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| My Favourite Planet > English > Europe > Greece > Thrace > Alexandroupoli |
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| Alexandroupoli, Greece |
How to get to Alexandroupoli |
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page 4 |
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The Saos II ferry for Samothraki in Alexandroupoli harbour. |
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Alexandroupoli is the most important transport hub in Thrace, and most visitors are passing through on their way to and from local destinations and the Turkish and Bulgarian borders beyond.
You can get there by bus from Athens, Thessaloniki and Kavala, and by train from Thessaloniki in the west or Dikea on the Bulgarian border to the north. Buses are more frequent and usually cheaper and faster. You can also fly there on a domestic flight from Athens or Sitia (Crete).
Alexandroupoli railway station is right next to the ferry port and 10-15 minutes walk to the KTEL inter-city bus station in the city centre. From the airport, 7 km east of the centre, it takes less than 30 minutes by bus or taxi.
The new A2 (E90) "Egnatia Odos" motorway runs across northern Greece, from Epirus in the west to the Turkish border and on to Istanbul. There are exits very close to Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupoli. It makes the journey much easier for motorists, but there are tolls. The old toll-free National Road EO2, which covers approximately the same route, is a lot slower, but perhaps more interesting.
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Please note: Due to Greece's economic crisis, information about
fares, prices, timetables, opening times, etc. is changing continually.
Many tourist information offices have been closed, and many
official websites offer no indication of these changes.
Below is the most up-to-date information we have been able to find.
If you have any more information you would like to share, please
get in contact. |
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The symbol of
East Macedonia
and Thrace |
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Alexandroupoli
transport |
By air |
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Alexandroupoli International Airport
Alexandroupolis "Democritus" International Airport
(Κρατικός Αερολιμένας 'Δημόκριτος'),
Alexandroupolis, Thrace.
7 km east of the city centre, near Apalos village.
Tel: +30 25510 89300
Website: www.alxd.gr
IATA code: AXD
If you can find a flight to the small state-run airport, it is conveniently located for travelling on to places in Thrace, Samothraki island, southern Bulgaria and northwestern Turkey. Istanbul is 5 hours away by road.
There are regular flights to/from Athens as well as flights to/from Sitia and Heraklion in Crete (April-September).
In summer there are also flights to and from Germany and Russia.
For information about other airports (Athens, Thessaloniki, Kavala),
see How to get to Macedonia, Greece.
Transport to/from the airport
There are regular local buses (see below) between the city centre to the airport.
Buses are more frequent on weekdays (starting at 5:45)
than on Saturdays and Sundays.
The last bus is at 21:15 every day.
The normal fare is 1.10 Euros.
Hourly KTEL inter-city buses (see below) between Alexandroupoli and Orestiada stop in front of the airport.
Taxi to/from Alexandroupoli takes around 10-15 minutes and costs around 15 Euros.
Flights to/from Athens
There are 6 daily flights to/from Athens
(Friday 7, Saturday 5).
Flights operated by: aegeanair.com olympicair.com
Both websites, in Greek and English, offer the same flights and prices.
One-way fares typically 55 - 120 Euros.
Journey time 1 hour 5 minutes.
Flights to/from Crete
Flights to/from Sitia in eastern Crete, Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday (April-September).
Some flights to Sitia continue to Heraklion, the capital
of Crete, in the centre of the island's north coast.
Flights operated by Sky Express: www.skyexpress.gr
(Greek and English)
Small propeller-driven planes (30-46 passengers).
One-way fares typically 130 Euros to/from Heraklion.
Journey time 1 hour 45 minutes.
There are no fixed fares for flights to/from Athens or Crete;
the earlier you book the cheaper the ticket.
Book early for flights in summer and around bank holidays. |
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Alexandroupoli
transport |
Local transport |
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The office of Astiko KTEL for local buses, opposite Alexandroupoli railway station (see below).
