- Must visit
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
The city’s leading archaeology museum, presenting Macedonian gold, sculpture, and finds that explain Thessaloniki’s ancient history.
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Athens to Thessaloniki
Showing times and prices for Aug 26
Cheapest price
฿40
Average price
฿40
Fastest journey
5 h
Average duration
5 h 21 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
303 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Athens to Thessaloniki is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Athens to Thessaloniki will cost around ฿40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only ฿40.
Fast buses
Of the 9 buses that leave Athens for Thessaloniki on Wed, Aug 26, 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 26 the direct buses cover the 303 km distance in an average of 5 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h .
On Wed, Aug 26 the slowest buses will take 5 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
12:00 AM5h00Athens5:00 AMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers- 7:15 AM5h30Athens12:45 PMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 10:00 AM5h30Athens3:30 PMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 12:00 PM5h30Athens5:30 PMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 1:30 PM5h30Athens7:00 PMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 12:00 AM5h00Athens5:00 AMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 11:15 PM5h15Athens4:30 AMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 7:15 AM5h30Athens12:45 PMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 10:00 AM5h30Athens3:30 PMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
- 12:00 PM5h30Athens5:30 PMThessaloniki฿401One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, ferry, and flight for Athens to Thessaloniki
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Athens to Thessaloniki among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from ฿20. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 32m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of ฿20, and a ferry costs an average of ฿95.
Distance: 188 miles (303 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Ferry | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
฿40 Average price | ฿83 Average price | ฿96 Average price | ฿20 Average price Cheapest | ฿130 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 56m Average total duration 5h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 32m Average total duration Fastest 1h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 17h 40m Average total duration 16h 40m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 5h 42m Average total duration 5h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 23m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Athens to Thessaloniki is a train with an average price of ฿20.
This is compared to other travel options from Athens to Thessaloniki:
A train is ฿20 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Athens to Thessaloniki costing on average ฿40.
A train is ฿63 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Athens to Thessaloniki costing on average ฿83.
A train is ฿76 less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from Athens to Thessaloniki costing on average ฿96.
The fastest way to travel from Athens to Thessaloniki is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 32m.
Other travel options to Thessaloniki take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 12m.
Bus takes on average 5h 26m.
Ferry takes on average 16h 40m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 4 ways to travel between Athens and Thessaloniki including taking a train, bus, ferry, and flight.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki among Omio's users.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around ฿40 compared to roughly ฿130 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about ฿90. The journey takes 5h 26m versus 5h 23m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by KTEL Thessalonikis.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Athens to Thessaloniki Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Operator KTEL Thessalonikis | Departure Time 11:15PM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price ฿40 |
Live departures
Athens to Thessaloniki bus times
The table below shows live departures for Athens to Thessaloniki buses for today, Tuesday, August 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM Athens | 5h30 | 3:30 PM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 12:00 PM Athens | 5h30 | 5:30 PM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 1:30 PM Athens | 5h30 | 7:00 PM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 3:00 PM Athens | 5h30 | 8:30 PM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 4:30 PM Athens | 5h30 | 10:00 PM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 6:00 PM Athens | 5h30 | 11:30 PM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 11:15 PM Athens | 5h15 | 4:30 AM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, August 26 | |||||
| 12:00 AM Athens | 5h00 | 5:00 AM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 7:15 AM Athens | 5h30 | 12:45 PM Thessaloniki | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Athens to Thessaloniki by train, bus, ferry, or flight
Compare train, bus, ferry, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Athens to Thessaloniki
GreeceGreece
Buses from Athens to Thessaloniki run on average 8 times per day, taking around 5h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at ฿40 but you can travel from only ฿20 by train.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:00, the last at 23:15. The fastest bus covers the 188 miles (303 km) distance in 5h 0m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from ฿20
Distance 188 miles (303 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price ฿40 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 5h 0m |
First bus 12:00 AM |
Last bus 11:15 PM |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from ฿20
Bus providers: KTEL Thessalonikis from Athens to ThessalonikiYou can travel by bus between Athens to Thessaloniki with KTEL Thessalonikis for as low as ฿20. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
KTEL Thessalonikis
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
5h 0m
Cheapest Price
฿40
KTEL Thessalonikis frequency
8 a day
Complete guide to Thessaloniki
Things to do in Thessaloniki
Discover the best of Thessaloniki — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Thessaloniki trip today.
- Must visit
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Major museum of Byzantine art with icons, mosaics, and everyday objects that illuminate a millennium of regional culture.
- Recommended
Museum of the White Tower
Housed in the White Tower, this museum traces Thessaloniki’s urban story through multimedia displays inside the landmark itself.
- Must visit
Nea Paralia
Signature waterfront promenade stretching along the sea, ideal for walking, cycling, sunset views, and seeing modern Thessaloniki at leisure.
