Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) is located around 17 km from the bustling city center of Thessaloniki. There are three different options when it comes to your transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to the city: taxi, private transfer, or the public bus.
The quickest and most reliable way to get to your hotel is to take a Thessaloniki Airport taxi or a private Thessaloniki Airport transfer. The journey time in a local taxi or a private Thessaloniki Airport transfer service is just 30 minutes and the driver will drop you off directly at the door of your accommodation.
The cheapest transfer option is to take either the 01X day or 01N night bus from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center. However, this journey will take at least 70 minutes and there can be up to a 40-minute wait for the bus, making it a very slow and somewhat unreliable transfer option.
4 options to go from Thessaloniki Airport to city center
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €27 | 30min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| So that you have adequate time to pass through customs and baggage control, we suggest setting your pickup time around 20 to 30 minutes after your landing time. | ||||||
Taxi | €25 | 30min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| If traveling during the summer months, it's advisable to pre-book a private transfer to avoid the long queues. | ||||||
Bus 01X | €3.60 | 55min | 06:10–22:40 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Although taking the public bus is the cheapest option, it is definitely not the fastest. If you simply want to get to your accommodation as quickly as possible and relax, taking a taxi or private transfer is recommended. | ||||||
Night Bus 01N | €3.60 | 50min | 23:10–05:55 | Convenience | Read more | |
| To avoid having to wait in the dark for your bus, we suggest taking a taxi or private transfer for your journey into the city center. | ||||||
Taking a taxi from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center is the quickest and most convenient option. The Thessaloniki Airport taxi rank is open 24 hours a day and you will see the long line of blue and white cars waiting as you exit the Arrivals Hall. Simply follow the signs from Baggage Claim and hop into the first available taxi to begin your journey.
What's the Thessaloniki Airport to city taxi cost?
Taxis from Thessaloniki Airport charge a fixed fare to the historic city center of €25 during the day (05:00 to 24:00) and €35 at night (24:00 to 05:00).
However, if your destination isn’t located inside the historic city center, you will be charged using a taximeter. There are two different taximeter tariffs, one applicable during the day (05:00 to 24:00) and one at night (24:00 to 05:00):
Base fare: €1.30
Price per km day: €0.74
Price per km night: €1.30
*It’s important to keep in mind that these fares are set by the municipality and are subject to change without notice.
Prices for Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport
Where do I get a taxi from?
There are two different terminals at Thessaloniki Airport: Terminal A for domestic flights and Terminal B for international flights. Each terminal has its own taxi rank located on the Ground Floor, outside of the Arrivals Hall.
You can easily spot the official Thessaloniki taxis as they are dark blue with a white roof and a ‘TAXI’ sign on top.
Convenience
Taking a taxi from Thessaloniki Airport to the city is a fast and convenient way to travel as they are available 24/7. However, during peak travel times or high season, there can be long waits for a local taxi as demand increases.
*The peak travel season for Thessaloniki is June to August, so it’s important to factor in long wait times for your taxi during this period. You can avoid a long wait by booking a private transfer.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreThe 01X day bus offers rides into Thessaloniki, to major points such as the historic city center, the Central Railway Station, and the “Makedonia” Intercity Bus Station (KTEL). The journey from Thessaloniki Airport to the city by bus will be around 55 minutes, as the day bus makes many stops at smaller stations along the way.
*It’s worth noting that there’s also a night bus (01N) that offers the same route during the hours of 23:10 to 05:55, making the intercity buses a 24-hour option.
What's the cost of the bus from Thessaloniki Airport to city center?
The cost of taking the 01X bus from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center will be a fixed €1.80 for adults and €0.90 for children, students, and senior citizens. Children under the age of 6 travel for free on the 01X bus.
You can only purchase your bus tickets onboard the bus from the automatic vending machines. However, it’s important to note that these machines don’t give change, so it’s important to carry exact change with you to avoid being overcharged.
The 01X bus runs from 06:10 to 22:40.
Where do I get the bus from?
As Thessaloniki Airport is very small, the public buses can easily be found just outside of the Arrivals Hall on the Ground Floor. When you see the taxi stand, cross the road and within 100m you will have reached the Thessaloniki Airport bus station.
Convenience
Taking a bus from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center is the cheapest transfer option, but it’s not the most convenient. You can expect long wait times for the buses and your journey time will be double that of a taxi or private transfer option. You will also need exact change in Euros to pay for your bus ticket, which can be complicated when you first arrive in a new country.
Timetables
01X Day Bus
Timetable from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center
Useful Tips
If you’re landing in Thessaloniki Airport at night, you will be able to take the 01N night bus. This bus service offers rides into the city center of Thessaloniki, to the Central Railway Station, and the “Makedonia” Intercity Bus Station (KTEL). Unlike its daytime counterpart (line 01X), this bus only stops at the major bus stops, so the journey into the city center will be slightly faster at 50 minutes.
