The Athos peninsula is known from two “sides”: as a monastic state and as a destination for a relaxing holiday in Halkidiki. There are many ways to get to it from Thessaloniki, where the nearest airport is located. And each of them has its own advantages.

Distance from Thessaloniki to Athos

Athos is the third "finger" of Halkidiki. The distance from Thessaloniki to the nearest city (Ierissos) is 124 km, to the most remote (Ouranopolis) - 139 km. You can drive from Thessaloniki to Athos in 2 hours.

Thessaloniki - Athos: how to get there by bus

Getting to Athos from Thessaloniki by bus is possible only with transfers. To get from the airport, you need to exit the terminal and take bus number 79. It will take you to the IKEA stop, where you will have to transfer to bus number 36. It goes to the Halkidiki bus station (KTEL Halkidikis).

From KTEL, buses depart to all resorts of the Halkidiki peninsula, including Mount Athos. Buses run to Ierissos 6 times a day from 5:30 to 17:45. The ticket price is 11,90 euros. A trip to Tripiti will cost 12,50 euros, to Nea Roda - 12,40 euros, to Ouranoupoli - 13,70 euros.

From Thessaloniki to Athos by car

The most comfortable way to travel between Thessaloniki and Athos without transfers is by car. Here tourists have a wide choice of options:

  • By taxi to Athos - the price of the trip starts from 110 euros;
  • Transfer to Athos - it is better to order it before arriving in Greece in order to know the exact amount of the service. The price of a transfer from Thessaloniki depends on the type of car. Average prices - 90-120 euros;
  • Renting a car is the best way to get to Athos for independent travelers. By car, you can not only get to the peninsula, but also then go to neighboring Sithonia and Kassandra. The rental price in Greece starts from 35 euros per day and depends on the season.