaahahahah vari karin try harder..come on..a little bit more...come one....awwwwww..:lol:...You really really have no idea what you're talking about seriously....from one of the best,i'm not saying the best,i haven't been to all metro stations in Europe...you try to make Athens metro look like one of the worst or something ahahahaa do you even have a real life,or do you have something more important to do than trying to prove false statements or something?:lol:

L

why are you talking like a little kid? i never said the stations are bad read my comments, i said the stations are very good. I only responded to ONE person who said that they're best in europe.

Now don't respond to me like a little kid, read what i said for real and don't put words in my mouth

what happens after midnight? How do i get back to my hotel/hostel?!?!? :?

I heard the taxi's in Athens were expensive?

apparently the subway shuts down, and so does the tram, i'm not sure about buses...but taxis operate all night, and yes they are expensive. That's what i was told, in many Balkan countries transportation basically shuts down before midnight.

Only 2 subway systems in the world work 24/7 - I remember NYC and some other perhaps Toronto.

The subway is open until 2 am.
As for how good the Athens metro is or not, my opinion is that the new lines are excellent, the stations also of course, the old Athens-Piraeus line is not that good and it needs reconstruction, the stations are good enough though.

Some more non-central stations:

http://assets.in.gr/dGenesis/assets/Content200/Photo/11475_b.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295824/0/Halandri+Station+9-Main+Concourse.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295825/0/Halandri+Station+10-+Stairway+to+Heaven+A.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295823/0/Halandri+Station+8-Interior+West-Elevator.jpg

how much is the ticket if u dont pay for ur fair again? 20 euro?

Wow, some of Athens stations are stunning!

Athens subway really rocks. It cannot be compared to NY, London, Paris, Moscow or Tokyo. Not because it is better or worse but because those cities are so different in scale, history and needs that the whole idea doesn't make any sense.


The nice thing is that it is one of the public services that really works, fulfills its purpose and is consistent. This was not so common in Greece for public companies. A new era of public works, New Athens Airport, Rio-Antirio Bridge, Attiki Odos and so on have really changed this feeling. So, for a similar reason I believe the Athenians really like their subway and try to protect it. They feel proud for it and have developed (several of them) a feeling of civic responsibility and attachment to the subway.

So, more than its transportation purposes, I believe that it has added a significant value to the image of our capital city. This is a public work, it has social utility purposes due to its monopolistic nature and networking effects. It should thus encompass and take into account all the aspects of the city life it serves.

^^^that would be a more reasonable explanation metrogardian

what happens after midnight? How do i get back to my hotel/hostel?!?!? :?

I heard the taxi's in Athens were expensive?

Why would you want to return to your hotel before 2 am? Serious clubbing in Athens starts around midnight until 5 or 6 am in the morning.

TAXXIs in Athens are not expensive provided you make sure the meter is ON .

And trams work 24hours.

Why would you want to return to your hotel before 2 am? Serious clubbing in Athens starts around midnight until 5 or 6 am in the morning.

TAXXIs in Athens are not expensive provided you make sure the meter is ON .



Hahhaa got me there..

so in real terms...when do the trains re-open again? 6am?

Only 2 subway systems in the world work 24/7 - I remember NYC and some other perhaps Toronto.

Toronto's subway runs from 5:30am to 1:30am. They do cleaning/maintenence underground between 1:30 and 5:30 and then it reopens again.

There is however 24hr bus lines. But it slow and it sucks. Usually when you club, all the drunk and party goers go on the bus afterwords. Since there is too much light, good looking guys like you and me would have a hard time to find a girl on the bus :D

Hahhaa got me there..

so in real terms...when do the trains re-open again? 6am?
Yeah, smth like that. In the meantime you can use taxis, special bus lines (which are slow too) and tram. It is also proposed a 24 hour operation for Fridays and Saturdays from Mars 2008 but it stills doubtful.
another photo
http://www.tourtripgreece.gr/media/metro03.jpg

I really like the Athens subway :)

Its nice and clean. I was on the NY one and it wasnt good....plus the workers give you a hard time....

