Greece

How to get from Thessaloniki to Larissa

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

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FASTEST
2h 30min
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From
18€
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Distance
120 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Thessaloniki to Larissa: Bus (KTEL), about 2h 30min, from €18. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): KTEL Larisas; main departure point: Thessaloniki Macedonia.

Distance: 120 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Thessaloniki to Larissa

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

Bus (KTEL)
2h 30min
18 €
View
🚌 Departure from Thessaloniki
📍Coaches to Larissa leave from a KTEL bus station in Thessaloniki. Check the exact departure station on your ticket, arrive a little early, and keep your luggage with you until the coach is ready for boarding.
🚇From the city centre, you can reach the bus station by taxi or by local city bus, depending on where you are staying. A taxi is the easiest option with luggage, while public transport suits lighter travellers on a budget.
⏰KTEL coaches run regularly between Thessaloniki and Larissa, with departures spread through the day. Services can be lighter on Sundays and public holidays, so check the timetable for your date.
💸 Transport from 18€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 30min
🗓 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
KTEL Larisas Bus Thessaloniki Macedonia €18 1
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Practical tips

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No port confusion on this route

Unlike Athens, where Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio can be mixed up, this trip uses a bus station, not a port. Confirm the departure station on your ticket before leaving your hotel so you go to the right place.

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Seats are easier than summer ferries

Island ferries can sell out in high season, but regional coaches like this one are usually more relaxed. Still, book ahead for weekends, holidays and busy travel days to keep your plans safe.

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Check Sunday and holiday services

Greek regional timetables can be lighter on Sundays and public holidays. Look at the departures for your exact date so you are not left waiting, and keep a backup departure in mind.

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Plan your onward connection with a margin

If you continue to Meteora, Volos or elsewhere, leave a comfortable buffer in Larissa. Coaches can run late on busy roads, and a relaxed transfer avoids missing the next departure.

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Keep your ticket on your phone

Book online for instant confirmation and save the ticket offline. Arrive at the station a little early, with your luggage ready, and check the platform or bay with the staff if the signs are unclear.

The journey experience

Getting from Thessaloniki to Larissa is refreshingly simple: this is a mainland trip, so there are no ferry ports, island timetables or wind-related cancellations to worry about. The KTEL coach is the option to know here, and the page shows its duration and price range right next to the other details so you can judge at a glance.

KTEL coaches link Thessaloniki with Larissa on a regular basis, which makes the trip easy to fit into a wider itinerary through central Greece. The coaches are comfortable for a regional journey, with luggage space underneath, reclining seats and a straightforward ride along the main highway through Thessaly. It is a practical choice if you are heading to Meteora, Volos or the Pelion peninsula afterwards, since Larissa is a handy transport hub for onward connections.

My advice: treat this as a low-stress leg. Unlike summer ferries, seats rarely sell out far in advance, but checking the departure times for your travel day is still wise, especially on Sundays and public holidays when services can be thinner. Book online if you want instant confirmation, keep your ticket handy on your phone, and arrive at the station a little early. You will not face the wrong-port confusion you can get around Athens, because the route is simple and the departure point is clear.

Frequently asked questions — Thessaloniki → Larissa

Why visit Larissa?

  • ✓ Stroll through the ancient theatre of Larissa, built in the 3rd century BC and set at the foot of the Frourio hill
  • ✓ Walk along the banks of the Pineios river, lined with cafés and the leafy Alcazar Park
  • ✓ Visit the Diachronic Museum of Larissa, showcasing Thessalian finds from prehistory to the Ottoman era
  • ✓ Enjoy a tsipouro meze meal in the lively old-town taverns around Hatzigiannis-Mexis Street
  • ✓ Take a day trip to the Vale of Tempe, Meteora or Mount Olympus, all within about 1 to 1.5 hours
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Recommended stay
1 to 2 nights — compact city, ideal base for exploring Thessaly and nearby sites

When to visit Larissa?

HOT MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

April to June and September to October — pleasant temperatures, while July and August can be extremely hot

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😊
May 😊
Jun 😐
Jul 😞
Aug 😞
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
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Dec 😞
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In Larissa — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Larissa
Compare the best rates available
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What to do in Larissa?

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

MUST-SEE
🏛️
Ancient Theatre of Larissa
Built in the 3rd century BC on the slopes of Frourio Hill, this Hellenistic theatre once seated around 10,000 spectators. It sits right in the city centre and is free to view. Go late afternoon for softer light and a good view over the Pineios, and combine it with the nearby hilltop.
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Frourio Hill and Byzantine Fortress
The acropolis of Larissa has been fortified since antiquity, with Byzantine and Ottoman remains layered on top. The grounds are an easy walk from the centre and free to enter. Come at sunset for views over the Thessalian plain, and bring water since shade is limited in summer.
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Archaeological Museum of Larissa
Housed in a former Ottoman mosque-era setting near the centre, the museum displays Thessalian finds from Neolithic times to the Roman era, including funerary stelae and pottery. Allow about one hour. Tickets are typically around 4€, and opening days are reduced on Mondays, so check hours before going.
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Alcazar Park Stroll
Alcazar is Larissa's green lung on the banks of the Pineios, with shaded paths, a small zoo area, cafés and a playground. Entry is free. It is the best spot to see how locals spend their evenings, so come around 18:00 in warm months and grab a coffee by the water.
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Cycling Along the Pineios
Larissa is one of Greece's flattest and most bike-friendly cities, with riverside paths along the Pineios. Ride from Alcazar towards the old stone bridge for an easy 10 km round trip. Early morning is coolest in summer. Bike-share or rental options exist in town, often from about 10€ per day.
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Thessalian Meze and Tsipouro
Thessaly is tsipouro country, and in Larissa a carafe typically arrives with a rotating plate of small dishes included. Try a tsipouradiko in the centre, order grilled meats and local cheeses, and expect to pay around 15€ per person. Go after 20:30, when locals fill the tables.
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Ottoman Traces: Hasan Bey Mosque
The Hasan Bey Mosque, dating from the late 16th century, is one of the few Ottoman monuments left in the city and now serves as a cultural venue. Exteriors can be viewed freely. Check for temporary exhibitions, and pair the visit with a short walk through the surrounding old streets.
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Day Trip to Tempe Valley
About 35 km north, the Tempe Valley is a narrow gorge between Mount Olympus and Ossa, carved by the Pineios and cited since antiquity. Drive or take a local bus toward Tempi, then stop at the Agia Paraskevi chapel. Allow half a day and bring a light jacket for the shade.

How long to visit Larissa?

1 to 2 days

Larissa works best as a 1-day stop or a base for 2 days. Spend a morning at the ancient theatre, the Archaeological Museum and the Pineios riverside, then enjoy the lively café scene on Central Square. Use it as a hub to reach Meteora, Mount Olympus, Mount Pelion or Volos by train or car, and book day trips in advance.

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