Thessaloniki, Greece Travel Community

Are there trains from Thessaloniki to Athens?

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A

acamp7

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I would love to travel quickly by train from Thessaloniki to Athens...is this possible?
 
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There trains between the 2 cities with at least four per day. The trip takes about 4 hours.
 
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Jerry s said:
There trains between the 2 cities with at least four per day. The trip takes about 4 hours.
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I've never taken a train in Greece, only bus so I don't know what it's like. Although trains are usually always better! Have you taken it? What was your experience?
 
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Sorry the only time I used a train in Greece was Metro in Athens . Others have told me about the train, apparently a fast train but it can't be that fast if it takes 4 hours to cover the 500 km. I usually pick up a car at the airport and use that for our stay in Greece, I even take the car of Ferries, most rental companies will not allow that. I use the same mob every time and they allow as long as you tell them what islands you are going .
If you have some time and you can drive, rent a car and go to Meteora, a Unesco listed monastery, it is not far out of the way.
 
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Jerry s said:
Sorry the only time I used a train in Greece was Metro in Athens . Others have told me about the train, apparently a fast train but it can't be that fast if it takes 4 hours to cover the 500 km. I usually pick up a car at the airport and use that for our stay in Greece, I even take the car of Ferries, most rental companies will not allow that. I use the same mob every time and they allow as long as you tell them what islands you are going .
If you have some time and you can drive, rent a car and go to Meteora, a Unesco listed monastery, it is not far out of the way.
Click to expand...
Doesn't sound super fast lol, but fast for Greece! So that's the bright side
 
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Fast train is supposed to take 3 hours:

www.railtech.com

First Greek high-speed train journey to be in March

The first upgraded Alstom Avelia Pendolino ETR470 high-speed train has arrived in Thessaloniki, Greece. The first of the five trains, also named ‘white arrows’, will run between Athens and Thessaloniki starting on 25 March 2021 and reduce the journey times from four to three hours. Previously...
www.railtech.com www.railtech.com
 
The train offers a unique perspective of Greece's landscape, with picturesque views of the countryside, olive groves, and vineyards. It's a relaxing way to travel, allowing you to sit back, unwind, and soak in the beauty of the Greek countryside. The train is comfortable and well-equipped, making it a convenient option for travelers looking to explore Greece's capital city. Plus, the journey is relatively quick, taking around 4-5 hours, depending on the train you choose. Overall, I highly recommend taking the train from Thessaloniki to Athens for a memorable and scenic travel experience. If you're interested, you can also explore train horns, which can be a lot of fun. Here you can find some info https://bosshorn.com/products/dewalt-train-horn.
 
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Favorite Places to See in Thessaloniki - Advice Needed

I'm thinking about spending one or two days in Thessaloniki this fall before continuing my trip elsewhere in Greece. I've heard so many good things about the city, but with limited time I'd love to make the most of my visit.

Of course, I plan to see some of the well-known sights like the White Tower and the waterfront, but I'm also interested in the places that really capture the character of the city. If you only had a day or two, what would you consider absolute must-sees?

I'd love recommendations for historic neighborhoods, churches, museums, viewpoints, local markets, cafés, or favorite restaurants. Are there any hidden gems that first-time visitors often overlook?

If you've visited Thessaloniki, what experiences stood out the most? I'd really appreciate hearing how you would spend a short visit in the city.

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I’m curious how people here think about the food differences between Thessaloniki and Athens. Both cities are obviously incredible places to eat, but they feel very different to me in ways that go beyond specific dishes or restaurants.

Thessaloniki often feels more informal and food-driven in daily life, like late-night eating, mezedes culture, bakeries and street food that feel essential rather than optional. There’s also a heavier presence of refugee, Balkan, and Asia Minor influences that seem to shape flavors, spice use, and portion style. Athens, by contrast, sometimes feels more Mediterranean-polished and regionally diverse, pulling influences from all over Greece rather than leaning into one strong local identity.

But that’s just my perception. For those who know both cities well, what actually makes Thessaloniki different food-wise?

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I’m curious about people’s first experiences of Thessaloniki. When you arrived for the first time, how did it feel?

Did the city come across as familiar or unexpected? Calm or charged? Did the sea change your sense of space? Was it the pace, the light, the food, the conversations drifting past cafés, or something harder to name? Sometimes it’s not a landmark that sticks, but a mood — the way time moved, or didn’t. It has been so long since I was there for the first time!

Favorite bakeries in Thessaloniki?

I may make it to Thessaloniki this year, and one thing I’m really looking forward to is the bakery culture there. Honestly, some of my favorite travel memories come from grabbing a quick snack or light meal from a bakery and just walking around the city.

I’d love recommendations for bakeries that locals genuinely like, especially places good for things like bougatsa, spanakopita, koulouri, tiropita, sandwiches, or simple sweets. I’m not necessarily looking for fancy pastry shops, more the kinds of bakeries people stop into regularly during the day.

Are there certain bakeries known for specific items? Also, are there areas of the city where the bakery scene is especially strong?

Part of what excites me about Thessaloniki is that everyone says the food culture there is incredible, and bakeries seem like a huge part of everyday life in the city.

Is Ladadika a Good Area to Stay?

I might be going to Thessaloniki, and I’ve been looking at different neighborhoods to stay in. Ladadika keeps coming up because it seems very central and close to restaurants, nightlife, and the waterfront.

For anyone who has stayed there, is Ladadika actually a good area to base yourself? I like the idea of being able to walk to a lot of places, but I’m wondering whether it gets too noisy at night or feels overly touristy.

I’d also love to know how convenient it is for getting to the main sights in Thessaloniki. Can you easily walk from Ladadika to places like the White Tower, Aristotelous Square, and the historic churches, or would I be relying on taxis or public transportation?

I’m still in the early planning stage, so I’m open to other neighborhood suggestions too. Is Ladadika where you would stay, or would you choose somewhere else?
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