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Athens is preparing for major traffic disruption as road closures and restrictions take effect across the wider Attica region ahead of the 43rd Authentic Athens Marathon, with motorists and public transportation passengers facing changes from Thursday, November 5, through Monday, November 9.

The measures will be introduced in stages, affecting major roads in central Athens, the marathon route from Marathon to the city center, and several public transportation services. Authorities are urging residents and visitors to plan their journeys in advance.

The races begin on Saturday, November 7, with 1,200-meter events for children, people with disabilities and Special Olympics athletes, running from 4 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Herodou Attikou Street, finishing at the Panathenaic Stadium.

The 5-kilometer race and the Universities Night Run will follow from 5 p.m. to 9:10 p.m., starting on Vasilissis Amalias Avenue at Syntagma Square and finishing at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Sunday, November 8, will see the 10-kilometer race take place from 8 a.m. to 10:10 a.m., followed by the main marathon, which will run from 8:30 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. The 42.195-kilometer route begins in the town of Marathon and finishes in central Athens.

Road closures from Thursday through Sunday

The first restrictions came into effect at 8 a.m. on Thursday and will remain in place until 8 a.m. on Monday, November 9.

Traffic and parking are prohibited along the entire length of Herodou Attikou Street, on the section of Vasileos Georgiou II Avenue between Rigillis Street and Herodou Attikou, and around the Discobolus Statue Square.

From 3 p.m. on Friday, November 6, until 10 p.m. on Sunday, traffic will also be suspended on Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue and Ardittou Street in the direction of Evangelismos, as well as along the entire length of Markou Mousourou Street.

On Saturday, November 7, Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Ardittou Street and Vasilissis Olgas Avenue will be completely closed from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m., successive traffic restrictions will also affect sections of Vasilissis Sofias, Rizari, Akadimias, Vasilissis Amalias, Syngrou, Stadiou and Panepistimiou avenues. Parking and stopping will be prohibited along the entire race route from Saturday morning.

Major closures along the marathon route on Sunday

The most extensive restrictions will be imposed on Sunday, when the main marathon takes place.

Marathonos Avenue will be closed in sections from 5 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Mesogeion Avenue will also be closed in stages, from the Stavros junction in Agia Paraskevi to Katechaki and then toward Athens Tower.

Other major roads that will be closed include Vasilissis Amalias, Vasilissis Sofias, Vasileos Konstantinou, Syngrou, Feidippidou and Michalakopoulou avenues.

Traffic restrictions will also affect sections of Kifisias and Alexandras avenues around the Panormou junction.

Alternative routes for drivers

The Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) has recommended alternative routes to help motorists avoid the affected areas.

Drivers traveling from central Athens toward Zografou, Pagrati, Kaisariani and Vyronas should use Alexandras Avenue, Panormou, Kifisias and Katechaki.

For journeys in the opposite direction, the recommended route is via Olof Palme Street, Kokkinopoulou Street, Katechaki, Kifisias, Panormou and Alexandras avenues.

Those traveling from the city center toward the southern suburbs should use Pireos Street, Chamosternas, Syngrou Avenue and Poseidonos Avenue, or alternatively Kallirois and Vouliagmenis avenues.

Drivers traveling from Rafina port toward Athens should use Artemidos, Karamanli and Spaton avenues, connecting with Lavriou Avenue.

For journeys from Marathon toward the northern suburbs and Piraeus, the recommended route runs via Dimokratias Street, Limni Marathonos Avenue, Kryoneri and Kifisou Avenue.

Public transportation changes

The marathon-related restrictions will also affect buses, trolleybuses and tram services.

Tram Line T6 will temporarily terminate at Fix station throughout the period of the traffic measures.

From 1 p.m. on Saturday until 9 p.m. on Sunday, bus routes 060, 314, 314B, 314G, 406, 407, 416 and 418, as well as route A5, will be suspended entirely.

Other bus and trolleybus services will operate with modified routes and temporary changes to their terminal stops. The affected services include bus route 550 and routes 209, 2, 4, 10 and 11.

Marathon information and assistance

Members of the public seeking clarification about the traffic measures can contact the Marathon Operations Center during the following hours:

  • Saturday, November 7: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 8: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The center can be reached at 210 8708 237, 210 8708 238 and 210 8708 239.