A new chapter is opening for Thessaloniki’s public transportation system, as the long-awaited Metro extension to Kalamaria is officially being delivered on Thursday, August 27, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The inauguration ceremony is taking place at the Mikra station, with the five new stations set to open to passengers at 3:00 p.m. today.

The extension brings Kalamaria directly into Thessaloniki’s Metro network, significantly reducing travel times between the city center and its southeastern suburbs.

Five New Stations Open to Passengers

The Kalamaria extension adds five new stations to the network:

Nomarchia, Kalamaria, Aretsou, Nea Krini and Mikra.

The new branch will operate as an integrated part of the existing line connecting New Railway Station, Nea Elvetia and the Pylaia depot. The project received its final operating license after the successful completion of safety, infrastructure and systems certification procedures.

For thousands of residents in Kalamaria and the surrounding areas, the extension is expected to transform everyday commuting.

Kalamaria to Central Thessaloniki in Around 15 Minutes

One of the most significant benefits is the reduction in travel times.

The journey from Mikra to central Thessaloniki is expected to take around 15 minutes, while passengers will be able to travel from Mikra to the New Railway Station in approximately 25 minutes.

The extension is expected to provide a fast alternative to car and bus travel along some of the city’s busiest routes, while also helping reduce road congestion.

Mitsotakis Attends Opening Ceremony

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is attending the inauguration and is scheduled to address the ceremony at Mikra station.

The opening of the Kalamaria extension is one of the centerpiece infrastructure projects being highlighted by the government ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

Following the Metro ceremony, Mitsotakis is scheduled to meet New Democracy lawmakers from Thessaloniki before delivering a speech at an event on the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development – Northern Greece at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall.

Full Metro Timetable Returns

With the Kalamaria branch entering service, Thessaloniki Metro is also returning to its full operating schedule.

From Thursday, services will run from 5:15 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, while on Fridays and Saturdays trains will operate until 2:00 a.m.

Special arrangements have also been made for the Thessaloniki International Fair.

The Metro is scheduled to operate 24 hours a day on September 4–5 and September 11–12, helping accommodate the increased number of visitors expected in the city during TIF.

A Major Change for Kalamaria

The opening is about more than simply adding five stations to Thessaloniki’s transportation map.

For Kalamaria, the Metro creates a direct, rapid connection with central Thessaloniki and the western end of the existing line. Local authorities also see the project as an opportunity for wider urban regeneration around the new stations.

A key outstanding project is the extension and redevelopment of Pontou Street, which Kalamaria Mayor Chrysa Arapoglou has described as a “twin project” to the Metro extension.

A New Chapter for Thessaloniki

The opening of the Kalamaria extension marks another milestone in the development of Thessaloniki’s modern transportation network.

After years of construction and delays, the Metro is gradually changing the way residents move around Greece’s second-largest city.

From 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, that change reaches Kalamaria, with five new stations entering passenger service and thousands of residents gaining direct access to the city’s underground rail network.