Where is Halkidiki?
Halkidiki is a large peninsula located in Greece, specifically in Central Macedonia.
Halkidiki is well known for its three long peninsulas (often called “legs”), which offer exceptional and uniquely beautiful beaches.
It features famous tourist resorts and can cater to every type of holiday—family, relaxing, or youth-oriented.
For these reasons, it has become one of the top tourist destinations in recent years.
To travel to Halkidiki, one must inevitably pass through Thessaloniki.
How far is Thessaloniki from Halkidiki?
The administrative centre and capital of the Halkidiki region is Polygyros.
Polygyros is close to Thessaloniki, and by car one can reach it in under an hour.
Most holiday destinations in Halkidiki are located on the first and second “legs”.
One of the best-known destinations on the first leg is Kallithea, which is exactly one hour from the centre of Thessaloniki.
Kallithea is a common stop-over for those travelling onward to Pefkochori or Agia Paraskevi.
Neos Marmaras, located on the second leg, is also a very popular destination. It is the starting point for a scenic route towards Toroni, Sykia, Sarti and, finally, the famous Kavourotrypes. To reach Neos Marmaras, you will need approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
At the entrance to the third leg, you will find Ouranoupoli. Ouranoupoli is the last town before the third leg and Mount Athos. It is located about two hours from the centre of Thessaloniki.
How can I travel from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki?
Halkidiki is located to the east of Thessaloniki. To reach your destination, you will need to choose your preferred means of transport from the city of Thessaloniki.
Can I use the train to travel to Halkidiki?
There is no train service that can take you directly to Halkidiki.
The closest railway station to your destination is the New Railway Station of Thessaloniki.
The New Railway Station is one of the largest in the Balkans and is located in the centre of Thessaloniki.
It connects the city with the rest of mainland Greece, as well as with certain Balkan countries such as North Macedonia.
One of the most common routes is from Athens to Thessaloniki.
You can use the Railway Station to reach Thessaloniki from the rest of mainland Greece and then arrange a different means of transport to Halkidiki.
However, it is not the best option, as both the travel time and cost increase significantly, and you will definitely need to use two different modes of transport.
Can I travel by boat from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki?
Halkidiki does not have a port that allows travel to and from Thessaloniki by boat.
The largest port near Halkidiki is the Port of Thessaloniki, which is the second-largest port in Greece.
You can reach the Port of Thessaloniki from several European cities as well as from the Greek islands.
However, you will need to pay attention to the frequency of the routes and the course they follow, as they are often long and tiring.
Day trip to Halkidiki
The fact that there is no boat connecting Thessaloniki to Halkidiki does not mean you cannot use a boat during your holiday there.
On the third leg of Halkidiki lies Mount Athos, also known as the Holy Mountain.
Mount Athos is a place of contemplation and prayer.
There are twenty Christian monasteries on Mount Athos.
Among them, one monastery is Bulgarian, one is Serbian, and one is Russian.
To reach Mount Athos, you must pass through Ouranoupoli, which is located at its gateway.
In Ouranoupoli, you can book tickets for the boat that will take you to the port of Dafni on Mount Athos.
A day trip to the third leg of Halkidiki is a unique experience.
You will encounter places and people you have never come across before.
Before your visit to Mount Athos, it is advisable to check the weather forecast, as boat routes are not operated when the winds are strong.
How do I book a flight to the airport in Halkidiki?
The central part of Halkidiki consists of mountainous areas, which makes the operation of an airport difficult.
If you wish to travel to Halkidiki by plane, you will land 15 kilometres southeast of Thessaloniki, at Macedonia Airport.
The International Airport “Macedonia” is located 25 minutes from the centre of Thessaloniki.
It covers an area of 32,000 square metres and is the third-largest airport in Greece.
Flights to Macedonia Airport operate from many EU countries, as well as from other international destinations such as Turkey and Israel.
Which bus should I choose to go from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki?
You can use either Thessaloniki’s Public Transport or the private Halkidiki KTEL coaches.
The facilities of OASTH (public buses) are located in the centre of Thessaloniki, right next to the Thessaloniki Railway Station.
With public buses, your options are limited. First, you will need to travel from the central OASTH facilities to the eastern depot using lines 2, 3, and 8. Alternatively, you can also use line 12.
From the eastern depot (IKEA Station), you can take lines 69 and 70 to reach Epanomi in Thessaloniki.
Epanomi in Thessaloniki is the closest point that the city’s public transport can take you to, as urban buses are not permitted to cross the borders of the Thessaloniki regional unit.
From there, you would need to walk to the nearest beaches, which are several kilometres away.
The duration of the journey, the city’s traffic, and the fact that you can only access a few beaches in Halkidiki make public transport an unreliable option.
Where do I take the KTEL bus to Halkidiki?
