When is the Metro coming to Zografou, Ilisia, Goudi, and Kaisariani?

The first major victory for the new “orange” Line 4 has been achieved. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) “Athena” completed the excavation of 5.1 km from Katehaki, passing underneath the stations of Goudi, Zografou, Ilisia, Panepistimioupoli, and Kaisariani, to finish at Evangelismos. Meanwhile, the second TBM (“Niki”) has already reached Kypseli, having covered 2.6 km from the Veikou Shaft.

What is the new timetable for Metro Line 4?

Despite the initial official target for 2029, the facts have now changed dramatically. Hellenic Metro already recognizes September 3, 2032, as the new delivery date, which represents the maximum extension the State can grant at this moment. However, even this milestone is being questioned, as the contractor consortium (AVAX–GHELLA–ALSTOM) estimates that the project will be completed in early 2034, due to significant delays in the handover of the construction sites. Given the legal entanglements in central areas (Exarcheia, Rizari) and the historical experience of 5-6 year deviations, the operation of Line 4 realistically shifts toward 2035, as the progress of the TBMs alone is not enough to absorb the overall delays in the network.

The status of the stations and local challenges While work is progressing in Zografou and Ilisia, the project remains a single, unified system. If the central stations of Athens remain “blocked,” the trains cannot pass through, keeping the local stations inactive.

• At Evangelismos, the appeal regarding Rizari Park is still pending.
• In Goudi, there was a delay due to an unmapped EYDAP (water utility) pipeline.
• At Panepistimioupoli, archaeological excavation is still ongoing.

When will the streets be freed from the construction sites?

The removal of the construction fences is expected to happen significantly earlier than the first train trips, likely around 2030, upon completion of the surface works. However, this will be followed by a time-consuming period for electromechanical installations and the rigorous testing of the automatic (driverless) trains, which represent the new operational standard.

Real Estate Market: Realism instead of euphoria

The artificial rise in property prices due to the Metro is not fully justified at this stage. With an implementation horizon reaching toward 2035, values must remain grounded. The practical application of this transit convenience is still far off, and the area will continue to experience the disruption of the construction works for several years.