New trains from Thessaloniki to Skopje, Belgrade and Sofia!

baobab
Traveller
128 comments

I hope the railway company will be sold soon in order to work efficient for the first time.
As i was saying avoid Patras - Athens by train and prefer the bus, seems Athens - Thessaloniki is the only route left to be of reasonable price and quality.

Better avoid train trips within Greece at least till May when i think will have news about the railway company.

ps. Thessaloniki to Istanbul and Belgrade were two of the few profitable routes of the company so i guess it's a rushing budget cut made by the current drivers and workers of the company so they can enjoy serving overpriced services of terrible quality within borders..

Wortelkwadraat
Traveller
2 comments

I've travelled yesterday on the international train from Thessaloniki to Instanbul

I arrived this morning with the usual 4 hour delay. But the train seems to be still going

Quite a comfortable journey except for the useless personnel on board that were chain smoking all the way

Jaap

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hi Jaap!

Thank you for this information. I'm trying to follow the situation with OSE as good as I can but real-time updates like this are the best of course. :)


Flo 8)

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Latest info from OSE says that the international trains will stop from 10th January. :(

Wortelkwadraat
Traveller
2 comments

The personnel at the Turkish Sirkeci station (Istanbul) claimed today they will continue to go but I sometimes wonder how well informed they are.

Keep checking if you want to take this route

Kaizeler
Traveller
5 comments

But can we still rely on trains operated by the Bulgarian company ( [ux]https://rail.shop/bdz[/ux] ) or do these stop travelling as well?

K.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Well, informations are sparse...but the international connections are said to stop at the border stations - maybe there will be a bus connection to/from Greece but nothing's really clear as for now.

Kaizeler
Traveller
5 comments

Hmm.. I'll try to keep informed then.
Cheers for the input.

K.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

[b]Latest news:[/b]

The Istanbul - Thessaloniki train was running as usual, TCDD staff said they would not know that the service was discontinued. No news for trains to Sofia and Beograd.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

The original post has been updated.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

The original post has been updated.

AlexanderBuzz
Traveller
3 comments

HI there !

I'm planning my trip to the month of August, and I'd like to know if I will be able to catch the train from Thessaloniki to Istambul?

Will that connection still on, or will they shut it off till august?

Anyone knows anything about this issue?

Thanks !

Alexander

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hi Alexander!

Looking at the current situation in Greece, it is not possible to predict whether/when international connection will run again. I have heard reports that the connection to Beograd or Sofia could run again soon but that are only rumours...I have no news concerning the train to Istanbul.

I think it would be the best to think of an alternative route for the summer in case there still are no trains running then. Or go by bus but that isnt covered by InterRail.


Flo 8)

AlexanderBuzz
Traveller
3 comments

Thanks Flo !

So there are no trains at all running on Greece, that sucks !

Does anyone know the website with bus information for international connections in Greece?

And if anyone knows any news about the connection Thessaloniki-Istambul, please post it, to keep the interested ones informed !

Thanks !

Robert_Antonio
Traveller
53 comments

The train Thessaloniki-Istanbul ran several weeks more after the closure of Serbian and Bulgarian trains on 1.1.2011. But now it\'s cancelled too.
For bus connection see Macedonian bus timetable www.sas.com.mk . I don\'t know about buses from Bulgaria to Greece.

gasparzinho
Traveller
20 comments

In my first interrail i wanted to go to Greece, but i didnt. Now in my second interrail i cant because this measures.

My plan is: Go from Rome to Bari, take a ferry to Igoumenitsa and do a trip around north of Greece (Meteora and so on). My drama is how to get out of Greece without the ferry way... another 15 hrs in open sea is a lost of time and in my first interrail i already done a long trip around Italy, so i dont want to go again to Italy and travel across the country all over again and do the same route again.

I found a bus service somewhere in Greece to Macedonia, but are in Macedonian... and i can't read a single word in Macedonian xD

Anyone knows some simple (and cheap) way to reach Macedonia frome Greece?


Best regards

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

I've already answered in the other thread...if I find more info, I'll post it. :)

siloony
Traveller
1 comments

Are there any news about connections to Greece? As someone told, they want to sell the company. As we planned our trip from Bulgaria (Sofia) to Thessaloniki, we are in fear how to get to Greece :) Busses seem to be expensive.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

No news for now...no international train connections. :|

gasparzinho
Traveller
20 comments

Lets join all together and rent a bus xD

Now serious... I sent an email to a greek bus company and they advise me to catch their bus from Thessaloniki to Polykastro and take a taxi there to Macedonia. I saw in the map where Polykastro is and seems to me a really small town and a little bit distant of the macedonian boarder. In the macedonian side, the city that is closest is Gavgelija.