The Halkidiki KTEL station is located in the Pylaia area, near the “Macedonia” shopping centre.
To reach the station, you will need to use the city’s public transport. Only bus line 45 terminates at the Halkidiki KTEL station.
There is no direct public bus route from Macedonia Airport to the Halkidiki KTEL station.
You must first travel to the city centre and from there make your way to the KTEL station.
At the KTEL station, you can choose your destination. Waiting at the station is to be expected, as services do not run frequently.
You cannot book tickets the day before—only on the day you are travelling. The same applies to your return from Halkidiki.
If you cannot find tickets for all your travel companions, you will have to wait for the next service, which may be in two or three hours. The duration of the journey can exceed 2.5 hours if you are travelling to one of Halkidiki’s peninsulas.
The routes operated by the Halkidiki KTEL coaches are fixed, and they cannot deviate from their schedule for you to visit a beach or an attraction.
This means that, in most cases, you cannot rely on KTEL buses for travelling within Halkidiki.
The limited destinations you can choose from and the long travel times will likely make this option less appealing.
This is especially true if you are travelling with a group, where the total cost increases significantly and there is a chance that you will not find seats at your preferred time.
The cost of one-way tickets ranges from €7 to €17, depending on your destination. (Prices may change)
Can I book a passenger car (Thessaloniki airport to Halkidiki by taxi) from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki?
The best option you can choose is to book a Thessaloniki airport transfer taxi to Halkidiki for your journey.
Passenger cars offer significant advantages compared to other means of transport.
Wherever you are in Thessaloniki, the passenger vehicles of XLNS Transfer Services Thessaloniki can pick you up promptly and without delays.
For example, if you have arrived in Thessaloniki by plane, our drivers can wait for you at Macedonia Airport.
As soon as you land, you’ll be ready to travel to Halkidiki without wasting time or waiting for scheduled services. You won’t need to take unnecessary routes while carrying your luggage.
Nor will you have to worry about its safety, as is often the case when using public transport.
“Every moment of my holiday is precious to me,” says Peter, who visited Greece and Halkidiki for the first time last year.
“I’d been waiting all year to get leave from work. I want to get to my hotel as quickly as possible.”
“How could I do that by bus? My flight arrived in Thessaloniki at night and the buses don’t run at that time. I would have had to wait at least six hours before reaching Nikiti.”
“That’s why I decided to go to Nikiti with taxi transfers. With the team from XLNS Thessaloniki Airport Transfers, I was already at my hotel in an hour and fifteen minutes.”
You can choose the route to your accommodation yourself. To make sure you don’t miss any of Halkidiki’s beaches or attractions, feel free to ask our drivers.
Our drivers know every possible route and destination in Halkidiki. Passenger cars are the only reliable option for your excursions or day trips throughout the rest of Halkidiki.
Fast transport, high-quality services, and affordable prices make XLNS the most trustworthy choice.
If you are travelling as a group, XLNS offers 5-seater, 7-seater, and 9-seater passenger vehicles and can accommodate group bookings so you can all enjoy the journey together.
Thessaloniki–Halkidiki by bicycle
For cycling enthusiasts, Halkidiki is ideal for exploration. Its beaches and gentle hills are an inviting challenge for every cyclist.
There are both organised and individual cycling routes. In recent years, more and more activities have started from Ierissos.
Ierissos is located on the third leg, at the beginning of the peninsula. A common cycling route is Ierissos–Ammouliani.
The distance from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki by bicycle is quite long. Ierissos is 100 kilometres away.
However, if you don’t want to miss such an experience, we recommend bringing all the necessary equipment with you and taking care under the hot summer sun.
What should I pack for Halkidiki when travelling from Thessaloniki?
The climate in the coastal areas of Halkidiki is mild.
During the summer months, you can choose clothing that keeps you cool and does not absorb the sun’s rays.
Using sunscreen is essential until sunset.
In Halkidiki, you are always just a breath away from the sea, so the heat will not be a major problem for you.
How will I transport my luggage?
At XLNS, our drivers will take care of your luggage.
From the moment you land at Macedonia Airport, they will be there waiting for you.
In the arrivals hall, they will be holding a tablet displaying your name so you can easily spot them.
And when you arrive at your accommodation, our drivers will ensure your comfort.
All XLNS transfers are completely private.
The vehicle that will transport you is reserved exclusively for you and your fellow travellers.
How do I make a booking with XLNS?
You can easily and quickly make a booking online through our website (Thessaloniki transfers) in Greek.
You can also make a booking on our website (https://www.xlnstransfer.com) in its English version by following the instructions for all five fields (https://www.xlnstransfer.com/el/οδηγίες-κράτησης/).
You can make changes to your booking, as well as cancel it, without any extra charges.
Feel free to contact us by phone at +30 2311 822 644 or +30 6931 822 644, or via email at xlnstransfer@gmail.com.