To reach Thassos and back from Belgrade by car, you can travel through two main routes:

• through Bulgaria
• through North Macedonia (crossing Evzoni or Dojran)

In the text, we will describe all routes (options).

Journey to Thassos through Bulgaria

Route 1: Through Sandanski and Serres (main and fastest route)

Belgrade — Niš — Dimitrovgrad — Sofia — Blagoevgrad — Sandanski — Kulata border crossing — Serres — Rapsani/Keramoti.

• Distance: 700 km
• Duration: about 8 hours of driving
• Type of road: Almost entirely highway from Belgrade to Greece. The only main interruption is the Kresna Gorge (about 20 km). From entering Greece to Serres, it’s a fast highway with double lanes, and after Serres, it’s a main road.

There are not many large gas stations along the road in Bulgaria, so we suggest refueling near Sandanski, which is 22 km away from the Greek border. The fuel prices are lower than in Greece, and the accommodation in the Sandanski spa town is very affordable, so you can take a break. In the evening, you can take a walk through the town, and in the morning, after breakfast, rest and then continue your journey without delays.

• We remind you that the border crossing between Bulgaria and Greece was abolished with Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen zone, so there are no delays. Border checkpoints still exist, and the police can perform routine checks at any time, but there are no longer border delays.

Route 2: Through Bansko, Ilinden border crossing, and Drama (alternative but mountainous route)

Belgrade — Niš — Dimitrovgrad — Sofia — Blagoevgrad — Bansko — Ilinden/Exocchi border crossing — Drama — Rapsani/Keramoti.

• Distance: 700 km
• Duration: driving takes more than 8 hours (it is estimated to be 8 hours and 15,20 minutes).
• Type of road: Combined route. The highway goes to Blagoevgrad, where it splits into a main and mountain road through Bansko and Goce Delchev to (former) Ilinden border crossing. In Greece, the road takes you through Drama, mostly a combination of main and regional roads with curves and passes through residential areas. Ideal for avoiding queues at Kulata.

Route 3: Through Vlasina Lake (avoiding Gradina and Sofia)

Belgrade — Vladičin Han — Surdulica — Strezimirovci border crossing — Blagoevgrad — Kresna — Kulata border crossing — Serres — Rapsani/Keramoti.

• Distance: 710 km
• Duration: about 9 hours
• Type of road: The most demanding but scenically most beautiful route. The highway goes to Vladičin Han, then follows a steep ascent, mountainous and winding road through Surdulica and Vlasina to the small border crossing of Strezimirovci. In Bulgaria, you descend on a regional road to Blagoevgrad, where you catch the highway again to Serres (with a break in the Kresna Gorge). It is used only on peak weekends when you want to completely avoid queues at Gradina border crossing and around Sofia.

Journey to Thassos through North Macedonia

Route 1: Through North Macedonia and Evzoni (Traditional route)

Route: Belgrade — Preševo — Skopje — Evzoni border crossing — Thessaloniki (ring road) — Keramoti — Limenas.

• Length and time: This route from Belgrade to Limenas is a little over 800 km. When everything is added up — border crossing delays, 2-3 breaks at rest stops, and the ferry transport — the car journey takes at least 11 hours. If you are traveling on shift change days of July 1st or 15th, especially on August 1st or on weekends around these dates, expect the journey to take several hours longer.

Tips for this route:

• Green signs near Thessaloniki: On the ring road around Thessaloniki, strictly follow the green signs for Kavala. They lead you to the direct highway. Avoid blue signs — they lead through an industrial zone on an old road, and you will travel three times longer!
• Bypassing Kavala: When approaching Kavala (after 140 km of driving from Thessaloniki), do not turn into the city. Continue on the highway following the green signs for Xanthi for about 30 km, until you see the sign for Thassos - Keramoti and the ferry sign.

Route 2: Through Dojran (Ideal alternative for overnight stay)

Route: Belgrade — Preševo — Udovo — Dojran border crossing — Kilkis — Liti interchange (joining Egnatia Odos) — Keramoti.

