€2 gets you from SKG to Aristotelous Square on 01X
OASTH Bus 01X is the main public link between Thessaloniki Airport (SKG, Terminal 2 arrivals) and the city center, running roughly every 20–25 minutes during the day for a flat €2 (about $2). There is no rail connection from the airport, so this route is the go-to option for budget solo travelers and backpackers heading toward Aristotelous Square or the main railway station.
The ride takes about 40–45 minutes in light traffic, but reviews report 50–60 minutes at rush hour, especially around 07:30–09:00 and 15:00–17:00 on weekdays. The bus stops at key spots like the railway station and Aristotelous, so it works well if you’re staying near the waterfront or catching a train north from the central station.
A single ticket costs €2 from the driver or the onboard machine; keep some coins because cards are hit-or-miss and notes often cause delays. One ticket covers the full airport–city run, so you don’t need to validate twice, but you do need to time-stamp it in the orange machine once you board to avoid fines if inspectors step on at a random stop.
Headways on paper are 20–25 minutes, yet forum users mention real gaps that feel longer and buses sometimes arriving in pairs. If you just missed one, expect to stand at the stop near Terminal 2 arrivals for close to half an hour at busy times, so factor that into evening flight arrivals or tight hotel check-in windows.
Step-by-step: using OASTH Bus 01X from SKG
- 1. Exit Terminal 2 arrivals and find the signed bus stop: Walk 50–100 meters outside the main doors toward the OASTH 01X stop and check the digital display for the next departure time.
- 2. Board as soon as doors open: Regulars line up early and head straight for the small luggage area or the space by the back door because the bus often leaves the airport already half full.
- 3. Buy and validate your €2 ticket: Use coins in the onboard machine or pay the driver, then immediately stamp the ticket in the orange validator showing the date and time.
- 4. Track your stop on an offline map: With stop announcements reportedly unclear for non‑Greek speakers, riders often follow the route on apps to spot the railway station or Aristotelous within 1–2 stops.
- 5. Get off and keep your ticket until you exit: Hold onto the validated ticket until you step off in town in case of an inspection between the airport and your final stop.
What regulars do and what to watch out for
Locals say to avoid the 07:30–09:00 and 15:00–17:00 peaks with big bags, because the 01X can be packed with commuters and students, leaving little floor space for luggage. Multiple reviews describe people squeezed in with suitcases, so if you land in that window, build in the option of waiting for the next bus rather than forcing yourself onto an already full one.
Stop announcements are inconsistent, so regulars rely on phones instead of listening for English audio. Many use offline maps to watch the bus pass the railway station or Plateia Aristotelous; the ride from the airport to the station usually clocks in around 40–50 minutes depending on traffic, giving you time to prep for your exit.
One last tip: if your flight lands late and you’re cutting it close to the last frequent departures, check the 01X timetable on airport Wi‑Fi at the gate and grab small change from an ATM before you leave Terminal 2 so you’re not hunting for coins at the stop.