If someone have my problem, here is a possible solution.

Someone told me that are some route called Florina (Greece) - Bitola (Macedonia). I just need to find some bus to Florina and get sure that this route exists!

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Polykastro is on the line to Idomeni - Geveglija, so that might be a good idea. From Gevgelija there are two daily trains to Skopje. Schedule of Macedonian Railway (departure and arrival from Skopje): :arr: www.mz.com.mk/uploads/izvod%20od%20vozen%20red%202011.pdf

The Florina - Bitola railway line is out of service!

gasparzinho
Traveller
20 comments

Once again... THANKS Flow!

The timetable are in Cyrillic alphabet. Thats chinese to me. Lol. But im gonna try to translate that :)

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

No problem. :)

I know, I have no real idea about Cyrillic alphabet either but destination/origin cities are written in Latin which helps a lot. :)

jennifer
Traveller
3 comments

I was wondering if it is possible to use the interrail global pass once I am in Greece? Or are the issues throughout the country not just entering it by train? thanx

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Yeah, you can use the IR pass within Greece - but there have been some trains and routes withdrawn as well. :(

:arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/greece-national-routes-cu/f5661[/u]


Flo 8)

Jess90
Traveller
5 comments

Hi,

I have only just found out about the train connections :( After i booked my flight home from athens!

Can you please tell me the cheapest way to get to Greece now, not really bothered where from. Also is it still safe to be in Athens?

Thanks
Jess

baobab
Traveller
128 comments

From where do you want to go to Greece? Buses are not that expensive and trains are still on in main cities at mainland..
Athens city center is safe if you are a white European and try to avoid the non touristic places..

Jess90
Traveller
5 comments

thanks for trying to help :)

I have sorted myself out now, I plan to get the ferry from Venice to Patras, I have relatives in Greece who'll look afterme until my flight from Athens. Pretty lucky really!

Hope this hasn't affected other peoples plans too much either.

baobab
Traveller
128 comments

From Patras to Athens you should take the bus, anyway have a nice trip 8)

rorymurphy90
Traveller
1 comments

Hello
I was planning on travelling from Florina to Pythion (for Istanbul) this summer via train. Is that whole line closed?
If so, do you know what the best alternative is? I assume it would be bus but i cant find any infomation on timetables or ticket prices, do you know of any websites?
Im a bit stuck so any help would be greatly appreciated :)
Cheers, Rory

jojo_C
Traveller
2 comments

This is the WORST news! I was planning Italy, to greece then to Turkey and buying an interrail or railcc pass. Any suggestions an alternative route and does this mean that the pass wil lnot work in Greece at all? Even on the ferry from italy?

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hi!

railcc [b]sells[/b] InterRail passes. FYI ;)

InterRail is still valid in Greece (as well as for the ferries to/from Italy) but maybe think about an alternative route via Montenegro?

Ferry Bari - Bar, then some days in Montenegro and finally to Beograd and on to Istanbul... :)


Flo 8)

jojo_C
Traveller
2 comments

Thanks for your help Flo! Wanted to go to Greece for as i am a history geek since I was young but now might not be the best time!

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

Hello

Does anyone know the current situation in greece?

Grz; Paul

baobab
Traveller
128 comments

Like? There are no international trains, mainland trains run between main cities, bus services cover the rest.

Axxxxe
Traveller
8 comments

I was wandering if it's easy to find buses to Istanbul (from Pythion for example) and to Sofia (from Promachon or Strimon, for example), since it will be difficult to get an international train?

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

Hello everyone,

Would like to know what the situation is like with trains between istanbul, turkey to sofia, bulgaria; then from sofia, bulgaria to athens, greece. I will be there in the first part of august.

First, I have found information stating that I can easily buy tickets at the istanbul sirkeci station (ticket window 4), but I cannot book this ticket online. Does anyone consider this route still valid?

Next, I have been following this blog in regards to the sofia - athens night train which departs sofia at 1705 and arrives in athens at 0612, via thesaloniki. Is this train still valid or operating? I have found an alternate route by bus: www.tourist-service.com/?language=en&page=bus-tickets
We wanted to take the triple sleeper, so it would be cheaper per person if we took the train instead of the bus, but if there are no trains, maybe we will be forced to take the bus. Any input?
Also, if needed I speak Russian, with a small background in Serbian, cyrillic is no problem.

