Thessaloniki doesn't have a metro. That's the first thing Google Maps won't warn you about clearly enough — and it trips up half the travelers arriving at the airport expecting underground lines to whisk them to the waterfront. What Greece's second city does have is a dense bus network, walkable neighborhoods, affordable taxis, and one of the best waterfronts in Europe that you can cover entirely on foot. Here's everything you need to move around the city without frustration.

Quick Reference: Thessaloniki Transport at a Glance

Mode	Cost Range	Best For
City bus (OASTH)	€1.10–€1.20/ride	Cross-city trips, airport
Taxi	€4–€12 (city center)	Late night, luggage, groups
Beat (rideshare)	€5–€15	Price transparency, solo
On foot	Free	Waterfront, Ladadika, Ano Poli
Rental bike/scooter	€8–€15/day	Flat coastal strip
Rental car	€25–€50/day	Day trips to Halkidiki, Vergina

The Airport: Getting Into the City

Thessaloniki "Makedonia" Airport (SKG) is 15 km southeast of the city center. You have three realistic options:

Bus 78 (Cheapest — €1.20)

The OASTH Bus 78 runs between the airport and the main bus terminal (KTEL Macedonia) near the center. Journey time is 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. It runs approximately every 20–30 minutes from around 5:30 AM to midnight. You pay on board — keep small change. This is the standard option for budget travelers.

Taxi (Fastest — €15–€25)

Official airport taxis queue outside arrivals. The metered fare to the city center runs €15–€22 during the day and €20–€25 after midnight (night tariff applies 00:00–05:00). Always insist on the meter — some drivers on tourist routes try flat rates that exceed the meter fare. Journey time: 20–30 minutes.

Rideshare via Beat (Best Middle Ground — €12–€18)

Beat (formerly Taxibeat) is the dominant rideshare app in Greece. Book from the arrivals hall before exiting — prices are locked in and drivers are rated. Typical fare to Aristotelous Square runs €12–€16. The app works throughout the city and is more reliable than hailing street taxis late at night.

The Bus Network (OASTH)

Thessaloniki's public buses cover the entire city and its suburbs. The system is functional but requires a bit of orientation.

Fare: €1.10 per ride when buying a card (top up at kiosks or OASTH offices); €1.20 cash on board.

Day pass: €4.10, valid for unlimited rides for 24 hours.

Validate your ticket on the machine inside the bus — inspectors do check.

Key Routes Travelers Use

Bus 78: Airport ↔ KTEL Macedonia (main bus terminal)
Bus 1 / 5 / 11: Along the waterfront and city center
Bus 23: Aristotelous Square ↔ Ano Poli (Upper Town)
Buses 31, 39: Train station area to center

Pick up a physical route map at the OASTH office on Aristotelous Square or use Google Maps — it handles Thessaloniki buses accurately as of 2025.

Practical tip: Buses run roughly 5:30 AM to 11 PM on most routes. After midnight, options are limited — budget for a taxi or Beat.

Walking: Your Best Option in the Center

Thessaloniki's old city is compact and extremely walkable. The flat waterfront promenade — the paralia — stretches 4 km from the White Tower past the Port. You can walk from the White Tower to the Ladadika district in under 20 minutes. Aristotelous Square to the Modiano Market? 7 minutes on foot.

The one exception is Ano Poli (Upper Town): this historic neighborhood of Byzantine walls and Ottoman-era houses sits on a steep hill above the city. It's beautiful, but expect a 25–30 minute uphill walk from the center. Most visitors take a taxi or bus up and walk down.

Don't miss on foot:

The 4 km waterfront walk at golden hour
The market streets around Modiano and Kapani
The Jewish and Ottoman heritage trail through the old bazaar area

Taxis

Thessaloniki taxis are yellow and widely available. The city has around 4,000 licensed cabs.