What's the cost of traveling from Thessaloniki Airport to the city by bus?
The cost of a single bus ticket on the 01N night bus into the city center will be €1.80. Children from the age of 7, senior citizens, and students will pay a discounted price of €0.90. You can purchase your tickets from the vending machines on the bus. However, these machines only accept cash in Euros and don’t give change.
The 01N bus runs from 23:10 to 05:55 daily.
Where do I find the bus?
The bus station is located on the Ground Floor just outside of the Arrivals Hall. After exiting the building, you will see the taxi rank, cross the road here and the bus stops will be in front of you.
Convenience
As there is a night bus, this means that there’s a form of public transportation available 24 hours a day from Thessaloniki Airport. Taking the bus is also a much cheaper alternative to the other modes of transportation. However, the journey time on the bus is long and once you reach the city center, you will have to walk with your heavy luggage or take yet another bus to get closer to your hotel. A safer option, especially at night, will be to get a taxi.
Timetables
01N Night Bus
Timetable for the bus form Thessaloniki Airport to the city
Useful Tips
If you’d prefer to skip the long queues at the taxi rank and avoid the crowded public transport, taking a private Thessaloniki Airport transfer to your hotel in the city is the best option. Choosing to travel with a world-renowned company such as Welcome Pickups will open up an entire world of convenience and exciting travel extras, such as:
For your peace of mind, you will be able to fully book and pre-pay your transfer before you land in Greece, allowing you to completely relax the moment you arrive in Thessaloniki. As all of our Welcome drivers are local experts, your driver will also happily give you a mini tour of the city on the way to your hotel, so you know all the best spots to hit up once you’re settled in.
What's the cost of a private transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to city center?
Pre-booking your transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center will give you complete peace of mind that your ride is paid for before you step foot off the plane. At Welcome Pickups, we offer guaranteed fixed rates, with no hidden extra or last-minute costs.
For example, a private transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki will cost €27 for up to 3 passengers traveling in one of our modern sedans. For larger groups of up to 7 people, our minivan will whisk you off to your hotel in Thessaloniki for €49.
Booking your transfer with us couldn’t be easier, you can do so on our website or through our app in a matter of minutes. Simply enter your personal details, your flight number, and your desired pickup time to receive your quote. As all of our quotes are fixed and final, there will be no additional costs, nasty surprises, or surcharges added to your fare, even if you’re sitting waiting in traffic.
Private transfers are available 24 hours a day from Thessaloniki Airport.
Where will I find my private transfer?
So you don’t need to waste time walking around the airport, trying to find the taxi rank, your driver will come to you. After exiting customs, you will see your friendly English-speaking driver waiting in the Arrivals Hall holding a sign with your name on it. After a warm greeting, your driver will then lend a hand with your luggage, while escorting you to your pre-selected vehicle, so you can begin your journey in style.
Convenience
Although the local Thessaloniki taxis are a good transfer option, nothing beats the comfort and reliability of a private transfer. Knowing your ride is already paid for and that your driver will always be on time is the ultimate stress-free way to arrive in a new city. A private transfer is also the top option for families and people traveling for business and it offers the fastest and most seamless way to get to your hotel. Choosing to travel with Welcome Pickups will leave you feeling relaxed, stress-free, and ready to explore this exciting Greek city.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 4 passengers
€12Starting from 3 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 7 passengers
€11Starting from 1.6 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€65Starting from 5.4 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Thessaloniki Airport to the center?
There are three different options for your transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center: taxi, private transfer, or bus. Taking a taxi or private transfer is the quickest option, with a journey time of just 30 minutes. On the other hand, the bus is a very affordable transfer option, but the journey time will be closer to 70 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Thessaloniki Airport to city center?
Taxi fare from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center isn’t fixed. All drivers use taximeters to calculate the cost of your journey, based on distance and time elements. You can expect to pay around €25 for a Thessaloniki Airport taxi to the city during the day and around €32 when traveling at night (24:00 to 05:00). You can pre-book online with Welcome Pickups for a fixed price and a variety of complimentary travel perks.
How much is a bus from Thessaloniki Airport to city center?
The cost of taking the 01X or 01N bus from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center will be €1.80 per adult or €0.90 per child. Tickets are available to purchase from the driver in cash in euros.
Fern Coll
Fern is originally from England, but her love of travel led her to lay roots in Mexico. She’s a business owner and published author with a passion for storytelling. Fern specialises in travel content, helping brands connect with audiences through engaging writing.
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