How to get to Thessaloniki

Located in the northern part of the country, the enchanting Thessaloniki is the biggest Greek urban center after Athens, which means that it is easily accessible through various forms of transport.

On this page, you will find out how to travel to Thessaloniki with ease!
• Flights • Buses • Car • Ferry • Tours • Train • FAQ

In brief, Thessaloniki has an international airport receiving flights from Athens and several European cities.
Moreover, it is easily accessible by bus or train from other locations in mainland Greece, while Thessaloniki Port also connects the town with the Eastern Aegean and the Sporades island complexes.

Don't forget to get informed about the local transportation options you have in order to organize your transfer to your hotel and explore Thessaloniki easily!

Buses

From various spots around the country

You can travel to Thessaloniki via KTEL buses from various locations around Greece. KTEL buses from Athens depart from the Kifissos bus terminal and the bus ride takes around 5 hours and 30 minutes.

You can get further information about routes and timetables at www.ktelthes.gr

Car

From all over the country

The Athens-Thessaloniki National Road and the Egnatia Motorway make a trip to Thessaloniki easy and fast from any place on the Greek mainland. The distance between Athens and Thessaloniki is about 500 km.
In case you don't have your own vehicle, it is an excellent idea to rent one for your sightseeing trips!

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Ferry

From Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Lemnos & more

The port of Thessaloniki is the largest in Macedonia and ranks among the largest ones in the entire country. During the summer months, Thessaloniki is well connected by ferry to most of the Sporades islands (Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos). Itineraries are available 3 times a week and the crossing lasts approximately 3-4 hours, depending on the port of departure.

Moreover, a weekly ferry connection links Thessaloniki to Athens and the islands of the Eastern Aegean (Ikaria, Fourni, Samos, Chios, Lesvos, Lemnos), as well as to Syros and Mykonos in the Cyclades. However, with the exception of Lemnos, the ferry crossing from all other destinations is quite long.

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Train

From various spots around the country

You can easily reach Thessaloniki by train from many places on the Greek mainland, including Athens. Trains from Athens depart from Larissa station and the average duration of the trip is 5 hours.

You can get further information about routes, timetables and ticket fares at www.trainose.gr.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We have gathered the most common questions regarding traveling to Thessaloniki and answered them for you.
Do you have another question? Are you looking for additional information to organize your trip? Let us know! You can send us your questions or post them in our community section.
Our informative team and community members will be more than happy to serve you!

How can I travel there from abroad (London, Paris, and other cities)?

The international airport of Thessaloniki receives flights from several European cities throughout the year, while additional itineraries are available during the high season. Thus, flying directly to the town of Thessaloniki is the most time-efficient way of getting there from abroad.
If no direct flight is available, you can fly to Athens first and then proceed to Thessaloniki by bus, car, or train.
Ferry routes are also available from Athens, but the crossing is quite long.

How can I travel there from Athens?

Taking the plane from Athens to Thessaloniki is a real time-saver. If you’re looking for more affordable options, though, you can get there by bus or train. Alternatively, renting a vehicle and driving to Thessaloniki is a great choice too.
A ferry also connects Athens to Thessaloniki approximately once a week, but the crossing is quite long, as the ferry stops at various islands along the way too.

How can I travel there from the Aegean islands?

Thessaloniki is connected by ferry with the Eastern Aegean islands (Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria and Fourni) throughout the year. The route is available every 6-8 days and includes stops at the islands of Syros and Mykonos in the Cyclades as well. However, the crossing is quite long and depends on the distance and the number of intermediate stops.
Between early June and mid-September, Thessaloniki is also connected to the Sporades complex (Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos) around 3 times a week.
Please bear in mind that it is impossible to reach Thessaloniki by ferry from any other of the Aegean islands.
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