Athens

== Transport ==
{{Main|Public transport in Athens}}
[[File:Public transport map of Athens.png|thumb|Athens railways network (Metro, Suburban Railway and Tram)]]

Athens is the country's major transportation hub. The city has Greece's largest airport and its largest port; Piraeus, too, is the largest container transport port in the Mediterranean, and the largest passenger port in Europe.

Athens is a major national hub for Intercity ([[KTEL (Greece)|Ktel]]) and international buses, as well as for domestic and international rail transport. Public transport is serviced by a variety of transportation means, making up the country's largest mass transit system. [[Transport for Athens]] operates a large bus and [[trolleybus]] fleet, the city's [[Athens Metro|Metro]], a [[Athens Suburban Railway|Suburban Railway]] service<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suburban Railway |url=https://www.trainose.gr/en/passenger-activity/suburban-railway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418013949/https://www.trainose.gr/en/passenger-activity/suburban-railway/ |archive-date=18 April 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[TrainOSE]]}}</ref> and a [[Athens Tram|tram network]], connecting the southern suburbs to the city centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tram Sa |url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=192&category=learn&lang_id=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114071740/http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=192&category=learn&lang_id=1 |archive-date=14 January 2009 |access-date=5 January 2009 |publisher=Tramsa.gr}}</ref>

=== Bus transport ===
OSY ({{lang-el|ΟΣΥ}}) (Odikes Sygkoinonies S.A.), a subsidiary company of OASA (Athens urban transport organisation), is the main operator of buses and trolleybuses in Athens. As of 2017, its network consists of around 322 bus lines, spanning the Athens Metropolitan Area, and making up a fleet of 2,375 buses and trolleybuses. Of those 2,375, 619 buses run on [[compressed natural gas]], making up the largest fleet of natural gas-powered buses in Europe, and 354 are electric-powered (trolleybuses). All of the 354 trolleybuses are equipped to run on diesel in case of [[Power outage|power failure]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Στόλος λεωφορείων |url=https://www.osy.gr/ethelsite/pages/allBuses.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417234252/https://www.osy.gr/ethelsite/pages/allBuses.php |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |language=Greek}}</ref>

International links are provided by a number of private companies. National and regional bus links are provided by [[KTEL (Greece)|KTEL]] from two InterCity Bus Terminals; [[Athens Peloponnese Bus Station|Kifissos Bus Terminal]] A and [[Athens Liosion Bus Station|Liosion Bus Terminal]] B, both located in the north-western part of the city. ''Kifissos'' provides connections towards [[Peloponnese]], North Greece, West Greece and some [[Ionian Islands]], whereas ''Liosion'' is used for most of Central Greece. Both of these terminals will be replaced by a new Intercity Bus Terminal under construction in [[Elaionas|Eleonas]] due to be completed by 2026.

=== Railways ===
{{Main|Athens Metro|Proastiakos|Athens Tram}}

Athens is the hub of the [[Hellenic Railways Organisation|country's national railway system]] (OSE), connecting the capital with major cities across Greece and abroad ([[Istanbul]], [[Sofia]], Belgrade and [[Bucharest]]).

[[File:Athens_Larissa_Station_09.jpg|thumb|Suburban rail ([[Proastiakos]])]]

The [[Athens Suburban Railway]], referred to as the ''[[Proastiakos]]'', connects Athens International Airport to the city of [[Kiato]], {{convert|106|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=proastiakos/> west of Athens, via Larissa station, the city's central rail station and the port of Piraeus. The length of Athens's commuter rail network extends to {{convert|120|km|mi|0|abbr=on}},<ref name="proastiakos">{{Cite web |title=Proastiakos |url=http://www.proastiakos.gr/en/?tid=3&aid=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203121158/http://proastiakos.gr/en/?tid=3&aid=0 |archive-date=3 February 2009 |access-date=9 June 2009 |publisher=proastiakos.gr}}</ref> and is expected to stretch to {{convert|281|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} by 2010.<ref name=proastiakos/>

[[File:20140622-Anthoupoli-62D304 (7872).jpg|thumb|[[Athens Metro]] train (3rd generation stock)]]

