For a first trip, fly. It is the quickest way in, though it costs more than the train or the bus. On the ground, the train, the bus and a rental car each take a little over five hours from Athens. A slow ferry from Piraeus is there for travelers with time to spare.
How do you get to Thessaloniki from Athens?
Athens and Thessaloniki sit about 300 miles (483 km) apart by road. That means a long drive, a morning or an afternoon on the train, or under an hour in the air. Trains, buses, cars and planes are all options for the trip, while the ferry from Piraeus takes about 27 hours 50 minutes and is covered in its own section below.
Here is how the choices stack up:
- First trip, short on time: fly.
- A comfortable ride at a lower fare: the train.
- The lowest fare: the bus.
- Bulky luggage, stops along the way, or a car for the north: drive.
Flying
Flights leave Athens International Airport for Thessaloniki's Makedonia Airport (SKG) many times a day, around ten in all. Aegean and its partner Olympic Air carry most of them, and Ellinair adds a couple of departures. Time in the air is about 55 minutes, and fares run roughly $63 to $123.
The flight can be a good fit when your days are limited, though booking sites list about 3.5 hours for the whole trip once airport time is counted. It also works well if you have just landed in Athens from home, because you can continue north from the same airport.
Train
Hellenic Train runs direct service from Athens up to four times a day. The ride lasts about 5h 12m, with fares of $35 to $55. Trains leave from Larissa station, which has its own Athens metro stop, and arrive at Thessaloniki's main station. From there the city metro runs straight to the center.
This is the comfortable middle choice. You can book first or second class, and some trains have WiFi and power outlets. On an overnight trip, a sleeper coach is an option when one is running. Trains usually keep to schedule, but delays can be long. If a flight home follows the train, do not cut the connection close.
Bus
Expect about 5h 30m on the road and fares of $9 to $60, which makes this the budget pick if you do not mind the extra time. The buses are comfortable and make sensible rest stops, but the ride is long. For schedules, call KTEL's Athens to Thessaloniki line at 210 515 0025.
In Thessaloniki, buses arrive either at the Macedonia KTEL station or at a stop on Monastiriou, close to the railway station. Check which one your ticket names before you set out.
Driving
The drive takes about 5h 32m via the Athens to Thessaloniki National Road and costs roughly $99 to $143. If you plan to see more of the mainland, pick up a rental car in Athens. Once you are up north, Kavala is under two hours from Thessaloniki and Meteora about three.
For the city itself, a car is more trouble than help. The center is easy to explore on foot, and a free side-street spot is easiest to find if you arrive before 8 a.m. Paid parking runs on the THESi system. You can pay at central shops with a blue THESi sticker or through the free ParkPal app.
Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Thessaloniki?
For most people, fly. The flight is under an hour, while the ferry takes more than a day. Ferry tickets run $200 to $490 (2026), well above the airfare. Blue Star Ferries operates the route, and the boat calls at islands along the way, which is why the trip is so slow.
The ferry is a trip in itself, not a shortcut. It suits travelers who see the voyage as part of their vacation.
How long is the ferry to Thessaloniki?
The crossing from the Port of Piraeus to the Port of Thessaloniki takes about 27h 50m, so plan on a full day and a night at sea. Sailings are rare, about once or twice a week depending on the season. Schedules can change with the season and even the day of the week, so check your exact travel date before you plan a trip around it. A missed sailing can mean waiting a week for the next one.
How do you get to Thessaloniki from other islands?
Thessaloniki's port connects to the Northeast Aegean islands, the Cyclades and the Sporades. Routes are limited, so do not assume there is a boat from any island you like.
- Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos): ferries run roughly three times a week between early June and mid-September. The crossing takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on where you start.
- Eastern Aegean (Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Fourni): a ferry runs year-round, about every 6 to 8 days, and also calls at Syros and Mykonos in the Cyclades. Except from Lemnos, these crossings are long.
- Other Aegean islands: no ferries reach Thessaloniki. Travel to Athens first, then continue north by plane, train or bus.
How do you book ferries to Thessaloniki?
Book online. You can buy the Piraeus to Thessaloniki crossing directly from Blue Star Ferries, or compare sailings on booking sites such as Omio and ferryconnection. If your trip includes connections, an integrated ticket covers the whole journey, changes included.
For the train, book with Hellenic Train. For the bus, book with KTEL.
How do you get from the airport or station to your hotel?
From the airport
Makedonia Airport sits about 9 miles (15 km) south of the center, roughly 30 minutes away in normal traffic. Taxis wait around the clock just outside the terminal at the Arrivals level, and city buses stop at the entrance. The metro does not reach the airport yet. Avis, Hertz and Sixt all have rental desks on site. The airport has two terminals joined by a footbridge, and both handle domestic and international flights.
From the train or bus station
The metro runs underground from west to east and links the main train station directly with the center. For anything farther, take a metered taxi or use the FreeNow or Uber app.
Getting around the center
Walking is the best way around the center. The waterfront, the White Tower, Ladadika and the main shopping streets all sit close together. Aristotelous Square to the White Tower is a flat 15 to 20 minute stroll along the water. The old town of Ano Poli is a long, steep climb, so take a taxi or a city bus up if your legs are tired. Buses are cheap but do not run very often.
What should Americans know before traveling?
U.S. citizens may enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. You may be asked for proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward ticket. Carry your passport or another photo ID at all times.
On public transportation, validate your ticket, since riders with a missing or wrong ticket could be fined up to 60 times the basic fare, according to the U.S. State Department. Pickpockets work popular sights and public transit, especially the metro.
Greece is a generally safe destination, but strikes and demonstrations can happen with little notice. They can disrupt traffic, public transit, taxis, seaports and airports, which is one more reason to leave slack around a ferry or a flight.
If you drive, Greek law requires a valid U.S. license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit. Using a phone while driving is illegal, and Greece has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the European Union. Thieves also break into rental cars for passports and luggage, so it is wise to take your valuables with you.
When should you book, and what should you check before you go?
Book the ferry as far ahead as you can, since it sails so rarely. Book flights and trains once your dates are firm. The day before you leave, confirm the departure time and the station or terminal named on your ticket, and check for any strike notices that could affect your route.
Sources
- rome2rio.com (https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Athens/Thessalon%C3%ADki), checked October 18, 2026
- omio.com (https://www.omio.com/travel/athens/thessaloniki), checked October 18, 2026
- greeka.com (https://www.greeka.com/macedonia/thessaloniki/travel/), checked October 18, 2026
- ferryconnection.com (https://www.ferryconnection.com/routes/ferry-routes/piraeus-to-thessaloniki-ferry/), checked October 18, 2026
- rome2rio.com (https://www.rome2rio.com/Ferry/Athens/Thessaloniki-Monastiriou-Bus-Stop), checked October 18, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html), checked October 15, 2026
- ktelthes.gr (https://ktelthes.gr/en/), checked October 15, 2026
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Odysseus (http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3272), checked October 15, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/tsg_aem/us/en/home/international-travel/travel-advisories/destination.grc.html), checked October 15, 2026
- thpa.gr (https://www.thpa.gr), checked October 15, 2026
- hellenictrain.gr (https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en), checked October 15, 2026
- thessalonikitourism.gr (https://www.thessalonikitourism.gr/), checked October 15, 2026