Getting from Thassos to Katerini

If you are heading to Katerini from Thassos you are making your way from the northernmost island in Greece to a city at the foot of Mount Olympus on the Pierian coast, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit in the northern part of the country. It has the mountain rising steeply behind it and the beaches of the Pieria coast below.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thassos to Katerini. Katerini is a mainland city with no ferry connection. Getting there means taking the ferry from Thassos to Kavala, which runs almost hourly in summer and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, and then driving west via the E90 and E75 motorways to Katerini, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours from Kavala. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural northern Greece approach.

Getting there by air

Katerini has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 70 kilometres to the north. Thassos has no airport. The nearest airport is Kavala. The drive from Kavala to Katerini is considerably more practical than flying for this short northern Greece connection given the direct motorway link.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Thassos to Kavala and drive west via the E90 and E75 motorways to Katerini. At around 3.5 to 4 hours total it avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural and direct approach. The KTEL bus from Kavala to Katerini is a good alternative if you are traveling without a car. Katerini is an excellent base for exploring Mount Olympus and the Pieria coast, both within easy reach.