How to Get from Thessaloniki to Kavala: Transport Options, Times & Prices

Thessaloniki and Kavala are 152 km apart in northern Greece. The fastest overland option is driving via the Egnatia Odos (E90) – 1h40m to 2 hours. The most popular option is the KTEL Kavalas bus – 15-17 departures daily, 2h10m on the express service, €12-19 one-way. There is no direct flight between the two cities (only connecting flights via Athens, 2h45m+, from €148) and no train connection. An indirect ferry via Limnos exists but takes ~9h45m. For a scenic detour by car, the beach resorts of Asprovalta and Nea Vrasna along the E90 corridor are popular stops.

Quick Comparison: All Ways to Get from Thessaloniki to Kavala

Mode	Distance	Journey Time	Price (one-way)	Frequency	Best For
Bus (KTEL Kavalas)	152 km	2h10m (express) / 2h30m (ordinary)	€12-19	15-17/day	Budget travelers
Car / car rental	152 km	1h40m-2h	€30-70/day rental	Anytime	Flexibility, scenic stops
Taxi / Private transfer	152 km	1h40m-2h	€120-170	On demand	Door-to-door comfort
Ferry (indirect via Limnos)	127 nautical mi	~9h45m	€49-110	2×/week	Scenic Aegean route
Plane (connecting via Athens)	–	2h45m+	from €148	Daily	Combined itineraries only
Train	–	No connection	–	–	Not available

No nonstop flight exists between SKG (Thessaloniki) and KVA (Kavala). Train service does not connect the two cities directly.

By Bus – KTEL Kavalas (Most Popular)

KTEL Kavalas operates the only scheduled bus service between Thessaloniki and Kavala, with 15-17 departures daily from the Thessaloniki Macedonia KTEL Bus Station (Makedonias Bus Terminal) to Kavala Bus Station. The express service covers the route in 2 hours for €12-19 one-way; ordinary buses (with intermediate stops at Peramos or Eleftheroupolis) take 2h30m.

Operator: KTEL Kavalas – only operator on the route
Departures: approximately 06:00 to 22:00, intervals of 30 min – 2 hours
Service types: Express (2h, direct) | Ordinary (2h30m, with stops)
One-way ticket: €12-19 | Round-trip: ~€30
Booking: at the station counter or online at ktelkavalas.gr
From the airport: Bus 78/78N from SKG → Macedonia KTEL Bus Station

The bus is the most reliable and affordable way for visitors without a car. Buses are air-conditioned with comfortable seats, and the route runs along the Egnatia Odos (E90) for most of the journey.

By Car (Fastest Overland)

Driving from Thessaloniki to Kavala via the Egnatia Odos (E90) takes 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, covering 152 km – the fastest overland option. A Potos Car Rentals vehicle gets you door-to-door with full flexibility to stop along the way.

Distance: 152 km (94 miles) by road
Time: 1h40m-2h in normal traffic
Route: Head east on E90 (Egnatia Odos) from Thessaloniki – direct, well-maintained
Tolls: Greek highways include toll sections – budget €3-5 total for the Thessaloniki-Kavala stretch
Rental cost: €30-70/day depending on vehicle class

Scenic Stops Along the E90

A car rental also lets you explore the scenic coastal resorts on the way:

Asprovalta (50 km east of Thessaloniki) – popular sandy beach resort, 30-min detour
Nea Vrasna – quieter beach village a few km from Asprovalta
Kavala port and the Imaret – easily explored on arrival without parking concerns at hotels

Avoid driving in adverse weather conditions and use Google Maps or Waze for live traffic – E90 can slow during summer weekends near Asprovalta.

By Taxi or Private Transfer

A taxi or private transfer from Thessaloniki to Kavala costs €120-170 and takes 1h40m-2h, departing from your chosen pick-up point.

Taxi (metered or fixed): typically €120-150 from Thessaloniki city centre
Private transfer (pre-booked): €170 average for a sedan; €200+ for a minivan
Best for: groups of 3-4 splitting the fare, travellers with extensive luggage, or door-to-door service from hotel to hotel

Pre-booking is recommended over hailing a metered taxi – fixed prices are typically lower for the full ~152 km journey.

By Ferry (Indirect via Limnos)

An indirect ferry connection links Thessaloniki to Kavala via the port of Myrina on Limnos island. Total journey time is approximately 9 hours 45 minutes.

Operators: Blue Star Ferries and Seajets – both run this route seasonally
Frequency: approximately twice a week
Total time: ~9h45m (5h30m Thessaloniki → Limnos + 3h15m Limnos → Kavala)
Fares: €49 (foot passenger) up to €110 with a vehicle
Booking: Blue Star Ferries (bluestarferries.com) or Seajets – verify schedules each season
No direct sailing between the two ports – all ferries route through Limnos

This option suits travellers with time to spare who want a scenic Aegean Sea crossing or want to combine a stop on Limnos with the journey.

By Plane – Connecting Flights Only (No Nonstop)

There are no direct (nonstop) flights from Thessaloniki (SKG) to Kavala “Megas Alexandros” Airport (KVA). Connecting flights via Athens, operated mainly by Aegean Airlines, take a minimum of 2 hours 45 minutes door-to-door (excluding airport transfer time).

