How to Check for a Strike in Athens: Metro, Buses, Ferries and Flights
General strikes, three-hour work stoppages, seamen's strikes and court rulings: how transport strikes work in Athens and how to plan around them.
To check whether there is a strike in Athens, look at the service notices of OASA (buses and trolleys) and STASY (metro and tram) the day before, and at the ferry company or airline for sea and air travel. Strikes are announced several days ahead by unions, and the operators then publish exactly which hours services run. A court can still cancel a strike on the eve.
Strikes are a regular part of Greek working life, and most are short and announced in advance. This guide explains who calls them and how they usually affect transport, as of November 2026. It does not take sides in any dispute.
Who calls strikes in Athens?
| Who | Covers | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| GSEE | Private-sector workers’ confederation | 24-hour general strikes, often joined by transport unions |
| ADEDY | Public-sector workers’ confederation | 24-hour strikes and work stoppages in public services |
| STASY workers’ unions | Metro Lines 1, 2, 3 and tram | Work stoppages of a few hours or 24-hour strikes |
| OSY workers’ union | Buses and trolleys | Work stoppages or full-day strikes |
| PNO | Seamen’s federation | 24- or 48-hour strikes; ferries stay docked |
| SATA and taxi federations | Taxi owners and drivers | 24- or 48-hour taxi strikes |
| Air traffic controllers’ union | Greek airspace | Occasional actions that can ground or delay flights |
What is a work stoppage?
A work stoppage (stasi ergasias) is a strike for a set number of hours, not a whole day. On transport it often means no service from the start of operations until about 09:00, or from about 21:00 until the end of service, while trains or buses run in between. The exact hours differ every time, so read the announcement for the day. A full 24-hour strike (apergia) can stop a whole network, or the union can decide to run services for some hours so people can reach a demonstration.
Where do I check before travelling?
- Metro and tram: the announcements page on stasy.gr, usually updated the day before, with times per line.
- Buses and trolleys: service notices on oasa.gr and in the OASA Telematics app.
- Suburban and national trains: Hellenic Train posts changes on hellenictrain.gr.
- Ferries: your ferry company’s website and messages to your booking; the Coast Guard confirms when ships are tied up.
- Flights: your airline and the airport’s departures page.
- News: Greek media report upcoming strikes several days ahead; searching for the date with the Greek word apergia (strike) finds them quickly.
Can a court cancel a strike?
Yes. Employers, including transport companies, can ask a court to declare a strike illegal or abusive, often on the day before. If the court agrees, the union usually calls the action off, and services run normally. Union appeals or a new strike call can follow. Because rulings arrive late, check again the evening before and on the morning itself.
What usually keeps running during a strike?
- Taxis usually run on transport strike days unless taxi unions join; they get busy and slow in the traffic.
- Other networks often keep running when only one union strikes: buses during a metro stoppage, for example.
- Minimum service rules apply in some sectors, but there is no general guarantee of minimum metro service.
- Hospitals and emergency services keep working; emergency numbers such as 112 and 166 stay staffed.
On general strike days, large rallies often close central streets, especially around Syntagma, Panepistimiou and Omonia. Allow extra time or avoid the centre at the announced rally hour.
How do ferry and flight strikes affect plans?
When PNO strikes, Greek-flagged ferries stay in port for the whole period, and companies usually move bookings to the next sailing or refund them. Our guide to ferries from Piraeus explains what to do on strike and wind-ban days. When air traffic controllers or airport staff take action, airlines announce changes; flights to and from Greece can be cancelled even if the airline itself is not striking.
How do I plan around a strike as a resident?
For a commute, find out whether your line is affected for the whole day or only at the edges. Employers in Athens often allow remote work or flexible hours on major strike days. If you depend on taxis, book early or share. For school days, schools announce closures separately. Our guides to taxis in Athens and buses and trolleys cover the alternatives.
If you have a fixed appointment, such as a residence permit interview or a hospital visit, contact the office the day before. Public services can also be affected when ADEDY calls a strike, and appointments are sometimes rescheduled.
Bottom line
Check twice: once when the strike is announced and again the night before, because hours change and courts can cancel actions late. On a work-stoppage day, travelling in the middle of the day is usually the safe window.
FAQ
How far ahead are strikes announced?
Usually several days ahead. Exact service hours tend to be confirmed by operators the day before.
Do strikes happen on fixed dates?
Some recur, such as 1 May, when many unions strike. Others follow disputes over pay, pensions or new laws.
Do taxis strike at the same time as the metro?
Not usually. Taxi unions call their own strikes, so on most transport strike days taxis run but are in high demand.
Does the airport close during general strikes?
The airport stays open, but flights can be cancelled if air traffic controllers or airport staff join. Check with your airline.
