May Day Strike in Athens: Metro, Tram & Ferries Halted on May 1, 2026
Friday, May 1, 2026 — Labour Day strike action shut down most of Athens public transport for 24 hours and kept ferries docked at ports nationwide. If you flew into Athens on May Day, the metro to the city was not running — here is exactly what was affected and how travellers got around it.
What was affected on May 1, 2026
| Service | Status on May 1 |
|---|---|
| Metro (Lines 1, 2, 3 incl. airport) | No service all day — 24-hour strike |
| Tram | No service all day |
| Buses & trolleybuses | Ran only ~09:00–21:00, on a Sunday timetable |
| Airport express buses (X95 etc.) | Limited to the same ~09:00–21:00 window |
| Ferries (all Greek ports) | Docked nationwide 00:01–24:00 (PNO seamen’s strike) |
| Taxis | Operating normally |
| Suburban KTEL buses | Ran normally |
The strike was called by Athens transport workers and the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO), demanding wage increases and investment in safe, modern public transport. Metro, electric railway (ISAP) and tram staff walked out for the full 24 hours, while bus and trolley staff held work stoppages at the start and end of the day.
Getting to and from Athens Airport on strike day
With Metro Line 3 suspended, the only reliable door-to-door options were taxis from the official rank (flat rate to the city centre) and pre-booked private transfers. Roads were busier than usual around midday as the May Day rallies moved through central Athens, so travellers were advised to add 30–45 minutes of buffer for airport runs that crossed the city centre.
If your trip coincides with a future transport strike, the same playbook applies: skip the metro, pre-book a transfer or use the official taxi rank, leave earlier than usual, and avoid routes through Syntagma while rallies are underway. See our Athens airport taxi guide for current flat rates.
Island travel: ferries stayed in port
The PNO seamen’s strike kept every passenger and cargo ferry docked from 00:01 to midnight — Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio included. Travellers with May 1 ferry tickets to the islands were rebooked by operators onto sailings the following day. Day cruises from Athens were also cancelled.
Source: GTP Headlines, April 30, 2026
Flying in during a strike? Lock in your transfer
Strikes in Greece are usually announced only 2–7 days ahead. A pre-booked private transfer with flight tracking is the one airport connection that keeps working when the metro stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Athens metro running on May 1, 2026?
No. All three metro lines, the tram and the ISAP electric railway were suspended for the full 24 hours, including Line 3 to Athens Airport.
Were ferries to the Greek islands running on May 1, 2026?
No. The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) kept all ferries docked at Greek ports from 00:01 to midnight. Operators rebooked passengers onto May 2 sailings.
How do you get from Athens Airport to the city during a metro strike?
Use the official taxi rank outside Arrivals (flat rate to central Athens) or a pre-booked private transfer. Airport express buses may run limited hours on strike days — check OASA (11185) before relying on them.
Related guides
- Athens Strikes & Travel Disruptions: Live Tracker
- Athens Airport Metro Guide
- Athens Airport Taxi Guide 2026
- Athens Airport Arrivals Guide
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