• Why choose: The Dojran border crossing is much less congested than Evzoni. The exit from the highway is at Udovo (145 km from entering Macedonia), from where you drive another 32 km on the main road to the lake.

Tips for this route:

• Cheaper fuel before Greece: About 100 meters behind the excellent apartments in Novo Dojran is the last gas station before Greece (where fuel is significantly more expensive). It operates from 08:00 to 22:00 and accepts cards. If you drive on gas (LPG), the last station is 20 km before Dojran, in Valandovo.
• Morning tradition: In the morning before the border, continue 3 km to Stari Dojran and stop for excellent burek in the center near the market.
• Trick for the Liti interchange: Joining the highway to Kavala at Liti can be confusing. If you don’t want to navigate through local streets, at the intersection with traffic lights, continue straight following the green sign for Thessaloniki. After exactly 8 km, when you pass the hill, exit the highway, go under the overpass, and without stress, merge into the opposite direction - straight to the highway to Kavala.

If you are planning a vacation, check out the accommodation offer on Thassos

Return from Thassos to Serbia (Common Mistakes)

When returning home from Thassos, navigation usually does the job, but there are three key points where traffic signs on-site can confuse drivers. Pay attention to these details so that you don’t get lost:

1. The first trap right after leaving Keramoti

When you disembark from the ferry in Keramoti, follow the signs for Kavala and the airport. After about 15 kilometers, you will pass by the airport itself and soon reach a major intersection with traffic lights.

• Tip: At this traffic light, blue signs will direct you to turn left towards Kavala. Do not turn left, as it takes you to the old, slow main road! Turn right - there you will find the green sign for Kavala (partially hidden by bushes for years). By turning right, after just 1 km, you emerge directly onto the interchange and safely join the Egnatia Odos highway you came on.

2. If returning through Bulgaria

The return is now completely relieved. When you join the Egnatia Odos highway from Keramoti, you do not enter Kavala at all. Just follow the fast ride on the highway and follow the clear, large green signs for Serres and the marking BG (Bulgaria). They will directly take you off the highway and guide you straight to the Kulata border crossing.

3. If returning through Dojran

After about 165 km of driving on the highway from the Kavala junction, you will come across clear signs for Kilkis. Exit the Egnatia Odos highway there, then follow the regional road and signs leading to the Doirani (Dojran) border crossing.

4. If returning through Evzoni (Main border crossing through North Macedonia)

As you approach Thessaloniki from the direction of Kavala on the highway, you go on the outer ring road. The Greeks have renewed the signs, so the procedure is now simpler:

• Ignore the first exits for Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.
• Keep the course all the time and follow the large green signs that say Evzonoi (or signs for the border crossing and Skopje / MK).
• The interchange will naturally direct you to the branch that leads straight north towards the border. Even if by some miracle you miss the first main exit, just continue straight — the next interchange will safely return you to the same direction towards Evzoni.

Safety first

Many parents start around midnight to reach their accommodation by noon. However, keep in mind that the highest number of accidents due to fatigue occurs between 5 and 7 in the morning. Therefore, a much better option is to depart around 9 in the morning, have a relaxed drive, and have a decent overnight stay in southern Macedonia or Bulgaria. We know it’s a bit more expensive option, but it’s definitely safer, and everyone arrives at the seaside well-rested - including the drivers :)

Important technical information for the journey (Costs and procedures)

1. Bulgarian vignette (Mandatory immediately after the border)

As soon as you cross the Serbian-Bulgarian border (or Strezimirovci border crossing), you enter roads where an electronic vignette for cars is mandatory.

