How do you get to Thessaloniki?
Getting There1.9/10Harder to reach than about 90% of cities
- Main airport
- Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport (SKG)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: thessaloniki-skg-airport.com, twoticketsanywhere.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Airport bus 01X is the most reliable and affordable option for city transfer (€1.80), operating 24/7 with night service via bus 01N. Tickets from onboard machines (coins recommended).
- The metro + bus combination (bus 02X to Nea Elvetia, then metro) is fastest (~35–40 min total) since metro opened end of 2024, though requires two separate €2 tickets.
- City buses now only accept contactless card payment (Visa, Mastercard, phone) — no cash on vehicles. Plan ahead if using buses extensively.
- KTEL Makedonia intercity bus terminal connects to regional destinations (Halkidiki, Mount Olympus, ancient sites). Direct summer bus from airport to Halkidiki available July–August.
- Taxis are metered and generally affordable (€25–35 to city center), but no fixed airport rate — the meter runs daytime (Tariff 1) or nighttime (Tariff 2) rates.
Airport
- Name
- Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport (SKG)
- Distance To Center Km
- 13
Ground Transport Options
Airport Express Bus (01X Day, 01N Night)
- Cost
- €1.80
- Service Details
- Direct service to city center, Central Railway Station, and KTEL Intercity Bus Terminal
- Daytime Schedule
- 6:10 am to 10:40 pm, every 20-25 minutes
- Nighttime Schedule
- 11:10 pm to 5:55 am, every 30 minutes
- Journey Time Minutes
- 40-50 to city center
- Notes
- Tickets from vending machines onboard (coins preferred, no change given). Only cash accepted on vending machines. Express service with fewer stops during day.
Metro + Express Bus Combination
- Cost Breakdown
- Bus X2 €2.00 + Metro €2.00 (separate tickets, not yet integrated)
- Service Details
- Bus 02X to Nea Elvetia metro station, then metro into city center
- Journey Time Minutes
- 35-40 total
- Notes
- Fastest airport option since metro opened end of 2024. Metro has archaeological finds visible at stations (Venizelou, Agia Sofia). Requires two separate ticket purchases.
Taxi
- Cost
- €25
- Cost Range USD
- approximately $25–35 (depends on traffic and time of day)
- Journey Time Minutes
- 25-30
- Notes
- Metered taxi (Tariff 1 daytime, Tariff 2 nighttime). No fixed airport rate. Minimum fare approximately €3.16. Rate per km approximately €0.68 in city, €1.19 outside.
Private Transfer
- Cost Range USD
- $35–50 for standard vehicle
- Notes
- Pre-booking recommended for late arrivals, large groups, or families with luggage.
Rail Connections
- Accessible By
- KTEL Intercity Bus Terminal zone, or city buses
- Central Station
- Central Railway Station (Stathmo Thessaloniki)
- Note
- Search did not return detailed current schedules or specific destinations. Refer to OSE (Greek Railways) official website for current train service information.
Day Trips Accessible
- Note
- Full day-trip itineraries beyond the scope of our research. Refer to car rental and KTEL bus schedules for current service, hours, and pricing.
Mt Olympus
- Access
- KTEL buses or car rental
- Highlights
- Hiking, scenic views, mythological significance
- Distance Km
- ~100 km south
Pella Ancient City
- Access
- KTEL buses or car rental
- Highlights
- Ancient Macedonian capital archaeological site
- Distance Km
- ~40 km northwest
Halkidiki Peninsula
- Access
- KTEL bus station, car rental at airport
- Highlights
- Beaches (Kassandra, Athos, Sithonia peninsulas), Mount Athos day-trip access
- Distance Km
- ~60-80 km south
City Ground Transport
Bus
- Urban Ticket
- €0.60
- Payment Method
- Contactless card only on buses (Visa, Mastercard, phone). Cash no longer accepted on vehicles.
- Suburban Ticket
- €0.80
- Notes
- Prices reduced as of December 1, 2024. 10+1 ticket packages available for regular users.
Taxi
- Notes
- Official tariff from Thessaloniki Taxi Association. Minimum fare approximately €3.16. Daytime rate approximately €1.90 start + €0.68/km. Nighttime rates higher.
Metro
- Lines
- 1
- Status
- Operational since end of 2024
- Urban Ticket
- €0.60
- Notes
- Line 3 (Blue Line) extends from airport area (via Nea Elvetia) through city center. Single tickets valid for transfers within same mode of transport for 70 minutes.
Intercity Bus Terminal
- Name
- KTEL Makedonia (Intercity Bus Station)
- Location
- Southern edge of city, accessible via city buses or airport shuttle
- Regional Routes
- Buses to Halkidiki peninsula and throughout northern Greece
- Note
- KTEL Chalkidikis station has direct summer service (July-August line 79A) from airport for €0.90.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Thessaloniki
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.