Getting from Thessaloniki to Spetses

If you are heading to Spetses from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to a car-free island in the Saronic Gulf, on the opposite side of the country. It has neoclassical mansions around the harbour, a strong nautical tradition and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere.

Getting there by air

Spetses 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 taking the Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Spetses, which runs up to 10 daily crossings and takes around 1.5 to 3.5 hours, gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 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 Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Spetses runs up to 10 daily crossings. The drive from Thessaloniki to the mainland port of Kosta on the eastern Peloponnese coast takes around 7 to 8 hours via Athens and Corinth, from where the short local boat across to Spetses takes only a few minutes.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Spetses. Getting there means traveling to Athens and then taking the Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Spetses.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and take the Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Spetses. It is the most practical approach at around 4 to 5 hours total. Note that Spetses is car-free so no vehicles can be taken to the island. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Kosta on the eastern Peloponnese coast and take the short local boat across to Spetses, leaving your car on the mainland.