The two biggest travel hubs on the mainland are, without a doubt, Athens and Thessaloniki.

So, it comes to no surprise that many travelers need to get between the two large cities at some point during their vacation in Greece.

Summary

The train is a cheap and good alternative for getting between Athens and Thessaloniki. Buses are slightly cheaper but take longer. Flights can be a fast way to travel but you also need to consider getting to/from the airport (which is not exactly expensive, but it can take hours in both cities).

Flights from Athens to Thessaloniki

Athens International Airport (ATH) is the international airport serving the capital of Greece. It is hub for Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, Sky Express, Volotea, and Olympic Air. The airport is located about 33 km/20 miles from the city center, to which it’s connected by metro, bus and taxi.

Thessaloniki International Airport “Macedonia” (SKG) is located about 15 km from the city center and is the largest state operated airport in Greece. It is the main airport in Northern Greece and a gateway into the Halkidiki peninsula. It is hub for Aegean Airlines, Ellinair, Ryanair, and Olympic Air.

Flights between Athens and Thessaloniki are operated by Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Sky Express. The flight time is 50 min.

In August 2021, expect to pay from €42 one way on Olympic Air (basic fare). At least for the reminder of 2021, the prices stay the same (but may change at any time due to various factors including demand).

Read more about:

>>Flights to Athens
>>Flights to Thessaloniki
>>Getting from Athens city center to Athens airport

Trains from Athens to Thessaloniki

There are two railway stations in Athens but the one which connects the capital to Northern Greece (Thessaloniki) is Larissis R.S. There are both express and regular trains available between the two cities. The journey takes about 4.5 hours and the prices start at 19 eur one way. Trains leave couple of times a day.

To get to Larissis R.S. you need to take Metro Line 2 (Syntagma ->Sepolia) or trolley bus no.1 from Venizelou (Panepistimiou) Str.

>>Read more: Trains from Athens to Thessaloniki

Buses from Athens to Thessaloniki

There are buses running between Athens and Thessaloniki daily. They leave every two hours (generally) from Terminal A (Kifissou St.). The journey takes about 6 hours and the prices start at 39 eur one way.

To get to Terminal A, you can catch bus no.051 from Omonia Square (every 15 minutes)

You may find the schedule and details on this site.

>>Read more: Buses from Athens to Thessaloniki

Driving from Athens to Thessaloniki

The driving distance between Athens and Thessaloniki is about 516 km. It takes roughly 6-7 hours of driving on a National Road. The scenery around you is really beautiful so don’t worry about getting too bored.

Plus, you can stop in Meteora for a night and visit the monasteries and then continue with your journey (if you take the longer road).

>>Read more: Getting from Athens to Meteora

If you are a good driver you don’t need to worry about the not-so-well-behaved Greek drivers. They are notorious for changing lanes without signaling and similar stuff. Be careful around Tempe, where the road narrows from 4 lanes to only one.

You can rent a car once you get to Athens. If you come from an EU country your driver’s license is valid in Greece. Other nationals should have an international driver’s license.

Here’s a map (of the shortest route) to help with the directions:

View Larger Map

Notes: the article was first published in February 2009 and has been updated (prices and schedules) in June 2021.
This article includes links that may qualify as affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission.

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