From Athens
~500 km~4.5-5 hours
North on the A1/PATHE motorway, the main toll highway linking the two cities. A long but straightforward drive with regular service stations along the way.
Getting Here
By plane, train, bus, or car -- Thessaloniki is the gateway to northern Greece and easy to reach.
By Air
Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" (SKG) lies about 16 km southeast of the centre and handles direct flights from cities across Europe. The 01X express bus runs to the centre, railway station and KTEL Makedonia in about 40 minutes; the 02X links the airport to Nea Elvetia metro station. Airport lines are a special route — €2 (not the €0.60 city fare), bought at the booth or machines by Exit 4 of arrivals. A taxi is around €20–25 and takes about 25 minutes.
By Train
Frequent intercity trains operated by Hellenic Train (OSE) connect Thessaloniki with Athens in roughly 4.5-5.5 hours, arriving at the central railway station just west of the centre.
By Intercity Bus
KTEL intercity coaches serve Thessaloniki from Athens (about 4.5-5.5 hours) and from cities across northern Greece, departing from the Makedonia bus terminal on the western edge of the city.
By Car
Thessaloniki sits at the meeting point of two major motorways -- the A1/PATHE running north-south to Athens and the Egnatia Odos (A2) crossing northern Greece -- making it an easy drive from almost any direction.
From Sofia (Bulgaria)
~300 km~3.5-4 hours
South via the A25/E79 corridor and the border crossing at Promachonas. A popular route for visitors arriving from the Balkans.
From Kavala
~160 km~1.5-2 hours
West on the Egnatia Odos (A2) motorway, the cross-country highway spanning northern Greece. Easy, fast driving the whole way.
From Skopje (North Macedonia)
~230 km~3 hours
South to the Evzonoi border crossing, then onto the A1 motorway down to the city. Frequent international buses run this route too.
From Neighbouring Countries
As the largest city in northern Greece, Thessaloniki is well connected to the wider Balkans by bus and train.
International Buses
Regular coach services run to and from Sofia, Skopje, and other Balkan cities, crossing at the Promachonas and Evzonoi borders. A comfortable, budget-friendly option.
Cross-Border Trains
Rail links connect Thessaloniki with Sofia and onward into the Balkan network. Schedules vary seasonally, so check Hellenic Train before you travel.
Driving In
Crossing by car is straightforward via the Promachonas (Bulgaria) and Evzonoi (North Macedonia) checkpoints, both feeding directly onto the motorway network into the city.
Airports
Thessaloniki has its own international airport, with Athens as the main hub for long-haul connections.
| Airport | Distance | Travel Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" (SKG) | ~16 km southeast of the centre | 30-45 min by bus or taxi | The city's own airport, with direct flights across Europe. City buses and taxis connect it to the centre. |
| Athens International (ATH) | ~500 km south | ~1 hr by domestic flight | Hub for long-haul connections. Frequent domestic flights link Athens with Thessaloniki in about an hour. |
Getting Around
Thessaloniki's centre is compact and walkable, with an extensive city bus network, plentiful taxis, and a new metro line to fill in the gaps.
On Foot
The historic centre is best explored on foot. The seafront promenade, Aristotelous Square, and most major sights are within easy walking distance of one another.
Buses & Metro
An extensive city bus network (run by OASTH under the city transport authority, OSETH) covers the centre and suburbs. A single ticket costs €0.60 and is valid for 70 minutes across both bus and metro. On buses you now pay by contactless card or phone only — cash is no longer accepted on board.
Metro Line 1 opened in November 2024 — fast, driverless trains running the length of the centre on the same integrated ticket, and the quickest way to skip the traffic. A southeastern extension to Kalamaria, adding five more stations (Nomarchia to Mikra), is due to open in 2026; with the network still expanding, services pause for the works from time to time, so check current operations before you count on it.
Taxis
The city's blue-and-white taxis are plentiful and metered. They are an easy way to reach the airport or cover longer distances after the buses wind down.
Centre to airport: ~30-45 min
Centre to railway station: ~10 min
Vehicle Rentals
A car is not needed in the city itself, but it is handy for exploring the wider region -- the wineries and beaches of Halkidiki, or day trips further afield. Rental desks operate at the airport and in the centre.
International chains (Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget)
Economy cars to SUVs and vans · From ~€25–30/day for an economy car booked ahead
Local & budget desks (Surprice, Autounion, Green Motion)
Economy and compact cars · Often cheaper — check the insurance excess and fuel policy
Before You Land: Get Connected
Airport Wi-Fi is fine for the first ride, but mobile data matters the moment you step outside -- for ride-hailing apps, offline maps, live metro and bus times, and checking train or KTEL schedules on the go. A Greece eSIM activated before departure connects automatically when you land.
Get a Saily eSIM →