There are several options to reach Halkidiki and other popular resorts in Greece (such as Thassos, Kavala, Stavros, Asprovalta, Nea Vrasna or any place in the Ionian and Thessaloniki regions) from Thessaloniki Airport.

Main Bus Stations in Thessaloniki

The Macedonia International Airport (SKG) is located 15km from the center of Thessaloniki. Close to the airport, at approximately 9km away, is the KTEL Halkidiki bus station, which offers routes to all destinations in Halkidiki.
First and foremost, it is important to know that there are two bus stations in Thessaloniki:

  • KTEL Halkidiki from where buses go to Halkidiki
  • KTEL Makedonias - station for intercity and international transport in Thessaloniki (located on the western side of Thessaloniki\, further away from the airport).

Bus Transport to Halkidiki

While there are no direct bus lines from the airport to Halkidiki, there is a reliable way to reach your destination.
First option:
Step 1:
From the airport bus stop, located right in front of the arrivals, you can board a bus marked 79A or 79B. This bus will take you to the IKEA station. The ticket price is approximately 0.90€ and the travel time to IKEA is around 14 minutes.
Step 2:
At the IKEA station, transfer to bus number 36 that goes to the KTEL Halkidiki station. This is the central station for buses traveling to various places in Halkidiki. It is important to note that only three 36 buses make a stop at IKEA: 36, 36B, 36Z.
Step 3:
At the KTEL Halkidiki station, choose a bus heading to your destination in Halkidiki (e.g., Hanioti, Kallithea, Ouranoupoli).

It is worth mentioning that the 79 lines have an unreliable schedule, so we consider airport shuttle transportation - shuttle to Thessaloniki a better option.

Airport Shuttle Transport - Shuttle to Thessaloniki and the Intercity Station KTEL Makedonias

There is a direct line number 01X that connects the airport, city center, and the main intercity bus station (KTEL Makedonias) running every half an hour. The first departure is at 6:10 in the morning, and the last one is at 10:40 in the evening. The travel time to the city center is approximately 40 minutes. Line 01N is the same line but operates at night. The first night departure is at 11:10 in the evening, and the last one is at 05:55 in the morning.

Once you board one of these two lines, you need to reach the city center, specifically Aristotle Square. Get off the bus there, cross the street, and wait for bus number 45 that goes to the KTEL HALKIDIKIS bus station. From there, you can continue to your desired destination in Halkidiki. Departures are frequent and regular.

The schedule and ticket prices can be checked in advance on the KTEL Halkidiki website or at the bus stops. Prices range from 8 euros to Kallithea, 12 euros to Pefkohori, 13 euros to Neos Marmaras, and approximately 13 euros to Ouranoupolis.

You can check ticket prices and make online purchases at the following link HERE.
Alternatively, you can download an application to your phone and buy tickets online by clicking on the link HERE.

Traveling to Other Regions

To travel by bus to Kavala and Thassos, Stavros, Asprovalta, or other cities, you must reach the main station (KTEL MAKEDONIAS), located at the other end of Thessaloniki.
Directly from the airport, you can take the line number 01X (the night line is labeled 01N). Tickets for this line cost around 1.80€.
These are the lines that go directly from the airport to the main bus station in Thessaloniki (KTEL Makedonias):

  • 01X (day line) AIRPORT - KTEL MAKEDONIAS
  • 01N (night line) - AIRPORT - KTEL MAKEDONIAS
  • 1N (night line) - AIRPORT - IKEA - KTEL MAKEDONIAS (only 3 departures from the airport stop at IKEA - 23:40, 00:10, and 00:40).

Buses from the main intercity station also depart for Asprovalta, Stavros, and other resorts in the Thessaloniki region.
For example: Thessaloniki – Asprovalta has about ten daily departures. The first departure is at 5:30 in the morning, and the last one is at 21:00. The fare is 3.70 euros.
For Olympiada, there are only two daily departures, with the last one at 12:00, so careful planning is required. The price is around 4 euros.
There are also about ten daily departures to Stavros, starting from 5:30 in the morning until 21:00.
You can check the departures on the KTEL Makedonias website HERE. By clicking on the desired region, a window will open where you can select the place of interest and get the schedule.

Buses also depart from this station to Athens and the Ionian coast. You can use bus transport or a taxi to get to this station from the airport.

Buses from Thessaloniki to Kavala and Thassos

If you are traveling to Kavala or the surrounding area, or to Thassos, bear in mind that you will need to travel from the airport to KTEL Makedonias (the main bus station for intercity and international departures). From this station, there are departures to all major towns in Greece. From this station, you can travel to Kavala where you can take a ferry to Thassos.

There are about ten departures to Kavala every day. The first departure is at 6:00 in the morning, and the last one is at 22:00. The journey takes around 2.5 hours, so careful planning is essential to coordinate the bus and ferry transport. There are also express departures to Kavala that arrive a bit earlier (departure at 13:30 and 17:30).
If you continue your journey to Thassos, you can check the ferry schedule from Kavala to Skala Prinos HERE.

Taxi Transport from the Airport to Halkidiki

If you prefer comfort and speed, then a taxi is the right choice for you. Of course, a taxi is a more expensive option.

Taxi prices vary depending on the destination in Halkidiki. Be prepared to spend between 90€ and 140€ for a taxi ride to Halkidiki if you use airport taxi services. Note: Taxi fares are higher in the evening and at night.

To protect passengers, the airport offers an application where you can choose a vehicle and book a taxi company that is selected as the best rated based on various criteria and recommended by the airport, check them out HERE.

You can also rent a car at the airport from one of the numerous car rental agencies, and you can check prices and details on the airport’s website HERE.
Most of our tourists hire taxi driver Athanasios Sakis Makantsis from Thessaloniki for transportation to Halkidiki and other places nearby. Sakis studied in Serbia, speaks Serbian fluently, and offers slightly lower prices than airport taxis. 
You can contact him at: +30 6971 806 608 to check current prices.

Tips and Notes

Online Ticket Purchase: If you are planning a trip during the season or on weekends, it is advisable to buy your bus ticket in advance, especially if you are traveling from the airport. This can help you avoid crowds and secure your seat.
Check the Schedule: Bus departure frequency can vary throughout the day and week, so check the schedule in advance to plan your journey.
Communicate with the Driver: Before entering a taxi, talk to the driver about the fare to avoid misunderstandings and agree on the final fare before departure.

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