The long-anticipated Thessaloniki Metro officially opens to the public today, marking a milestone with its unique integration of ancient artifacts into the modern infrastructure.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at noon, attended by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and featuring a speech by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The handover will be held at the Pylea depot, home to the state-of-the-art control center.
Following the ceremony, the metro gates will open to the public, offering free rides until Tuesday, December 3.
Metro Stations and Ticket Pricing
The metro includes 13 stations: Nea Elvetia, Voulgari, 25th Martiou, Analipsi, Fleming, Efklidis, Papafi, Panepistimio, Syntrivani, Agia Sofia, Venizelou, Plateia Dimokratias, and Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos.
From December 4, tickets will cost €0.60 per trip, valid for 70 minutes. A package of 10+1 tickets will be priced at €5.80. Similarly, bus fares will also be reduced to €0.60.
Operating Hours
- Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 AM – 12:30 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 5:30 AM – 2:30 AM
Key Features of Thessaloniki Metro
- 13 modern stations
- 9.6 km of dual single-track tunnels
- 18 state-of-the-art automated trains, air-conditioned, with a capacity of 450 passengers per train, operating without drivers but with onboard attendants
- Capacity: Up to 18,000 passengers per hour per direction
- Depot: A 52,000 sqm facility in Pylea, housing the Control Center
- Platform screen doors synchronized with train arrivals
Passenger Information and Facilities
Staff wearing vests labeled “Ask Me” will assist passengers at all stations. Each train accommodates up to 415 passengers, with an hourly capacity of 18,000 passengers per direction.
Bicycles are allowed on the metro, with space for two bikes per car. Pet owners can bring their pets aboard if they are in appropriate carriers. Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited on trains and in stations for safety reasons, and there will be no trash bins.
ERT3 will broadcast the inauguration ceremony live.
