Thessaloniki Airport Transfer Guide (SKG) — Taxis, Buses, and Private Transfers

Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport (IATA: SKG) is the main gateway to northern Greece, handling flights from Athens, major European cities, and charter operators with holiday routes to Halkidiki. It sits approximately 13–15km south-east of the city centre, between the sea and the Via Egnatia motorway. For most visitors, getting into central Thessaloniki is straightforward and affordable; for those heading further to Halkidiki, Mount Olympus, or the Macedonian interior, the journey requires more planning.

Airport Overview

IATA code: SKG
Full name: Thessaloniki Makedonia International Airport
Location: Thessaloniki municipality, approximately 13–15km south-east of the city centre
Terminal: Single modern terminal
Peak season: June–September, with additional winter peaks around Greek national holidays

The terminal is well organised. Facilities include cafés, a pharmacy, ATMs, currency exchange, car rental desks in the arrivals hall, a small duty-free area post-security, and left luggage lockers. International arrivals pass through a compact but efficient hall. The airport is notably calmer and better resourced than the island airports at Santorini and Mykonos during summer.

Transfer Options from Thessaloniki Airport

City Bus (Route 78A)

The most affordable option for reaching the city. Bus Route 78A connects the airport to central Thessaloniki, terminating near Thessaloniki Central Station (the main railway station) and Aristotelous Square. The bus also stops at Eleftherias Square and passes through several city-centre neighbourhoods.

Cost: approximately €2 per person (exact change preferred)
Journey time: approximately 45–60 minutes depending on traffic
Frequency: approximately every 20–30 minutes during the day
Operating hours: approximately 05:30–23:30 (check current timetable at oasth.gr)

The bus is practical for solo travellers and pairs with light luggage. The route passes through some congested city streets and the journey can feel long at peak times. For arrivals with multiple bags or after a long flight, a taxi or private transfer is more comfortable.

Taxi

Taxis are available from the rank outside the arrivals exit. Thessaloniki’s taxi fleet is reasonable in size and queues at the airport, while not instant, are generally manageable — nothing like the wait times seen at Santorini or Mykonos in peak season.

Approximate fares from SKG (as of 2026):

• Thessaloniki city centre: approximately €20–30
• Thessaloniki White Tower / waterfront: approximately €20–28
• Thessaloniki port (Thessaloniki Port Authority): approximately €22–32
• Vergina (Aigai archaeological site): approximately €55–70
• Halkidiki (Kassandra): approximately €50–70
• Halkidiki (Sithonia): approximately €70–95
• Mount Olympus foothills (Litochoro): approximately €60–80
• Kavala: approximately €90–110

Taxis use a meter for all journeys within the municipality. For longer runs to Halkidiki or other regions, negotiate and confirm the total price before departure. Night rates apply midnight–06:00.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers work particularly well from Thessaloniki for groups or travellers going straight to Halkidiki from the airport without an overnight in the city.

Kiwitaxi allows you to compare and book local operators at fixed prices before you travel. Welcome Pickups offers a meet-and-greet service with flight tracking — your driver waits regardless of delays, which is useful for charter flights from northern Europe that frequently run late.

Approximate private transfer prices (as of 2026):

• City centre: approximately €30–45
• Halkidiki (Kassandra peninsula): approximately €60–80
• Halkidiki (Sithonia): approximately €80–105
• Vergina: approximately €65–80

For 3–4 people travelling to Halkidiki directly from the airport, a private minivan transfer often works out competitive with a taxi and avoids the need to navigate bus connections.

Intercity Bus (KTEL Halkidikis)

For independent travellers heading to Halkidiki, the main KTEL Chalkidikis terminal in Thessaloniki runs frequent services to the Kassandra and Sithonia peninsulas in summer. The catch: the KTEL terminal is in the city, not at the airport. You need to travel into the city first (taxi or bus Route 78A), then connect to KTEL.

