The Thessaloniki Airport is connected to the city and the inter-city bus station (“KTEL”) by an inexpensive express bus service. The bus 01X runs 2 to 3 times per hour, 7 days a week, from a little before 6:00 am to slightly before 22:00. The bus 01N takes over the rest of the time, so there’s always transportation between the airport and the city, day and night. You can find the schedule for the 01X here, and the schedule for the 01N here.
The fact that it is so easy to get into the city using the SKG/Makedonia Thessaloniki airport bus is one of the reasons that Thessaloniki is such an ideal and easy destination.
Related post: Best Things to Do in Thessaloniki – Sights, Activities, and Cultural Experiences
How to Find the Airport Bus
Thessaloniki’s Makedonia Airport is very easy to navigate. There is just one arrivals area. Walk directly outside and cross the taxi lane. Straight ahead of you, there is a sheltered bus stop, and to the right, a small white kiosk where you can buy tickets for the Thessaloniki Airport Bus.
The Fare for the Thessaloniki Airport Bus
The one-way fare on the Airport bus is € 2. There is a reduced fare, but reduced fares only apply to people who have a card. There are orange boxes for validating your ticket when you board the bus. If the bus is there and you don’t have time, don’t worry. There are machines to buy tickets right on the bus. You don’t need to validate tickets bought from the machines on board- they’re already stamped with a date and time, and are only valid for the one ride. For more detailed information on bus fares, please check here.
Where to Buy Tickets for the Airport Bus
There is a ticket kiosk right outside the arrivals area. Leaving the baggage claim and going outside, you cross one lane of traffic and walk about 25 meters. The bus stop is right next to the ticket kiosk. There are orange machines at the entrances to the bus- you cancel your ticket by inserting it in the slot. Pull it out and make sure the edge is stamped.
If the bus is already there and you don’t have time to buy a ticket, you can buy your bus ticket from one of the machines on the bus. These tickets look different, and you don’t need to cancel them in the machine because the time is already stamped on the ticket.
The Route from the Airport into Thessaloniki
The day time bus- the 01X- enters the city along Vasilissis Olgas, near the seafront, and continues along Tsimiski, continuing to the west to the central KTEL station (please note: this is station for connections to Athens, Volos, Larissa, and other destinations throughout Greece, but not for Chalkidiki. There is a separate KTEL station for Chalkidiki, much closer to the airport. For detailed information, check here). The night bus- the 01N – crosses the city along Egnatia, the city’s central throroughfare a few blocks north and parallel to the sea. Both routes are accessible and central.
01X- An Express Bus
The day-time Airport bus is an express, and does not make frequent stops. Many other buses run along the same route making local stops. Find out what stop is closest to your destination, and consult the oasth site for details.
01N- A Useful Night Bus
Since it’s the city’s only night bus, the 01N Airport bus makes all local stops. It’s also popular with people enjoying Thessaloniki’s nightlife.
Getting to the Airport
The 01X and the N1 take slightly different routes through the Thessaloniki city center. For stops on the 01X check here, and click “show map.” For stops on the 01N, check here, and click “show map.”
Getting to Halkidiki from the Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport
There are two KTEL bus terminals in Thessaloniki. There’s the KTEL Makedonia on the west side of town, which is where the 01X and the 1N go.
For destinations in Halkidiki, there’s a separate station. The KTEL Halkidiki services only Halkidiki. It’s located much closer to the airport and is easy to get to. Please see here for detailed information on getting from the Thessaloniki Airport to Halkidiki.
