Nestled on the Alexandroupoli–Svilengrad railway, Soufli Railway Station (Σιδηροδρομικός Σταθμός Σουφλίου) is the easiest way to reach Greece’s legendary “silk capital”. From here travellers can wander between 19-century cocoon mansions, taste local tsipouro and explore the Dadia-Lefkimi National Park—all without a car.
1. The station at a glance
Feature
Details
Opened
1872 by the Chemins de fer Orientaux
Location
400 m south-west of Soufli’s main square
Layout
1 low platform • stone station house (un-staffed)
Facilities
Shelter, benches, ramp, no ticket office or café
Tickets
Buy online / app or on board – Hellenic Train has ended over-the-counter sales at small stations.
2. Train services (timetable summer 2025)
Route
Trains per day
Journey
Adult fare*
Alexandroupoli Port ⇄ Soufli
2
54 min
€3 – €6
Ormenio (🇧🇬border) ⇄ Soufli
2
1 h 05 m
€3 – €6
Athens ⇄ Soufli
1 IC Athens→Alexandroupoli + regional
9 h 30 m
≈ €25 (IC) + €6
Thessaloniki ⇄ Soufli
1 regional connection via Alexandroupoli
6 h 15 m
≈ €15 + €6
*Standard 2nd-class single bought online. InterCity fares fluctuate with demand; book early for savings.
3. What makes Soufli special?
Highlight
Why go
Silk Museum of Soufli
Interactive exhibits on sericulture, looms and the global silk trade housed in a former cocoon warehouse.
Kourtidis Mansion & Bouroulitis House
Restored “silk mansions” where merchant families once stored cocoons on upper floors.
Evros River wetlands
Bird-watch along the riparian forest trail 2 km from town.
Dadia–Lefkimi National Park (18 km)
Europe’s only breeding ground for all four Balkan vulture species; minibus tours from the Visitor Centre.
Gastronomy
Sample soufleli (local smoked sausage) and honey-soaked gioufkades pastries with a shot of anise-free Soufli tsipouro.
4. Practical travel notes
Station–town transfer: It’s a 5-minute walk down Kougioumtzidou St. Taxis congregate only for the evening train—book ahead (+30 25540 22 555).
Cash & cards: ATMs are limited to the main square; many cafés now accept cards but carry euros for small family tavernas.
Seasonality: July–August temperatures hit 38 °C; spring and early autumn are ideal for hiking the Nestos Gorge or Dadia forest.
Connectivity: Hourly KTEL Evros buses link Soufli and Alexandroupoli (€4–€9; 70 min) as an alternative to the two daily trains.
5. Sample budget (day trip from Alexandroupoli)
Item
Cost
Return train Alexandroupoli Port ⇄ Soufli
€6–€12
Silk Museum entry
€5
Lunch & tsipouro meze
€12
Taxi to Dadia Visitor Centre (return, shared)
€20–€25
Park minibus & hide access
€5
Total
≈ €50
Why include Soufli on your itinerary?
Few Greek towns weave history and handicraft together like Soufli. The slow regional train ride skirts the Evros River, then drops you within walking distance of ornate cocoon lofts, museum culture and wild-life-rich forests. Add in low fares and uncrowded platforms, and Soufli Railway Station is the perfect detour for travellers craving authentic Thrace between Thessaloniki and Turkey.