Would u say that on average... about 80% of the people who use it are tourists? So its tourist friendly system?

While slightly bigger then Bucharest metro, Athens metro is by far cleaner, better looking and more valuable. So congrats to Athens on their modern metro system.

Kappa21, give the system a break. NYC subway is one of the most used in the world and it also operates 24/7. NYC, London, Paris, Tokyo and Moscow are the metro systems!:)

Bucharest metro was the first subway system outside Athens that I visited, back in 1987. Then there was only 1 line, but I was very impressed because it was totally underground.

My next visit was in 1991. There were 3 subway lines operating. I noticed the dramatic improvement in the city’s traffic, especially in the avenue running from the north to the south.

You should come visit Bucharest now and see the traffic. During rush hours, the metro is so packed you'd think you're in Tokyo.:ohno:

I wanna go to Bucharest...see my family side ;)

What's stopping you?:D

^^ Flight.

I can go from either Prague or Bratislava. The question is..how do i go to Romania. I managed to go on bus to the end of Czechia once. I dont know how to get from say Prague to Bucharest that will be the most effecient.

From Prague you can take CSA to Bucharest, and from Toronto you have to go to New York - JFK and catch Delta bound for Bucharest.

Ill try option 1.
How much is it from Prague to Bucharest? Recommend to go on a bus?
What the cheapest?

Can you possibly pick me up from the station? :D

Only 2 subway systems in the world work 24/7 - I remember NYC and some other perhaps Toronto.
Toronto's subway closes around 1:30 AM on most days. :bash:

How much is it from Prague to Bucharest? Recommend to go on a bus?
What the cheapest?
I wouldn't take a bus because:
a) it's not as comfortable as an airliner
b) roads in Romania are shitty

A ticket from Prague to Bucharest with CSA should be around 150 EUR (200 USD).:cheers: If you really want to visit Romania, I think summer would be best, of course.

Now let's get back on-topic.:D

^^ Ill PM you if i have more information ;)

Ok, Athens Subway...

since its new and was built towards the Olympics of Summer '04.
I talked to a greek guy about it.
He said he hates it.
I ask him why?

He said...its because the subway went underground ancient artifacts. Was always behind schedule, because everytime they dug further, they hit a archeological dig and that delayed it.

Than the Greek Government and Athens Municiplaity simply allowed the work to proceed.... is that true? Did they make the artifacts that they found into monuments for the subway?

The metro lines under central Athens are more than 20 meters deep under the surface. This was done to avoid the layers that contain artifacts. Athens is full of them and you will find them anywhere you dig.

Still, they found wells, that after they went dry, where used by the inhabitants from ancient times to recent ones as dumps, where they disposed everything they did not need any more. Back then, just like today, there was "fashion"! So, once something went out of fashion they threw them in those dry wells, most of the times while they were in excellent condition. That was an unexpected treasure for archaeologists , because as they were dropped one upon another through time, they conserved an excellent way to see in a timely precise way, exactly how the ordinary people lived from year to year...

Also, the stations, that had to be constructed close to the surface anyway, gave the chance for the largest and more detailed excavation of Athens ever..!! Which gave the most detailed picture of Athens through time archaeologists couldn't hope in their wildest dreams for.

And yet the metro was completed on time or with minor delays.

What your friend told you sounds more like petty nagging to me than anything... Tell him to take the bus if that what he likes.

this is fake...you guys show part of the best stations and fake photos..why not show the real old station ilektrikos from pireos tou kifisia?how dirty and smelling are ?why not show the reallity that every night junkies, drags traffiking,prostitution have a party around the stations?
why no one mention that bicycles and pets are not alow inside damn fasist mentality...the pickpocketing inside the trains...the cruel guards around bitting the begars and gipsys? by the way athens has more begars than any asia country(india no include)around the stations..why not mention the pissing smell at the entrances of the central stations?huh? fake nationalists

If you became a member of SSC only in order to bash Athens metro, I am sorry for you.

