You can reach the city by air, sea, rail, or road!
Sea usually means a cruise ship or seasonal ferry, while trains are currently focused on domestic travel. So, if you are coming from abroad, you will most likely arrive by plane, car, or bus. (There are also brave souls who arrive by bicycle, but those are rare cases!)
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Thessaloniki is the cultural and economic hub of Northern Greece. Whether you are a slow traveler, a remote worker, or on a Balkan road trip, here is how you can easily get here:
1. By Air (Makedonia International Airport – SKG)
The fastest and most common way to reach Thessaloniki from abroad is by flying into Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” (SKG).
- Direct Flights: The airport serves dozens of international airlines and low-cost carriers (including Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines), connecting Thessaloniki directly to major hubs across Europe and the Middle East.
- Seasonal Connections: Flight schedules expand significantly during the spring and summer seasons to accommodate island-hoppers and holiday travelers.
- Getting to the City Center: The airport is located about 15 km southeast of the downtown area. You can easily reach the city center via:
- Public Bus: The 01X (or 01N at night) express bus runs frequently between the airport, the central bus station, and the main railway station.
- Taxi & Rideshare: Taxis are readily available right outside the arrivals terminal (approx. 25–30 minute drive to downtown).
2. By Road (Car & Bus)
Thessaloniki is a major highway junction in the Balkans, making it extremely popular for road trips and drive-in tourism from Central and Southeastern Europe.
- By Car: The city is connected via modern motorways: the Egnatia Odos (A2) running east-west across Northern Greece, and the A1 (PATHE motorway) connecting Thessaloniki to Athens and Southern Greece.
- By Regional & International Bus (KTEL): Frequent long-distance buses operate from the Macedonia Intercity Bus Station (KTEL Makedonia), linking Thessaloniki directly with neighbouring Balkan countries (such as Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, and Turkey) as well as every major region in Greece.
3. By Sea (Ferry & Cruise Ship)
The historic Port of Thessaloniki is located right in the heart of the city center.
- Ferry Connections: Seasonal ferry routes connect Thessaloniki directly to islands in the North Aegean (such as Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos) and the Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos).
- Cruise Ships: Thessaloniki has become a major cruise port-of-call in the Eastern Mediterranean, with cruise liners docking within a short walking distance from the main shopping and historic districts.
4. By Train
The Thessaloniki Railway Station (N.S.S.) is situated on Monastiriou Street, close to the city center. Train services primarily serve domestic routes (including the main line to Athens and Larissa). International rail services are limited, so travelers coming from abroad via public transport generally prefer flights or long-distance buses.
💡 Pro Tip for Travelers: For the most up-to-date flight and ferry schedules, we recommend using flight aggregators (like Skyscanner or Google Flights) or ferry booking engines shortly before your trip, as seasonal routes update frequently.
Love Thessaloniki 