Note: onward services in the states of former Yugoslavia are currently sharply reduced and, with the exception of trains into the FYROM from Thessaloníki, it is impossible to obtain reliable information on schedules, so check locally; in the wake of the recent various conflicts and in the light of continuing instability, these routes are, in any case, inadvisable for independent travellers.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINS
Alexandhroúpoli-Istanbul (Turkey) Semi-direct "express", arriving Istanbul after at least 9hr, including an hour or longer wait at the border; change at Pythio (Greece) or Uzunköprü (Turkey).
Alexandhroúpoli-Dhidhymótiho-Orestiádha-Kastaniés (for Edirne) 6 daily, but only earlier departures reach the frontier post before 4pm when it closes; scheduled as 2hr 45min to Kastaniés.
Alexandhroúpoli-Svilengrad (Bulgaria) 1 daily; 3hr.
Thessaloníki-Gevgelija (FYROM) 1 daily; 1hr 30min-2hr.
Thessaloníki-Promahónas/Kulata, Bulgarian frontier 1 daily; 2hr 30min.
DOMESTIC TRAINS
Thessaloníki-Kateríni/Lárissa/Athens 4 express, 5 slower trains daily in each direction (6-7hr 30min for entire journey).
Thessaloníki-Lárissa 3 daily in each direction (2hr 45min), 1 continuing to Vólos (4hr total).
Thessaloníki-Véria/Édhessa/Amyndeo/Flórina 3-4 daily to Flórina (3hr 30min), changing as necessary at Amyndeo; connections between Amyndeo and Kozáni (3hr 30min) 6 times daily; 1 daily only up to Édhessa (2hr).
Thessaloníki-Sérres/Dhráma/Xánthi/Komotiní / Alexandhroúpoli 2 daily expresses, well spaced, plus 3 slower trains (Thessaloníki-Xánthi 4-5hr; Xánthi-Alexandhroúpoli 1hr 30min-2hr).
BUSES
Alexandhroúpoli to: Dhadhiá (2 daily; 1hr 20min); Dhidhymótiho (17 daily Mon-Fri, 14 daily Sat-Sun; 2hr); Istanbul (daily OSE bus; 8hr); Kípi (5 daily; 45min); Komotiní (14 daily; 1hr).
Édhessa to: Flórina (4 daily; 2hr); Kastoriá (4 daily; 2hr 30min, change at Amyndeo); Véria (6 Mon-Sat, 2 Sun; 50min).
Flórina to: Préspa basin (2 daily; 1hr).
Kastoriá to: Flórina (4 daily indirect services via Amyndeo; 3hr including layover).
Kateríni to: Dhión (12 daily; 20min); Litóhoro, for Mt Olympus (18 Mon-Sat, 12 Sun; 30min).
Kavála to: Keramotí (12 daily; 1hr); Komotiní (half-hourly 6am-9pm; 2hr); Philippi (half-hourly 6am-8.30pm; 20min); Xánthi (half-hourly 6am-9pm; 1hr); Alexandhroúpoli (5 daily; 3hr).
Komotiní to: Fanári (7 daily Mon-Fri, 6 Sat, 5 Sun; 45min).
Kozáni to: Grevená (8 daily; 1hr); Siátista (4 daily; 30min).
Thessaloníki to: Alexandhroúpoli (5 daily; 6hr); Arnéa (5-7 daily; 2hr); Athens (16 daily; 7hr); Édhessa (hourly; 1hr 30min); Flórina (6 daily; 3hr 30min); Ierissós (5-7 aily; 3hr 30min); Ioánnina (5 daily; 7hr); Istanbul (almost daily with OSE, occasional privately operated; 14hr); Kalambáka (7 daily; 4hr 30min); Kastoriá (5 daily; 4hr); Kavála (hourly 6am-10pm; 2hr 15min-3hr); Litóhoro, for Mt Olympus (7 daily; 1hr 30min); Ouranoúpoli (5-7 daily; 3hr 30min); Pélla (hourly; 1hr); Sárti, via Políyiros (3 daily; 4hr 30min); Sofia (daily with OSE; 7hr 30min); Véria (half-hourly; 1hr 15min); Vólos (4 daily; 4hr); Vourvouroú, via Políyiros (3 daily; 3hr).
Véria to: Édhessa, via Náoussa (6 daily; 1hr 15min); Kozáni (8 daily; 1hr).
Xánthi to: Kavála (half-hourly, 6am-9pm; 1hr); Komotiní (17-18 daily, via coast or inland; 50min); Thessaloníki (6-7 daily; 4hr).
FERRIES
Alexandhroúpoli to: Límnos, Lésvos, Híos, Sámos, Kós or Kálymnos, Rhodes (1 weekly); Samothráki (2-3 daily in season, 4 weekly out of season; 2hr 30min).
Kavála to: Lésvos and Híos (2-3 weekly; 12 hr); Límnos (5hr) and Áyios Efstrátios (2-4 weekly; 8hr); Samothráki (2-5 weekly late April to Sept; 5hr); Thássos (Skála Prínou) (4-15 daily, average 8, depending on season; 1hr 15min).
Keramotí to: Thássos (Liménas) (10 daily, year round; 40min).
Thessaloníki to: Iráklion (Crete) via Skiáthos, Tínos, Syros, Mykonos, Páros, Náxos and Thíra (2-5 weekly March-Oct); Límnos, Lésvos and Híos (1-2 weekly June-Sept); Sámos, Léros or Kálymnos, Kós, Rhodes (1 weekly May-Oct).
HYDROFOILS
Alexandhroúpoli to: Samothráki (1-2 daily April-Nov; 1hr 10min).
Kavála to: Thássos (Liménas) (8-15 daily; 40min); Thássos (west-coast resorts) (1-3 daily).
Thessaloníki to: Skiáthos, Skópelos and Alónissos (June to mid-Sept, at least daily); Skyros and Áyios Ioánnis (Pílio) (2-4 weekly early July to mid-Sept).
FLIGHTS
Aegean, Cronus and Olympic all compete on most of these routes, though some destinations listed from Thessaloníki may be via Athens, direct only in high season.
Alexandhroúpoli to: Athens (2 daily; 1hr).
Kastoriá to: Athens (3-4 weekly; 1hr 15min).
Kavála to: Athens (2-3 daily; 1hr).
Kozáni to: Athens (3-4 weekly; 1hr 10min).
Thessaloníki to: Athens (8-10 daily; 50min); Corfu (2-5 weekly; 1hr); Haniá, Crete (1-2 daily; 2hr); Híos (2 weekly; 1hr 50min); Ioánnina (1 daily; 50min); Iráklion, Crete (1-2 daily; 2hr); Lésvos (1 daily; 1-2hr); Límnos (4-7 weekly; 50min); Sámos (4 weekly; 1hr 40min); Thíra (3 weekly summer only; 1hr 30min).
