Plenty of people who fly into Thessaloniki never set foot in the city — they land and head straight for the beaches of Halkidiki. The good news is that Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) sits on the southeast edge of the city, already on the Halkidiki side, so you skip the city traffic entirely. The bad news is there's no simple direct public bus, so most beach-bound visitors book a transfer, grab a taxi, or rent a car. Here's how each option works and what it costs in 2026.
At a glance
| Option | To Kassandra | To Sithonia | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | ~€75–100 | ~€85–110 | Families, luggage, door-to-door |
| Airport taxi | ~€80–105 | ~€95–120 | No pre-booking; pay on the day |
| Rental car | from ~€30/day | from ~€30/day | Reaching the smaller coves |
| Public bus (with a change) | cheapest, slow | cheapest, slow | Solo, light luggage, tight budget |
Distances: the airport is roughly 70–100 km from the Kassandra resorts (about 1–1.5 hours) and 100–130 km from Sithonia (about 1.5–2.5 hours), depending which beach you're aiming for.
Private transfer — the easy choice
A pre-booked private transfer is the most popular way to reach a Halkidiki hotel: a driver meets you at arrivals and takes you door-to-door for a fixed price agreed in advance — roughly €75–100 to Kassandra and €85–110 to Sithonia, more for a minibus. With beach luggage, kids or a late flight, the fixed price and no-hassle pickup are worth it. Book ahead in July–August, when cars get scarce.
Taxi
Taxis wait at the arrivals stand and will run you to Halkidiki without pre-booking, at broadly similar rates — around €80–105 to Kassandra and €95–120 to Sithonia, agreed as a fixed fare for the distance. Note the night surcharge (roughly 20–30% between midnight and 05:00). Confirm the price before you set off.
Rental car — best for the beaches
If your holiday is about hopping between coves rather than sitting on one resort beach, rent a car at the airport. All the major desks are in the terminal, rates start around €30 a day in season, and you're on the Halkidiki road within minutes of landing — no going into the city at all. It's the most flexible option for Sithonia especially, where the best beaches are spread out and thinly served by buses. See how the two peninsulas compare in our Kassandra vs Sithonia guide.
Public transport — cheapest but awkward
You can do it by bus, but it takes patience and a change. There's no single direct airport–Halkidiki service; you first get from the airport to the KTEL Halkidikis terminal in Pylaia (on the city's east side, the airport side — a different station from the main KTEL Makedonia used for Athens and the rest of Greece), then take a KTEL Halkidikis bus onward to your resort. All in, it's well over an hour and a half with the transfer, and it's slow going with beach luggage. It's the budget option for solo travellers travelling light, but for most beach trips a transfer or car wins. For the buses from the city side, see our Halkidiki from Thessaloniki guide.
Which should you pick?
- Straight to a resort with luggage or family: a pre-booked private transfer.
- Exploring the coves, especially on Sithonia: a rental car from the airport.
- No plan, arriving to a taxi rank: the airport taxi, price agreed up front.
- Solo and counting every euro: the bus via Pylaia, if you don't mind the change.
If you're spending a night in the city first, our airport to city centre guide covers that leg, and where to stay helps you pick a base. Still deciding between city and coast? See Thessaloniki vs Halkidiki.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Halkidiki from Thessaloniki airport?
The airport is on the southeast side of the city, already facing Halkidiki, so you avoid the city entirely. It's roughly 70–100 km to the Kassandra resorts (about 1–1.5 hours) and 100–130 km to Sithonia (about 1.5–2.5 hours), depending on which beach you're heading to.
What's the best way to get from SKG to Halkidiki?
For most beach holidays, a pre-booked private transfer (about €75–110 door-to-door) or a rental car from the airport. A taxi from the arrivals stand costs broadly the same as a transfer; public buses are cheapest but need a change at the KTEL Halkidikis terminal in Pylaia and are slow with luggage.
Is there a direct bus from Thessaloniki airport to Halkidiki?
No. There's no single direct service. You travel from the airport to the KTEL Halkidikis bus terminal in Pylaia (on the east side of the city), then take a KTEL Halkidikis bus to your resort — roughly an hour and a half or more all told, with a change.
How much is a taxi from Thessaloniki airport to Halkidiki?
Around €80–105 to the Kassandra peninsula and €95–120 to Sithonia, agreed as a fixed fare for the distance, with a roughly 20–30% surcharge between midnight and 05:00. A pre-booked private transfer costs similar and locks the price in advance.
How do I get back to the airport from Halkidiki?
The same options in reverse — a pre-booked private transfer or taxi is easiest, or the bus via the KTEL Halkidikis terminal in Pylaia if you're on a budget. Book the return transfer in advance and, crucially, allow plenty of buffer: the Halkidiki coast road clogs badly on July–August weekends, so add extra time on top of the 1–1.5-hour (Kassandra) or 1.5–2.5-hour (Sithonia) drive, plus your check-in. Ask your hotel to arrange a transfer timed to your flight if you haven't pre-booked one.
