Athens Metro Line 3 closures: Which stations close early?

Which Athens Metro Line 3 stations will close early?

Six specific stations on Line 3 will experience early closures to facilitate track replacement works. According to STASY, these stations will cease operations at 21:40, which is two and a half hours ahead of their standard closing times. This adjustment is necessary to allow technical crews to perform critical maintenance on the rail infrastructure.

The affected stations are:

• Panormou
• Katechaki
• Ethniki Amyna
• Cholargos
• Nomismatokopeio
• Agia Paraskevi

These closures are scheduled to take place during two distinct periods: from Sunday, October 11, to Thursday, October 15, 2026, and again from Sunday, October 18, to Thursday, October 22, 2026. During these windows, the technical works will focus on the segment between Ampelokipoi and Chalandri. The works involve the replacement of tracks, a vital procedure to ensure the long-term safety and efficiency of the Line 3 service. By performing these replacements during night-time hours, STASY aims to minimize the impact on daytime passenger volumes, though the early closures will necessitate significant adjustments for evening commuters.

How will train schedules change during the construction period?

Train movements on Line 3 will be restricted to specific segments during the work hours. While the stations mentioned above close early, service will continue on the remaining parts of the line. Specifically, service will continue between the 'Dimotiko Theatro – Ampelokipoi' section and the 'Chalandri – D. Plakentias – Airport' section.

This means that while the central part of the affected segment is undergoing maintenance, the ends of the line will remain operational, albeit with a gap in service that passengers must bridge. The restriction to these segments is designed to isolate the work area, ensuring that the track replacement can proceed without interference from active train movements in the immediate vicinity of the construction zone. This isolation is critical for the safety of the technical crews working on the rails during the night-time windows.

Last train departure times

Commuters must note the specific departure times for the final trains before the station closures take effect. To avoid being stranded, passengers should refer to the following schedule, which outlines the final departures from various stations before the 21:40 maintenance window begins.

Direction: Towards Doussis Plakentias

For those traveling in the opposite direction, the final departures towards Dimotiko Theatro are scheduled as follows:

What is the impact on airport connectivity?

Travelers heading to or from the airport will face significant changes to their routes. The final trains connecting the city center to the airport will depart earlier than usual to accommodate the maintenance window, which could impact those with late-night flights or arrivals.

According to the STASY update, the last trains from Dimotiko Theatro to the Airport will depart at 21:06, while the last train from the Airport to Dimotiko Theatro will depart at 21:10. Once technical works commence at 21:40, the airport service will operate on a shuttle basis between Chalandri and the Airport. This ensures that the airport remains connected to the metro network, even if the direct route through the closed stations is unavailable.

Airport shuttle details

During the construction period, trains destined for the airport will depart from Chalandri at 22:20, 22:56, and 23:32. Conversely, trains arriving from the airport will terminate their journey at Chalandri at 21:46, 22:22, 22:58, and 23:34. Passengers must plan their transfers at Chalandri carefully to ensure they reach their final destinations, as the shuttle service operates on a fixed, limited schedule compared to standard operations. This shuttle mechanism is the primary way for airport travelers to bypass the construction zone between Chalandri and the airport segment.

How can passengers navigate the closures using OASA services?

To mitigate the impact on commuters, OASA has introduced an emergency bus line, Line X20, to connect the closed stations. This service operates from Sunday to Thursday, starting at 21:40 and running until the end of the Metro's standard operating hours. The line is intended to provide a continuous surface link for those who would otherwise be unable to travel between the affected zones.

The X20 line serves as a vital link between the Ampelokipoi and Chalandri stations, passing through all the closed metro stops. This ensures that even though the underground service is suspended, a surface alternative remains available for those traveling through the affected zone, maintaining a level of connectivity throughout the night.

X20 Bus Route and Stops

The bus route has been designed to mirror the metro line's path through the construction area, ensuring maximum coverage for affected passengers. In the direction of Ampelokipoi to Chalandri, the stops include:

• Ampelokipoi (Temporary starting point on Panormou Street, between Alexandras and Vatopediou)
• Panormou (Existing stop)
• Katechaki (Existing stop)
• Ethniki Amyna (Existing stop)
• Cholargos (Existing stop)
• Nomismatokopeio (Existing stop)
• Agia Paraskevi (Existing stop)
• Chalandri (Existing stop)

For the return journey from Chalandri to Ampelokipoi, the bus follows the same sequence of existing stops, eventually reaching a temporary drop-off point at Ampelokipoi on Alexandras Avenue, located approximately 20 meters before the traffic light. This temporary arrangement is designed to facilitate the movement of passengers as closely as possible to the metro station access points.

FAQ: Athens Metro Line 3 service changes

Which stations are affected by the early closures?

The stations Panormou, Katechaki, Ethniki Amyna, Cholargos, Nomismatokopeio, and Agia Paraskevi will all close at 21:40. This is 2.5 hours earlier than their standard operating hours during the maintenance periods in October 2026.

When are these service changes taking place?

The disruptions occur during two weekly windows: from October 11 to October 15, and from October 18 to October 22, 2026. These changes apply to night-time operations from Sunday through Thursday during these specific dates.

Is there a replacement for the metro during these hours?

Yes, OASA is operating an emergency bus line, X20, to assist passengers. This bus runs between Ampelokipoi and Chalandri, stopping at all the metro stations that have been closed due to the track replacement works.

How does the maintenance affect airport travelers?

Airport service will be restricted to a shuttle between Chalandri and the Airport after 21:40. Travelers should note the earlier final departures from the city center and ensure they allow extra time for the shuttle connection at Chalandri.

Where is the temporary bus stop in Ampelokipoi?

The temporary drop-off point for the X20 bus in Ampelokipoi is located on Alexandras Avenue, approximately 20 meters before the traffic light. The starting point for the opposite direction is on Panormou Street, between Alexandras and Vatopediou.

Key takeaways

• Six Line 3 stations will close early at 21:40 during October 2026 maintenance.
• Affected stations include Panormou, Katechaki, Ethniki Amyna, Cholargos, Nomismatokopeio, and Agia Paraskevi.
• OASA emergency bus Line X20 will connect Ampelokipoi and Chalandri.
• Airport services will operate as a shuttle between Chalandri and the Airport after 21:40.

Conclusion

The scheduled track replacement works on Athens Metro Line 3 represent a significant but necessary maintenance phase for the city's transport infrastructure. While the early closure of six key stations and the adjustment of airport connections will cause temporary inconvenience, the implementation of the X20 emergency bus service by OASA aims to maintain connectivity for commuters. Passengers are strongly advised to review the specific departure times for the final trains and the shuttle schedules to ensure smooth travel during the two-week period in October 2026.