Connecting routes: SKG → ATH → KVA
Minimum flight time: 2h45m (often longer with layover)
Fares: from €148 one-way with Aegean Airlines
Practicality: Given the short overland distance and the much faster bus/car options, flying is not recommended for this route unless combined with a longer itinerary

If you’re already booked into Athens, the connecting flight can save time. Otherwise, the bus or car will deliver you to Kavala faster and at a fraction of the cost.

Is There a Train from Thessaloniki to Kavala?

No – there is currently no train connection between Thessaloniki and Kavala. Hellenic Train (formerly TrainOSE) does not service this route. The bus (KTEL Kavalas) is the recommended public transport alternative.

What Is the Best Way to Get from Thessaloniki to Kavala?

For most travellers, the best way is the KTEL Kavalas bus – frequent (15-17 daily departures), affordable (€12-19), and no driving required. If you want maximum flexibility and the fastest overland time, renting a car from Potos Car Rentals gets you to Kavala in under 2 hours via the Egnatia Odos and lets you stop at coastal beaches en route.

Choose if you want…	Best option
Cheapest fare	KTEL Kavalas bus (€12)
Fastest overland time	Rental car (1h40m)
Door-to-door comfort	Private transfer (€120-170)
Scenic Aegean route	Ferry via Limnos (~9h45m)
Combined with Athens trip	Connecting flight (€148+)

Is Kavala Worth Visiting?

Yes – Kavala is well worth visiting. Northern Greece’s second-largest port combines:

Kavala Castle – 15th-century Byzantine-Ottoman fortress with city panoramas
Imaret – Ottoman-era complex (now a luxury hotel) and one of the best-preserved Islamic monuments in the Balkans
Aqueduct of Kamares – Roman-era aqueduct dominating the old town
Philippi – UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, 15 km north – birthplace of European Christianity (Saint Paul preached here, 49 AD)
Tobacco Museum – unique to Kavala, reflecting its 19th-20th century tobacco trade history
Panagia old town – narrow lanes, neoclassical mansions, sea views
Kavala waterfront – lively cafés, fish tavernas, evening promenade

Day trips from Thessaloniki are practical: leave by morning bus or car, see the main sights in 4-5 hours, return the same evening.

Distance and Journey Time at a Glance

Item	Value
Road distance	152 km (94 miles) via E90 / Egnatia Odos
Straight-line distance	~135 km (84 miles)
Fastest journey	1h40m by car
Bus journey	2h-2h30m
Slowest practical	~9h45m via indirect ferry

Tours from Thessaloniki to Kavala

Tours from Thessaloniki to Kavala include guided day trips €200+ per person, 2-5 days), and private customised tours (request a quote from local operators).

Day trips are popular for travellers who want a hassle-free taste of Kavala without booking buses, taxis, or driving themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the bus from Thessaloniki to Kavala?

€12-19 one-way with KTEL Kavalas. Round-trip tickets cost approximately €30. Buy at the Macedonia KTEL Bus Station counter in Thessaloniki or online at ktelkavalas.gr.

How much is a taxi from Thessaloniki to Kavala?

€120-170 one-way, depending on the company, time of day, and vehicle (sedan vs minivan). Pre-booked private transfers are typically more cost-effective than metered taxis for the full 152 km journey.

Where do ferries from Thessaloniki to Kavala go?

There is no direct ferry between Thessaloniki and Kavala. Ferries route via the port of Myrina on Limnos island – total journey ~9h45m with Blue Star Ferries or Seajets, twice weekly.

Is it easy to get from Thessaloniki to Kavala?

Yes – the route is straightforward. The Egnatia Odos (E90) is well-maintained and direct, the KTEL Kavalas bus runs 15-17 times daily, and taxi/private transfer services are widely available. Total journey time ranges from 1h40m (car) to 2h30m (ordinary bus).

Is it safe to travel from Thessaloniki to Kavala?

Yes – the road infrastructure is well-maintained, bus services follow strict safety protocols, and the route is travelled daily by both locals and tourists. Standard road-safety precautions apply for drivers (seatbelts, no fatigue driving, careful in winter).

Is there a direct flight from Thessaloniki to Kavala?

No. Only connecting flights via Athens exist, taking 2h45m+ with Aegean Airlines from approximately €148. Given the 152 km road distance, the bus or car is far more practical.

How long does the journey take?

By car: 1h40m-2h. By bus: 2h-2h30m. By taxi: 1h40m-2h. By ferry: ~9h45m. By connecting flight: 2h45m+.

Sources:

KTEL Kavalas – bus tickets and timetables: ktelkavalas.gr

Blue Star Ferries – ferry schedules: bluestarferries.com

Kavala “Megas Alexandros” Airport (KVA): kavala-airport.gr

Aegean Airlines – connecting flights: aegeanair.com

Visit Greece – official Greek tourism portal: visitgreece.gr

On-site verification by the Potos Car Rentals editorial team, May 2026.

Written by the Potos Car Rentals travel team – based in Thassos, Greece, with branch offices at Kavala Airport and Thessaloniki. Potos Car Rentals is fully licensed and accredited by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO Reg. No. 0155E81000014200) and General Commercial Registry No. 20470630000. For transport enquiries or car-rental bookings, contact +30 25930 52071.