Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trains are regular or intercity (IC or ICE). Nice trains now operate from Thes-
saloniki-Larisa and Thessaloniki-Edessa. Prices here are for regular trains. If possible,
book a day ahead, as long lines are common.
Trains serve Athens (€36, 6¾ hours, 10 daily), via Litohoro (€7, one hour), Larisa (€10,
two hours) and Volos (€14, 4½ hours). Intercity trains to Athens (€48, 5½ hours) are
more expensive, but not significantly faster.
Several daily trains serve Veria, Edessa and Florina; only two daily trains now serve
Xanthi, Komotini and Alexandroupoli in Thrace.
Thessaloniki's train station has ill-kept downstairs toilets, ATMs, post office, card
phones and small modern eateries, plus an Orthodox chapel. Self-serve luggage storage
lockers start from €3. Additionally, a staffed luggage storage room (€3 per item per day)
operates until 10pm daily - you need to show your train ticket when depositing luggage.
Getting Around
TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
Bus 78 runs half-hourly from the airport west to the main bus station via the train station
(€0.80). Taxis to the airport cost €15 to €25, even more from midnight until 5am.
BUS
Dependable city buses have electronic rolling signs listing the next destination, accom-
panied by a recording repeating this in Greek and English. Screens above most bus stops
also note how many minutes until the next buses. Bus 1 connects the bus station and the
train station, while buses 45A and 45B stop at both (plus Plateia Aristotelous and
Kamara) en route to the Halkidiki bus station. From the train station, major points on Eg-
natia are constantly served by buses such as the 10 and 14.
Buy tickets at
periptera
(street kiosks) for €0.80, or from on-board blue ticket ma-
chines (€0.90). Validate the former, in the orange machines. You can switch buses on the
same ticket within a total 90-minute time span.
Alternatively, buy a 24-hour unlimited usage ticket (€3). The blue machine neither
gives change nor accepts bills, so if you don't have a ticket when boarding, have the right
change, and buy and validate your ticket immediately. Thessaloniki's ticket police
pounce at any sign of confusion - foreigners are especially easy targets. If they nab you,
you'll pay €30 on the spot, or you can go with one of them to plead your case to the po-
lice.
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