Thessaloniki Airport (SKG, "Makedonia") sits about 13 km southeast of the centre, and getting in is refreshingly simple — there's a €2 bus, a flat-rate taxi, or a pre-booked transfer. The one thing to know before you land: despite the city's new metro, the metro does not reach the airport, so don't go looking for one. Here's each option with 2026 prices and which to choose.
Quick comparison
| Option | Cost (2026) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 01X / 01N | €2 | ~40 min | Budget, daytime, light luggage |
| Taxi (flat rate) | €25 day / €35 night | ~30 min | Groups, late arrivals, door-to-door |
| Private transfer | from ~€30 | ~30 min | Pre-booked certainty, name board |
By bus (€2, cheapest)
The city bus is the budget option and runs around the clock: the 01X by day (roughly 06:00 to 23:00, every 20–25 minutes) and the 01N overnight (about every 30 minutes until the 01X resumes in the morning), departing from outside arrivals. The fare is €2 (a reduced €1 for students, seniors and children, and free for under-6s), and the ride takes about 40 minutes in normal traffic (a little longer at night), running to the railway station, the KTEL bus terminal, and the city centre. Buy a ticket from the machine at the stop (it takes cash) or tap a contactless card on the bus's onboard reader — the buses don't accept cash, so keep a card handy — and hold on to your ticket for the journey. It's the best choice in daylight with a carry-on; with big suitcases at rush hour, a taxi is worth the difference. Two other lines leave the same airport stops if the centre isn't where you're headed: the 02X to the Nea Elvetia metro station, and Line 79 to the city's Eastern Bus Station by IKEA.
By taxi (flat rate, fastest door-to-door)
Taxis wait at the arrivals taxi stand 24/7 and run on a fixed flat rate to the centre: €25 from 05:00 to midnight, €35 from midnight to 05:00. The price is set in advance and includes luggage and tolls, so there's no meter to watch, and the trip is about 30 minutes. You can pay by card — contactless is now standard in Greek taxis — so you don't need cash on hand. You can also book the taxi through the FreeNow or Uber app — in Greece both dispatch a regular licensed taxi, so you get the same flat rate rather than a private car. For two or more people, or any arrival after dark, this is usually the sensible pick.
By private transfer
A pre-booked private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board and drives door-to-door, typically from around €30 depending on vehicle size. It's the most frictionless option after a long flight or for families with luggage — worth it when you'd rather not queue or work out tickets on no sleep.
For US / UK travellers: Greece uses the euro (€) and contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis, ticket machines and the airport bus's onboard reader — you won't need cash for any of these options, and in fact the bus won't take cash on board at all. Greece is in the Schengen area, so no separate visa for short US/UK stays — though arriving from outside the Schengen zone you'll now pass through the EU's EES border check, which scans your photo and fingerprints (nothing to apply for in advance; the pre-travel ETIAS authorisation is separate and not required yet — see our is Thessaloniki worth visiting guide for the detail). Note the EES biometric check has caused long border queues at Schengen airports through the 2026 peak summer, so allow extra time on arrival. Taxi apps (FreeNow) work as they do at home.
Tips
- Landing late? The 01N night bus runs, but a flat-€35 taxi is faster and simpler after midnight.
- Heading to Halkidiki or a day trip first? The airport is on the southeast edge of town — handy if you're driving straight out. See our airport to Halkidiki guide for onward routes to Kassandra and Sithonia.
- Plan where you're going from the airport with our where to stay and 3-day itinerary guides, plus the best time to visit and how many days you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get from Thessaloniki airport to the city centre?
Three ways: the city bus (line 01X by day, 01N at night) for €2 in about 40 minutes; a flat-rate taxi for €25 (day) or €35 (after midnight) in about 30 minutes; or a pre-booked private transfer from around €30. There is no metro or train link to the airport.
How much is a taxi from Thessaloniki airport?
Thessaloniki Airport taxis charge a fixed flat rate to the city centre — €25 from 05:00 to midnight and €35 from midnight to 05:00 — including luggage and tolls, with no meter. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Taxis wait at the arrivals stand, or you can book via the FreeNow app.
How often does the Thessaloniki airport bus run?
The daytime 01X departs every 20–25 minutes from roughly 06:00 to 23:00, and the overnight 01N runs about every 30 minutes through the night until the 01X resumes — so there's a bus at almost any hour. The ride to the centre takes about 40 minutes, a little longer at night.
Is there a metro or train from Thessaloniki airport?
No — the metro doesn't reach the airport, and there's no train link either. The simplest options from SKG are the €2 express bus (01X / 01N), a flat-rate taxi, or a private transfer. If you specifically want the metro, a separate bus, the 02X, links the airport to the Nea Elvetia metro station — but for most central stays the direct 01X is quicker and simpler.
