Thessaloniki's metro is the city's big transport story of the past two years, and in 2026 it grows again with the long-awaited Kalamaria extension. Naturally, arriving travellers ask the obvious question: can I just take the metro from the airport into town? The short answer is no, not yet. Here is how far the network actually reaches, what the 2026 Kalamaria extension adds, and how to fit the metro into the rest of your trip.
Does the Thessaloniki Metro go to the airport?
No. As of 2026 the Thessaloniki Metro does not serve Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). There is no station inside or beside the terminal, and no direct line from the airport into the network. An eastern extension of Line 2 towards the airport has been talked about for the future, but it is a later phase and is not part of anything opening in 2026.
For now, the airport is connected to the city the same way it has been: by the 1X airport bus, which runs to the city centre, the railway station and the KTEL Makedonia coach terminal, with the 1N covering the same route overnight, and by airport taxis and pre-booked transfers. If a friend tells you to "just take the metro from the airport", they are describing a service that does not exist yet.
What the Kalamaria extension adds in 2026
The 2026 milestone is the extension of Line 2 into Kalamaria, the large district south-east of the centre. It adds around 4.8 kilometres of tunnel and five new stations, with test runs having begun in late 2025 and passenger service expected to open in summer 2026. The extension's south-eastern terminus, Mikra, is the station that matters most to airport travellers: it sits near the airport corridor and the main road interchanges, and planners describe it as a future hub where metro, airport buses and regional coaches could eventually meet.
The important word is "eventually". In 2026 Mikra is a useful new endpoint on the city side, but it is not connected to the terminal by rail, and there is no dedicated metro shuttle from the airport to the station. So while the extension is genuinely good news for getting around the city, it does not yet change how you get from your plane to your hotel.
How to combine the metro with your airport transfer
Even without a direct link, the metro is worth folding into your plans once you are in the city. The most reliable approach is simple: take the 1X bus, a taxi or a private transfer from the airport to the centre or the railway station, then switch to the metro for trips around town. For a full breakdown of those surface options, see our guide on getting from the airport to the city centre; the metro takes over neatly from there for the museums, the waterfront and Kalamaria.
If your accommodation is on the Kalamaria side of the city, it can make sense to ride a transfer to a metro station and continue underground, skipping the surface traffic. If you would rather avoid the changes altogether, a pre-booked car through GetTransfer.com can take you straight from the airport to your hotel, or drop you at Mikra or a central station to join the metro. For live maps, fares and the latest opening dates, the operator's own site at thessmetro.gr is the authoritative source, and the airport's connections are summarised on the airport operator's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the metro from Thessaloniki Airport to the city centre?
No. There is no metro station at the airport in 2026. Use the 1X airport bus, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer to reach the centre, then switch to the metro for travel within the city.
What is the nearest metro station to the airport?
Mikra, the south-eastern terminus of the Line 2 Kalamaria extension. It is near the airport corridor but is not linked to the terminal by rail, so you still need a bus, taxi or transfer to get there.
Will the metro ever reach Thessaloniki Airport?
A future eastern extension of Line 2 toward the airport has been proposed, but it is a later phase with no confirmed opening date. For 2026 and the near term, plan on the bus, taxi or transfer for the airport leg.
Summary for 2026 arrivals
The Thessaloniki Metro is expanding fast, and the 2026 Kalamaria extension makes it far more useful for getting around the city. What it still does not do is reach the airport. Treat the metro as your in-city network and the 1X bus, a taxi or a flight-tracked transfer as your airport link, and you get the best of both: an easy arrival and cheap, fast travel once you are here.
