Getting from Thessaloniki to Astakos

If you are heading to Astakos from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to a port town on the western coast of central Greece, on the opposite side of the country. Astakos sits on a quiet bay surrounded by hills and is the departure point for ferries to Kefalonia and Ithaca.

Getting there by air

Astakos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then driving or taking the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Athens via the E65 motorway and Agrinio, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours.

Take the train, bus or drive

Thessaloniki is connected to Athens by train, taking around 4 to 5 hours, and by KTEL bus, taking around 5 to 6 hours. From Athens the drive northwest to Astakos takes around 3.5 to 4 hours via the E65 motorway and Agrinio. The drive from Thessaloniki to Astakos takes around 6 to 7 hours via the Egnatia motorway and Ioannina, which avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural cross-country approach.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Astakos. Getting there means traveling by road either via Athens or directly across central Greece via Ioannina.

Your best option

Drive from Thessaloniki to Astakos via the Egnatia motorway and Ioannina. At around 6 to 7 hours it avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct cross-country approach. Having a car makes this route straightforward and puts you at the departure point for ferries to Kefalonia and Ithaca. If you prefer not to drive the full distance, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and drive or take the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos.