Greece

How to get from Kos to Thessaloniki

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
1h 35min
💶
From
67€
📍
Distance
562 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Kos to Thessaloniki: Flight, about 1h 35min, from €67. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Sky Express, Aegean Airlines; main departure point: Kos Island Airport.

Distance: 562 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Kos to Thessaloniki

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Flight
1h 35min
from 112€
View
✈️ Also compare on Aviasales ›
🚌 Departure from Kos
📍Flights depart from Kos Island International Airport (Hippocrates), the island's main airport, located in the centre of the island away from the main town. Arrive early in summer, when the small terminal can be busy, and have your documents ready.
🚇From Kos town, the simplest way to reach the airport is by taxi, which is quick and convenient with luggage. Local buses also serve the airport at certain times, so check the current service. Pre-booking a transfer is wise from a beach resort.
⏰Flight frequency on this route varies by season, with more options in summer. Check the booking page for the exact days and departure times available on your travel date.
💸 Transport from 67€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 1h 35min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Sky Express Flight Kos Island Airport €112 23
Aegean Airlines Flight Kos Island Airport €114 11
📶 Stay connected the moment you land

Activate an eSIM before you go: internet the moment you land, no SIM to swap, zero roaming fees.

Yesim · eSIM partner

Practical tips

💡
Book summer flights early

Just like ferries, island flights fill up in July and August. Booking ahead gives you more choice of departure times and helps you avoid being stuck on Kos when you need to be in Thessaloniki.

💡
No Athens port to worry about

By flying, you avoid the Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio dilemma entirely. You go straight from Kos airport to Thessaloniki, with no ferry port to choose and no risk of heading to the wrong harbour.

💡
Wind is less of a worry in the air

Strong meltemi winds can cancel high-speed catamarans, but flights are generally more reliable. Still, keep some flexibility in your schedule if a tight onward connection or a prepaid hotel depends on this leg.

💡
Check your baggage allowance

Domestic fares often include only a small cabin bag. If you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, check what is included before booking so you are not surprised by extra fees at the airport.

💡
Plan your airport transfer

Kos airport is outside the main town, so allow time to reach it. Arrange a taxi or bus in advance, especially if you stay in a beach resort, and arrive early in the busy summer season.

The journey experience

Getting from Kos to Thessaloniki is a long way on a map, and on a Greek island-hopping trip it is exactly the kind of leg where the answer is simple: fly. The Dodecanese and northern Greece are far apart, ferry timetables change with the season, and many island links only run a few days a week, so a sea-and-land route quickly becomes a puzzle of connections.

The option available for this route is the domestic flight. It is the straightforward choice for independent travellers without a car: you check in at a small island airport, skip the port-hunting and the worry about which harbour a boat leaves from, and arrive in Thessaloniki ready to explore the city. A flight is also far less exposed to the strong winds that can delay or cancel crossings, which makes it reassuring if you have an onward booking in the north. Compare the duration and price shown in the table on this page to see how it fits your plan.

My advice: book your seat in advance for summer, when island flights fill up as quickly as ferries do, and keep your baggage allowance in mind. Check the departure time against your hotel check-out so you are not rushing. With one clear leg and no changes of port or island to manage, you can plan this transfer with confidence.

Frequently asked questions — Kos → Thessaloniki

Why visit Thessaloniki?

  • ✓ Climb the White Tower and stroll the waterfront promenade at sunset, from the tower to the Umbrellas sculpture
  • ✓ Explore the UNESCO-listed Early Christian and Byzantine monuments, including the Rotunda and Agios Dimitrios basilica
  • ✓ Wander the Ladadika district and Modiano Market, tasting bougatsa, koulouri and fresh seafood
  • ✓ Discover the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture, home to Macedonian gold treasures
  • ✓ Walk the Ano Poli (Upper Town) walls at Eptapyrgio for panoramic views over the Thermaic Gulf
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 3 nights — enough to cover the main sights, markets and a day trip to Vergina or Mount Olympus

When to visit Thessaloniki?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

May to June and September to October — warm, sunny days, comfortable for walking, and fewer crowds than peak summer

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😐
Jul 😞
Aug 😞
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😞
📍
In Thessaloniki — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Thessaloniki
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Thessaloniki?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🗼
White Tower and Waterfront Promenade
The 15th-century White Tower is Thessaloniki's emblem and houses a museum on the city's history across several floors. Entry is around 6€. Visit in the morning to avoid crowds, climb to the rooftop for panoramic views, then stroll the waterfront promenade towards the Umbrellas sculpture at sunset.
🏛️
Rotunda and Arch of Galerius
Built around 306 AD, the Rotunda was successively a pagan temple, a church and a mosque, and still has its Roman brickwork and Byzantine mosaics. Entry is about 6€. Combine it with the nearby Arch of Galerius, which is free to view. Go early, as the interior is quiet and cool.
⛪
Early Christian Monuments Tour
Thessaloniki has 15 UNESCO-listed Early Christian and Byzantine monuments. Start with Hagios Demetrios, the city's patron saint church, whose crypt holds a Roman-era site and relics. Then see Hagia Sophia, with its 9th-century dome mosaic. Entry to most is free or under 4€; dress modestly.
🏺
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
One of Greece's best museums, with Macedonian gold from the royal tombs of Derveni and Vergina, plus fine Roman mosaics and sculptures. Allow two hours. Entry is about 10€ in high season, and the museum is usually closed on some holidays, so check hours online before going.
🥐
Modiano and Kapani Markets
Wander the covered Modiano Market and nearby Kapani for spices, olives, cheese, fresh fish and street food. Try a bougatsa (custard or cheese pie) from a local bakery for about 3€. Go before 2 pm on weekdays or Saturday morning, when stalls are busiest and most open.
🏰
Upper Town and Byzantine Walls
Climb to Ano Poli, the old Ottoman-era quarter with narrow lanes and wooden houses that survived the 1917 fire. Continue to the Heptapyrgion fortress and the Byzantine walls for city and sea views. Bus 50 or 23 saves the steep climb. Go at sunset; a meze dinner here costs about 15€.
🍸
Ladadika District Meze Evening
Ladadika, the restored old port warehouse quarter, is ideal for an evening of meze and tsipouro. Order several small plates to share, typically 6-10€ each. Book ahead on Friday and Saturday. For a more local feel, head to the side streets around Aristotelous Square rather than the main terraces.
🌊
Day Trip to Mount Olympus Coast
Take a train or bus from Thessaloniki to Litochoro (about 1h30–2h, from roughly 10€), the village at the foot of Mount Olympus. Hike the Enipeas gorge trail to Prionia, then enjoy a taverna lunch. Start early, wear proper shoes, and check trail conditions locally before setting out.

How long to visit Thessaloniki?

2 to 3 days

Plan 2 to 3 days to cover the essentials: the White Tower and waterfront, the Roman Rotunda and Galerius Arch, the Upper Town (Ano Poli) with its Byzantine walls, and the Archaeological Museum. With a third day, add the Ladadika district for dinner, the Modiano and Kapani markets, and the Vergina royal tombs. Most sights are walkable, so book accommodation near the center and keep one evening free for the bars and tavernas.

Related searches

flight Kos Thessaloniki how to get from Kos to Thessaloniki ticket price Kos to Thessaloniki travel time Kos to Thessaloniki travel to Greece

Other trips from Kos

Book now