How to Get From Thessaloniki Airport to The City Center
If you’re visiting Thessaloniki, getting from Thessaloniki Airport (officially called Makedonia Airport) to the city center is something you’ll need to plan. After all, the airport is about 14 kilometers away.
Luckily, there are several transportation options to choose from — each with its pros and cons depending on your preferences, budget, and schedule.
In this post, I’ll break down the main ways to get from the airport to the Thessaloniki city center and explain which one I think is the best choice based on my personal opinion.
From saving money to avoiding stress or just getting there as fast as possible, this guide has you covered.
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking.)
Option 1: Public Transport
✅ Cheapest
❌ Takes the longest; no service between 12:45 am and 6:00 am, inflexible
Taking public transportation from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center is the most budget-friendly option — and it’s the one we chose on the day we arrived.
The airport is served by Bus Line 01X, which operates during the day, and Bus Line 01N, which runs at night from 10:00 pm to 12:45 am. Both buses are operated by OASTH, the local bus company.
To catch the bus, exit the arrivals terminal and head to the marked bus stop just outside the terminal building.
You can’t miss it – there’s usually a small queue of travelers with luggage waiting. Make sure to buy your ticket before boarding, either from the ticket machine at the stop or from the driver (bring coins if you’re paying on board).
As of now, a one-way ticket costs around €1.80.
Our flight landed around 8:30 pm, and by the time we got out of the airport and reached the bus stop, it was close to 9:00 pm.
We didn’t have to wait long for the bus to arrive, but since there was already a long line of people ahead of us, we ended up being some of the last to board and couldn’t get a seat.
The journey to the city center usually takes about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. Line 01X/01N runs along Leoforos Georgikis Scholis Avenue and stops at key points like Aristotelous Square, the main train station (Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos), and other stops along Egnatia Street — all central locations.
Even though the bus had arrived, it didn’t leave right away — it was sticking to its schedule, so we had to wait another 20 minutes before it finally pulled out.
With the waiting time and the ride itself, it took us almost 1.5 hours to reach Aristotelous Square. After a full day of travel and standing the whole way, it was a tiring start.
You can find more information about the bus schedule on the OASTH website — though to be honest, it’s not the easiest to navigate and can be a bit confusing.
While it’s definitely the cheapest option, it’s far from the most convenient. The ride takes quite a while, and with all the stops along the way, it can feel pretty long.
That’s exactly why we chose a different option for our return trip from the city center to the airport.
Option 2: Airport Transfer
✅ Fastest, most flexible
❌ More expensive
If you’re looking for a stress-free and comfortable way to get to or from Thessaloniki Airport, I highly recommend booking a private airport transfer.
We used Welcome Pickups for our return trip from Elisabeth Boutique Hotel to the airport — and honestly, I wish we had used it both ways!
We briefly considered taking the public bus back to the airport, but since our flight was very early in the morning and the trip from the airport to the city center had already taken quite a while, we weren’t too keen on going through that whole process again.
That’s why booking a private transfer felt like the perfect choice. It was super easy to book — I just had to enter the pick-up address (right at the hotel!), the date and time, plus the number of passengers and luggage pieces.
The transfer cost us around €30 for two people and two suitcases, so just €15 each, and it was worth every cent. Even though it was very early in the morning, everything went super smoothly, and the ride took less than 30 minutes.
Book your airport transfer in just a few clicks:
After a relaxing few days in Thessaloniki, it was nice to end the trip without any hassle.
If you’re traveling with someone else, or even just want a bit more comfort and reliability, this is the option I’d absolutely go for.
Option 3: Rental Car
✅ Most flexible, fastest
❌ Expensive, unnecessary if you’re not planning any day trips
If you’re planning to explore a bit more and take a few day trips from Thessaloniki, renting a car is definitely the most flexible option.
Whether you want to visit the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora, drive to Mount Olympus, or head down to the beaches of Chalkidiki — having your own car gives you the freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want.
There are plenty of car rental companies right at Thessaloniki Airport, so you can pick up your vehicle as soon as you land.
The drive into the city center takes around 30 minutes, and while traffic can be a bit hectic at times, it’s manageable. Just be aware that parking in Thessaloniki can be tricky, so it helps if your hotel offers private parking.
Whenever I rent a car, I always use Discover Cars. It compares tons of providers, and the filters make it super easy to find offers that match exactly what you need – like full insurance, low deposit, or automatic transmission.
Search and book your rental car in just a few clicks:
Check out:
16 Best Things to do in Thessaloniki For First-Timers
5 Amazing Boutique Hotels in Thessaloniki
Where to Stay in Thessaloniki – Elisabeth Boutique Hotel
Visiting Meteora From Thessaloniki – The Perfect Guide
The 8 Best & Easiest Day Trips From Thessaloniki
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Do you want to travel like me?
Here are some of my favorite travel tips and resources:
Flights: I prefer using CheapOair to book flights. I often search for “Anywhere” to uncover the best flight deals!
Accommodation: Booking.com is my favorite site to find some great hotel deals.
Travel Insurance: There are many reasons why travel insurance is important and I never travel without one. I use the simple and flexible one from SafetyWing that protects me against unforeseen events.
Tours: I love taking tours to explore destinations like a local. My favorite website to book them in advance is GetYourGuide.
Camera Gear: I use a Nikon D5300 camera with an 18-105 mm and a 10-20 mm wide-angle lens to take my photos.
