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.

Book a hotel in the centre

Thessaloniki Metro

There is currently one metro line operating in Thessaloniki and another one under construction.

Line 1 runs from the main train and bus station southwards through the centre to the southern edge of Thessaloniki.

Line map and timetables

The metro is operated by Thema, whose official website thessmetro.gr provides a line diagram and other information.

The metro runs from 5:30 to about 0:30 and the frequency is from 5 to 15 minutes.

Metro tickets

In Thessaloniki, there are separate tickets for metro and buses, and you cannot transfer to a bus or vice versa with a metro ticket.

• 0,60 eur - 70 minutes (unlimited number of metro rides within this time)
• 2,50 eur - 24 hours (unlimited number of metro rides within this period)
• 5,80 eur - 11 tickets of 70 minutes each

For current ticket prices, please visit thessmetro.gr/en/tickets.

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket machines in all metro stations (card and cash payments are possible).

You have to go through turnstiles to get to the platform, where you have to validate the ticket to open it. The turnstiles are used to enter and exit the station, so you must keep your ticket for the entire journey.

Public transport buses in Thessaloniki

Travelling longer distances by bus is slow due to frequent traffic lights and high traffic density.

At most major stops there are electronic boards showing how long it will take for a particular line to arrive.

Line map and timetables

The official website of the transport company , oasth.gr, provides timetables for each line, but no maps. 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

Currently you can buy the following bus tickets. In the course of 2025, the tickets should be integrated with the metro, but currently they can only be used for bus lines.

• 0,60 eur - 70 minutes (unlimited metro rides within this time)
• 2 eur - 1X bus fare to the airport
• 2,50 eur - 24 hours (unlimited number of metro rides within this period)
• 5,80 eur - 11 tickets for 70 minutes each

For current ticket prices, visit oasth.gr/fares.

Tickets can be purchased inside the bus at the ticket machine, which only accepts credit cards.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased at the official ticket booths of the transport company located in 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.

Tickets are sold on a ThessTicket, which can be used to recharge other fares.

Tickets can also be purchased via the OSETH mobile app:

• Google Play
• App Store (not yet available)

By boat

From the centre of Thessaloniki, you can take a 50-minute trip on 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 an enormous 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.

Compare car rental prices

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.