The urban development is very extensive when viewed on a map, but in reality most of the sights and attractions are located in the city centre and are easily accessible on foot.
But of course, Thessaloniki also has public and suburban transport, which we will describe in more detail in this article.
Thessaloniki Metro
A city of almost a million people deserves a high-capacity and fast transport system in the form of the metro, and Thessaloniki has realised this, with the construction of one long line across the city well underway. Originally scheduled to start running in 2020, the metro is currently estimated to be operational in 2025.
Of course, we'll write up detailed information about metro travel in Thessaloniki as soon as the first line opens.
Public transport buses in Thessaloniki
Today, however, Thessaloniki still has to make do with buses on the many lines criss-crossing the city. But because Thessaloniki is so densely populated, travelling by bus over longer distances is slow due to frequent traffic lights and high traffic density.
Finding information on timetables or perhaps a map of public transport routes is virtually impossible. On the other hand, most major bus stops have electronic boards showing how long it will take for a particular line to arrive.
Map of lines and timetables
The official website of the transport company , oasth.gr, does provide timetables for individual lines, but not maps of them. There is also no comprehensive map of the public transport system.
There is, however, a fairly reliable search engine for the optimal route on the telematics.oasth.gr, where you don't even have to enter the name of the stop directly. Just type in the address you're at and where you're heading and the search engine will automatically find the connection from the nearest available stops.
The most useful lines and routes for tourists are:
- Airport - Centre - Macedonia Station (bus and train): line 1X (see detailed info)
- Macedonia Station (bus and train) - Centre (Aristotle Avenue): lines 1X, 2K, 3K, 10, 11, 14, 17, 21, 21A, 23, 37, 45, 45A, 45B
- Centrum (Aristotelova třída) - Bílá věž: lines 3K, 5, 6, 11, 12, 15, 33, 39
- Centre (Eleutherias Square) - Yes Poli district - City Walls: line 23
- Centre - Halkidiki bus station towards Halkidiki peninsula: lines 45A, 45B
Bus tickets
Unfortunately, there are no day or multi-day tickets in Thessaloniki. Only time tickets (maximum 120 minutes) can be purchased. Only paper tickets are still used here, and the following types are available:
- 0,90 eur - 1 journey
- 1,10 eur - 2 journeys with a maximum of 70 minutes
- 1,30 eur - 3 journeys with a maximum of 90 minutes
- 1,80 eur - 4 journeys and max. 120 minutes
- 1,80 eur - special ticket for the 1X airport express and tourist line 50, valid for one journey only
For current ticket prices, please visit oasth.gr/fares.
Tickets can be purchased inside the bus at the ticket machine, but it only accepts exact cash and does not refund.
It is more convenient to buy tickets at the official stands of the transport company located at several places around the city (see detailed list). These booths can also be used to pay by card or larger amounts of cash. Tickets for public transport are not sold in newsagents or shops.
We recommend buying a few tickets to stock up on at the airport, where one of the kiosks is located at the bus stop. Tickets can easily be used later, as their validity starts only with the marking in the marker inside the bus (at each door).
By boat
From the centre of Thessaloniki, you can take a 50-minute trip by regular boats to the beaches of Perea or Agia Triada a short distance away. Boats leave from the pier at the main port (see map) and from the White Tower (see map).
Karavakia sails the route for 6 eur (4 times a day) and Poseidon Waterways for 7 eur (3 times a day).
Taxi
The city is plied by a huge number of official taxis, which are always dark blue with white roofs, but Uber also operates here.
Taxis are plentiful at all tourist attractions or transport hubs at all hours of the day and night. They all always have to use a taximeter and usually do. Haggling on price is not practiced here, and if the taxi driver agrees to it, he will probably "pull you over" eventually.
The prices of Thessaloniki taxis are set by city ordinance:
- 1,30 eur - boarding rate
- 0,75 eur - per 1 km between 5:00 and 24:00
- 1,30 eur - for 1 km between 0:00 and 5:00
There is also a charge for larger luggage placed in the trunk (0,43 eur) and extra charges for travel to/from the airport (3,47 eur) or the port or bus and train stations (1,18 eur). The minimum rate is 3,47 eur, which you will always pay even if you only go 10 metres around the corner.
Transportation Thessaloniki - Halkidiki
As Thessaloniki is practically at the beginning of the popular holiday peninsula of Halkidiki, transport to the resorts in this region can actually be considered suburban.
Due to the large number of small resorts, the rugged coastline and the beautiful natural sites, the best way to travel is by car.
There are many car rental companies at the airport and in the city. Prices for a week during the holidays range from 366 eur upwards, and in the low season from 220 eur.
However, you can also take a bus to Halkidiki from the local bus station , KTEL Halkidikis, which is located in the south-east of the town (see map).
There are no buses to Halkidiki from Macedonia Central Station.
Buses run to all the major resorts in Halkidiki, usually 3-6 times a day at prices between 15 eur and 20 eur one way. For overview information and timetables, visit the KTEL Chalkidikis bus operator's website.
The bus station can be reached from the centre by public transport lines 45A and 45B.
