The Athens Metro () is a rapid transit system serving the Athens urban area in Greece. Line 1 opened as a single-track conventional steam railway in 1869 and was electrified in 1904. Beginning in 1991, Elliniko Metro S.A. constructed and extended Lines 2 and 3. It has significantly changed Athens by providing a much-needed solution to the city's traffic and air pollution problem, as well as revitalising many of the areas it serves. Extensions of existing lines are under development or tender, like the Line 2 extension to Ilion where tender started in 2023, as well as a new Line 4, whose central section began construction in August 2021.
The Athens Metro is actively connected with the other means of public transport, such as buses, trolleys, the Athens Tram and the Athens Suburban Railway. The Athens Metro is hailed for its modernity (mainly the newer lines 2, 3), and many of its stations feature works of art, exhibitions and displays of the archaeological remains found during its construction. Photography and video-taking is permitted across the whole network and street photographers often work in Athens Metro. This was the only metro system in Greece, before the Thessaloniki Metro began operations on 30 November 2024.
History
Piraeus–Kifissia Railway (Line 1) Until 28 January 2000, Line 1 was the only rapid-transit line in Athens. The Athens and Piraeus Railway Company (SAP) opened a steam single-track mixed cargo and passenger railway line on 27 February 1869 and was run between and . It was electrified in 1904. On 4 February 1885 Lavrion Square-Strofyli steam narrow gauge single-track mixed cargo and passenger railway line opened and was run at the time from Attiki Square to Kifissia through Iraklio. These originally mixed cargo and passenger railway lines gradually merged and converted to a rapid-transit system. The section between Kifissia and Strofyli was abandoned.
From 1869 to 1926 the line was operated by SAP. From 1926 to 1976 the line was operated by Hellenic Electric Railways (EIS). In 1976 the EIS was nationalized and renamed Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway Company (ISAP), which continued to operate what became line 1 of the Athens Metro until 16 June 2011.
1990s projects Since the current Line 1 opened, the government has proposed many expansions to the subway network, including a 1963 plan for a fourteen-line subway network. Construction of Lines 2 and 3 began in November 1992 to decrease traffic congestion and improve Athens' air quality by reducing its smog level. Both lines were constructed underground. Lines 2 and 3, built by Attiko Metro S.A. and operated until 2011 by Attiko Metro Operations Company, are known respectively as the red and blue lines and were inaugurated in January 2000. Line 3 was extended to the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in summer 2004, and Line 2 was extended to Anthoupoli and Elliniko in 2013.
Consolidation Until 17 June 2011, the operational management of the Athens Metro network was similar to that of the London Underground network before the creation of the London Passenger Transport Board and the absorption of the Metropolitan Railway on 1 July 1933. The Greek government attempted to absorb ISAP into Attiko Metro operation company under Law 2669/1998 so the latter would be responsible for the whole network, but this initiative failed. Athens Metro operations were consolidated when the Greek government enacted Law 3920/2011,Law 3920, Government Gazette issue A-33, 3 March 2011. replacing AMEL, ISAP and Tram S.A. with Urban Rail Transport S.A. (STASY S.A.) (), a subsidiary of OASA S.A. (Athens Urban Transport Organisation S.A.).Ministerial Decision 28737/2637, Government Gazette issue B-1454, 17 June 2011
Timeline Line Segment Construction Started Year opened Piraeus - Thiseio 1856 27 February 1869 Thiseio - Omonoia 1889 17 May 1895 Omonoia - VictoriaJanuary 1928 1 March 1948 Victoria - Attiki 30 June 1949Petralona (Infill station)22 November 1954 Attiki - August 1938 12 February 1956 - 14 March 1956 - 4 March 1957 - 10 August 1957Eirini (Infill station)January 19803 September 1982Tavros (Infill station)19886 February 1989KAT (Infill station)27 March 1989 Sepolia - November 199228 January 2000 Syntagma - Ethniki Amyna Syntagma - Dafni 15 November 2000 Syntagma - Monastiraki 22 April 2003 Dafni - Agios Dimitrios April 2001 5 June 2004 Ethniki Amyna - Athens Airport December 2000 30 July 2004 Neratziotissa (Infill station) February 2002 6 August 2004 Sepolia - Agios Antonios February 2002 9 August 2004 Monastiraki - Egaleo May 2002 26 May 2007 Agios Antonios - Anthoupoli May 2007 6 April 2013 Agios Dimitrios - Elliniko January 2007 26 July 2013 Egaleo - Agia Marina 14 December 2013 Agia Marina - NikaiaJuly 2012 7 July 2020 Nikaia - Dimotiko Theatro 10 October 2022Alsos Veikou - GoudiAugust 20212032 ()
Infrastructure
Lines and stations
The Athens Metro consists of three lines totalling and 66 stations: Line 1 (Green) is long with 24 stations, Line 2 (Red) is long with 20 stations, and Line 3 (Blue) is long with 24 stations. STASY owns and operates 62 of the 66 stations: three other stations (, and ) belong to GAIAOSE and the station belongs to the operator of the Athens International Airport.
The system has five interchanges, at , , , and , allowing all three to interchange with each other at least once. Each line also has at least one connection with the Athens Suburban Railway, and the Athens Tram.
