Train stations in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki station has its own metro stop, New Railway Station, and Hellenic Train services to Athens, Larissa, Edessa, Florina and Serres.
- Stations
- 1
- Primary station
- Thessaloniki
- Passenger operators
- 1
Thessaloniki station lies in the north-west of the city, and metro line 1 starts right outside, two stops from the old market district.
From the station into the centre
Line 1 of the Thessaloniki Metro starts at the station, from the stop called New Railway Station. Ride two stops to Venizelou (Bezesteni exit) for the old market district, or three to Agias Sofias. From 07:30 a train leaves about every 3 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, and about every 3 and a half minutes on Sundays. Before 07:30 it is every 5 minutes on weekdays and every 10 minutes at weekends. The first train leaves at 05:15. The last leaves at 00:30 from Sunday to Thursday and at 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.
A single metro ticket costs €0.60 and a 24-hour ticket €2.50. Buy them from the machines in the stations and validate when you go in and when you come out. Travelling without a validated ticket brings a fine from the inspectors.
OASTH city buses also stop at the station, including airport line 01X (also signed X1).
Trains from Thessaloniki
Times apply until 12 December 2026.
- Athens: Hellenic Train runs two InterCity trains a day each way, leaving Thessaloniki at 05:55 and 16:49 and leaving Athens at 06:58 and 17:58. The journey takes about 5 hours 10 minutes, calling at Platy, Katerini, Larissa, Palaiofarsalos, Lianokladi, Tithorea, Levadia, Thiva and Oinoi.
- Larissa: eight local trains a day each way take 1 hour 44 minutes, calling at Katerini and Litochoro. From Thessaloniki the first leaves at 05:00 and the last at 21:50. From Larissa the first leaves at 05:15 and the last at 22:00.
- Veroia, Naoussa, Edessa and Florina: three trains a day leave Thessaloniki at 10:40, 13:55 and 18:30. Edessa takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The first two continue to Florina, arriving at 13:44 and 17:01, and the 18:30 ends at Edessa. From Florina trains leave at 06:45 and 14:15, and the last train from Edessa leaves at 20:45.
- Serres: trains leave Thessaloniki at 05:35 and 15:00 and reach Serres in about 3 hours, calling at Kilkis. Trains back leave Serres at 09:10 and 18:30. Buses replace trains beyond Serres to Drama and Alexandroupoli.
- Kalambaka and Meteora: no train goes all the way. Take the InterCity to Palaiofarsalos, then a Hellenic Train bus to Kalambaka. Those buses leave Palaiofarsalos at 10:30 and 21:15, long after the Thessaloniki trains arrive there at 08:02 and 18:56. From Kalambaka, buses leave at 05:45 and 16:50 and reach Palaiofarsalos at 07:45 and 18:50, ahead of the InterCity trains for Thessaloniki at 10:01 and 21:01.
No trains run from Thessaloniki to Sofia, Skopje or Istanbul. Hellenic Train has no international services at present.
Since 15 September 2025 Hellenic Train has run a reduced timetable on the Athens line because of infrastructure works by OSE, with two InterCity trains a day each way. No end date has been announced, and no Christmas or New Year changes had been announced by mid-October 2026.
Tickets
Buy on the Hellenic Train website, in its app, by phone on 14511, or at a station ticket office. Where a station has an open ticket office you must buy before boarding. Staff sell tickets on board only where the ticket office is closed, for single journeys only, by cash or card but not a mix of the two. Boarding without a valid ticket carries a €10 fine on top of the fare.
OASTH city buses cost €0.60 for a ticket valid for 70 minutes within the city, or €2.50 for 24 hours.
Rail passes and reservations
As of October 2026, an Interrail pass is valid on all Hellenic Train services. The Athens InterCity needs a seat reservation, which is free with a pass, but pass holders pay the InterCity supplement. Interrail's own reservation system does not cover Greece, so reserve at the station. Suburban trains need no reservation. There is no international train to reserve.
Things that catch travellers out
- There are only two InterCity trains a day each way, so a missed departure costs hours.
- Metro tickets must be validated on the way out as well as on the way in.
- Kalambaka is a bus ride from Palaiofarsalos, so allow a long day or an overnight stay.
Where to book
Train tickets
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Passenger train operators
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Hellenic Train links Athens, Thessaloniki, and most regional capitals with InterCity, regional, and suburban trains. Most domestic IC trains need reservations.
Official website
Train stations in Thessaloniki
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Thessaloniki to Athens take?
About 5 hours 10 minutes on the InterCity, which leaves Thessaloniki at 05:55 and 16:49. There are only two a day each way, so plan around them.
Can I get a train from Thessaloniki to Sofia, Skopje or Istanbul?
No. Hellenic Train has no international services at present, and Interrail also lists no train from Thessaloniki to North Macedonia, Bulgaria or Türkiye.
How do I get from Thessaloniki airport to the train station?
Take OASTH bus 01X (also signed X1), which stops at the railway station. It runs every 30 minutes and takes 40 to 50 minutes to the city. The fare is €2, paid on board with exact change. A night bus, N1, also runs.
Is there a train from Thessaloniki to Meteora?
Not directly. The InterCity goes to Palaiofarsalos, where a Hellenic Train bus continues to Kalambaka, the town below the Meteora monasteries. The buses leave Palaiofarsalos at 10:30 and 21:15.
Where do I buy a metro ticket in Thessaloniki?
From the ticket machines in any metro station: €0.60 for one journey or €2.50 for 24 hours. Children up to age 6 travel free with an adult who holds a validated ticket. Validate the ticket when you enter and again when you leave.