The northern Greek city of Florina is once again accessible by train, marking the end of a three-year suspension in rail service and raising hopes for increased tourism and regional connectivity.
Located in Western Macedonia, just 13km south of Greece’s border with North Macedonia, Florina is the capital of the regional unit and home to more than 17,000 residents, including a large student population. It is also the gateway to the Prespa Lakes, situated at the tri-border area of North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece.
A successful test run from Edessa to Florina was completed this week in the presence of Alternate Infrastructure and Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis, and officials from OSE and Hellenic Train. The trial paves the way for the full reopening of the line, reconnecting Florina to the national railway network.
The return of rail services has been warmly welcomed by local communities along the route, including Amyntaio, Agras, Arnisa, Vegoritida, Vevi, Mesonisi, and Xino Nero.
The Platy-Edessa-Florina line will initially operate twice daily, significantly improving access to Western Macedonia, one of Greece’s least connected regions in terms of public transport. The single-track railway spans approximately 219km, with trains reaching speeds of up to 100km/h on upgraded sections.
Kyranakis described the reopening as “a very optimistic day for the Greek railway”, highlighting both the scenic value of the route and its potential to attract visitors.
“We are reopening the line to Florina after three years of inactivity. It’s a beautiful route, worth experiencing for both the public and tourists,” he said.
By the end of May, twice daily, two-way services will be in full operation, with the possibility of adding a third if demand increases. In addition, a new geolocation system will be introduced in the coming month, enabling real-time updates on train arrivals, delays, and operational safety alerts for both passengers and the OSE Control Center, Kyranakis said.
