Hellenic Train completely suspended all train services across Greece on Friday, October 30, 2026, with the sole exception of IC 57, which runs by bus. The midday update at 12:40 on the operator Important Updates page superseded the morning lists of specific cancellations drawn from the company notice of October 29, as reported by Agent News.
If you travel in Greece on October 30, re-time rail trips outside the two suburban windows and confirm ferry sailings before going to the port, because seafarers kept ships tied up for 24 hours at seven ports. For ferry terminals and booking contacts, see Athens to Hydra Ferry: Terminals, Booking and Return.
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At a Glance
- Date: Friday, October 30, 2026, with suburban rail cancellations in the windows 07:00 to 11:00 and 18:00 to 22:00.
- Rail: Hellenic Train completely suspended all train services on October 30 from its 12:40 update, except IC 57 by bus, after morning lists of specific cancellations.
- Airport link: Listed Piraeus Airport trains are cancelled in both windows, so allow another route to Athens International Airport.
- Ferries: A 24 hour seafarer strike affects Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Elefsina and Rio Antirrio, with revised late sailings on Crete routes.
- Action: Travel outside the windows where possible and confirm your exact train or sailing with the operator before departure.
Athens Airport Rail Cancellations October 30
The operator 12:40 update states that all train services are completely suspended on October 30, except IC 57 by bus, with a separate announcement on the bus replacement to follow. The morning notice had instead listed specific Piraeus Airport cancellations: trains 1204, 1210 and 1212 toward the airport and trains 1207 and 1209 from the airport in the morning window, then trains 1228, 1230, 1232 and 1234 toward the airport and trains 1233 and 1235 from the airport in the evening window.
The same two windows apply across the suburban network. Piraeus Kiato loses trains 1306, 1308 and 1310 plus trains 1305, 1307 and 1311 in the morning, then trains 1328, 2300 and 2302 plus trains 1327, 2301 and 2303 in the evening, according to Agent News reporting on the Hellenic Train notice.
Athens Chalkida loses trains 1538, 3536, 1535 and 3537 in the morning and trains 1556, 2530, 3555 and 1559 in the evening. Intercity cancellations name Athens Thessaloniki Athens trains 56 and 51 and Athens Lianokladi Athens trains 520 and 521.
Regional cancellations cover Thessaloniki Sindos, Thessaloniki Larissa, Thessaloniki Serres, Alexandroupoli Orminio, Agios Andreas Rio, Agios Andreas Kaminia and Kiato Aigio. Agent News notes that other staff hold four hour stoppages in the same morning and evening windows, and that Hellenic Train warns further cancellations may follow across the network.
Athens metro runs normally on October 30, according to Ethnos as cited in the same report, and the report found no strike notice for trams or buses. If you connect to a flight, use metro, road transport or a train outside the two windows, and recheck the operator notice before leaving, as listed in Athens Cruise Port Guide: Piraeus to the City for Piraeus area access.
Which Ferries Are Revised or Tied Up
Seafarers unions kept ferries tied up for 24 hours on October 30 at Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Elefsina and Rio Antirrio. The Crete services below are revised rather than fully cancelled, so do not assume every sailing is gone, as reported by Crete Tip with revised timetables.
ANEK Lines moved two Piraeus departures to 23:00 on Friday. Ariadni sails Piraeus to Heraklion with a Serifos call from 02:45 to 03:00 and arrival in Heraklion at 08:40 on Saturday, while Elyros sails Piraeus to Chania with a Milos call from 03:35 to 03:55 and arrival in Chania at 08:25.
Minoan Lines revised its Piraeus Milos Heraklion services in both directions. Kydon Palace leaves Piraeus at 23:00, calls at Milos from 03:00 to 03:20 and reaches Heraklion at 08:30, while Festos Palace leaves Heraklion at 21:00 on Friday, calls at Milos from 01:40 to 02:00 and reaches Piraeus at 06:30 on Saturday.
ANEK states that passengers on its two listed sailings do not need to change tickets. If you sail another route, confirm directly with the ferry company, since the ticket statement applies only to the ANEK sailings named here.
