How to get from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Istanbul to Thessaloniki. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 1h 25m, not counting the trip to and from the airports. The two cities are about 510 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €45, on Thu, Aug 27.
This fare comes from a search on September 2, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
510 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €105Checked Sep 5 | 2h 40mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €83Checked Sep 6 | 21h 55m1 transfer | See Train details |
| Bus | €45Older observation | 8h 45mdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€105Checked Sep 52h 40m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€83Checked Sep 621h 55m · 1 transferSee Train details
- Bus€45Older observation8h 45m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Istanbul to Thessaloniki: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Istanbul Airport → Thessaloniki Airportflight
Turkish Airlines·1h 25m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
All transport observations
Flight calendar
Flight prices by day, Istanbul to Thessaloniki
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
October 2026
€128Departures from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
ArdaTur runs 4 scheduled departures a day, the first at 08:00 and the last at 21:30.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArdaTurbus | 4 | 08:00 | 21:30 |
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 8h 30m€45Book
Omio last refreshed these on Tue, Sep 8
Operators seen on these journeys
Turkish AirlinesIstanbul Airport-Thessaloniki AirportSee live options and dates →
Pegasus AirlinesSabiha Gökçen Airport-Thessaloniki AirportSee live options and dates →
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.Istanbul-PlovdıvBook →
ArdaTurPlovdıv-Thessaloniki, Istanbul-ThessalonikiBook →On this route you travel with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., ArdaTur; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Istanbul to Thessaloniki works
Start with a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, about 1h 25m. In total it's roughly €518 over 1h 25m, direct, no transfers.
Istanbul to Thessaloniki: common questions
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Thessaloniki?
The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes about 1h 25m. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
How far is Thessaloniki from Istanbul?
About 510 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Istanbul to Thessaloniki cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €518. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Are there direct flights from Istanbul to Thessaloniki?
Yes. The best option we found flies without a transfer and takes about 1h 25m.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Thessaloniki?
About 1h 25m, and that is the flight itself. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for Istanbul and Thessaloniki?
Istanbul is IST and Thessaloniki is SKG, so this route is usually written IST to SKG.
Which operators run Istanbul to Thessaloniki?
On this route you travel with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., ArdaTur.
What is the cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Thessaloniki?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search Istanbul to Thessaloniki
- how to get from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
- Istanbul to Thessaloniki travel time
- Istanbul to Thessaloniki distance
- cheapest way from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
- Istanbul to Thessaloniki flight time
- flights from Istanbul to Thessaloniki
- Istanbul Thessaloniki direct flights
- IST to SKG