Getting from Syros to Halkidiki

If you are heading to Halkidiki from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades to a three-pronged peninsula southeast of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, with Kassandra in the west for long sandy beaches, Sithonia in the middle for quieter waters and the monastic peninsula of Athos in the east.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry to Halkidiki. It is a mainland peninsula with no island ferry connections. Getting there means taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat, and then either flying from Athens to Thessaloniki and continuing to Halkidiki by road, or driving north via the E75 motorway to Thessaloniki and then Halkidiki, which takes around 5 to 6 hours from Athens.

Getting there by air

Halkidiki has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 60 to 90 kilometres from the various parts of the peninsula. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, flying from Athens to Thessaloniki and then renting a car or taking the KTEL bus to Halkidiki gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Thessaloniki, then rent a car at the airport and drive to Halkidiki. Halkidiki is large and spread out enough that a car is essential for getting between beaches, villages and the different peninsulas. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and drive north via the E75 motorway to Thessaloniki and then Halkidiki.