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Local buses
Urban KTEL of Evros, Alexandroupoli
(Άστικό ΚΤΕΛ Ν. Έβρου, Astiko KTEL South Evrou)
Tel: +30 25510 28844
Local blue and white buses run around the city, to the suburbs, nearby villages and the airport,
and along the coast to beaches (see page 5: Sightseeing).
The bus station for local buses is at Plateia Eleftherias,
outside the train station, just to the east of the ferry port,
with bus stops all over town.
The area covered by local buses is divided into 3 fare zones:
A, B and C.
C is the furthest away from the city centre and more expensive.
The range of fares is between 1.10 and 2.00 Euros,
with discounts for students and other groups.
Routes, schedules and fares in Greek and English: www.astikoktel.gr/en-us/home.aspx
A bus route map would be a useful addition to the website. |
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A local Astiko KTEL bus. |
Taxis
Until recently, the general rule of thumb for taxis in Greek cities was that they cost 1 Euro per kilometre. However, due to the Greek economic crisis, fares are bound to increase. Taxis beyond the city limits and late at night are usually more expensive.
In order to avoid nasty shocks, ask the driver, the taxi company telephonist or your hotel receptionist the price to your destination in advance.
Still, taxis in Greece are good value, especially if you are in a hurry, there are two or more of you or if you have a lot of luggage.
Some hotels arrange guaranteed prices with taxi companies for their guests.
Telephone numbers for Alexandroupoli taxis:
+30 25510 22000, +30 25510 27770, +30 25510 27200,
+30 25510 28358, +30 25510 28484, +30 25510 27700 |
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A taxi at Alexandroupoli ferry port. |
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Alexandroupoli
transport |
By bus |
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The KTEL Evrou inter-city bus station in Alexandroupoli. |
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KTEL Evrou inter-city bus station Alexandroupoli |
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Alexandroupoli KTEL Evrou inter-city bus station is in the town centre,
5 blocks north of the waterfront,
10-15 minutes walk from the ferry port and train station.
Odos Eleftheriou Venizelou 36 (corner of Leoforos 14th Maiou),
68100 Alexandroupoli.
A typical, old-fashioned provincial Greek bus station. Still very 1970s.
Not very charming, unless you are a transport-nostalgia fan. Basic ticket windows, snack bar and toilets. The staff are helpful and friendly.
The KTEL Evrou website has little information. The timetables were last updated in 2013. Fare information, in the form of official Greek documents, only available as PDF downloads. |
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KTEL Evrou bus company
Ticket office:
+30 25510 26479
www.ktelevrou.gr
(Greek only) |
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At time of writing it is difficult (nigh impossible) to find up-to-date information about bus services from Alexandroupoli to Bulgaria and Turkey and other international destinations.
There are said to be daily buses to and from Bulgaria and Turkey, run by various companies, but reliable details are scarce.
For trustworthy information about buses between Turkey and Greece, see Tom Brosnahan's excellent Turkey Travel Planner website:
www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/bus_ist_athens.html |
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Inter-city buses in Greece are operated by various regional KTEL bus companies. There is almost no interaction between the companies, and often a bus station or information office run by one company (for example KTEL Macedonia in Thessaloniki) can not provide information about the services of another. Many websites for local KTEL companies are in Greek only, and even then the information is often incorrect or out-of-date. The national KTEL website is now dead, and there is only a telephone service for which there is a charge.
Tickets for inter-city buses can be bought at bus stations, or from the driver if you board the bus from a bus stop along the route. Tickets can not usually be bought in advance or online.
When you buy a ticket you are usually assigned a seat number.
TIP: If you want to enjoy the view out of the window, try to get a seat on the non-sunny-side of the bus (e.g. north; takes some figuring out, and depends on direction of travel and time of day), otherwise the person in the next seat may insist on closing the curtain.
There are usually more buses in summer than in winter.
Although long distances buses should have toilets, often they are "out of order". The buses usually stop for breaks every couple of hours, depending on routes. Ask about the breaks, and complain about bad service - in writing. We are not sure if it will make a difference, but it is worth trying.