• Where to buy: You can buy it online before the trip through the official website or app (BGTOLL), or at official machines and gas stations immediately after crossing the border. You have daily, weekend, seven-day, and monthly vignettes. The daily one costs €4.09.
• Important note: Be careful to enter the license plates correctly (pay attention to the letters - write them without diacritics) because the system checks everything via cameras, and the fines are high.
• Read our detailed guide on buying and prices of the Bulgarian vignette here

2. Tolls from Serbia to Greece

• Through Bulgaria - from Belgrade to Thassos - around €27.37
• Through North Macedonia - from Belgrade to Thassos - around €38.00
• Check here for updated toll prices in Greece

3. Ferry to Thassos (Keramoti – Limenas)

For the trip to Thassos through Bulgaria, by far the best, fastest, and most affordable option is the Keramoti port, from where the ferry sails directly to the island’s capital (Limenas).

• Duration of the trip: Around 35–40 minutes.
• Ticket price: €6 for adults, €3 for children (free for children up to 3 years old), and €22 for a car up to 4.5m.
• Frequency: During the season, ferries from Keramoti depart every half hour, so there is no need to buy tickets in advance - they are purchased at the ticket office at the port before boarding.
• Alternative: There is also a route from Kavala to Skala Prinos, but it takes considerably longer (about an hour and a half) and has fewer departures (only 3-4 daily), so it is recommended only if your accommodation is near Prinos.
• Check the current schedule and exact ferry prices for Thassos here

Fuel prices and an important insider tip for Greece

• Where to refuel for maximum savings: Gasoline, diesel, and LPG prices in North Macedonia and Bulgaria are traditionally 20% to 25% cheaper compared to Greece. The golden rule for saving on travel budget is to fill up the tank to the top at the last gas stations before the Greek border — for example, in Novo Dojran (if you go that route) or around Sandanski (if you go through Bulgaria).
• Hidden trap on the Greek highway (Egnatia Odos): Unlike Serbia and North Macedonia, where large and modern gas stations are positioned directly on the highway, on the Greek highway from Thessaloniki to Kavala, there are almost no gas stations close to the road! If you run out of fuel, you will be forced to exit the highway, drive 1-2 kilometers in a circle through local towns and villages to find a gas station, and then return to the highway. You can easily avoid wasting time and unnecessary stress by entering Greece with a full tank of fuel poured in transit.

Whether to go through Bulgaria or North Macedonia?

Although there can be traffic on both routes during the season, whether you choose to go through Bulgaria or North Macedonia, we still believe that it is best to travel to Thassos through Bulgaria. Simply put, the route is much shorter.

P.S. An international driver’s license for Greece is no longer required, and the green card for North Macedonia is still necessary.

Where to stay on the way to Thassos? (Most popular locations)

If you don’t want to drive the whole stretch at once, it’s easiest to divide the journey in half. Depending on the route you choose, drivers most often choose these places for rest and overnight stays:

• Dojran (North Macedonia): By far the most popular stop if you go through Macedonia. It is located right next to the alternative border crossing, the place is lively, offers excellent and affordable private accommodation, and in the morning, you can enjoy the famous burek before crossing the border.
• Sandanski (Bulgaria): The main base for rest on the route through Bulgaria. This beautiful spa town is only 22 km away from the Greek border, offers a huge number of hotels and apartments at very affordable prices, so it is ideal to enter Greece among the first in the morning.
• Bansko (Bulgaria): An excellent option if you choose the alternative route through the Ilinden/Drama border crossing. Although it is a mountain ski resort, in the summer it offers top hotels with pools and spa centers at incredibly low prices.

Looking for something different or authentic? For those who want a quieter vacation in a spiritual and natural environment, excellent options for overnight stays and breaks are the Prohor Pčinjski Monastery (near our border crossing with Macedonia) or the magnificent Rila Monastery in Bulgaria.

• Note: If you want to sleep in hotel comfort around these monasteries or in Prohor Pčinjski’s konak, advance reservation is mandatory. In the Rila Monastery itself, accommodation in cells is obtained exclusively on-site, on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Read detailed descriptions of all these locations, hotel suggestions, and driving tips in our special guide: Accommodation on the way to Greece through Bulgaria and North Macedonia (insert the exact link to your article about accommodations here).

For the widest selection of accommodation on Thassos, click HERE.

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