Car Hire Thessaloniki Airport

Car Hire

Located around nine miles from the city centre of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Airport is an ideal gateway for those wanting to holiday in the area. Officially called Macedonia International Airport, it is the second busiest airport in Greece and the main airport serving the north of the country. With a number of companies offering car rental in Thessaloniki Airport in the terminal, self-driving from the airport to your final destination is the perfect way to take in the sights conveniently.

Who to Book With
There are a number of international car rental companies available within the airport terminal. Hertz, Avis and National sit alongside a number of local companies as well as Sixt and Europcar. All of these companies offer a variety of vehicles and both pre-booked and on-the-day rentals.

Need to Know Essentials
In order to collect a pre-booked vehicle, you will need to show the following documentation:

- Both parts of a valid driver’s licence
- A valid credit card
- Proof of address, such as a passport or utility bill
- The booking reference number or email

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving is on the right, with overtaking on the left. A useful law in Greece is that one petrol station in each area must be open 24 hours, including on Sunday. However, for long journeys it is still advisable to fill the tank wherever possible. Running a red light is illegal and can result in a hefty fine. Fines are also enforced for drivers who don’t stop at stop signs, cross over double white lines, park illegally or use a mobile phone while driving. Seatbelts are mandatory and children under the age of four must use a child seat. Road signs in the main cities and towns are in English; however, drivers should expect Greek only signage in rural areas.

See our guide to Greece for more information on driving here.

Transport

With no train linking the airport with the nearest city, passengers who opt not to rent a vehicle and self-drive have to choose between the infrequent bus service and the taxis which queue up outside of the main entrance. These cabs have set fares which are raised at midnight.

Taxis
The taxi rank is located directly outside of the main terminal and is serviced by a number of local companies. All taxis tend to abide by the same pricing structure.

Taxi prices:
Thessaloniki Airport to Epanomi is about £15
Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki city centre is about £20

Buses
There is only one bus service linking the airport with the city of Thessaloniki, although it is possible to find services to the rest of the area from the facility. The number 78 runs once an hour, although service increases during the peak summer season. The journey takes roughly an hour and costs £1.50 per person for a one-way ticket.

Facilities

Terminals
The single airport terminal has three floors. The ground floor is for arrivals, with the first floor servicing departures. With two runways, the airport is adequately adapted to service 3.5 million passengers a year from across the world. The airport is the main hub for Astra Airlines, with both Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air also operating daily flights here.

Parking
The main parking facility can be found directly outside of the main entrance. There are 1,470 parking spaces available, with a number reserved for passengers with limited mobility. The car park is open 24 hours and charges depend on the length of time you park for.

Wi-Fi
There is no Wi-Fi at the airport.

Information Services
The information services are located in the Arrivals hall. Here, customers can find help regarding lost luggage and information on hotel reservations and local events. The service is open daily.

Useful Numbers
Service Centre: +30 2310 473700

Accessibility
The airport is well adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. There are a number of disabled persons’ toilets on the ground floor, with lifts providing access to the other floors of the terminal. There are disabled persons’ parking spaces, while assistance can be sought through the airport’s information services.

Restaurants and Bars
There is one main restaurant within the terminal. It can be found in Departures. Here, passengers can purchase hot and cold food, along with a selection of alcoholic beverages. There are also four coffee shops located throughout the airport. They sell quick snacks and a variety of hot and cold drinks.

VIP Lounges
Aegean Club Lounge
CIP Lounge

Money and ATMs
There are a number of ATMs in the Arrivals and Departures lounges. All ATMs accept foreign cards; however, they only dispense euro.

Shopping
Along with a large tobacco store selling duty-free tobacco, there is a large duty-free shop selling confectionery, jewellery and a wide range of alcohol and gifts. There are also a number of local shops selling traditional products such as clothes and accessories.