Greece general strike on Oct. 1: what's running and how to reach the airport

Published on Sep 30, 2025, 8:59 am CDT

6 min read

A 24-hour general strike on Wednesday, October 1 will disrupt transport across Greece, with ferry departures halted and significant reductions on Athens metro, bus, tram, and suburban rail. Taxis in Attica will also be on strike. Demonstrations center on central Athens, where GSEE and ADEDY plan an 11:00 a.m. rally at Klafthmonos Square, with additional gatherings in Piraeus and around the University of Athens. A court ruling on September 30 means flights should operate on October 1, but reaching Athens International Airport (ATH) will be harder than usual.

Key points

Why it matters: Surface transport will be heavily curtailed, complicating airport transfers and island travel.
Travel impact: Ferries docked all day; Athens buses 900 a.m.-900 p.m.; metro and tram 900 a.m.-500 p.m.; taxis off.
What's next: Expect rolling traffic diversions near rally sites from late morning into the afternoon.
Courthouse ruling keeps flights operating, but plan extra time for airport access.
Suburban rail likely to see broad cancellations; check for limited safety-only services.

Related reading on Adept.Travel: Athens airport delays after ATC capacity cut

Snapshot

Greece's main labor federations, ADEDY and GSEE, called a nationwide 24-hour strike for October 1 over labor-law reforms. In Athens, public buses and trolleybuses will run reduced hours from 900 a.m. to 900 p.m., while Metro Lines 1, 2, 3 and the tram plan a limited 900 a.m. to 500 p.m. window to facilitate rally access. The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation has declared an all-day action that will keep ferries and ships docked from 1201 a.m. to 1159 p.m. The Panhellenic Federation of Railway Workers has signaled participation, with Hellenic Train expected to cancel most services, including the suburban railway. A September 30 court decision blocking aviation-union participation means flights should run, but expect longer curb-to-gate times at ATH due to constrained ground transport and traffic diversions near central rally points.

Background

The strike targets the government's proposed labor measures, with unions opposing provisions they say extend working hours and weaken collective bargaining. Similar actions earlier this year shut down ferries and curtailed urban transit nationwide. For October 1, organizers have announced an 1100 a.m. rally at Klafthmonos Square in central Athens, a 1030 a.m. gathering outside the University of Athens by PAME, and a 10:00 a.m. event at Municipal Theatre Square in Piraeus. Taxi drivers in Attica will observe a 24-hour stoppage, affecting app-based rides that rely on licensed taxis. Airlines, including AEGEAN and Olympic Air, have issued flexibility policies around October 1, but after the court ruling, carriers expect to operate as scheduled while warning travelers to allow additional time for airport access.

Latest developments

Flights operating, but ground access constrained

A Single-Member Court of First Instance in Athens ruled on September 30 that aviation-union participation in the strike is illegal, and the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority says flights scheduled for October 1 should operate. Expect residual scheduling friction at ATH from recent flow controls, longer lines for security at peak times, and potential delays if flight crews or ground staff encounter surface-transport gaps. Build in generous buffer time for check-in and security, and avoid tight connections.

Athens: what's running and what's not

Athens metro Lines 1, 2, 3 and the tram plan to run from 900 a.m. to 500 p.m. City buses and trolleybuses plan a broader 900 a.m. to 900 p.m. window; expect a slow morning ramp-up after 1000 a.m., with final departures before 800 p.m. Some KTEL-operated contracted bus routes are expected to run normally. Suburban rail and most intercity trains face widespread cancellations. Taxis in Attica will be off duty for the full day, which will also limit availability in ride-hailing apps that depend on licensed taxis.

Ferries: all day stoppage

Seamen's unions have called a 24-hour strike, keeping ferries and ships at berth from 1201 a.m. to 1159 p.m. on October 1. Travelers with island itineraries should rebook for later dates or consider flight alternatives where available. Port-area demonstrations and pickets may add traffic and access delays near terminals in Piraeus and other harbors.

Analysis

For air travelers, the biggest challenge on October 1 is not the flight schedule but reaching and departing the airport. With Attica taxis off duty and the metro's Airport branch limited to a 900 a.m. to 500 p.m. window, plan transfers inside those hours or pivot to the express bus network during its 900 a.m. to 900 p.m. window. If your flight falls outside those bands, prearrange alternatives: hotel shuttle vans, a confirmed friend or colleague pickup, or a same-day rental car with on-airport return are the most predictable options. Rideshare demand will spike, but many services source licensed taxis and may be unavailable. For the suburban railway and Hellenic Train services, assume cancellations and only rely on officially posted "safety" routes if they appear the morning of October 1. Island-bound travelers should accept that ferries will not sail and move departures to October 2 or later. Finally, keep airport arrival targets conservative: three hours for Schengen departures and four hours for non-Schengen long-haul will reduce risk given heavier loads on the limited public-transport windows.

Final thoughts

Flights should operate on October 1, but plan your route to and from Athens International Airport (ATH) around the 900 a.m.-500 p.m. metro window and 900 a.m.-900 p.m. bus window. Expect ferries to remain docked and taxis to be unavailable in Attica. If your timing falls outside the operating bands, arrange a private pickup, hotel shuttle, or a rental car, and allow extra buffer to clear traffic near rally zones. With prudent planning, you can protect your itinerary during the Greece general strike.