KTEL Halkidikis key routes:

• Thessaloniki → Nea Moudania (Kassandra gateway): approximately 1 hour, approximately €6
• Thessaloniki → Kallithea / Hanioti: approximately 1.5 hours, approximately €8
• Thessaloniki → Sithonia (Nikiti): approximately 2 hours, approximately €10

For resort areas deeper on the peninsulas (Psakoudia, Karidi, Porto Carras), buses run seasonally and less frequently — check ktel-chalkidikis.gr for current timetables.

Car Rental

Rental desks for all major brands (Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Sixt) plus several local operators are in the arrivals hall. A rental car is the most practical choice for Halkidiki exploration, where the resorts and beaches are spread across two long peninsulas without reliable public bus connections between them.

Driving in northern Greece is generally straightforward. The Via Egnatia motorway connects Thessaloniki eastward toward Kavala and westward toward Ioannina and the Albanian border. Roads into Halkidiki are modern and well maintained.

Book in advance for summer travel. SKG is a popular gateway for Halkidiki package holidays, and car availability depletes at the airport during July and August.

Getting to Key Destinations

To Thessaloniki City Centre

The city is approximately 13–15km, 20–25 minutes by taxi, or 45–60 minutes on the bus. The White Tower, Aristotelous Square, the Ano Poli (upper town), and the waterfront are all central. Most accommodation is within the central area and taxi drop-off is directly to the door.

To Halkidiki (Kassandra Peninsula)

The nearest major resort area in Halkidiki, approximately 80km from the airport. By private transfer or taxi: approximately 60–75 minutes via the E90 and the Halkidiki highway. No direct bus from the airport — KTEL services depart from the city.

To Halkidiki (Sithonia Peninsula)

Further east, approximately 100–115km from the airport. Transfer takes approximately 75–100 minutes depending on which part of Sithonia you are heading to. Sithonia is less developed and quieter than Kassandra.

To Vergina (Aigai)

The UNESCO-listed royal burial ground of the Macedonian kings, approximately 70km south-west of the airport. A day trip from Thessaloniki; by private transfer or taxi approximately 60–75 minutes.

To Mount Olympus Foothills (Litochoro)

The base town for Mount Olympus is approximately 90km south-west of the airport on the E75 motorway. By private transfer or taxi approximately 60–75 minutes. The train from Thessaloniki Central Station also serves Litochoro.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures

Night arrivals: Bus Route 78A stops around 23:30. For arrivals after midnight, taxi or pre-booked transfer are the only options. Thessaloniki has a reasonable night taxi supply — not guaranteed but significantly better than island airports. Book a confirmed transfer via Welcome Pickups for peace of mind on late arrivals.

Early departures: For flights before 07:00, there is no bus service. Arrange a taxi or pre-booked transfer the night before. Allow extra time if you are staying at the far end of the city or in Halkidiki.

Charter flights from northern Europe: SKG receives a large number of charter flights, especially those serving the Halkidiki package market. These frequently arrive late. If you or your group are on a charter, pre-book a transfer that includes free wait time for delays.

High Season Tips

• Thessaloniki city deserves a night. The city is often treated as a transit point to Halkidiki, but it is one of the most interesting cities in Greece — the Byzantine churches, the archaeological museum, the waterfront food scene, and the Rotunda are all worth a day. Consider building in an overnight.
• Halkidiki timing: Halkidiki gets extremely busy in the last two weeks of July and throughout August with Greek and Balkan tourists. If you are connecting directly from the airport to a Halkidiki resort, book transport in advance.
• Vehicle checklist for Halkidiki: If you are renting a car for Halkidiki, confirm the rental includes unlimited kilometres — some local operators apply per-km charges on longer trips.

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Pre-book your Thessaloniki airport transfer to guarantee a driver waiting on arrival. For a meet-and-greet service with flight delay tracking, Welcome Pickups covers Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, and beyond.

Related Guides

• Thessaloniki Travel Guide — Byzantine monuments, the waterfront, and the food scene
• Halkidiki Travel Guide — beaches and resorts on the three peninsulas
• Getting Around Greece — ferries, buses, and domestic flights
• Greece Travel Tips — practical advice for the whole trip

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