Thessaloniki, Greece’s charming second-largest city, is easily reached by public transport from Athens. Both buses and trains run frequently between the cities. The train is usually a better option as it’s quicker, slightly cheaper, and more fun. The bus may be more comfortable. Below you’ll find detailed information on how to get from Athens to Thessaloniki by either bus or train. But if you instead prefer a comfortable and affordable private transfer, you can book it here.
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Athens to Thessaloniki by bus
The buses to Thessaloniki depart from Pedion tou Areos bus stop (location), which is situated near the entrance of Pedion tou Areon Park, in front of the central office of Attica’s KTEL Bus Compay. The bus stop is 5 minutes on foot away from Victoria metro station. You can also make it exactly on the spot by city bus 022 and trolleybuses 2, 4, and 15.
After departing from Pedion tou Areos bus stop, all buses to Thessaloniki also stop and pick up passengers at Kifissos Bus Station (location). This is less central and harder to reach in most cases. But it would be more convenient particularly if you wanted to travel straight to Thessaloniki from Athens Airport. In this case, you take the bus X93 directly to Kifissos Station.
A couple of buses daily also start from Piraeus Port (bus stop location) before going through Athens’ stations.
At the time of writing (November 2024), the exact schedule is as follows:
| Piraeus Stop | Pedion Areos Stop | Kifisos Station | Macedonia Station | Monastiriou Stop | Halkidiki Bus Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:45 | 07:15 | 12:45 | 13:00 | ||
| 06:45 | 07:15 | 15:30 | 15:45 | ||
| 09:30 | 10:00 | 15:30 | 15:45 | ||
| 11:30 | 12:00 | 17:30 | 17:45 | ||
| 13:00 | 13:30* | 19:00 | 19:15 | ||
| 14:30 | 15:00 | 20:30 | 20:45 | ||
| 16:00 | 16:30* | 22:00 | 22:15 | ||
| 17:30 | 18:00 | 23:30 | 23:45 | ||
| 22:00 | 22:30 | 23:00 | 04:30 | 05:00 | 05:30 |
| 23:30 | 24:00 | 05:45 |
You can buy the ticket on the spot at any departing point for €45 one-way and €72 round-trip. If you buy it online, you have a small discount at €42.90 and €68.60 respectively. Purchase your tickets and check for possible updated schedules on the bus company’s official website.
In Thessaloniki, you can get off at either Macedonia Station (location) in the city’s western outskirts or Monastiriou Stop (location) closer to the city center.
Athens to Thessaloniki by train
The trains to Thessaloniki depart from Athens’ central Larissa Railway Station (location). The red-line Larissa Station metro station is situated in front of it.
At the time of writing (November 2024), there are four departures daily at 07:58, 10:58, 14:58, and 17:58. The trip takes 4:53 minutes according to schedule. The ticket costs €43 one-way. You can buy it at the booths in the station or online here. The railway station in Thessaloniki (location) is about 2 km away from the city center.
Recommended Accommodations in Thessaloniki
Splurge: ON Residence
Situated along Thessaloniki’s vibrant waterfront, ON Residence combines historic charm with modern luxury. Guests can enjoy elegantly designed rooms, exceptional service, and the renowned Olympos Naoussa restaurant on-site. Its prime location offers easy access to the city’s cultural and shopping districts.
Comfort: Imperial Plus Urban Smart Hotel Thessaloniki
This contemporary hotel provides air-conditioned rooms equipped with modern amenities, including a coffee machine, minibar, and flat-screen TV. Guests can start their day with a buffet breakfast and take advantage of the business center and snack bar. The hotel is conveniently located near Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre and the White Tower.
Save: Pillow Urban Stay
Located in the city center, Pillow Urban Stay offers accommodations with private balconies and luggage storage. Its central location provides easy access to Thessaloniki’s attractions, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking comfort and convenience.
Explore more accommodation options on this interactive map:
Stay22 is a handy tool that lets you search for and compare stays and experiences across multiple platforms on the same neat, interactive map. Hover over the listings to see the details. Click on the top-right settings icon to adjust your preferences; switch between hotels, experiences, or restaurants; and activate clever map overlays displaying information like transit lines or concentrations of sights. Click on the Show List button for the listings to appear in a list format. Booking via this map, I will be earning a small cut of the platform's profit without you being charged any extra penny. You will be thus greatly helping me to maintain and keep enriching this website. Thanks!
