High-speed Train Ready to Run Athens-Thessaloniki Route Under 4 Hours

Train operator Trainose announced this week that its new high-speed electrified passenger train, the “Silver Arrow” is set to run the Athens – Thessaloniki route in less than four hours in the coming weeks.

Initially presented during the 83rd Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) last year, the 480-seat ETR 485 manufactured by Alstom Ferroviaria (formerly FIAT Ferroviaria) can reach speeds of up to 250km/hr.

Times

The Athens-Thessaloniki itinerary will be carried out by two trains on the following routes:

Acropolis, Athens. Photo Source: Visit Greece/Y. Skoulas

– From Thessaloniki to Athens, with stops in Larissa and Paleoffsarlo – 3 hours and 57 minutes,

– From Athens to Thessaloniki, with stops at Lianokladi and Larissa – 4 hours and 10 minutes.

The quickest journey sets off from Athens at 6.22, with additional departures every three hours at 9.22, 12:22, 15.22 and 18.22.

The shortest trip from Thessaloniki departs at 6.27 with trains leaving every three hours after that at 9.15, 12.15, 15.15 and 18.15.

Lines 600 and 601 run during the night.

The Athens-Lianokladi trip lasts 1 hour and 47 minutes (1 hour and 20 minutes return trip), the Athens-Larissa journey lasts 2 hours and 48 minutes (2 hours, 36 minutes return trip).

Thessaloniki, northern Greece

Trainose’s Intercity Express will be offering upgraded services including power outlet at each seat, service staff, Wi-Fi (currently available only on the I / C51 train and in first class but set to be installed on all other trains), F&B services in partnership with Venetis, free newspapers available to first class passengers on I / C50 and I / C51 trains, free care products in first class.

Tickets

Trainose said it has kept ticket rates fixed for the Athens-Thessaloniki route with first class at 55 euros with a 20 percent discount for the return trips, and second class at 45 euros with 20 percent off for return trips.

Founded in 2005, the country’s passenger and freight train operator Trainose is owned by Italian state railway group Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) Italiane.