Many of the buses travelling between Alexandroupoli and towns to the west (Komotini, Xanthi, Kavala, Thessaloniki) now use the A2 (E90) "Egnatia Odos" motorway (see below) and do not stop at towns or villages along the way. |
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Inter-city bus fares across Greece are continually increasing. Ticket prices quoted here are the most up-to-date we could find (latest update June 2019), but may have changed again by the time you read this.
Bus tickets For some inexplicable reason, many bus stations will not sell tickets in advance, only on the day of travel. Where you board a bus at a roadside stop, you can buy a ticket either from the driver or a conductor.
Discounts on return tickets are offered by some bus companies on some routes.
Where online tickets are available they may be a little cheaper, but many bus company websites are in Greek only and online translations are often inaccurate.
Be sure to ask the price of a single and return fare ("allez-retour"), especially if you are buying a ticket on the bus itself. Some bus drivers and conductors may charge you for a return ticket if you do not specify you only want a single!
Fare reductions on some buses for:
students (25%), people wth special needs (50%), soldiers (25%), families (50%), social tourism workers, groups (by arangement).
Appropriate ID or documentation is required. |
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Waiting passengers and the ticket windows in the KTEL Evrou inter-city bus station, Alexandroupoli.
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Buses to / from Athens
In Athens, buses to/from destinations in northern Greece, depart and arrive
at the Kifissou Street KTEL Bus Station, also known as Terminal A.
KTEL Kifissou, 100 Odos Kifisou, Kifissos, 104 42 Athens.
Ticket office: +30 2310 595439
Terminal A is quite distance from Athens centre. See: How to get to Macedonia, Greece
KTEL ticket office at Omonia Square,
central Athens
59 Sokrates Street, Omonia Square.
In a narrow side street, just west of Omonia Square.
+30 Tel: +30 210 52 37 889
Monday - Friday 7:00 - 17:00, Saturday 7:30 - 15:30, Sunday closed.
A very useful office and good service. The helpful staff speak English, and tickets for all destinations from Athens can be bought in advance!
The bus stations in Athens have no website (why?), and currently the only source of information about schedules and fares are photocopied pages from the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).
There is no information about the routes buses take or at which places they stop along the way.
Athens - Alexandroupoli
8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 16:30 (except Saturday), 17:00 (Saturday only), 20:30 (except Saturday)
Alexandroupoli - Athens
8:00, 11:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:45
Journey time 11-12 hours.
Ticket: €71, return €110.
12 hours on a bus can be quite a strain. Consider a stop-off in Kavala (see below) or Thessaloniki,
both fascinating cities.
Buses to / from Thessaloniki
KTEL Macedonia inter-city bus station, Thessaloniki
Giannitson Street 194.
5 km west of the city centre.
KTEL Evrou ticket office: +30 2310 595469
For information about getting to and from the bus station, see How to get to Macedonia, Greece.
There are 7 buses a day each way between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli.
5 are "Express", which presumably means they no longer stop at Kavala, Xanthi or Komotini.
Only one bus a day now stops at Kavala (see below).
Most buses continue on to Provatonas, Ferres, Soufli, Didymoteicho and Orestiada (see below).
Distance 352 km.
Journey time around 4 hours.
Ticket: €31.80, return €49.40.
Latest timetables and fares on the website of KTEL Macedonia bus station, Thessaloniki:
ktelmacedonia.gr/en/routes/list/tid=8 (Greek and English)
Unfortunately, the website does not give details of which routes the buses take or at which towns or villages they stop. If you want to visit other places on the way, such as Xanthi and Komotini (see below), the same website has details of buses between those cities and Thessaloniki only.
Buses to / from Kavala
KTEL Kavalas inter-city bus station
4 Mitropolitou Kavalas Street, Kavala.
on the corner of Filikis Eterias Street.
In the city centre, near the harbour, 5 minutes walk from the ferry terminal.
