Greece

Basic Information

• area ... 131,957 km2
• capital ... Athens (Αθήνα)
• population ... 11.02 million
• highest point ... Olympus (Όλυμπος), 2,917 m.a.s.l.
• length of the railway network ... 2,479 km

Main railway carriers:

• OSE (Greek Railways) – ΟΣΕ (Οργανισμός Σιδηροδρόμων Ελλάδος)

In recent years, Greece has been known primarily as a destination for summer seaside vacations, although as the cradle of European civilisation it deserves more thorough examination than merely from the journey to the airport and from the shade of an umbrella. In Greece you can visit cathedrals which have stood for centuries and walk through the places where the greatest philosophers and artists of antiquity did their work.

One should definitely not miss the capital Athens, which dates back to the third millennium B.C. Probably the most important monument here is the Acropolis with its Pantheon, which rises from a hill above the city. Among the many other places of interest here are the Theatre of Dionysus and the Temple of Hephaistos.

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is also worth visiting. It was founded roughly 3 centuries before Christ. In addition to (mainly Byzantine) monuments, it is also famous for its important commercial port and seaside resort. And it is to Thessaloniki that a direct couchette carriage runs during the summer from the Czech Republic.

Notice

Greek Railways (TRAINOSE) has announced that as of 17 January 2011 all international rail traffic will cease at border crossings into Greece and that this measure (at least at present) will be in effect indefinitely. Significant restrictions are also in effect for inland transport.

You can obtain more detailed information about train journeys to Greece from our Search for a Connection page.

How Much to Greece

With a City Star ticket the trip from Prague to Thessaloniki and return for two passengers costs c. CZK 7,378 (EUR 291.60). If you are going to travel in the summer aboard the direct carriage from the Czech Republic, it is also necessary to purchase a couchette supplement for each person and direction as well.

Notice

For your trip to Greece, select the offer that suits your needs – where and what discount in Europe.