Here is your guide on how to get from Thessaloniki To Athens, and of course, we’ve covered all the transport options from Athens to Thessaloniki.
Suppose you are traveling around Greece, and your itinerary includes a stop in the country’s two most important cities. In that case, you need to easily understand your travel options to go from Thessaloniki to Athens.
It will all depend on how much time you have to devote to your trip – if you can take the long road to enjoy the landscape or if, instead, a plane would help you save on time.
Since there are five different ways to get from northern Thessaloniki to the capital of Greece, we will show you each of them to help you make an informed decision; plus, we’ve got ideas on where to stay in these incredible cities!
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Travel Options To Go From Thessaloniki To Athens Or From Athens To Thessaloniki
Since we are talking about the two most important cities in Greece, the capital and the second biggest town in the country, there are different means of transport and good roads connecting both metropolises. There are five ways to get from Thessaloniki to Athens: train, bus, ferry, car, and plane.
Train From Athens To Thessaloniki
One of the most romantic ways to get from Thessaloniki to Athens is to board a train. This journey will allow you to see much of the landscape since your travel time will be around four hours.
More than 20 weekly Athens Thessaloniki train departs from the New Thessaloniki Railway Station, covering a distance of about 540 kilometers. The trip takes between 4 and 4 and a half hours.
Greek Railways (OSE) is the company operating this train route. Schedules can vary during the high season, from Easter until the end of summer, during the winter holidays, and on the weekends. It is always better to check in advance before purchasing your tickets.
Prices for this ticket are pretty affordable, ranging between 28 and 58 euro. Travelers can choose the travel class and enjoy onboard amenities. This last fee can sound a bit overpriced, but consider that you will be traveling on high-speed and modern trains designed to offer passengers every comfort they might need during the ride.
Greek Railways offers at least two daily departures and a higher frequency during the weekend. Carriages are spacious and comfortable, with modern seats and plenty of legroom for a comfy ride. Luggage space is also generous. If you love sightseeing, you will love the big panoramic windows that let you admire the spectacular views along the way.
And if all these advantages were not enough, train travel in Greece is a pleasant surprise, not as advertised as it should be.
Departing from Thessaloniki and arriving in Athens (or the other way around) is also convenient since both train stations are just minutes from the city center and can be easily reached by metro or bus.
Each day, the first train departs from Thessaloniki at 6.27 am (arriving at 10.24 am in Athens).
There are train departures at 10.24 am, 12:15 pm, and 4:15 pm.
The last train leaves at 6:15 pm, allowing you to arrive in Athens just in time for a late dinner!
You can find more information on the official website here.
Getting From Thessaloniki To Athens By Bus (& From Athens To Thessaloniki)
Another option to get from Thessaloniki to Athens is to travel by bus. Long-distance buses depart from Thessaloniki Monastiriou Station and arrive at Plateia Karaiskaki in Athens.
Karaiskaki Square is a very central location served by buses and the metro, easy to reach from almost any point in town, and not far from Monastiraki or Omonia. Karaiskaki Square is a popular place to stay in Athens, and there are many hotels in the area. This is because the place is close to Larisis Station, with train departures to many other destinations in Greece and abroad.
The bus is a preferred means of transport by many over the train because long-distance bus prices are affordable in Greece. A bus ticket from Thessaloniki to Athens starts at 25 euro. Some trains cover the route up to Piraeus, which is great for those taking a ferry to the islands.
The bus will take longer than the train (about 6 hours), making it a more tiring option, but it is an excellent option if you travel to Greece on a budget. Remember that bus travel (and travel in general) is always easier when carrying a moderate quantity of luggage, so pack a bit less if you want to move around more comfortably.
Buses depart from Thessaloniki at 7 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 3 pm, 4:30 pm, 6 pm, 11 pm, and 12 am. The total trip is 6 hours to get to Athens Karaiskaki and about 30 minutes more to arrive in Piraeus. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Getting From Thessaloniki To Athens By Ferry & The Athens To Thessaloniki Ferry
Did it ever occur that you can also go from Thessaloniki to Athens by ferry? Well, yes, you can! And this is a very popular option among locals, who seem unable to do without sea travel in their country… as you may have guessed, Greek islanders are experts in moving around the country on a ferry, preferring the boat over any other choice because it is often cheap, convenient and quite flexible.
Ferry travel is a great option if you have your own (or rental) car and would rather not drive from Thessaloniki to Athens. Cars are allowed on most ferries departing from Thessaloniki, so you can always travel by ferry and pay an extra fee to put your vehicle onboard.