Tel: 2510 22 22 94
Ticket office: +30 2510 23 22 67
website: www.ktelkavalas.gr
See also: How to get to Kavala
There are 5 buses a day each way between Alexandroupoli and Kavala.
Only one bus a day between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli stops at Kavala.
Distance 149 km. Journey time around 2 hours 30 minutes.
Tickets: 14.90 Euros, return 26.90 Euros
Buses to / from Thracian towns
Villages and suburbs around Alexandroupoli are served by local buses run by Urban KTEL of Evros.
Xanthi and Komotini
Xanthi (121 km) and Komotini (68 km), west of Alexandroupoli (see map below),
are the other two largest cities in Thrace.
Villages near these cities are served by local bus services.
KTEL Xanthi (ΚΤΕΛ Ξάνθης) inter-city bus station
6 Odos Dimokritou, 67100 Xanthi. In the city centre.
Tel: +30 25410 27200
Website: www.ktelxanthis.gr (Greek only)
A very slick looking website with very little useful information for travellers.
Tickets Alexandroupoli - Xanthi: €10.50, return €18.90
9 buses each way between Xanthi and Thessaloniki.
Journey time: 2.5 hours. Ticket: €20, return €35.
Schedules in Greek and English: ktelmacedonia.gr/en/routes/list/tid=28
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Towns north of Alexandroupoli
There are 7 buses a day from Thessaloniki, via Alexandroupoli, to towns and villages northwards along the Evros valley:
Provatonas - Ferres - Soufli - Didymoteicho - Orestiada
Many of the buses run directly from Thessaloniki, while others require a change at Alexandroupoli.
The KTEL Evrou website shows fares to some towns from Thessaloniki, Athens, Kavala and Xanthi,
but strangely not from Alexandroupoli or Komotini, or between one town and another.
There is also no information about distances or journey times.
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Provatonas (Προβατώνα)
A village 46 km northeast of Alexandroupoli.
Ticket to/from Thessaloniki: €36.40
Ferres (Φέρες)
Booking office: 25550 22219
Tickets:
Thessalonik: €34.70, return €54.50
Alexandroupoli €2.30
Soufli (Σουφλί)
Booking office: 25540 22291
Tickets:
Athens €77, return €120
Thessaloniki €38.50, return €60.40
Kavala €20.90, return €37.70
Xanthi €16.50, return €29.70
Alexandroupoli €5 (1.5 hours) |
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Didymoteicho (Διδυμότειχο)
Booking office: 25530 22366
Tickets:
Athens €79.60, return €124
Thessaloniki €41.40, return €64.80 (5-6 hours)
Kavala €23.50, return €42.30
Xanthi €19.10, return €34.40
Alexandroupoli €7.20 (1 - 2 hours)
Orestiada (Ορεστιάδα)
108 km north of Alexandroupoli.
Booking office: 25520 22550
Tickets:
Athens €81.50, return €127.50
Thessaloniki €43.40, return €68.60
Kavala €25.40, return €45.80
Xanthi €21, return €37.80
Alexandroupoli €8.70 (2 hours) |
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Villages north of Alexandroupoli
There is very little reliable or up-to-date information available about public transport to villages
in Thrace beyond the main routes (e.g. Megalo and Mikro Dereio, Koufovouno).
Where bus services exist, they operate from local towns.
For example, buses for the villages Ormenio [1] and Dikea on the Bulgarian border
apparently operate from Orestiada, although further details are not available.
For buses to Ormenio, contact KTEL Evrou (see above).
Trains run to Dikea from Alexandroupoli (see below).
There is said to be 3 buses daily to Kipoi (Κήποι) on the Turkish border,
but we have found no further details. |
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Passengers at the KTEL Evrou bus station in Didymoteicho
wait for the early morning bus to Alexandroupoli. |
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Alexandroupoli
transport |
By train |
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The Alexandroupoli railway station near the ferry port. |
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Trains in Greece are run by OSE (Ο.Σ.Ε.):
www.ose.gr (Greek and English)
Train schedule and fare information at Trainose, the official OSE website for passenger train information:
www.trainose.gr (Greek and English).
