For most travelers, the best way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki is the train. It runs city center to city center, avoids airport procedures and currently takes about 5 hours 12 minutes. The main drawback is frequency: the current timetable has only two direct Intercity departures per day.
Choose the KTEL bus if the train times do not suit you or you want an overnight departure. Fly if you are connecting through Athens Airport or find a particularly useful fare. Drive only if Thessaloniki is part of a mainland road trip, because tolls, fuel and parking make a car unnecessary for a simple city-to-city journey.
If you are still deciding how much time to spend in the capital before leaving, read our 1–4 day Athens itinerary guide.
Schedules and prices checked: 23 September 2026. Hellenic Train and KTEL can change services because of infrastructure work, traffic or operational decisions. Treat the figures below as current planning information and check your exact travel date before paying.
Athens to Thessaloniki transport options compared
| Option | Time and current price | Best for and verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 5h12; around €45 in second class | Best overall for most travelers. City center to city center, but only two direct departures currently. |
| KTEL bus | About 5h45–6h15; €50 one way or €80 return | Best for schedule choice and overnight travel. More departures than the train. |
| Flight | About 55 min in the air; roughly 3–4h door to door. Current Aegean examples from €50 | Best when connecting at Athens Airport. Usually not dramatically faster from central Athens. |
| Car | Roughly 500 km and 5–5.5h before long stops; fuel and tolls extra | Best for groups or a mainland road trip. Poor value if you only need to reach Thessaloniki. |
The times above are realistic planning times, not promises. Train works, road traffic and airport queues can change the final result.
Athens to Thessaloniki by train
The direct Intercity train is the simplest option if one of its two daily departures fits your itinerary. It leaves from Athens Railway Station, often called Larissis Station, and arrives at Thessaloniki Railway Station. Both stations are much closer to their city centers than the airports.
The current Hellenic Train timetable, in force from 4 May 2026, lists these direct services:
| Train | Leaves Athens | Arrives Thessaloniki | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC 50 | 06:58 | 12:10 | 5h12 |
| IC 56 | 17:58 | 23:10 | 5h12 |
Check the official Athens–Thessaloniki route page and live traffic notices before departure. Railway infrastructure work has caused temporary platform and timetable changes during 2026, so an old blog post or screenshot is not reliable enough for this route.
How much is the train from Athens to Thessaloniki?
Use about €45 for a standard second-class ticket as a realistic planning figure. The amount shown at checkout can vary by class, discount and availability, so confirm the final fare in the Hellenic Train booking system. First class costs more, while eligible passengers may see reduced fares.
You can also compare bookable Athens to Thessaloniki transport on Bookaway. Check the operator, departure station and cancellation conditions before payment.
What the train journey is like
The line crosses mainland Greece through places including Livadeia, Larissa and Katerini. You do not need to change trains on the direct IC 50 or IC 56 services. A reserved seat and freedom to stand up make the train more comfortable than the bus for many travelers.
Bring water and a snack rather than depending on a specific onboard service. Keep medication, documents and valuables with you. Hellenic Train lists left-luggage lockers at Athens and Thessaloniki railway stations, normally available during station operating hours, but do not build a tight plan around locker availability without checking on the day.
How early should you arrive?
Arrive about 30 minutes before departure if you already have your ticket and know the station. Allow longer if you need to buy a ticket, have heavy luggage or are unfamiliar with Athens. The train will not wait because the metro was delayed.
My verdict: take the train when its schedule works. It is not dramatically faster than the bus under the current timetable, but the central stations and more comfortable journey make it the best overall option.
Athens to Thessaloniki by bus
KTEL Thessalonikis runs the direct intercity bus from Kifisos Bus Station, Kifisou 100, in Athens. In Thessaloniki, services stop at Macedonia Intercity Bus Station and the Monastiriou stop beside the railway-station area. Confirm the exact arrival point on your ticket.
The official timetable currently shows regular departures from Kifisos at approximately 07:15, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 23:00 and 24:00. Extra 13:30 and 16:30 services operate on selected dates, so they should not be assumed without checking the e-ticket system.
KTEL gives a normal journey estimate of roughly 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes, including a stop near Lamia. Arrival times can shift with Athens traffic, weather and road conditions.
How much is the Athens to Thessaloniki bus?
The official fare list effective from 6 March 2026 shows:
- Regular one-way: €50
- Regular return: €80
- Reduced one-way: €38
- Half-fare one-way: €25
Discount eligibility is defined by KTEL, so do not select a reduced ticket unless you can show the required proof.
Is the overnight bus worth it?
The 23:00 and midnight departures can save a hotel night, but they are not automatically the best value. Sleeping upright is difficult for many people, and a very early arrival can leave you waiting for hotel check-in. Use the night bus when timing matters more than sleep quality, not simply because it exists.
The bus is the strongest backup when the train is sold out or its two departures do not fit your day. It also wins on frequency.
Athens to Thessaloniki by flight
A nonstop flight from Athens International Airport to Thessaloniki Airport takes about 55 minutes in the air. Aegean/Olympic Air and SKY express are the main airlines to compare, with frequency and prices changing by date.
Current Aegean examples checked for autumn 2026 started at about €50 one way, while other dates were substantially more expensive. The cheapest displayed fare may exclude checked baggage, seat selection and other extras.
