The cheapest way from Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to the city centre is public bus line 1X, which runs frequently through the day — line 1N covers the overnight hours — and reaches the centre in about 40 minutes. A single ticket costs €2.00 (€1.00 reduced), the same price whether you buy it at the airport booth or on board, and buses depart roughly every 20–30 minutes from the stop in the Arrivals area.
Thessaloniki Airport Buses
These buses also connect with the Thessaloniki Metro, which opened in late 2024. The buses are run by OASTH, while the regional transport authority, OSETH, plans the network and publishes the timetables. The lines leave from a single stop in the Arrivals area, and the one you want depends entirely on where you are heading — the centre, the metro, the eastern suburbs or the road to Halkidiki.
Which airport bus do you need?
Before you queue for a ticket, match the line to your destination:
- City centre, railway station or KTEL Makedonia: the 1X by day, the 1N overnight.
- The metro: the 2X to Nea Elvetia station, then change onto the line.
- The eastern suburbs and the IKEA interchange: the 79.
- Halkidiki: in summer the seasonal 79A heads toward the peninsulas' bus station — the full chain is in our guide to reaching Halkidiki from the airport.
Bus 1X / 1N — City Centre, Railway Station & KTEL Makedonia
Line 1X is the main daytime service, running to the city centre, the new railway station and the "Makedonia" KTEL intercity coach station. It reaches the centre in about 40 minutes and KTEL in 50–55, running roughly every 20–25 minutes from around 06:10 to 22:40 — and more often, every 15–20 minutes, in July and August. Overnight, line 1N follows the same route with a few extra stops, about every 30 minutes through the small hours, so there is still a service long after the last daytime 1X. For the current timetable, check the OSETH website before you travel.
Bus 2X — Connection to the Thessaloniki Metro
Line 2X is the quick link to the metro: it runs from the airport to the Nea Elvetia metro station in about 8 minutes, where you change onto the Thessaloniki Metro for the ride into town. The metro itself does not reach the airport terminal, and the 2026 Kalamaria extension will not change that — the 2X stays the bus that bridges the two. Our Thessaloniki Metro guide explains how far the network reaches and how to use it during your stay.
Bus 79 / 79A — Eastern Bus Transfer Station (IKEA) & Halkidiki
Line 79 connects the airport with the Eastern Bus Transfer Station near IKEA in about 10 minutes, from where you can continue to the eastern districts. In the summer months a seasonal variant, 79A, carries on toward the KTEL Chalkidikis station — the departure point for every regional coach to the peninsulas. If Halkidiki is your goal, our KTEL Chalkidiki bus guide lays out the full route and fares.
Where to Catch the Bus & How to Buy Tickets
The bus stop is in the Arrivals area, in front of Exit 4 of Terminal 1. Buy your ticket before you board — from the OASTH machines in the terminal, at the OASTH ticket booth, or through the OASTH mobile app — because buying on board is not always possible and the machines do not reliably give change. Validate the ticket the moment you step on. In peak season allow a little extra time, as the queue at the booth builds when several flights land together.
Thessaloniki Airport Bus Fares
Tickets are issued by OASTH. Current fares:
- Airport (special) route ticket: €2.00 (reduced €1.00)
- Standard urban single ticket: €0.60 (reduced €0.30)
- 24-hour pass: €2.50
- Children under 6 travel free
Tip: if you expect to take several city buses on your arrival day, the €2.50 24-hour pass soon works out cheaper than buying single tickets.
Bus, taxi or transfer: which to choose
The bus is the cheapest option, and for a solo traveller or a couple heading to the centre in daylight it is genuinely all you need. It makes less sense when you land late, carry heavy luggage or young children, or stay somewhere the 1X does not pass. A city airport taxi solves the door-to-door problem but costs far more, and fares climb at night. A pre-booked car through GetTransfer.com sits in between: one fixed fare straight to your hotel, flight tracking so a delay does not strand you, with no ticket queue and no luggage to manage on a crowded bus. For all the ways into town, see our airport-to-city-centre guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there luggage space on the airport bus?
There is no dedicated luggage hold — these are standard city buses, so you keep your case with you in the aisle or the low-floor space by the doors. That is fine off-peak, but the 1X gets crowded on summer afternoons, so travel light or avoid the busiest departures if you have large bags.
Can I pay for the bus with a contactless card on board?
It is safest not to rely on it. Buy your ticket before boarding through the OASTH app, the terminal machines or the ticket booth; on-board payment is limited, so have the app ready or keep small coins for the machines.
Are the airport buses suitable for travellers with reduced mobility?
OASTH's airport services largely use low-floor buses with a ramp and a wheelchair space, and boarding is at ground level in Arrivals. A packed summer bus can still be hard to manage with a wheelchair or pram, so if step-free, door-to-door travel matters, a pre-booked transfer or an accessible taxi is the more dependable choice.