The site has recently improved its information in English. However, rather than show timetables and fares, you have to use the ticket booking interface, name the desired departure and destination stations and enter planned date of travel. The site then shows the trains and fares for that particular journey on that day. If you click on a train or route number in the list, a tab opens showing stations along that route.
Alexandroupoli railway station
(Σιδηροδρομικός σταθμός Αλεξανδρούπολης,
Sidirodromikos Stathmos Alexandroupolis)
The station is also referred to as Alexandroupoli Port.
Odos Karaoli 73-75.
Tel: +30 25510 26395
The train station is on the seafront,
just east of the ferry port.
It is 10-15 minutes walk from the
KTEL inter-city bus station.
The bus station for local buses (see above)
around town and to the suburbs, is just
outside the train station.
For details about train stations in Athens, Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia, and a timetable for Athens-Thessaloniki trains, see How to get to Macedonia, Greece: by train |
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An OSE (Ο.Σ.Ε.) Athens-Thessaloniki train
arrives in Livadia, Central Greece. |
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Trains to / from Athens and Thessaloniki
There are currently only 2 trains a day between Athens and Alexandroupoli, via Thessaloniki.
For the latest schedules and ticket prices, see: www.trainose.gr (Greek and English)
Athens - Alexandroupoli Port
1 Intercity (IC) train. Journey time 17 hours. Ticket €62.80.
1 Regional (REG) night train. Journey time 15 hours. Ticket €38.
Thessaloniki - Alexandroupoli Port
1 Intercity (IC) train. Journey time 8 hours. Ticket €17.40.
1 Regional (REG) train. Journey time 8.5 hours. Ticket €12.90.
The west-east railway line from Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli follows an inland route,
via Strymona, Serres, Drama, Xanthi, Komotini and Mesti.
Along the route, there are regular bus connections between Drama and the port of Kavala (36 km).
The archaeological site of Philippi (recommended) is on the highway and bus route between
Drama and Kavala, so it possible to visit it en route.
There are also regular buses between Serres and Amphipolis (60 km).
Trains to / from Dikea
The north-south line between Alexandroupoli and the village of Dikea (or Dikaia; Greek, Δίκαια)
near the Bulgarian border, and 15 km southeast of the nearest Bulgarian town Svilengrad.
There is no public transport between Dikea and the Bulgarian border.
From Alexandroupoli the line runs up the west bank of the Evros River, stopping at the following Thracian towns:
Feres, Soufli, Didymoteicho, Orestiada, Pythio, Kastanies and Dikea.
There are 3 trains a day each way.
Alexandroupoli - Dikea
7:55, arrive 10:20
14:41, arrive 17:06
22:36, arrive 01:01 |
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Dikea - Alexandroupoli
4:11, arrive 6:43
12:08, arrive 14:38
19:05, arrive 21:33 |
Journey time 2 hours 25 minutes.
Fare 5.10 Euros.
Dikea train station: +30 25560 31210
Border office: +30 25560 41244
National Tourism Organization office: +30 25560 41700
For further information about rail transport to, from and around Macedonia
(e.g. between Athens and Thessaloniki),
see: How to get to Macedonia, Greece: by train |
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Alexandroupoli
transport |
By ferry |
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The ticket booth for ferries to Samothraki at Alexandroupoli harbour. |
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There are frequent ferry connections to Samothraki island (Samothrace).
Ferries to Limnos and connections to other islands have been suspended indefinitely.
Flying Dolphins
The Flying Dolphin hydrofoil ferry service between Alexandroupoli and Samothraki
has been suspended indefinitely.
Alexandroupolis to Samothraki
The SAOS II car ferry sails from Alexandroupoli to Samothraki and back
once a day Monday - Friday.
Schedules change constantly.
In summer there is a sailing every day, on some days two.
The crossing takes around 2 hours 30 minutes.
