How will public transport be affected during the marathon?
STASY is significantly enhancing Metro services to accommodate the influx of participants and spectators during the marathon weekend. To ensure efficient movement, the operator is increasing the frequency of trains on three major lines. Specifically, three additional trains will be deployed on Metro Line 1 (ISAP), Line 2, and Line 3 throughout Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Metro and Tram availability
Commuters should note that Metro Lines 2 and 3, along with the Tram network, will operate on a 24-hour basis during the night from Saturday to Sunday. Metro Line 1 (ISAP) is scheduled to begin its service at 05:00 on Sunday morning. However, there are specific changes to the Tram service: on Tram Line 6 (Pikrodaphni – Syntagma), all services will terminate at the 'Fix' station from 12:00 on Saturday until 22:00. During this period, the stops at Syntagma, Zappeion, and Leoforos Vouliagmenis will not be serviced.
What are the major road closures on Saturday, November 7?
Extensive road closures and parking prohibitions will be implemented on Saturday to prepare for the event. The most significant disruptions involve the total cessation of vehicle traffic, including bicycles and electric scooters, on several key arteries in central Athens.
Between 14:00 and 22:30 on Saturday, the following areas will see a complete halt in traffic:
- Leoforos Vas. Konstantinou (entire length, both directions) and its immediate parallel streets.
- Arditou (entire length, both directions) and its immediate parallel streets.
- Leoforos Vas. Olga (entire length, both directions).
Additionally, from 14:00 to 21:00 on Saturday, traffic will be suspended on Leoforos Vas. Sofias (between Vas. Amalias and Zacharoff), Rizari (between Vas. Sofias and Vas. Konstantinou), Vas. Georgiou II (between Vas. Konstantinou and Rigillis), Meleagrou, Kleanthous, Akadimia, Leoforos Vas. Amalias, Leoforos Syngrou, Athanasiou Diakou, Ilioupolis, Kareas, Filellinon, and Stadiou. The entire length of Leoforos Vas. Georgiou A' will also be closed to traffic from 14:00 to 21:00.
Parking and stopping restrictions on Saturday
Beyond total closures, several streets will face strict prohibitions on stopping and parking from 09:00 on Saturday until 19:30 on Sunday. These include:
- Leoforos Mesogeion (from Kanellopoulou to Feidippidou).
- Leoforos Vas. Sofia (entire length).
- Leoforos Vas. Konstantinou (entire length).
- Arditou and Michalakopoulou (section between Mesogeion and Feidippidou).
- Feidippidou (section from Vas. Sofia to Michalakopoulou).
- Platia Panathinaikou Stadio, Efouriou, and Eratossthenous.
- Leoforos Syngrou (section between Amalias and Avraam Frantzi).
- Athanasiou Diakou and Rizari.
- Leoforos Vas. Amalias, Eleftheriou Venizelou (Panepistimio), Akadimia, and Charilaou Trikoupi.
How will traffic be managed on Sunday, November 8?
Sunday's traffic management focuses on the race itself and the immediate aftermath of the marathon. The most critical closure on Sunday morning is the total suspension of traffic on Leoforos Vas. Georgiou A' from 04:00 until 13:00.
The marathon route itself requires specialized lane management. On Leoforos Marathonos, between Marathonomachon and Leoforos Kato Souliou, the following rules apply from 05:00 to 07:30:
- The left lane of the inbound flow (towards Athens) will be reserved for athlete transport buses (contraflow).
- The right lane of the inbound flow will be reserved exclusively for organizers, accredited vehicles, and emergency services.
- A maximum speed limit of 30 km/h will be enforced in both directions.
Furthermore, between 05:00 and 09:00, both lanes of Leoforos Kato Souliou (towards Leoforos Marathonos) will serve as a contraflow lane for athlete transport buses, directed from Marathonos towards Agia Marina. On Agia Preskevi, the section between Archias and Agia Pantelaimona will also operate as a contraflow lane toward Agia Pantelaimona.
Long-term road restrictions
Some restrictions will persist throughout much of the day on Sunday. The road Archimedes, specifically the section between P. Plastira and M. Mousourou, will remain closed to all vehicles, including bicycles and electric scooters, from 05:00 until 19:30 on Sunday, November 8. This follows a similar closure on Saturday that began at 08:00.
What should commuters be aware of regarding parking?
Commuters must be particularly cautious regarding the Archimedes street restriction, which is one of the longest-running prohibitions. Parking and stopping are banned on the section of Archimedes between Plastira Square and Mousourou Street from 06:00 on Saturday, November 7, until 19:30 on Sunday, November 8. This suggests that any vehicles parked in this area before the event begins must be moved well in advance to avoid penalties or towing.
FAQ: 43rd Authentic Marathon Athens
What time does the Metro start on Sunday?
Metro Line 1 (ISAP) begins its operations at 05:00 on Sunday, November 8, 2026. However, Lines 2 and 3, as well as the Tram, will have operated on a 24-hour basis throughout the night from Saturday to Sunday to assist with marathon-related travel.
Will the Tram service be normal on Saturday?
No, Tram Line 6 (Pikrodaphni – Syntagma) will be modified on Saturday. From 12:00 until 22:00, all services will terminate at the 'Fix' station. This means the Syntagma, Zappeion, and Leoforos Vouliagmenis stops will not be available to passengers during this window.
Are bicycles and electric scooters allowed on closed roads?
No, the traffic prohibitions specifically include bicycles and electric scooters (E.P.H.O.). On streets where traffic is suspended, such as Leoforos Vas. Georgiou A' or the section of Archimedes street, all forms of personal mobility vehicles are prohibited during the specified hours.
Is there a speed limit during the race?
Yes, a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h will be enforced in both directions on Leoforos Marathonos between Marathonomachon and Leoforos Kato Souliou from 05:00 to 07:30 on Sunday morning.
How can I avoid the heaviest traffic on Saturday?
To avoid the most significant disruptions, commuters should avoid central Athens between 14:00 and 22:30 on Saturday, as many major streets like Leoforos Vas. Konstantinou and Leoforos Vas. Olga will be completely closed to all vehicle traffic.
Key takeaways
- STASY is adding three extra trains to Metro Lines 1, 2, and 3 for the marathon weekend.
- Tram Line 6 will terminate at 'Fix' station from 12:00 to 22:00 on Saturday.
- Major central roads, including Vas. Konstantinou and Vas. Olga, face total closures on Saturday afternoon.
- A 30 km/h speed limit applies to Leoforos Marathonos during the early Sunday race hours.
Navigating the marathon weekend
The 43rd Authentic Marathon Athens presents a complex logistical challenge for anyone traveling through the capital. While the increased Metro frequency and 24-hour service on select lines provide much-needed relief, the extensive network of road closures and parking bans requires careful planning. Residents and visitors should prioritize public transport, particularly the Metro, to circumvent the widespread prohibitions on cars, bicycles, and electric scooters. By understanding the specific timings of these restrictions, commuters can minimize delays and navigate the city effectively during this major sporting event.
