The train from Athens to Thessaloniki is one of the most scenic and comfortable journeys you can make in Greece. InterCity Express services complete the route in around 4 hours, passing through the Vale of Tempe gorge and skirting the lower slopes of Mount Olympus - a stretch of track that earns its reputation. Here is everything you need to know to book and travel confidently.
Which Trains Run the Route
TrainOSE - the Greek national rail operator - runs multiple services between Athens and Thessaloniki each day. Two train types cover the route:
InterCity Express (ICE) - the fastest option. These modern Alstom Coradia trains reach speeds up to 200 km/h on upgraded sections of track, cutting the journey to approximately 4 hours. Services run several times daily, with the busiest period being morning and early evening.
InterCity (IC) - slightly slower services that stop at more intermediate stations including Larissa and Volos junction. Journey time is typically 4 hours 30 minutes to just under 5 hours, depending on the specific routing.
Both train types require a seat reservation - you cannot board without a confirmed reserved seat on your ticket.
Journey Time and Schedule
The fastest Athens to Thessaloniki trains depart early morning (around 07:00–08:00) and late afternoon (around 16:00–17:00). Travel time on an ICE service is approximately 4 hours.
A typical day’s departures from Athens Larissa Station includes around 6–8 services spread across the day, with the first train at approximately 06:30 and the last around 21:00. Exact schedules change seasonally - check TrainOSE or Omio for live timetables.
Ticket Prices
| Class | Advance (early booking) | Standard / Walk-up |
|---|---|---|
| Second class | from €15 | €20–€25 |
| First class | from €25 | €30–€35 |
Prices are approximate as of 2026 and vary by departure time and demand. Morning ICE departures on Fridays and Sundays sell out early - book at least a few days ahead if your dates are fixed.
Student and youth discounts are available through TrainOSE for cardholders. Return tickets occasionally offer a small discount over two single fares.
How to Book
TrainOSE website (trainose.gr/en/) - the official booking platform. You can select outbound and return journeys, choose your seat, and pay by card. Tickets are issued as mobile or printable PDFs. The English-language version of the site works reliably for international cards.
Omio - an international rail booking platform that lists TrainOSE schedules alongside prices. Useful for comparing departure times at a glance and booking with a non-Greek payment method. You can use the booking link below.
TrainOSE mobile app - available for iOS and Android. Useful for managing existing bookings and viewing live departure information.
At the station - ticket machines and staffed windows at Athens Larissa Station sell walk-up tickets. Allow extra time for queues during peak periods.
Book your Athens–Thessaloniki train ticket via Omio - compare departure times, classes, and prices in one place.
Athens Larissa Station
All trains to Thessaloniki depart from Athens Larissa Station (Σταθμός Αθηνών - Λαρίσης), located in the Metaxourgeio district of Athens, approximately 1.5 km north-west of Omonia Square.
Getting to Larissa Station:
- Metro Line 2 (Red Line): Larissa Station stop connects directly to the station building. From Syntagma Square, the journey takes around 8 minutes.
- Taxi or ride-hail: approximately €8–12 from central Athens, depending on traffic.
- Walking: around 20 minutes from Omonia Square.
The station has a staffed ticket office, ticket machines, left-luggage lockers, a café, and a small newsagent. Allow at least 15–20 minutes before departure to clear the platform gates.
For help navigating Athens before your train, see our full Athens travel guide.
Thessaloniki Central Station
Trains arrive at Thessaloniki Central Station (Σιδηροδρομικός Σταθμός Θεσσαλονίκης), a Beaux-Arts building on Monastiriou Street in the city’s western district. It is approximately 2.5 km from Thessaloniki’s main Aristotelous Square.
Getting from the station into the city centre:
- Bus: lines 1, 5, and 10 serve the station forecourt and run to Aristotelous Square in around 15–20 minutes. A single fare is approximately €0.90.
- Taxi: around €6–8 to the city centre. Thessaloniki’s taxis are metered - a short fare from the station is straightforward.
- Walking: around 30 minutes along Monastiriou Street and into the centre.
The station building itself is worth a moment - the Beaux-Arts façade dates from 1961 and the interior retains its original arcade. There are a café and currency exchange on the ground floor.
For what to do once you arrive, see our Thessaloniki travel guide.
The Scenic Route: Vale of Tempe and Mount Olympus
One of the best reasons to take the train rather than the intercity bus is the scenery through central Greece. The route passes through:
Vale of Tempe (Κοιλάδα των Τεμπών) - a narrow gorge carved by the Pineios River between Mount Olympus and Mount Ossa. The train hugs the eastern wall of the gorge for several kilometres. It is a dramatic stretch - sheer limestone cliffs, river below, dense vegetation - and one of the most photographed sections of the Greek rail network. Best viewed from a right-hand (west-facing) seat if you are travelling northbound.
Mount Olympus approach - after exiting the Vale of Tempe gorge and passing through Larissa, the track runs along the coastal plain with Olympus visible to the west on a clear day. The mountain’s highest peaks (Mytikas reaches 2,917 metres) are often snow-capped from October through May.
Larissa - the largest city in Thessaly, roughly halfway along the route. Most IC services stop here for a few minutes. A useful stop if you want to break the journey, though most travellers continue straight to Thessaloniki.
First Class vs Second Class
On ICE and IC trains, both classes are comfortable. The difference is worth knowing before you book:
Second class - two seats either side of the aisle (2+2 configuration). Comfortable padded seats with fold-down tables and power sockets on most trains. The main cabin on most services.
First class - slightly wider seats in a 1+2 or 2+2 configuration with more legroom. The first-class carriage is quieter and less crowded. Worth the extra €8–10 on a 4-hour journey if you want to work or sleep undisturbed.
Both classes have access to the onboard café trolley service. Seat reservations are assigned - you have a specific carriage and seat number on your ticket.
Tips for the Journey
- Book in advance - the cheapest second-class fares (from €15) are available well ahead of departure. Last-minute tickets are usually available but cost more and the best seats go first.
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early - the platform gates at Larissa Station close a few minutes before departure.
- Bring snacks - the onboard trolley service covers drinks and light snacks, but options are limited on shorter services.
- Power sockets - most ICE trains have USB or standard sockets at seats. Availability varies by carriage age - if in doubt, charge your devices before boarding.
- Luggage - there are overhead racks and end-of-carriage luggage bays. No luggage weight limit on TrainOSE, but large suitcases should go in the luggage bay to avoid blocking the aisle.
Athens to Thessaloniki: Train vs Bus vs Plane
| Train (ICE) | Intercity Bus (KTEL) | Domestic Flight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journey time | ~4 hours | ~6 hours | ~1 hour (+ airport time) |
| Typical price | €15–€35 | €20–€30 | €30–€80 (varies) |
| City centre arrival | Yes (central stations) | Yes (central bus terminals) | No (airport transfer needed) |
| Scenery | Excellent | Good | None |
| Booking | TrainOSE / Omio | KTEL website | Various |
The train is the best overall option for most travellers: faster than the bus, cheaper than flying when you factor in airport transfers, and far more scenic than either. The 4-hour journey is comfortable enough to work, read, or simply watch the Greek countryside go past.
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