The Pelion Train, a mythical route

From Thursday, September 19, 2024 and until further notice, the operation of the Pelion Train is temporarily suspended.

10 o'clock at the station of Ano Lechonia. The train of Pelion whistles playfully, signaling the start of an unforgettable route.

The ascent to the beautiful slopes of Pelion up to Milies begins! One of the narrowest railway lines in the world (60 cm) houses the 4 wagons of "Moutzouris", as the train of Pelion was once called, because of the steam and the smoke it left in its passage. From Ano Lechonia to Milies the route is mountainous, crossing the verdant slopes and the dense vegetation of plane trees and oaks.

The only stop of the train is for just 15 minutes, in Ano Gatzea, to continue "puffing" and rocking its wagons, for a journey of a total length of 15 kilometers and a duration of about 90 minutes. Up to the historic village of Milea, the route is filled with images of rich nature and architecture; with old but intricate constructions of carved marble and gray limestone that formed the supports, arched bridges, arches and gables of the tunnels.

A special example is the five-arched stone bridge Kalorema, in the area of ​​Malaki. Approaching Milies, the landscape acquires a wild beauty, especially at the crossing of the large metal bridge of Taxiarchis or De Chirico, the name of its designer, father of the great painter. At this point, the train will roll in a curved line, while the bridge on which it is located is straight.

Milea station is also the end of the route. The picturesque cobbled path that leads to the center of the village begins here. Traditional guesthouses, taverns, the church of Taxiarches -built before 1741-, the folklore museum and the library, one of the oldest in Greece, await visitors for a tour. The most picturesque railway line in Greece will be admired once again on the same day, returning from Milies to Ano Lechonia at 3 in the afternoon.

Enjoy  the green mountain of Centaurs

Access Ano Lechonia – Milies

The access to the railway station Ano Lechonia,12 km away from Volos, is made from the road to Kala Nera, by the city bus no.5 of the line Volos - Lechonia - Platanidia that stops 50 meters away from the station, but also by car , as there is a large car park in front of the station. There are brown station signs on the adjacent road.

Road access to Milea station is possible only by car and there are limited parking spaces in the area of ​​the station, the direction of which is indicated by a brown sign on the road leading to Milies.

About its history...

The historic train that used to cover the distance Volos - Milies, ran on the railway whose construction began in 1892, with the first section to Lechonia, to be finally delivered in 1896. The rest of the section to Milies was built later, to be put into operation in 1903.

Evaristo de Chirico, father of the famous painter Giorgio de Chirico, who was born in Volos, supervised the construction of the railway network.

In the construction of the network, young De Chirico was there, observing the medium that would later inspire and consistently accompany his creations.

Itineraries – Tickets – Information

From Thursday the 19th of September 2024 and until further notice, the train service on the Pilion will be cancelled.

The train departs from Ano Lechonia station at 10:00 am and from Milies station at 15:00, with a 15-minute stop in Ano Gatzea, in both directions of the itinerary.

Standard single journey ticket costs 10€ and return journey ticket costs 18€.

Children single journey ticket costs 6€ and return journey ticket costs 10€  (4 to 12 years old).

• Tickets can be issued in all physical sale points of Hellenic Train and online, via Hellenic Train website: tickets.hellenictrain.gr  as well as through the mobile ticketing application, available for iOS and Android mobile and tables, up and until 10′ minutes before the departure of the train.   

• Standard single journey (10€) and children single journey (6€) tickets can also be purchased from the train crew (payment in cash).

For information on group travel, train chartering, railway tourism issues & promotion and development of the Pelion train in general, you may  send email at traveloffice@hellenictrain.gr (08:30-15:30 Monday to Friday).

Special phone line for tourist trains 

Diakopto - Kalavryta (Rack Rail)

Ano Lechonia - Milies (Pelion Train)

Katakolo - Olympia (Ancient Olympia)

You may call +30 2130121010 (07:00-21:00 Monday to Sunday)