THank you, спасиба, хвала лепа,

-bARTOSZ kWASNIEWSKI

at_220
Traveller
1 comments

Regarding the bus, i find this www.crazy-holidays.gr/6F81E2EF.el.aspx, after a quick search. :)
They claim that they have daily routes to Istanbul from Thessaloniki one in the morning 10:00 and the night 22:00 and via versa. From Thessaloniki the basic ticket costs 45 euro. You can also reach Alexandroupoli by train and the same bus agent says they connect Alexandroupoli to Istanbul. The basic ticket costs 19 euro. they don't say time but its about 4 hours by bus (Thessaloniki-Alexandroupoli)
I think the second one is cheaper as the train tickets Thessaloniki to Alexanroupoli costs 14 or 19 euro(different trains)
check this www.ktel-thes.gr/index.php?Itemid=120&id=70&lang=el&option=com_content&task=view too
Hope i help for any questions let me know... :)

Amelia
Traveller
4 comments

Bus connection from Thessaloniki to Sofia -20 euro ( price with student discount ) , near the railway station. Reservation at the station.

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

At the time of posting, the Kosovo Railways website appears to think there's a double daily return from Skopje to Thessaloniki...!!!

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

There are plans to introduce new services Skopje - Thessaloniki indeed but they are reported to start in two months time the earliest.

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

[quote]There are plans to introduce new services Skopje - Thessaloniki indeed but they are reported to start in two months time the earliest.[/quote]
Oh that IS exciting! I may be able to include Greece into my plans! :D

Axxxxe
Traveller
8 comments

Any updates about this issue? There are really no international connection to/from Greece? :((

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

In fact there is a once weekly train Skopje - Thessaloniki. :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/skopje-to-thessaloniki[/u]

Apart from that, no more news as of now.

Barroman
Traveller
6 comments

Hi everyone! Does anyone know something about this issue? Is there any chance to have unblocked the international connections by next summer??

Thanks!

LaurenH
Traveller
1 comments

Hi, does anyone know if international train lines to and from Greece are still not operational? My friend and I are hoping to travel from Greece to hopefully Croatia (and back).

Thanks guys!

nltrainer
Traveller
1336 comments

IF there will be trains there will be an outcry, as the usual trainenthusiasts are just too enthusiastic to bypass such an event.For now: expect even more cancellations in the other counrties you have to pas by.

ascraeus
Traveller
34 comments

rumour has it that expeditions will be available after feb or march, anyone heard anything about that?

also
[u]http://www.trainose.gr/en/page/european-railways[/u]

no sign of cancellation is visible.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

There are currently still no international trains to/from Greece and I also did not hear any reliable information regarding the reintroduction of such trains.

However, there was a rumor that the train to Istanbul might run again some time soon, but no more information is available.
I could also imagine that some trains will be introduced at short notice in summer, as the once weekly Skopje - Thessaloniki train last year.

We can only wait... ;)

ascraeus
Traveller
34 comments

thanks dude. the things are terrible in turkey, as the railway is seperated from istanbul for nearly 2 years from now on.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hej,

yeah, I know...Marmary has a lot of (bad) influence on the trains around Istanbul... :'(

I have just returned from a short trip to Istanbul last week and am currently editing a blog post (which should be ready in about a week) about how to travel to/from Istanbul in summer. But, even though I have been there just about a week ago, some information I got is already outdated! :o

We are always curious about up to date train information about Turkey so if you have news to share... :)


Flo 8)

ascraeus
Traveller
34 comments

y i am preparing one for interior trains in turkey as well. peter told me about that, so far i've finished half of the expeditions. as you already said nearly all of them are cancelled for 2 years something.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Great! :)

ascraeus
Traveller
34 comments

btw I contemplated on the issue again and came up with an idea :(( but i am not sure whether it would cost too much.
What about taking suburb trains or busses through greece and then albania :?:
i know that interRail passes are not valid on railways in Albania, but taking a route from sofia and bulgaria would be boring or am i wrong about it :?: possible routes from Istanbul (sirkeci station) might be a direct train bound to sofia taking total at least 10 hours and another 9 hours to belgrade then another one of 8 hours to zagrep would be too catastrophic? as i have total time of 21 days, starting from istanbul ending the trip at milano. therefore I don't want to waste my time too much on trains :'( i wonder what's your idea about that :?: taking a whole train trip from turkey to budapest (taking too much time indeed) or taking a short cut directly to at least budapest or prague?
any help / idea is appreciated.