Meter rates (2025):

Flag fall: €1.30
Per km (day): €0.74
Per km (night, 00:00–05:00): €1.48
Minimum fare: €3.80

Typical fares:

Aristotelous Square to Ano Poli: €5–€7
Center to Kalamaria: €7–€10
Airport to center: €15–€22

You can hail taxis on the street, find them at designated stands (there are several around Aristotelous Square and the train station), or book via Beat. Calling ahead via a local taxi company app is common among residents.

Beat (Rideshare)

Beat is the Greek equivalent of Uber and the dominant app in Thessaloniki. As of 2025, Uber itself doesn't operate in Greece. Beat offers transparent pricing before you confirm a ride, driver ratings, and card payment.

Download the app before you arrive. It works across Greece and is particularly useful if you're uncomfortable negotiating with taxis or traveling alone at night.

Cycling and Scooters

The coastal strip and flat central areas are reasonably bikeable. Several rental operators near the waterfront offer bikes for €8–€12/day and electric scooters for €12–€20/day.

The city also has electric scooter share operators (Lime and local alternatives) available via app — useful for short hops along the flat waterfront.

Avoid cycling in the hilly Old Town and the heavily trafficked main roads — the driving culture makes it stressful.

Getting to Day Trip Destinations

Halkidiki Peninsula (beaches — 70 km)

No direct bus from Thessaloniki city. Take the KTEL Halkidikis bus from the KTEL Halkidiki terminal (a separate station from the main KTEL Macedonia). Buses run frequently in summer to Kassandra, Sithonia, and other beach areas. Fare: €6–€12 one-way. Journey: 1–2 hours depending on destination.

A rental car makes Halkidiki significantly easier — you can reach multiple beaches and villages at your own pace. Prices start around €25–€35/day in low season, €40–€55 in summer.

Vergina (ancient Macedonian royal tombs — 70 km)

No direct public bus. Your options: rent a car, join an organized tour (€35–€55 from the city), or take a bus to Veria and taxi from there (not ideal). For Vergina, a rental car or tour is the practical choice.

Mount Olympus (100 km)

Take the intercity bus from KTEL Macedonia to Litochoro (€8, 1.5 hours). From Litochoro village, hike trails lead up the mountain. Book accommodation in Litochoro in advance in summer.

Thessaloniki Metro: What's Actually Happening

Yes, Thessaloniki has been building a metro since 2006. As of early 2026, Line 1 is finally operational — running from New Railway Station to Nea Elvetia with key stops including Venizelos (center) and Papafi. It's a game-changer for north-south movement through the city.

Current status: Line 1 operational; Line 2 extension ongoing. Check the ATTIKO METRO website for current operating hours and station list — the network is still expanding.

Practical Tips for Getting Around

Google Maps works well for buses and walking in Thessaloniki. Use it confidently.

For the airport, Bus 78 is fine if you travel light and have time. If you have checked bags, a taxi or Beat is more comfortable and not dramatically more expensive.

Learn a few Greek phrases — taxi drivers and bus drivers outside tourist zones may have limited English. "Aristotelous" (ah-ree-STOH-the-lous) and "lefkos pyrgos" (White Tower) will get you where you need to go.

Night transport: After 11 PM, taxis and Beat are your primary options. Assign the Beat app as your go-to — it's safer, transparent, and available 24/7.

Carry small change for buses and street kiosks. Cards are accepted in many taxis and all Beat rides, but cash remains useful throughout the city.

Planning Your Thessaloniki Trip

Getting the logistics right before you arrive makes a noticeable difference — knowing which bus gets you from the airport to your hotel, which neighborhoods to walk versus taxi, and how to time day trips.

Faroway builds personalized trip itineraries that factor in your exact hotel location, how you're getting around, and which day trips you want to include. Tell it you're going to Thessaloniki for four days and want to do Halkidiki and Vergina — it'll build out a day-by-day plan with transport notes included.

The logistics are the unsexy part of travel, but getting them right means more time at the White Tower at sunset and less time figuring out which bus stop to use.

Getting Around Thessaloniki: Complete Transportation Guide