Europe > Greece > Thessaloniki (SKG)
The Car or no Car advice for Thessaloniki can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Thessaloniki ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Thessaloniki ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Thessaloniki?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
If you’re asking should you rent a car in Thessaloniki, it’s worth recognising that Thessaloniki functions very differently from most Greek destinations. It is Greece’s second city, with a dense urban core, a long waterfront, strong public transport, and significant traffic congestion. Transport decisions here are less about scenery and more about urban practicality.
Thessaloniki works primarily as a city break and cultural hub, rather than a base that immediately demands independent transport.
🚶 Thessaloniki without a car
Thessaloniki is very easy to visit without a car, especially if your stay is city-focused.
Works best if you:
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Stay in or near the historic centre or waterfront
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Focus on:
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Museums, churches, and Roman sites
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Food, nightlife, and neighbourhood exploration
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The seafront promenade
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Use buses and taxis, bike sharing or walk
Why it works:
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The city centre is highly walkable
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Urban buses cover the city extensively
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Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive for short trips
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Driving and parking are often more hassle than help
👉 For most city visitors, a car is unnecessary and inconvenient.
Trains
Thessaloniki also plays a crucial role as Greece’s main rail hub outside Athens, with railway lines fanning out across northern and central Greece. From here, services radiate west toward Epirus, east toward Thrace, and south into Thessaly and Attica. While some regional routes are slow and limited, Thessaloniki remains the country’s most important northern anchor for long-distance rail travel, reinforcing its role as a gateway rather than just a standalone city.
The single most important rail link is the direct service to Athens, which has transformed long-distance travel between Greece’s two largest cities. Trains run frequently and reliably, making rail a realistic alternative to flying. Crucially, this route also enables one of mainland Greece’s most rewarding rail-based side trips: a change at Paleofarsalos for onward services to Kalambaka. From there, travellers can explore the extraordinary rock pillars and monasteries of Meteora, one of the country’s most dramatic landscapes — all without needing a car.
🚗 When renting a car makes sense
A car becomes useful once you start looking beyond the city itself.
Good reasons to rent a car in Thessaloniki include:
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Day trips to:
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Halkidiki’s beaches
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Vergina and Pella
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Mount Olympus
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Travelling with luggage or family
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Using Thessaloniki as a base for northern Greece
Regional reality:
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Northern Greece is spread out
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Public transport beyond the city is limited and slow
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Driving offers far greater flexibility for excursions
👉 A car makes sense for regional exploration, not urban sightseeing.
Conclusion – should you rent a car in Thessaloniki?
You should not rent a car in Thessaloniki if your visit is focused on the city itself. Walking, buses, and taxis are far more efficient than driving in congested urban streets.
However, renting a car in Thessaloniki is a good idea if you plan to explore Halkidiki, archaeological sites, or wider northern Greece. In that case, the best approach is often to enjoy the city first, then hire a car only when you’re ready to leave it behind.
