Getting from Thessaloniki to Kalamata

If you are heading to Kalamata from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to the capital of Messenia in the southern Peloponnese, on the opposite side of the country. It has a renovated waterfront, good food and easy access to the Mani peninsula and the Byzantine ruins of Mystras.

Getting there by air

Kalamata has an international airport with connections from Athens. Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Kalamata takes around 55 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 3 to 4 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

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 south through the Peloponnese to Kalamata takes around 2.5 to 3 hours via Corinth and Tripoli. The KTEL bus from Athens Kifissos terminal to Kalamata runs several times daily and takes around 3 hours. The drive from Thessaloniki to Kalamata takes around 7 to 8 hours via the E75 motorway and Athens.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Kalamata. Getting there means traveling to Athens and then continuing south by road.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then fly from Athens to Kalamata. It is the fastest and most practical approach at around 3 to 4 hours total. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Kalamata via the E75 motorway and Athens, which takes around 7 to 8 hours. The KTEL bus from Thessaloniki to Athens followed by the bus to Kalamata is a practical option for those traveling without a car.