The Economy one-way fare is 9.60 € or 14.50 €, depending on which ferry you take;
the cheaper fare is subsidized.
The ferry is operated by SAOS ANES Lines.
For current schedules and fares see: www.saos.gr (in Greek, English, Italian and German)
Since the ferry is quite large, the crossing is usually comfortable, and in fine weather there are good views of the Thracian coast and the approach to the dramatic form of Samothraki. |
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The Saos II ferry leaves Alexandroupoli harbour for Samothraki, July 2015. |
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Alexandroupoli ferry port on an untypically grey day in August. Since the cutbacks caused by
the Greek economic crisis many ferry services in the Northern Aegean have been suspended.
At present only ferries to Samothraki sail from this port which now often looks quite deserted. |
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Alexandroupoli
transport |
By road |
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Heading east along the Egnatia Odos motorway A2 (E90) between Kavala and Xanthi.
To the north rise the Rhodope Mountains which divide Greece from Bulgaria. |
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Numerous firms in Greece rent a variety of cars, vans, motorbikes and scooters. At present it is beyond the scope of this website to recommend companies.
There are two main roads which run west-east through Macedonia and Thrace, between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli, and on towards Turkey. Two other routes run north from Alexandroupoli to the Bulgarian border.
The climate in northern Greece is very different from that in the south, with a lot more rain, snow and stormy weather, sometimes making driving conditions difficult. The winters are much colder, and some roads, particularly through the mountains, can get blocked by snow or flooding. Even in summer there are sudden heavy rainstorms. |
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By motorway
The new A2 (E90) "Egnatia Odos" motorway across northern Greece,
from Epirus in the west, via Thessaloniki, Kavala, Xanthi, Komotini
and Alexandroupoli, to the Turkish border and on to Istanbul.
See www.egnatia.eu
This is quickest way to Alexandroupoli, taking around 5 hours from Thessaloniki, and 5 hours from Istanbul.
NOTE: Greek motorways are toll roads. During the recent economic crisis, Greeks have complained that the tolls are far too expensive, and many are avoiding the motorways and using the old national roads.
Information about motorways and roads in Greece, including maps:
www.greek-motorway.net
Turkish motorways (otoyols) are also toll roads. You can not pay tolls in Turkey by cash or credit card and must buy a "HGS" electronic-chip sticker or a toll transponder from a post office or participating Shell fuel station.
See Practical information for Turkey.
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A2 "Egnatia Odos"
motorway |
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E90 "Egnatia Odos"
motorway |
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National Road EO2, the old Odos Egnatias, passes through the coastal suburbs west of Alexandroupoli.
Local buses (see above) service the suburbs, villages and beaches along this road.
For information about local beaches see page 5: Sightseeing. |
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The old National Road EO2
(Greek, Εθνική Οδός 2, Ethniki Odos 2, abbreviated as EO2)
Before the motorway was built, this was known as the Odos Egnatias, roughly following the route of the ancient Roman Via Egnatia (see History of Stageira and Olympiada Part 7) from the Albanian border across northern Greece to the Turkish border. Between the Albanian border and Thessaloniki the road is part of European route E86.
It is a bit slower, but it is a more pleasant drive, with less traffic; and if you're on a bicycle it is the least challenging route.
From the northeast of Thessaloniki the road heads east, passing south of Koroneia and Bolbe (Volvi) lakes, and the ancient city of Apollonia (near the village of Nea Apollonia) and a Byzantine fortress at Rentina.
After passing through the wooded Vale of Rentina the route arrives at the Strymonic Gulf and the east coast of Halkidiki just north of Stavros (turn off for Ancient Stageira), then follows the coast through Asprovalta, to the mouth of The River Strymon (turn off north for Amphipolis and Serres).
Between the Strymon and Kavala the road hugs the coast along the foot of the south slope of Mount Simvolo (Όρος Σύμβολο). Along this isolated stretch there are a few seaside villages and service stations. The road passes through the centre of Kavala.
