Athens Airport to Thessaloniki 2026: Flights, Transfers & Travel Guide
Thessaloniki is Greece’s second city — a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis with a Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, a legendary food scene, and a coastline that stretches along the Thermaic Gulf. Getting there from Athens Airport is fast by air or doable by road. This guide covers all your options and what to expect on arrival.
How to Get from Athens Airport to Thessaloniki
| Option | Duration | Cost (approx) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | ~55 min | €35–€120 | Speed & ease |
| 🚗 Drive (A1/E75) | ~5–6 hrs | €30–€50 tolls + fuel | Flexibility, luggage |
| 🚌 Intercity bus (KTEL) | ~6 hrs | €25–€35 | Budget travellers |
| 🚆 Train (IC) | ~4–5 hrs | €20–€40 | Scenic, relaxed |
Option 1 – Fly Athens to Thessaloniki
Flights from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport (SKG) take approximately 55 minutes. Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Sky Express operate multiple daily services year-round. This is the fastest and most practical option by a significant margin — particularly if you are travelling with luggage or on business. Fares are competitive; book a few days ahead and you’ll rarely pay more than €70 one-way.
Option 2 – Drive via the A1/E75 Motorway
The A1 motorway connects Athens directly to Thessaloniki — approximately 500 km, taking 5–6 hours depending on traffic. The drive is straightforward and well-signed. Expect to pay €30–€50 in tolls along the route. This is a practical option if you are travelling as a family with significant luggage, combining Thessaloniki with stops along the way (Larissa, Meteora, Vergina), or prefer the flexibility of having a car in the city.
Option 3 – Intercity Bus or Train
KTEL intercity buses depart from Athens’ Kifissos terminal (not the airport) and take approximately 6 hours to Thessaloniki. Intercity trains from Athens Larissa Station (accessible via Metro Line 2) take 4–5 hours on modern IC services. Neither option departs from the airport itself — you would need a transfer to central Athens first, making these practical only if you’re already in the city.
Thessaloniki Airport Transfer Options
Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport (SKG) is located approximately 16 km east of the city centre. On arrival, your transfer options are:
| Transfer Type | Duration | Cost | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups (private taxi) | 25–35 min | Fixed price | Book Now |
| Local taxi (metered) | 25–35 min | €20–€30 | Taxi rank outside arrivals |
| Bus X1 (city bus) | 40–50 min | €2 | Stop outside terminal |
| Rental car | Self-drive | €35–€70/day | At airport desks |
Welcome Pickups offers fixed-price private transfers from Thessaloniki Airport to any address in the city, with real-time flight tracking. Book your Thessaloniki airport transfer here — particularly useful on arrival when you want to avoid taxi queues after a long flight or drive. All Welcome Pickups drivers are English-speaking — a key advantage for travellers from the US, UK, Australia, and other English-speaking countries.
When to Visit Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a genuinely year-round city — unlike the islands, it doesn’t shut down in winter and has a thriving local culture regardless of season. That said, the best times to visit are April–June and September–October: mild temperatures (18–26°C), no summer heat, and the city at its most animated.
July and August are hot (often above 35°C), but Thessaloniki is far less overcrowded than Athens or the islands in peak summer — locals flock to nearby beaches along the Halkidiki peninsula. The city has a lively winter cultural calendar including the International Film Festival (November), Dimitria festival (October), and a particularly atmospheric Christmas market in Aristotelous Square.
Getting Around Thessaloniki
On foot — The city centre is compact and very walkable. The waterfront promenade (Nikis Avenue), the old city (Ano Poli), the Roman Agora, and most Byzantine churches are all within a short walk of each other.
City buses (OASTH) — Comprehensive network covering the whole city. Flat fare of €1 (€0.90 with card). Useful for reaching Ano Poli (upper city) if you don’t want to walk the steep climb.
Taxis — Metered and generally reliable in Thessaloniki. Readily available throughout the city centre. A ride across town rarely exceeds €8–€12.
Rental car — Not necessary for the city centre itself, but useful for day trips to Halkidiki beaches, Vergina (royal Macedonian tombs), Pella, or Meteora. Parking in the centre is challenging.
Welcome Pickups — Ideal for fixed-price airport transfers and inter-city transport at transparent rates.
Practical Tips for Thessaloniki
The food scene — Thessaloniki is widely regarded as Greece’s culinary capital. Don’t miss bougatsa (custard or cheese pastry) for breakfast, trigona Panoramatos (cream-filled pastry triangles), and the city’s exceptional souvlaki and seafood. The Modiano and Kapani markets are essential.
White Tower — The city’s landmark sits on the waterfront and is unmissable. The museum inside covers Thessaloniki’s Byzantine history. The sunset view from the walkway around the tower is excellent.
Ano Poli (Upper City) — The old Ottoman quarter retains its original character with wooden-balconied houses, small churches, and cobbled streets. The views over the city and bay from Eptapyrgio are outstanding. Best explored on foot.
Rotunda & Arch of Galerius — Roman monuments from the 4th century AD, just off the main Egnatia Street. The Rotunda is now a museum; entry is inexpensive and rarely crowded.
Day trips — Vergina (royal Macedonian tombs, 1.5 hrs), Pella (birthplace of Alexander the Great, 45 min), and Halkidiki beaches (45–90 min) are all easily reachable by car from Thessaloniki.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Athens to Thessaloniki?
The flight from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport (SKG) takes approximately 55 minutes. Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Sky Express operate multiple daily services year-round. It is the fastest way to travel between the two cities.
How far is Thessaloniki Airport from the city centre?
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) is approximately 16 km east of the city centre. A taxi takes 25–35 minutes depending on traffic and costs €20–€30. Bus X1 connects the airport to the city in approximately 40–50 minutes for €2. Pre-booking a Welcome Pickups transfer guarantees a fixed price and a driver waiting in arrivals.
Can I drive from Athens to Thessaloniki?
Yes. The A1/E75 motorway connects Athens to Thessaloniki directly — approximately 500 km, taking 5–6 hours. Expect €30–€50 in tolls. Driving is practical if you want flexibility or plan to stop along the route (Meteora, Larissa, Vergina). Flying is strongly recommended if your priority is speed.
What is Thessaloniki known for?
Thessaloniki is known for its Byzantine churches and monuments (a UNESCO World Heritage site), its Ottoman-era architecture, the White Tower waterfront landmark, and above all its exceptional food culture. It is widely considered Greece’s culinary capital and has a vibrant student and nightlife scene year-round.
Find Hotels in Thessaloniki
Greece’s second city offers a vibrant food scene, Byzantine history, and great nightlife. Browse the best hotels in Thessaloniki on Booking.com.
nGuided Tours to Thessaloniki from Athens
Prefer a guided experience? Full-day tours from Athens include transport and an expert guide.