+Outline of Athens Metro lines Line Mapcolour Opened Lastextension Type Stations LengthTermini Green (Last station on existing line opened 6 August 2004) At-grade Sub-surface (Monastiraki - Attiki) 24 Red Deep level 20 Blue Deep level At-grade (Doukissis Plakentias - Athens Airport) 27 Total: 66
Line 2 is entirely underground. Line 1 is mostly overground, with an underground section spanning between the Monastiraki and Attiki stations, and an additional underground station (Kato Patisia) in central Athens. Line 3 is mostly underground; Trains that run an overground route are only those with the airport as final destination. The overground section of Line 3, east of the tunnel portal near , is open. In the tunnel sections up and down lines share a common tunnel, except for approaches to stations with an island platform (such as Egaleo). Train maintenance facilities are located at Attiki, Faliro, Irini, Piraeus, Kifissia and Thissio for Line 1, and Doukissis Plakentias, Eleonas and Sepolia for Lines 2 and 3.
The Athens Metro's three lines carried approximately 1,353,000 passengers daily in 2010.
A network map of the Athens Metro system, that includes the three current lines, the under construction line 4, the tramway, the suburban railway and all the future under design extensions.
Rolling stock
The network uses standard gauge electric trains which in most places run on 750 V DC third rail, but the section of Line 3 running to the airport requires trains which can use overhead lines of 25 kV AC, 50 Hz.
The Athens Metro classifies rolling stock by "batch" for Line 1 and "generation" for Lines 2 and 3 because ISAP and AMEL used different classification systems for rolling stock before consolidation. Six types of rolling stock operate on the network, all equipped with third rail current collection systems; however, only seven second-generation trains have the necessary overhead line equipment to serve Line 3 from to .
The eighth batch (introduced in 1983) is the oldest rolling stock in passenger service, while the third generation (introduced in 2013) is the latest rolling stock in passenger service. The eighth- and tenth-batch stock is externally similar, but the former has split-flap headsigns in Johnston typeface and a cream-and-green interior colour scheme. An extensive refurbishment programme is in progress for the 8th batch (as of 2023), and to cover for trains undergoing refurbishment, up to five 1st generation Line 2/3 trains have been borrowed to operate on Line 1. Line 1 halfsets have driving cabs at both ends, unlike the Line 2/3 halfsets which have a driving cab at the outer ends, but only basic driving apparatus for shunting purposes only at the inner ends; thus, they can only operate on their own inside depots.
Line 1 Name Manufacturer Image Lines Number of Coaches per Trainset Number of Doors per Side Passengers In service since About 8th Batch MAN SE, Siemens Mobility 8th Batch trainset at Kifisia (2009) 5 4 830 1983–1985 The 8th batch, also known as Columbia, from the well-known space shuttle is the oldest of the series of trainsets that runs on the Athens Metro network. As of 2023, 14 trainsets is under upgrade. 10th Batch MAN SE, AEG, Siemens Mobility, Hellenic Shipyards Co. 10th Batch trainset at Piraeus (2011) 5 4 830 1993–1995 The 10th batch is the second oldest range of wagons that runs on the Athens Metro network. They are identical in appearance with the 8th batch and known by the same nickname. An upgrade of the train is anticipated. 11th Batch Adtranz, Siemens Mobility, Hellenic Shipyards Co., Bombardier Transportation 11th Batch trainset at Neratziotissa (2007) 6 4 1002 2000–2004 The 11th batch was the only batch of Line 1 of the Athens Metro which has 6 coaches, before 1st generation trains of the Lines 2 and 3 enter service on Line 1. An upgrade of the trains is anticipated. 1stGeneration Siemens Mobility, Daimler-Benz, Alsthοm 6 4 1,030 2000 The 1st generation is the oldest batch of 2 and 3 line trainsets and the only one in the whole network with sliding doors and not locking doors. Some first generation trains are also used on line 1.
Lines 2 & 3 Name Manufacturer Image Lines Number of Coaches per Trainset Number of Doors per side Speed(km/h) Passengers Units In operationsince About 1stGeneration Siemens Mobility, Daimler-Benz, Alsthοm 6 4 80 1,030 28 2000 The 1st generation is the oldest batch of 2 and 3 line trainsets and the only one in the whole network with sliding doors and not locking doors. Some first generation trains are also used on line 1. 2nd Generation Hanwha-Rotem, Mitsubishi Vapor, Knorr-Bremse 6 4 80 (DC)120 (DC/AC) Δεύτερη γενιά συρμών, Αττικό Μετρό Α. 1,062 (DC)1,026 (DC/AC) 21 (7 DC/AC & 14 DC) 2003 The second generation operates under the standard line voltage of 750 V DC from third rail, but 7 trains from line 3 are able to operate under from overhead catenary with a pantograph in order to serve the section from Doukissis Plakentias to the Airport. 3rd Generation Hyundai Rotem, Siemens Mobility 6 4 80 1.032 28 2014 The 3rd generation is the latest model of trainsets running on the Athens Metro network.
Signalling
Line 1 uses two-aspect red/green home signals, yellow/green distant signals and a passenger information system (PIS). The current system replaced 1950s-era semaphore signals. The automatic train protection (ATP) system of Line 1 was fully installed in 2023 which replaced the previous Indusi system.
Lines 2 and 3 use the Alstom automatic train supervision system (ATS) and a passenger information system (PIS). Two-aspect red/white colour signals are used at points and junctions only.
Fares