Getting from Astakos to Katerini

If you are heading to Katerini from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central Greece to a city at the foot of Mount Olympus on the Pierian coast of northern Greece, with the mountain rising steeply behind it and the beaches of the Pieria coast below.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astakos to Katerini. Katerini is a mainland city with no ferry connection. Getting there means driving northeast from Astakos via Ioannina and the Egnatia motorway to Katerini, which takes around 4.5 to 5 hours and avoids Athens entirely. It is the most direct road connection between the two on the western and northern Greek mainland.

Getting there by air

Katerini has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 70 kilometres to the north. Astakos has no airport either. Driving from Astakos to Athens and flying to Thessaloniki, then taking the KTEL bus or driving south to Katerini takes around 6 to 7 hours in total. The direct drive northeast via Ioannina and the Egnatia motorway is more practical and avoids Athens entirely. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Astakos northeast via Ioannina and the Egnatia motorway to Katerini. At around 4.5 to 5 hours it avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct road approach across northern Greece. If you prefer to fly, drive to Athens and fly to Thessaloniki then take the KTEL bus or drive south to Katerini.