The [[Athens Metro]] is operated by STASY S.A. ({{lang-el|ΣΤΑΣΥ}}) (Statheres Sygkoinonies S.A.), a subsidiary company of OASA (Athens urban transport organisation), which provides public transport throughout the Athens Urban Area. While its main purpose is transport, it also houses Greek artifacts found during the construction of the system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athens Metro |url=http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21103a/e211ca09.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207072925/http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21103a/e211ca09.html |archive-date=7 December 2006 |access-date=26 January 2007 |website=Hellenic Ministry of Culture |publisher=culture.gr}}</ref> The Athens Metro runs three metro lines, namely [[Athens Metro Line 1|Line 1 (Green Line)]], [[Athens Metro Line 2|Line 2 (Red Line)]] and [[Athens Metro Line 3|Line 3 (Blue Line)]] lines, of which the first was constructed in 1869, and the other two largely during the 1990s, with the initial new sections opened in January 2000. Line 1 mostly runs at ground level and the other two (Line 2 & 3) routes run entirely underground. A fleet of 42 trains, using 252 carriages, operates on the network,<ref name="xyz">{{Cite web |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 15 |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629074436/http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2006 |access-date=4 February 2007 |website=OASA |publisher=oasa.gr}}</ref> with a daily occupancy of 1,353,000 passengers.<ref>"Homepage – The Company – Attiko Metro S.A." Attiko Metro S.A. Archived from the original on 3 December 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2014.</ref>

''Line 1'' (Green Line) serves 24 stations, and is the oldest line of the Athens metro network. It runs from [[Piraeus]] station to [[Kifissia]] station and covers a distance of {{convert|25.6|km|1|abbr=on}}. There are transfer connections with the Blue Line 3 at [[Monastiraki]] station and with the Red Line 2 at [[Omonoia Square|Omonia]] and [[Attiki]] stations. ''Line 2'' (Red Line) runs from [[Anthoupoli metro station|Anthoupoli]] station to [[Elliniko metro station|Elliniko]] station and covers a distance of {{convert|17.5|km|1|abbr=on}}.<ref name=xyz/> The line connects the western suburbs of Athens with the southeast suburbs, passing through the center of Athens. The Red Line has transfer connections with the Green Line 1 at [[Attiki metro station|Attiki]] and [[Omonia metro station|Omonia]] stations. There are also transfer connections with the Blue Line 3 at [[Syntagma Square|Syntagma]] [[Syntagma metro station|station]] and with the tram at [[Syntagma Square|Syntagma]], [[Syngrou–Fix station|Syngrou Fix]] and [[Neos Kosmos station|Neos Kosmos]] stations. ''Line 3'' (Blue Line) runs from [[Dimotiko Theatro metro station|Dimotiko Theatro]] station, through the central [[Monastiraki]] and [[Syntagma metro station|Syntagma]] stations to [[Doukissis Plakentias station|Doukissis Plakentias]] avenue in the northeastern suburb of [[Chalandri|Halandri]].<ref name=xyz/> It then ascends to ground level and continues to [[Athens International Airport|Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos]] using the suburban railway infrastructure, extending its total length to {{convert|39|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=xyz/> The spring 2007 extension from Monastiraki westwards to [[Egaleo]] connected some of the main [[Nightlife|night life]] hubs of the city, namely those of Gazi ([[Kerameikos metro station|Kerameikos]] station) with Psirri ([[Monastiraki metro station|Monastiraki]] station) and the city centre ([[Syntagma station]]).The new stations  [[Maniatika metro station|Maniatika]], [[Piraeus station|Piraeus]] and [[Dimotiko Theatro metro station|Dimotiko Theatro]], were completed on 10 October 2022,<ref name="Attiko Metro">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ametro.gr/?page_id=116 |title=Line3|website=Attiko Metro |publisher=ametro.gr}}</ref><ref name="Athens Greece Guide">{{Cite web|url=https://www.athensguide.org|title=Athens Greece Guide|website=Athensguide.org }}</ref> connecting the biggest port of Greece, the Port of Piraeus, with Athens International Airport, the biggest airport of Greece.

[[File:Attica_06-13_Athens_26_Tram.jpg|alt=|thumb|Vehicle of the [[Athens Tram]]]]

The [[Athens Tram]] is operated by STASY S.A. (Statheres Sygkoinonies S.A.), a subsidiary company of [[Transport for Athens]] (OASA). It has a fleet of 35 [[Sirio]] type vehicles<ref name="athenstram">{{Cite web |title=Tram Sa |url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=207&category=learn&lang_id=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721083439/http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=207&category=learn&lang_id=1 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=25 October 2009 |publisher=Tramsa.gr}}</ref> and 25 [[Alstom Citadis]] type vehicles<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alstom introduces the Citadis X05 tram to Athens |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2020/9/alstom-introduces-citadis-x05-tram-athens |access-date=19 April 2023 |website=Alstom |language=en}}</ref> which serve 48 stations,<ref name=athenstram/> employ 345 people with an average daily occupancy of 65,000 passengers.<ref name=athenstram/> The tram network spans a total length of {{convert|27|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} and covers ten Athenian suburbs.<ref name=athenstram/> The network runs from [[Syntagma Square]] to the southwestern suburb of [[Palaio Faliro]], where the line splits in two branches; the first runs along the Athens coastline toward the southern suburb of [[Voula]], while the other heads toward Neo Faliro. The network covers the majority of the Athens coastline.<ref name="EF">{{Cite web |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 13 |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629074436/http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2006 |access-date=28 January 2007 |website=OASA |publisher=oasa.gr}}</ref> Further extension is under construction towards the major commercial port of [[Piraeus]].<ref name=athenstram/> The expansion to Piraeus will include 12 new stations, increase the overall length of tram route by {{convert|5.4|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}, and increase the overall transportation network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tram Sa |url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=156&lang_id=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721083448/http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=156&lang_id=1 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=25 October 2009 |publisher=Tramsa.gr}}</ref>

