Central Macedonia is Greece's largest administrative region, anchored by Thessaloniki, the country's vibrant second city and a crossroads of ancient, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage. From the UNESCO-listed royal tombs of Vergina and Alexander the Great's birthplace at Pella to the three-fingered Halkidiki peninsula with its turquoise beaches and the monastic community of Mount Athos, the region offers an extraordinary concentration of history, culture, and natural beauty.
- Public
- Thessaloniki's 2024 metro is a game changer for city travel; city buses cover all suburbs; KTEL buses reach most regional towns
- Taxi
- Metered taxis reliable throughout the region; Taxibeat (Greek Uber equivalent) and Bolt operate in Thessaloniki
- Rental
- Car rental is the best way to explore Halkidiki's beaches and the region's archaeological sites
- Walking
- Thessaloniki's city center, waterfront, and Ano Poli are all excellent for walking
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €20-25 fixed rate, 20-30 min to center
- Taxi Info
- Fixed airport tariff applies; confirm price before boarding or use Taxibeat app for metered fare
- Shuttle
- Not widely available; hotel shuttles by arrangement
- Shuttle Info
- Contact your hotel in advance; most 4-5 star hotels offer airport pick-up at a fee
- Bus
- €2, Route 78A to city KTEL bus terminal; approximately 45 min
- Bus Info
- Bus 78A runs frequently from 5AM to midnight; buy ticket from the driver
- Metro
- €0.90, Thessaloniki Metro Line 2 direct to city center stations, approximately 25 min
- Metro Info
- New 2024 metro line connects airport directly to central Thessaloniki stations
- Private
- €35-50 private car transfer, book online before arrival
- Private Info
- Pre-booked private transfers available from airport to Halkidiki resorts; typically €60-120
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Metro
Thessaloniki Metro (opened 2024): Line 1 and Line 2 cover key city areas and airport; €0.90 per journey, €4 day pass
Bus
OASTH city buses cover all Thessaloniki districts; €0.90 per trip; buy from machines or drivers
Alternatives
Electric scooters (Lime, Bird) available in Thessaloniki center; bicycle rentals from several city locations; Thessaloniki waterfront has dedicated cycle lanes
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €3.50 minimum + €0.75/km (day rate); night rate 10% higher
- Apps
- Taxibeat, Bolt
- App Names
- Taxibeat (Greece's main taxi app), Bolt (also operates in Thessaloniki)
- Typical Fare
- €5-8 for a typical city ride; €20-25 airport to center
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
KTEL buses from Thessaloniki's KTEL Macedonia terminal to: Polygyros (Halkidiki) €6, Katerini €7, Veria €8, Naoussa €10, Edessa €12, Serres €10
Shared
Shared taxis to Halkidiki resorts in summer from Thessaloniki; ask at KTEL terminal
Flights
Domestic flights from SKG to Athens from €25 one way (Aegean, Olympic, Sky Express)
Private
Private car hire with driver from €80/half day for day trips to Vergina, Pella, or Halkidiki
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Central Macedonia is well-connected by air, rail, and road. Thessaloniki's Makedonia International Airport (SKG) is the region's main gateway, with a new metro line opened in 2024 linking it to the city center. KTEL buses serve the wider region, and a car is recommended for exploring Halkidiki and inland archaeological sites.
Airports
Thessaloniki Makedonia International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Taxibeat
Greece's main taxi-hailing app with metered fares; works in Thessaloniki and throughout Greece
Bolt
International ride-hailing app operating in Thessaloniki; competitive pricing
OASTH
Official Thessaloniki city bus app for route planning and live bus tracking
TrainOSE
Greek national rail app for booking intercity and international train tickets
Lime
Electric scooter and e-bike rental app operating in central Thessaloniki
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Get the Thessaloniki Metro app for journey planning across the new metro and bus network
Download Taxibeat before arriving — far cheaper and more transparent than hailing street taxis
Rent a car on day 3-4 of your trip to explore Halkidiki; return it before your last Thessaloniki days
KTEL buses to Halkidiki are infrequent — check schedules at the KTEL Macedonia terminal online
Parking in Thessaloniki center is paid and competitive; use peripheral pay-and-display lots
The No. 78A airport bus is a very cheap alternative to taxi for solo travelers with light luggage
Thessaloniki's city center is small and walkable — from White Tower to Modiano Market is 15 minutes on foot
Uber is not available in Greece; use Bolt or Taxibeat instead