sincerely.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hej,

please open a new thread in the travel routes section if you want to discuss your personal travel route. ;)

Just some thoughts here:

a) If you want to go via Greece - (Macedonia) - Albania - Montenegro - (Bosnia-Hercegovina) - Croatia - Slovenia this would be certainly a great route but InterRail would make no sense. Just go with regular tickets en route.
b) With InterRail, it would make sense to go for instance Istanbul - Bucharest - Brasov - Budapest - Wien - Switzerland - Milano or Bucharest - Budapest - Belgrade - Ljubljana - (maybe Austria) - Milano or a combination of the two.

In general, you could plan with a week to get to Budapest, then another week to move along to the border of Italy and then would still have a week left for any other ideas. :)

> Further discussions in a new topic, thank you. ;)


Flo 8)

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

Hi,

Just wondering if the train from Skopje to Thessloniki still runs? I found one at 6:00 to 10:00, is that still running?

Thanks,
Shannon

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hi Shannon,

I assume you are talking about this connection by bus: [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/skopje-to-thessaloniki[/u]

Still no train service across Greek borders.


Flo 8)

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

Thanks. Does the interrail ticket cover the bus?

Do you know the best way to get from Croaitia to Athens? Is going through Thessloniki from Skopje the easiest way?

Shannon :)

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

The bus is not covered by IR.

The best way would be Zagreb - Belgrade - Skopje - Thessaloniki - Athens.
To get from Skopje to Athens you can either take the direct bus as mentioned above or travel by train to the border at Gevegelia [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail/skopje-to-gevgelija[/u] and then work you way across the border by taxi or minibus...definitely the more adventurous way to go! ;)
Gevgelija - Thessaloniki should be ~100€ by bus according to reports so depending on how many people are travelling with you it may be an interesting price.

anonymous
Traveller
2467 comments

Thanks very much Flo :)

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

You're welcome...dont forget to purchase your IR tickets via our partner - thank you! :)

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Good news! There will be trains from Thessaloniki to Skopje - Beograd and Sofia once again, starting on 9/10 May. Check the first post for further details. :)

TMTravelling
Traveller
2 comments

Hi you guys!

This is my first message here, but I've been following this discussion board (and railcc) for several years. I am currently in Thessaloniki, on board the new night train to Skopje and Belgrade, which is bound to leave in 20 minutes from now. Currently it consists of 4 coaches: a couchette coach which is only commercialised as CC6, 3 seating cars (one Greek, one Macedonian and one Serbian) all bound for Belgrade. A place in the couchette coach costs 8 euro. A reservation can be obtained at the ticket window in Thessaloniki and in the train, prices are equal. There are not yet a lot of passengers using the train, so chances are great you'll get a private compartment. Finally, there are two Serbian car coaches attached to the train, but I haven't seen any cars on them.

There is no restaurant car upon departure in Thessaloniki. If on the way any other coaches would be attached, I'll inform you further.

TMTravelling
Traveller
2 comments

Hi again,

About the new train from Sofia to Thessaloniki (which I took 3 days ago): it has 4 coaches departing from Sofia; 2 Bulgarian ending at Kulata and 2 Greek coaches ending at Thessaloniki. In Strimon (just across the border) they are attached to the train coming from Alexandropoulis. In this train part there is a buffet car. The part coming from Alexandropoulis continues to Athens. The coaches coming from Sofia are left behind at Thessaloniki.

There are only second class seating cars and it is not allowed to travel in the Thessaloniki-bound coaches between Sofia and Kulata unless you're continuing to Greece.

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Great, thank you for your impressions of the new trains! :)

paulinelefort
Traveller
1 comments

Hi,

You talk about the 'new' train from Sofia to Thessaloniki, it's this one : 15h20 Sofia --> 22h20 Thessaloniki ? With my boyfriend we have an interrail global pass, and I wonder if we have to make a reservation for this train ? Do you make it ? Thank you !

:D

Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

Hi!

As far as I know you do not a need a reservation for this train (yes its the one leaving at 1520). But you could just ask locally and in Sofia and then tell us about your experience, thank you.


Flo 8)

Roberto89
Traveller
9 comments

Hello,

I used the train from Thessaloniki (06h55) to Sofia with Interrail and I didnt buy a reservation. The conductor only wanted to see the Interrailpass ;)

Robert