How to get from Athens to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, is home to some three-quarters of a million people. With a major university, remarkable history, incredible cuisine and an impressive coastline, it offers travellers a heady mix of experiences. Tempted to visit? Read on to find out how to get from Athens to Thessaloniki.

How to get from Athens to Thessaloniki 

If you’re travelling to Athens and fancy seeing more of Greece, you’ll be happy to hear you have a few options when it comes to getting from capital to Thessaloniki.

• By plane: quick and convenient, travellers on a time-budget often opt to fly from Athens to Thessaloniki, though this is the priciest way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki.
• By train: travellers who love to travel slowly in comfort could consider taking a train from Athens to Thessaloniki. Taking a train is also recommended for travellers on a budget.
• By bus: several bus services run between Athens and Thessaloniki each day, with a journey time of up to 6.5 hours.
• By rental car: to travel in your own time, hiring a rental car gives you the freedom to stop off along the way and enjoy the journey.

Going to Thessaloniki or Athens? Contact our Greece travel experts and make the most of your trip.

How far is Thessaloniki from Athens? 

By road, the distance between Athens and Thessaloniki is around 310 miles/499 km. Meanwhile, the flight distance between the two cities is 188 miles/303km.

Before leaving the city, don’t miss the top sites in Athens. 

Considering visiting Thessaloniki? Browse our inspirational Greece itineraries to start planning your perfect trip.

What's the quickest way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki? 

With a flight time of around 50 minutes, the quickest way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki is by plane.

Travelling by train will see you spend 4-6 hours on the rails. Meanwhile, if you opt to book a bus, expect a journey time of up to 6.5 hours.

If you drive yourself in a rental car, you could get from Athens to Thessaloniki in around 6 hours. Most likely, though, you’ll want to stop off along the route, so the actual journey time totally depends on your personal plans.

Short on time? Book our 4-day Athens itinerary and save yourself the trouble of mapping out and planning.

By plane

Duration: 50 minutes | Cost: from €40 one way

By far the quickest way to get to Thessaloniki from Athens, travelling by plane is also the most expensive. That said, if you book early enough, it doesn’t have to break the bank. You might even get lucky and bag a plane ticket for less than the cost of the train or bus.

With several flights each day, and around the year, flying is also convenient when it comes to finding a time that suits the needs of your itinerary. 

Ready to explore Greece? Get started with our expert travel planning tips.

By train

Duration: 5—7 hours | Cost: from €15 one way

If you book early enough and check the costs of different train times, you could secure a one-way train ticket from Athens to Thessaloniki for as little as €15.

With fast and slow train options available, you can choose according your how much time and money you have. Either way, your journey will be comfy and scenic.

Trains depart from Athens’ main train station, also known as Larissa Station.

Planning a layover in Athens? Explore the best places to stay in Athens.

By bus

Duration: 6—6.5 hours | Cost: from €39

With bus services running between the cities each day, taking a bus can be a convenient way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki.

You can take your pick from early morning departures, right through to services that travel through the night. Overall, you’re looking at a journey time of up to 6.5 hours. 

By rental car

Duration: 6+ hours | Cost: from €30 a day

If you want to see more of Greece’s mainland, you might want to investigate hiring a rental car. From Athens, you’ll head north on National Road A1. Before setting off, we recommend you factor in making a few stops along the way. 

You could, for example, detour to Delphi on Greece’s central mainland. In the eyes of the Ancient Greeks, this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site was the centre of the world. 

Note that Greek car rental companies mainly offer manual vehicles. Drivers should also be aware that the highway near Tempi moves from four to one lane as it cuts through a narrow pass — best to have your wits about you. 

Considering taking a longer trip around Greece? Dive into our guide to getting around Greece.

Why is Thessaloniki worth visiting?

Wondering whether you should take a trip to Thessaloniki? Be assured, there are plenty of reasons to visit Greece’s second city.

First up, it’s laden with UNESCO Heritage Sites. History buffs won’t want to miss seeing the Roman Agora of Thessaloniki, the mosaicked Rotunda, and the intricate reliefs of the Arch of Galerius.

Sticking with the UNESCO theme, foodies will be pleased to learn that UNESCO hailed Thessaloniki as a Creative City of Gastronomy. 

With hip-and-happening new restaurants rubbing shoulders with old-school eateries, it’s fair to say the city has an exciting food scene that reflects its cosmopolitan past and present. 

Thanks to its location on the edge of the Adriatic Sea, Thessaloniki is also the perfect base from which to embark on a Greek Island-hopping adventure. Ferries run from the city to the Sporades, Cyclades and North Aegean Islands. 

Tempted to take a trip to Greece? Discover the best things to do in Greece.

You might also want to get yourself a copy of The Rough Guide to Greece to start planning your dream trip. 

Alternatively, if the idea of planning leaves you cold, browse our customisable Greece itineraries.