THE SHORT VERSION
Athens to Thessaloniki at a glance.
- From
- Athens Αθήνα
- To
- Thessaloniki Θεσσαλονίκη
- Road distance
- About 499 km
- Straight line
- 304 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~5 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Thessaloniki to Athens →
Ready to travel from Athens to Thessaloniki?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Athens
Athens is Greece's capital and hub for KTEL coaches across the mainland, plus international buses to Albania and Bulgaria. KTEL services use two coach stations.
- Kifissos KTEL station
Kifissos Avenue. Routes to the Peloponnese, western and northern Greece. - Liosion KTEL station
Liosion Avenue, near Agios Nikolaos metro. Routes to central Greece.
Arriving in Thessaloniki
Ask the seller where the service ends in Thessaloniki. A town-name stop can be a bus station some way from the centre, and the last stretch to your accommodation is usually up to you.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
KEEP GOING
From Thessaloniki, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Thessaloniki
More buses from Athens
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Athens from Thessaloniki by road?+
About 499 km by road (304 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Athens to Thessaloniki take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 5 h 45 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Athens?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Athens include Kifissos KTEL station, Liosion KTEL station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Thessaloniki to Athens?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Thessaloniki to Athens guide.
Where does the bus from Athens arrive in Thessaloniki?+
It depends on the operator. Some services end at the local bus station, others at an office or a stop on the main road. Ask the seller for the drop-off address before you book.
What kind of bus runs from Athens to Thessaloniki?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Athens to Thessaloniki bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Thessaloniki by bus?+
Direct buses from Thessaloniki include Vienna, Larissa, Kavala, Blagoevgrad, Kalabaka (Meteora) and more. See all connections on our Thessaloniki bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Athens → Thessaloniki on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Athens to Thessaloniki bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Athens (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →