Wondering how to get to Athens from Thessaloniki? Our detailed guide brings you the best insights on all the ways to get to Athens from Thessaloniki!
How to get to Athens from Thessaloniki by bus?
The cheapest way to get from Thessaloniki to Athens is by bus and the ride lasts approximately 7 hours. You will start your journey at the central bus station Macedonia InterCity Bus Station (KTEL) and finish it at Athens Central Bus Station (Kifisos), or the city center at the bus stop “Pedion tou Areos”. Buses operate every day with six daily buses and three night routes. One-way ticket price is 45€, whereas the price for a return ticket is 60€. If you want to return to Thessaloniki, it is advisable to buy a return ticket in order to save some money. Tickets can be bought in the KTEL bus station or online.
Insider’s tip:
- Most of the buses offer WiFi services throughout all journey
How to get to Athens from Thessaloniki by plane?
However, if you want fast and convenient travel, the best way to get from Thessaloniki to Athens is by plane. Currently, there are only two airline companies that directly fly Thessaloniki – Athens route and they are both Greek.
The best Greek Airline Companies to fly from Athens to Thessaloniki
Aegean Air (or Olympic Air which is operated under Aegean Air), what some people call it, is the leading Greek airline company that operates 6 daily Athens – Thessaloniki flights for the summer season of 2020. You can choose a flight from 07:05 to 23:00 and all flights last about 50 minutes. Aegean Air has been awarded many times for excellent service and high safety, hence that should assure you that you will enjoy your flight. The cost of one-way tickets varies from 45€ to 154€. Check flight schedule and price rates for Aegean Air flights.
Ellinair provides 1 flight per day from Athens to Thessaloniki, with the daily departure at 19:15. The duration of flights is about 55 minutes. The prices are similar, as they vary from 40€ to 160€ for a single flight. Check prices and plane schedule of Ellinair. The plane ticket prices for both companies depend on the period when you desire to fly, how much in advance you book it and ticket type/class.
Insider’s tip: Read our complete guide on How to get to Athens City Center from Athens International Airport.
How to get to Athens from Thessaloniki by train?
source: @in_athens
Getting to Athens from Thessaloniki by train is a nice journey with some beautiful views if you can afford the time. During the years, Greece developed its railway to provide pleasant, convenient and fast transportation. Public train company OSE operates six trains on a daily basis from Thessaloniki to Athens. OSE provides five fast trains per day that need 3,5 hours to get to Athens from Thessaloniki.
The first fast train in Thessaloniki central train station departs at 06:27 and the last one at 18:50. Check the full OSE schedule. The price for the fast train is 45€ and the tickets can be bought both online and at the train station. Certain trains have WiFi services throughout the entire journey.
Another option to get to Athens from Thessaloniki by train is with a slow train that takes more than 6 hours to reach Greek capital. This slow train operates only once and it departures at 23:50 from Thessaloniki. The ticket price is 25€. If you are planning to come back to Thessaloniki, we advise you to buy a return ticket since you would earn a 20% discount.
Insider’s tip: Learn more about how to get from Athens Train station to Athens city center.
How to get to Athens from Thessaloniki by car?
In case you enjoy driving and want to experience other parts of Greece, the option to get to Athens from Thessaloniki by car is the best one for you. Thessaloniki and Athens are connected with international highway E75 and motorway A1.
The distance is almost 500 kilometers and depending on your driving you can reach Athens from Thessaloniki in a bit more than 5 hours of constant driving. Roads are high-quality ones with clear direction signs that will help you not to get lost. However, we advise you to check out and download Google map directions as it would make your journey more relaxing and convenient.
How much is the toll on getting from Thessaloniki to Athens?
Besides car fuel, the cost of reaching Athens from Thessaloniki by car includes 11 toll stops with a total cost of 31.25€. However, if you want to avoid paying this amount there are two more road paths to consider, but the journey lasts much longer. Check all options for traveling with a car to Athens from Thessaloniki.
