Getting from Thessaloniki to Halki

If you are heading to Halki from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to a car-free island just off the western coast of Rhodes in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the country. It has neoclassical sponge merchant mansions around a horseshoe harbour and a pace of life that is as slow as it gets in Greece.

Getting there by air

Halki has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens and seasonal direct flights to Rhodes in summer. Flying from Thessaloniki to Rhodes and then taking the local ferry from Rhodes to Halki, which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, gives a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours when the direct service is running. Check the schedule as direct flights are seasonal. Alternatively fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes.

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 overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry runs 1 to 2 times daily in summer and takes around 12 to 18 hours. Flying is considerably more practical than the combined train and ferry journey for most travelers.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Halki. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Rhodes and then taking the local ferry to Halki.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Rhodes when the direct seasonal service is running, then take the local ferry across to Halki. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes. Check the Tilos to Rhodes schedule before booking. Give yourself at least two nights on Halki. The island is small enough to walk across in an afternoon and the pace of life rewards those who stay long enough to settle into it. Note that Halki is car-free so your vehicle would remain in Rhodes.