Here you can find photos of line 1:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=402413

Its at-grade stations look better than most at-grade metro stations in Europe.

Your subways looks realy interesting.I like artefacts behind the glass and it´s like a museum.:okay:

New fotos:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/2127697216_c6961b88b4_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/2135721030_278c7fafbb_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1200/1018279503_4eed755c81_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2132472043_9a3f58bd07_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/2134636931_cccaf85204_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2204/2127693448_a9f6d73e6a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/2127695418_2820f97f75_o.jpg

this is fake...you guys show part of the best stations and fake photos..

Oh boy, another Greece-basher/hater. I love coming across these guys on the internet. I see that he's banned, but I have to respond in order to clear Greece's name:

:)

why not show the real old station ilektrikos from pireos tou kifisia?how dirty and smelling are ?

Because it's not like that anymore. So if we showed the "real" pictures that you want us to show, we'd be lying. Ilektrikos (now Metro line 1) was smelly and dirty in the 1980s and 1990s, because of the lack of investment for urban rail; barely anyone used the ISAP then.

But this is no longer the case. All of the pictures that you see in this thread reflect the real Athens Metro as it is today. Including line 1. Any pictures of outdoor stations that you see (with few exceptions) are on line 1. Line 1 has been renovated; you will not recognize it today.

why not show the reallity that every night junkies, drags traffiking,prostitution have a party around the stations?

the pickpocketing inside the trains...the cruel guards around bitting the begars and gipsys? by the way athens has more begars than any asia country(india no include)around the stations..why not mention the pissing smell at the entrances of the central stations?huh? fake nationalists

What "Asia" countries are you talking about? That's a huge diverse group of countries you're talking about there, ranging from rich to poor, democratic to totalitarian, and a huge variety of cultures from East Asia to the Middle East. It's a huge continent.

As any large urban area with 3+ million people, yes Athens has an underworld. We're not hiding anything; we're an honest people, and we're actually overly critical of ourselves (you would know this if you took the time to actually meet and mingle with Greek people).

However, Athens is widely recognized as one of Europe's safest large cities (if not the safest). Unless, perhaps, you're smarter than the rest of us,and are seeing something that other tourists -let alone journalists, travel writers, and demographers- are not seeing. Maybe you have a better abillity to recognize beggars than the rest of us do, and hence you are able to see the beggars at every Metro station that the rest of us don't see.

Besides: most of the beggars, prostitutes, and pickpocketers are actually illegal immigrants, not Greeks. Maybe many of them came from your country? (whichever country that may be?)

why no one mention that bicycles and pets are not alow inside damn fasist mentality...

Different societies have different attitudes towards pets. In some Muslim societies, they're considered dirty.

In France, there is a lax attitude towards pets; you can bring your dog inside a supermarket. But even in Paris, large pets are technically not allowed on the Metro. Only pets that can fit inside a bag are allowed, although this rule is rarely enforced. In Chicago (USA), where I currently live, it's the same as Athens: no pets allowed. Except for a goldfish.

As for bicycles: I think they are now allowed on line 1. On lines 2 and 3, I think that bicycles are now allowed, but only during certain times of the day (not during rush hour, when the trains are crowded and the bicycles take up too much space.) They're creating bicycle lanes all over the city now, so eventually, they're going to have to allow bicycles on the Metro.

So, I guess we're only half fascist after all. ;)

what kind of numbers are you giving me? I live in NY and have been to athens and used the subway, the difference is HUGE, not just "that big."

Again :ohno: with the dirty stuff. New York subway is ten times older than the subway in athens, if not that, more. And A LOT more people use those lines than the athens ones, try the NY trains during rush hour and you'll see efficiency, the trains come in the station in less than a minute...no they are not the dirtiest, they're not CLEAN but there's a reason for this.

Ugliest? HAHAHA have you ever been to New York subway stations, honestly? the pictures posted from the Athens subway system are probably like only 3 stations- all of them near the acropolis which is where the ruins are put on the walls...those are the few good stations athens has

Come to NY and check out the MASSIVE stations here...the underground world here is like another city. Plus there are projects under construction

And no the subways are not that dangerous, they may dangerous in CERTAIN neighborhoods at certain times at NIGHT- but that can't be a problem in athens, because the trains don't operate after midnight do they? (or is it earlier)- NY subways are only more dangerous cause they actually work 24/7.

P.S all trains are air conditioned here and the train fare is not nearly as expensive as the one there (in comparison to how much people make)


Vari Karin,

Someone said that Athens Metro is the best in Europe (a simple innocent OPINION), and you took this FAR too seriously and personally. You made it your hell-bent mission to prove him otherwise.

My question to you is: why is this getting to you so much? Okay, so you don't agree that Athens is the best Metro in Athens. Big deal. Your opinion is your opinion, and his opinion is his.

In MY opinion, Athens Metro is definitely very good. It may not be the "best"...Madrid, Paris, Moscow, London, New York, and other cities have much more extensive systems. But as far as aesthetics, Athens does have the best Metro stations (in MY opinion) that I have ever seen; and I have been to LOTS of cities in Europe and North America (and I never saw these attractive "massive" stations that New York supposedly has). If you're not impressed with the older stations in central Athens, you need to see the newer stations and the periphery stations. Those are impressive.

Look, I really don't care which is the "best" Metro system, and as someone already pointed out, this is a childish debate. The original person who said "Athens Metro is the best in Europe" was just expressing a mere opinion, without imagining that someone [you] would take it so personally, and that an entire debate on the issue would be started. Poor guy has now abandoned the debate, because it's silly. He's a Greek person who's proud of all the new public works in Greece (things we would have never imagined 20 years ago), and so he said something with no intention of offending anyone. We all make superlative statements like that ("this is the best movie ever", "my mom is the best cook in the world", "this is the best restaurant in the city"). So just let it drop, dude.

We all completely agree with you that there's a lot of different factors involved here: efficiency, density and reach of the network, integration with other public transport networks (light rail, regional rail systems, bus routes, etc), comfort, and the areas served.

You made your point, and you made it well. We agree with you. There's no reason for you to nitpick and tell us everything that's wrong with the Athens Metro. Because a lot of things you're saying are either untrue or only half-true. No, Athens is not more spread out than New York; not even close. The entire Athens valley, city + suburbs (population 3+ million) can easily fit into Brooklyn. As for the Athens metro being "unfinished", actually it is finished in its first phase; the next phase of expansion is underway. Metro systems are never really "finished"; no matter how saturated they get, there's always possibility for growth. And -in order to prove how "horrible" the Athens metro is- you're comparing Athens to cities like Paris and New York...cities that are and always have been larger than Athens, and have had Metro/Subway systems for over 100 years. Athens didn't really have a Metro system until 1999, so taking that into consideration, the city is doing very well. And almost all of the criticisms you have for the Athens Metro (like trains not running on time), can be applied to ANY subway system around the world. I want you to name a subway system where the trains actually run on their scheduled times as posted inside the stations. Go ahead. (And if you say New York, I'll burst out laughing).

i agree with skyduster in everything he said...:)

oh and about that:I want you to name a subway system where the trains actually run on their scheduled times as posted inside the stations. Go ahead. (And if you say New York, I'll burst out laughing).

i want to say the same about London's underground system which i use everyday....it is one of the most unreliable metro systems i've ever been in my life....train delays??huh...

Having clean and beautiful stations is not only about aesthetics. It gives an impression of safety that attracts more passengers. For instance, in how many metros would you feel safe to carry your laptop around midnight? I have done that in Athens metro without fear.

In Athens metro you do not see deserted stations as in some other cities. Most stations are in densely populated areas and/or have connections with bus lines and/or park & ride facilities.

Athens metro is so cool,great stations and is expanding all the time :D