Getting from Thassos to Thessaloniki

If you are heading to Thessaloniki from Thassos you are making your way from the northernmost island in Greece to the second largest city in Greece, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit in the northern part of the country. It has a waterfront that stretches for kilometres past the White Tower, exceptional food and a history shaped by Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Greek influences.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thassos to Thessaloniki. 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 motorway to Thessaloniki, which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours from Kavala. This avoids any need to fly and keeps the journey entirely within northern Greece at around 3 to 3.5 hours total.

Getting there by air

Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections from Athens and many European cities. Thassos has no airport. The nearest airport is Kavala. The drive from Kavala to Thessaloniki is considerably more practical than flying for this short northern Greece connection given the direct motorway link between the two cities.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Thassos to Kavala and drive west via the E90 motorway to Thessaloniki. At around 3 to 3.5 hours total it avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural and direct approach. The KTEL bus from Kavala to Thessaloniki runs several times daily and takes around 2 hours, making it a good alternative if you are traveling without a car. From Thessaloniki you have access to the full transport network including seasonal ferry connections to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos in summer.