After Kavala the EO2 heads inland towards Xanthi and Komotini on the Thracian Plain, then after Komotini back to the sea at Ennato (Έννατο) 2 km east of Makri (Μακρή) and 10 km west of Alexandroupoli. It passes through the centre of Alexandroupoli as Leoforos Dimokratias, just north of the port.
Continuing east from Alexandroupoli, the road merges with the A2 (E90) motorway (see above) 1 km before the Feres-Ipsala border crossing with Turkey and the bridge over the Evros River. On the Turkish side of the border the road is known as E84 to Tekirdağ and Istanbul.
The great thing about this road, apart from the wonderful scenery and the places it passes through, is that there are many beaches en route. Take a break, have a picnic, go for a swim. |
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EO2 National Road |
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Greek National Road EO51 / E85
(Greek, Εθνική Οδός 51, Ethniki Odos 51, abbreviated as EO51)
Part of European route E85
The EO51 begins (or ends, depending where you a coming from) near Alexandroupoli and runs north 183 km, along the west side of the Evros River, through the towns of Feres, Soufli, Didymoteicho and Orestiada, Kastanies (Καστανιές, turn east for the Turkish border and Edirne), to Ormenio (Ορμένιο) [1], 7 km southeast of the Bulgarian border crossing Kapitan Petko Voyvoda-Ormenion. The next town after the border is Svilengrad (Свиленград), 8 km northwest.
The start of the road is 34 km east of Alexandroupoli, 6 km northeast of the village of Feres (Φέρες), just before the village of Ardani (Αρδάνι). It branches off north (left) from the EO2 (see above) which continues to Turkish border.
European route E85 is part of the International E-road network, which is a series of main roads in Europe. The 2,300 km (1,400 mile) long road runs north from Alexandroupoli, Greece through Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, and ends at Klaipeda, Lithuania.
On the east side of the Evros River the E80 Istanbul-Plovdiv highway passes through the border towns of Edirne (Turkey) and Svilengrad (Bulgaria). The Turkish stretch of the road is the motorway Avrupa Otoyolu 03 (TEM İstanbul-Edirne Otoyolu); the Bulgarian part is numbered 8. |
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EO51 National Road |
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European Route 85 |
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Greek National Road EO53
(Greek, Εθνική Οδός 53, Ethniki Odos 53, abbreviated as EO53)
A single carriageway road between the centre of Alexandroupoli and the village of Ormenio (Ορμένιο) [1] on the Bulgarian border.
This is the real scenic route, one of Thrace's more interesting, if slower, country roads.
The road begins in the centre of Alexandroupoli as Nikomidias Street, north of Leoforos Dimokratias, one of the city's main
west-east avenues and part of National Road EO2. After 150 metres and a right turn it becomes Elenis Filippidi Street which bends to the left, and after crossing the railway tracks becomes Avantos. Heading north out of the city the road leaves the urban sprawl and the coastal plain and heads for the Thracian hills.
Winding through the woods and farmlands in the foothills of the Rhodope mountains, it passes through the villages of Aisymi (Αισύμη), Mikro Dereio (Μικρό Δέρειο), Metaxades (Μεταξάδες) and Kyprinos (Κυπρίνο).
At its northern end the road joins the EO51 at Ormenio (see above). Because of its twists and turns through the hills, at some places with steep gradients, the road is much longer than the EO51 and takes a lot longer to drive. Estimated journey time from Alexandroupoli to Ormenio at least 4 hours.
NOTES
1. Ormenio (Greek, Ορμένιο; Bulgarian, Черномен, Chernomen; Turkish, Çirmen), part of the Trigono municipal unit in the Evros regional unit of Thrace, is the northernmost settlement in Greece. The village is 2 km from the Evros River and the Greek-Bulgarian border at Kapitan Petko Wojwoda-Ormenio. |
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EO53 National Road |
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George Alvanos
rooms in
Kavala's historic Panagia District
Anthemiou 35,
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