=== Athens International Airport ===
{{Main|Athens International Airport}}
[[File:Greece-0028_(2215861772).jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Athens International Airport]]]]

Athens is served by the [[Athens International Airport]] (ATH), located near the town of [[Spata]], in the eastern Messoghia plain, some {{convert|35|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} east of center of Athens.<ref name="aia">{{Cite web |title=Athens International Airport: Facts and Figures |url=http://www.aia.gr/contact.asp?langid=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406162653/http://www.aia.gr/contact.asp?langid=2 |archive-date=6 April 2008 |access-date=11 February 2007 |website=Athens International Airport |publisher=aia.gr}}</ref> The airport, awarded the "European Airport of the Year 2004" Award,<ref name=pro/> is intended as an expandable hub for air travel in [[Balkans|southeastern Europe]] and was constructed in 51 months, costing 2.2&nbsp;billion euros. It employs a staff of 14,000.<ref name="pro">{{Cite web |title=Athens International Airport: Airport Profile |url=http://www.aia.gr/pages.asp?pageid=15&langid=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607020147/http://www.aia.gr/pages.asp?pageID=15&langID=2 |archive-date=7 June 2007 |access-date=11 February 2007 |website=Athens International Airport |publisher=aia.gr}}</ref>

=== Ferry ===
The [[Port of Piraeus]] is the largest port in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. [[Rafina]] and [[Lavrio]] act as alternative ports of Athens, connects the city with numerous [[List of islands of Greece|Greek islands]] of the [[Aegean Sea]], [[Euboea|Evia]] and [[Çeşme]] in Turkey,<ref>{{Cite web |last=sabah |first=daily |date=1 July 2019 |title=Çeşme-Athens ferry services for passenger, freight transport begin |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/business/2019/07/01/cesme-athens-ferry-services-for-passenger-freight-transport-begin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707201115/https://www.dailysabah.com/business/2019/07/01/cesme-athens-ferry-services-for-passenger-freight-transport-begin |archive-date=7 July 2019 |access-date=7 July 2019 |website=Daily Sabah}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kokkinidis |first=Tasos |title=Turkish Company Launches Ferry Services Between Athens and Izmir &#124; GreekReporter.com |url=https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/03/14/turkish-company-launches-ferry-services-between-athens-and-izmir/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707201117/https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/03/14/turkish-company-launches-ferry-services-between-athens-and-izmir/ |archive-date=7 July 2019 |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> while also serving the cruise ships that arrive.

=== Motorways ===
{{Further|National Roads and Motorways in Greece}}
[[File:Athens-Kiffisia-aerial.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of an [[Motorway 6 (Greece)|A6]] interchange north of Athens]]

Two main motorways of Greece begin in Athens, namely the [[Motorway 1 (Greece)|A1]]/[[European route E75|E75]], heading north towards Greece's second largest city, [[Thessaloniki]]; and the border crossing of Evzones and the [[Motorway 8 (Greece)|A8]]/[[European route E94|E94]] heading west, towards Greece's third largest city, [[Patras]], which incorporated the [[Greek National Road 8A|GR-8A]]. Before their completion much of the road traffic used the [[Greek National Road 1|GR-1]] and the [[Greek National Road 8|GR-8]].

Athens' Metropolitan Area is served by the motorway network of the [[Attiki Odos]] toll-motorway (code: [[Attiki Odos|A6]]). Its main section extends from the western industrial suburb of [[Eleusina|Elefsina]] to [[Athens International Airport]]; while two beltways, namely the Aigaleo Beltway (A65) and the Hymettus Beltway (A64) serve parts of western and eastern Athens respectively. The span of the Attiki Odos in all its length is {{convert|65|km|mi|0|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aodos.gr/article.asp?catid=12069&tag=7275|title=Aodos.gr}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> making it the largest metropolitan motorway network in all of Greece.