After-midnight flights from Terminal 2 still have a $2 option
OASTH Bus 01N is the night link between Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) and the city, taking around 40–45 minutes to reach the center for about $2. It replaces the old 78N but uses the same airport–city corridor, so older blog posts about 78N are basically talking about this route. If your flight lands after midnight and the daytime 01X buses are done, this is the cheap way out instead of a €25–30 taxi.
Where it runs and when it makes sense
The 01N runs from the airport on the same spine into town that daytime airport buses use, heading toward central stops near Aristotelous Square and the main city axis. Night riders say buses keep running through the small hours, but gaps can feel long if you just miss one, so build in 20–30 minutes of possible waiting time on top of the 40–45 minute ride. If your hotel sits far from that central corridor, factor in a short taxi from downtown after you get off.
How to ride it step by step
- 1. Exit Terminal 2 arrivals and follow signs for city buses to the stop outside the terminal building.
- 2. Look for buses marked 01N; ignore old references to 78N on blogs and forums.
- 3. Buy a ticket from the airport kiosk or the onboard machine; expect to pay about $2, usually in coins.
- 4. Validate your ticket in the orange machine near the doors as soon as you board, even if it looks old or dim.
- 5. Sit near the driver and keep bags next to you; regulars do this on late, quiet runs.
- 6. Get off near Aristotelous or another central stop, then walk or grab a short taxi to your hotel.
What regulars do and what to watch out for
Locals who ride OASTH at night check the current 01N timetable on the day of travel, because route numbers and times change more often than old posts suggest. Some riders mention long waits in the cold outside Terminal 2 when a bus has just left, and a few feel uneasy with dim lighting and almost empty buses, even though incidents are rare. Ticket machines occasionally look dead or half-lit; still try to stamp your ticket in at least one machine to avoid fines if inspectors board.
One last tip
Landing solo after about 02:00? Compare the 01N departure time to your arrival; if the gap is over 40 minutes and you’re tired or loaded with bags, this is when a taxi from SKG starts to feel worth paying for over the $2 night bus.