And families will be happy to know that, when it comes to ferries, children usually pay half the fee on any route in Greece!
This is also a great option if you plan to catch a ferry from Athens to the islands and also want to travel there in your car. In this case, this itinerary is a great choice, and it can be a thrilling experience.
However, if you don’t have much time available, all the convenience seems to vanish when you consider that the trip from Thessaloniki to Piraeus takes 28 to 30 hours! Prices range from 80 to 170 euro since you can travel on the deck or get a comfortable cabin.
Although this is a favorite option for locals, it might be inconvenient for tourists who do not have much extra time to spare!
Getting From Thessaloniki To Athens By Car
The best way to get from point A to point B all over Greece is by car (unless you’re island-hopping, of course).
Car travel allows you to discover the country at your own pace, with no rush. It gives you enough flexibility to stop at any point you want, admire unique and very different landscapes, and explore unknown corners that travelers would otherwise overlook.
A trip by car from Thessaloniki to Athens takes about 5 hours. The best way to travel the 501 km is via A1 and A/D Pireos Athinon Thessalonikis Evzonon/A1/E75 roads. All of these are in reasonably good condition and can be an enjoyable experience.
According to Via Michelin travel suggestions, you should remember that the trip cost will be about 75 euro (tolls 31 euro + fuel consumption 44 euro); you can check more route options here.
If you’re taking it easy and enjoying the road trip, you could stop in places like Veria, Larissa, and Volos (to name only a few) along the way.
Getting From Thessaloniki To Athens By Plane – Athens Thessaloniki Flights
This is, by far, the most popular way to reach Athens from Thessaloniki, mainly because there are dozens of weekly flights to Thessaloniki and because low-cost companies also cover the route, making the trip not only really fast but also quite affordable.
Cheap flights from Athens to Thessaloniki range from 80 to 110 euro, but several seasonal offers throughout the year allow you to save quite a substantial amount of money.
Local companies, such as Sky Express, Olympic Air, and Aegean Airlines, have frequent discounts and offer several flights every day, with an increased frequency during the holidays, in summer, and on special occasions, such as Easter and Christmas, and New Year.
When choosing this option, it’s always wise to remember that Athens is served only by one airport, Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), which is not so close to the center of town. Thessaloniki International Airport is only 3.5 km from the center of town, so you can easily reach the place by bus or a short taxi ride (about 10 euro).
So, take into account that you might save some time flying, but you would usually need at least one more hour to get into town, and some more extra money for the bus (around 5 euro), train (approximately 10 euro) or taxi (about 50 euro). All these might make the train option look much more convenient for some travelers.
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Where To Stay In Thessaloniki
Here are some places to stay in Thessaloniki; check which is best for your travel needs.
Budget Places To Stay In Thessaloniki
Hotel Kastoria is in the heart of the city center and offers affordable accommodation.
Little Studio is a comfy, small apartment in a central location with affordable fees.
Mid-Range Accommodation In Thessaloniki
Hotel Olympia is a beautiful hotel only minutes from Thessaloniki’s landmark, Aristotelous Square.
The Trilogy House is a very comfortable townhome, ideal for enjoying a longer stay.
Luxury Stays In Thessaloniki
Electra Palace Thessaloniki, located right in the center, is considered among the best hotels in Thessaloniki.
Icarus Penthouse is a stunning home located in the central area of Aristotelous Square.
Where To Stay In Athens
Athens offers thousands of accommodation options for all pockets; these are the ones we recommend.
Remember that booking with plenty of time can also get you better fees and booking conditions.
The following hotel options are in the most central part of Athens, the neighborhood of Monastiraki. A stay in the area helps you easily reach any point in town since there are several means of transport. If you prefer to stay in another neighborhood in Athens, check out this Athens accommodation guide.
Budget Places To Stay In Athens
Tempi Hotel is a super convenient budget place in Athens with excellent service.
Suitas is a cozy tiny home close to the metro and the train station.
Mid-Range Accommodation In Athens
Mythos Luxury Suites is a very convenient place to stay in the central Monastiraki area, close to the metro station.
Arethusa Hotel is a beautiful place with stunning Acropolis views and a very convenient location.
Luxury Stays In Athens
Concierge Athens offers self-catering units in a convenient area of town, which is ideal for families.
Fantastic Penthouse With Acropolis Views is a stylish place in the heart of Monastiraki, very close to the Monastiraki train station.
Are you short on time, and need to know if you should choose to go to Thessaloniki or Athens? If that case, take a look here, where we will help you decide.
So there you have it – all the possible options to travel from Thessaloniki to Athens and where to stay. Which one will be the one you choose?