Getting from Syros to Katerini

If you are heading to Katerini from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades 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 Syros to Katerini. Katerini is a mainland city with no ferry connection. 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 taking a bus or drive south to Katerini, which takes around 1 hour, or driving north via the E75 motorway to Katerini, which takes around 6 to 7 hours from Athens.

Getting there by air

Katerini has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 70 kilometres to the north. 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 taking a bus or drive south to Katerini gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 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 take the KTEL bus or drive south to Katerini. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and drive north via the E75 motorway to Katerini, which takes around 6 to 7 hours from Athens.