Other island routes face outright cancellations on October 30. Golden Star Ferries will not run the 07:50 Andros Queen sailing from Rafina to Andros, Tinos and Mykonos and back, while Naxos Times reports that Seajets Champion Jet 2 and Champion Jet 3 will not sail and that Superstar will not leave Rafina at 16:30 but leaves Mykonos at 13:00, though the Seajets company notice itself could not be checked.
Why Trains Stopped After Court Ruling
The train drivers union PEPEE called a 24 hour strike for October 30 over traffic safety, train and facility conditions, staff shortages, driver training and working and rest hours, citing 20 resignations of new drivers. Hellenic Train took the strike to court, and the Single Member Court of First Instance of Piraeus ruled it unlawful over procedure for designating staff and the reasons given.
The railway workers federation POS then called a new 24 hour strike for the same day. Hellenic Train says POS acted without the procedures and deadlines the law requires, and Efsyn and iefimerida report the company views it as an attempt to bypass the court ruling.
This sequence matters because early reports split between no trains at all and only specific cancellations. The operator midday update resolves the conflict for October 30: complete suspension except IC 57 by bus, so do not rely on any listed train running today.
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Piraeus Port Access on October 30
Port access around Piraeus faces overlapping stoppages on October 30. The Federation of Permanent Employees of Greek Ports announced a three hour stoppage from 10:00 to 13:00, while the Piraeus Labour Centre organised a 24 hour strike with a gathering at 10:00 in Municipal Theatre Square.
Seafarer demands behind the ferry tie up include a 12 percent rise in collective agreements, better crew staffing, a seven hour working day and doctors aboard ships. They also seek recognition of dangerous maritime areas as war zones amid armed conflict risks.
Allow extra time for Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio port approaches, keep onward transport flexible for late Saturday arrivals from Crete, and check the ship timetable on the day. Where to Stay in Athens guidance can help if a late arrival forces an overnight stay, as listed at Where to Stay in Athens: 6 Areas Compared.
Decision Matrix
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Ride Piraeus Airport rail on October 30 in the morning or evening | Avoid the 07:00 to 11:00 and 18:00 to 22:00 windows or switch to metro or road transport to Athens International Airport. |
| Hold an Intercity ticket for Athens Thessaloniki trains 56 or 51 | Contact Hellenic Train about rebooking, since both trains are cancelled on October 30 and more cancellations may follow. |
| Sail ANEK Ariadni or Elyros from Piraeus on October 30 | Keep your ticket and board for the revised 23:00 departure, then expect Saturday morning arrival in Heraklion or Chania. |
| Sail another Greek ferry route on October 30 | Confirm the exact sailing with the ferry company before going to Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio or the other named ports. |
Planning Impact
October 30 midday update is the first gate. All trains are completely suspended from the 12:40 operator update except IC 57 by bus, so switch to metro or road transport for airport trips.
October 31 bus replacements are the second gate. Cancelled trains 11530, 1531 and 2539 run by Hellenic Train buses on Saturday, with Oinoi boarding 500 meters before the station, so follow the bus stops.
October 30 port day is the third gate. Ferries face a 24 hour stoppage with late revised Crete departures, so confirm sailing times and keep Saturday arrival plans flexible.
Frequently Asked
Are all Hellenic Train services cancelled on October 30?
Yes, under the operator 12:40 update, with one exception. All train services are completely suspended except IC 57, which runs by bus, so check the bus replacement details rather than any train time.
Which Athens airport trains are cancelled on October 30?
Listed Piraeus Airport trains are cancelled in the morning and evening windows, including 1204, 1210, 1212, 1207 and 1209 in the morning and 1228, 1230, 1232, 1234, 1233 and 1235 in the evening.
Do I need to change my ANEK ticket for October 30?
No, for the two listed ANEK sailings only. Ariadni and Elyros leave Piraeus at 23:00 with Saturday arrivals, and ANEK says no ticket change is needed for these sailings.
Are ferries running normally to Crete on October 30?
No. Ferries face a 24 hour stoppage at seven ports, but ANEK and Minoan run revised late sailings on the listed Piraeus Crete services, so confirm your ship before travel.