- Must visit
Aristotelous Square
The city’s central square and social heart, opening to the sea and lined with landmark architecture and major public events.
- Must visit
Ano Poli
Historic upper town with traditional houses, winding lanes, and some of the best panoramic views in Thessaloniki.
- Vegetarian
Bougatsa
Bougatsa is a flaky phyllo pastry filled with custard, cheese, or minced meat. Thessaloniki is especially famous for its breakfast bougatsa tradition.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Koulouri Thessalonikis
Koulouri Thessalonikis is a sesame-crusted bread ring sold by street vendors. It is a classic local breakfast snack closely tied to the city's daily food culture.
- Vegetarian
Trigona Panoramatos
Trigona Panoramatos are crisp syrupy phyllo triangles filled with rich custard cream. They originated in the Thessaloniki area and are a beloved local dessert.
Molyvos
Refined modern Greek restaurant known for creative plates, quality seafood, and a polished but relaxed setting in central Thessaloniki.
Bantis
Historic pastry shop famed for classic bougatsa. A must for breakfast or dessert and one of the city's best-known traditional sweet stops.
Palati
Long-standing ladadika taverna serving meze, grilled dishes, and local wine in a lively traditional atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Euro (€)
Moderate for Greece: rooms, meals, and buses are reasonable, with lower dining and transit costs than many Western European city breaks.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- €8-12 for fast food or street food.
- Mid-range
- €20-35 per person for a meal.
- Fine dining
- €60+ per person for upscale restaurants.
- Coffee
- €2.50-4 for cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% at restaurants for good service; round up taxi fares; small change is fine at cafes.
OASTH Telematics
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- €0.90
- Day pass
- €4.50
To the city center
Thessaloniki, Monastiriou - KTEL -> Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki
- Distance
- 4 km
- Travel time
- 20 min
- Validate paper tickets when boarding buses; inspectors issue fines for unvalidated tickets.
- Contactless bank card payment is not reliably available across Thessaloniki buses, so buy and validate a ticket in advance.
FAQs: Bus from Athens to Thessaloniki
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Thessaloniki, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap bus tickets from Athens to Thessaloniki can start from as little as ฿40 when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Athens to Thessaloniki is ฿40 ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Athens to Thessaloniki is 5h 0m to travel the 188 miles (303 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Athens to Thessaloniki leaves at 12:00 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Athens to Thessaloniki leaves at 11:15 PM.
Yes, there are 8 direct buses a day from Athens to Thessaloniki with KTEL Thessalonikis. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.
When taking a bus from Athens to Thessaloniki, you can count on KTEL Thessalonikis for the best way to get you to Thessaloniki. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Athens and Thessaloniki and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to Thessaloniki from Athens is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 0m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 4 ways to travel between Athens and Thessaloniki including taking a train, bus, ferry, and flight.
No, the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in Thessaloniki are:
- White Tower of Thessaloniki, a historic monument and museum offering panoramic views of the city and the sea
- Rotunda of Galerius, an ancient Roman structure originally intended as a mausoleum, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Aristotelous Square, the main city square known for its impressive architecture and vibrant atmosphere
- Church of Agios Dimitrios, the largest church in Greece dedicated to the city's patron saint, featuring beautiful mosaics
- Ano Poli, the old town area with traditional architecture, narrow streets, and stunning views of Thessaloniki.
The best things to do in Thessaloniki include:
- Museum of Byzantine Culture, a comprehensive museum showcasing Byzantine art and artifacts
- Explore the vibrant local markets, offering a taste of authentic Greek culture and cuisine
- Visit the Thessaloniki Concert Hall for a cultural experience with music and performances
- Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Thessaloniki waterfront promenade
- Discover the local nightlife in the Ladadika district, known for its lively bars and restaurants.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki.
No, luggage for the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki.
No, there is no WiFi on board the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki.
Since both Athens and Thessaloniki are in the Schengen Area, a passport is not required for European Union (EU) or Schengen-associated country citizens. A national ID card is sufficient.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Athens to Thessaloniki among Omio's users.
Greece uses the euro (€) as its currency. Travelers can use both cash and cards, but cash is often preferred in smaller shops, local markets, and remote areas, while cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels, and larger establishments.
In Thessaloniki, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like markets, public transportation, and popular tourist sites. Scams involving overpriced taxis or unlicensed drivers are common, so using official taxi services or pre-booked transportation is advised. Travelers should also be alert to distraction techniques used by scammers in busy spots. Overall, maintaining awareness of belongings and using reputable transportation options helps ensure a safe visit.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.
Most popular bus connections from Athens
More options for your journey from Athens to Thessaloniki
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Thessaloniki and Athens
Most popular bus connections to Thessaloniki
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