The headline flight time hides the rest of the journey. From central Athens you must travel to the airport, arrive before departure, clear security, possibly collect luggage and then transfer from Thessaloniki Airport into the city. The complete trip is normally closer to three or four hours door to door.
Flying makes sense in three situations:
- You land at Athens Airport and can connect to Thessaloniki without entering Athens.
- You find a fare that remains competitive after baggage and airport transfers.
- Your trip is very short and the flight schedule saves meaningful time.
If you are already staying in central Athens, compare the full door-to-door time rather than “55 minutes versus five hours.” The train is usually calmer and often cheaper once airport transfers and baggage are included.
Driving from Athens to Thessaloniki
The road distance is approximately 500 km, mainly on the A1/E75 motorway. In good conditions, allow roughly five to five and a half hours before longer meal or sightseeing stops.
You will pay motorway tolls as well as fuel, and parking in central Thessaloniki can be inconvenient. A rental car also introduces one-way fees or a return drive if you do not bring it back to Athens.
A car becomes worthwhile when the route itself is part of the trip. Delphi, Meteora, Mount Olympus or the Pelion region can turn the transfer into a useful mainland itinerary, although they require detours and additional nights. For two city stays with no rural stops, the train or bus is easier.
How to travel from Athens Airport to Thessaloniki
If you land at Athens Airport and want to continue directly to Thessaloniki, compare a connecting flight first. It avoids traveling into Athens only to leave again.
For the train, Athens Airport is connected to the city by Metro Line 3 and suburban rail services, but Athens Railway Station is not the same place as the airport. Allow a generous transfer margin and verify the route on the day.
For the bus, the X93 airport bus serves Kifisos Intercity Bus Station. This can be useful, but Athens traffic makes a tight connection risky. Do not book the last practical departure based on the scheduled landing time alone.
Where to stay after arriving in Thessaloniki
If you arrive late on IC 56 or an evening bus, choose accommodation with simple access from the railway-station area or a clearly confirmed late check-in. The historic center and waterfront are more attractive for sightseeing, but the easiest neighborhood depends on your arrival time and luggage.
You can compare accommodation in Thessaloniki on Booking.com. Check the map rather than choosing only by the words “city center,” especially if you plan to walk from the station at night.
Which option should you choose?
- First visit: take the train for the easiest city-center journey.
- Lowest practical fare: compare the train and flight for your date; the bus has a fixed €50 regular one-way fare.
- Most departure choices: take the KTEL bus.
- Overnight travel: take the late KTEL bus if you can sleep in a coach.
- Connecting at Athens Airport: fly if the connection has a safe margin.
- Family or group: compare total train tickets with a car only if you also need the vehicle after arrival.
- Mainland sightseeing: drive and turn the route into a multi-day trip.
Before leaving Athens, check our guides to Athens safety and common scams and Athens to Mykonos. If you are comparing mainland Greece with the islands, our Athens to Santorini guide explains the ferry and flight trade-offs.
Download tickets and station details before traveling. For mobile data, see our guide to the best eSIM for Greece. Travelers who want the same provider used elsewhere in our Greece guides can check current Airalo Greece eSIM plans.
FAQ
What is the best way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki?
The train is best for most travelers because it runs city center to city center and takes about 5 hours 12 minutes. Use the bus when you need more departure choices, and fly when connecting through Athens Airport.
How long is the train from Athens to Thessaloniki?
The current direct IC 50 and IC 56 services are scheduled to take 5 hours 12 minutes. Temporary infrastructure work can cause changes, so check the official live timetable before departure.
How much is the train from Athens to Thessaloniki?
About €45 in second class is a sensible planning figure, but the exact fare depends on class, discount and availability. Confirm the live price in the official booking engine.
Is the bus or train better from Athens to Thessaloniki?
The train is generally more comfortable and uses central stations. The bus has many more departures, including overnight services, and is the better option when the two daily train times do not suit you.
Is it better to fly or take the train?
Take the train from central Athens. Fly if you are already at Athens Airport or have a useful connection. The flight is only about 55 minutes, but the complete city-to-city journey normally takes three to four hours.
Can you make a day trip from Athens to Thessaloniki?
Not sensibly. Even the earliest train arrives around midday, and the return schedule does not create a useful sightseeing day. Stay at least one night; two nights make the journey more worthwhile.
Where does the Athens to Thessaloniki train leave from?
It leaves from Athens Railway Station, commonly called Larissis Station, and arrives at Thessaloniki Railway Station. Do not confuse Athens Railway Station with Athens Airport or Larissa city.
Is there a night train from Athens to Thessaloniki?
The current direct timetable does not show an overnight train. The evening IC 56 arrives at 23:10. For true overnight travel, use one of the late KTEL buses after confirming the date.
Final verdict
Take the train from Athens to Thessaloniki if either daily departure fits your plan. The journey is currently 5 hours 12 minutes, the stations are convenient and the trip avoids the hidden time of flying.
Choose the KTEL bus for flexibility or overnight travel. Fly only when you are connecting at Athens Airport or when the complete fare and timing clearly beat the ground options. Drive when you want stops along mainland Greece—not simply because the two cities are connected by motorway.
Planning more routes and stops around the country? Explore more of our Greece travel guides for practical trip-planning advice.
