Home › Routes › Halkidiki to Kavala
How to get from Halkidiki to Kavala
There is no railway between Halkidiki and Kavala. Driving takes about 2 to 2 h 30 for roughly 170–220 km depending on where you start, mostly on the Egnatia Odos (A2). By public transport you normally change KTEL buses in Thessaloniki, about 4 to 5 hours in total.
Best option: Car. A car is about twice as fast as the buses, which usually go via Thessaloniki.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| car From Kassandra or Sithonia north to the Egnatia Odos (A2) and east to Kavala; from the Mount Athos side (Ierissos) via Stavros and Asprovalta | about 2–2 h 30 | fuel plus Egnatia Odos tolls of a few euros | Kavala old town (Panagia) has narrow streets; park below it. | |
| bus KTEL Chalkidikis bus to Thessaloniki, then KTEL Kavalas bus to Kavala | about 4–5 h including the change | several a day on each leg | about €20–30 total | The two companies use different terminals in Thessaloniki; check before you go. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- The coast road past Asprovalta and Nea Peramos is slower but nicer than the motorway.
- Stop at Amphipolis (lion monument and museum) on the way.
- Check the KTEL Chalkidiki terminal in Thessaloniki: it is not the main Macedonia bus station.
- In summer Kavala is busy with travellers heading to the Thassos ferry.
Common questions
Is there a direct bus from Halkidiki to Kavala?
Usually not. Most travellers take a KTEL Chalkidikis bus to Thessaloniki and then a KTEL Kavalas bus to Kavala. The two companies use different terminals in Thessaloniki, so allow time to move between them by taxi or city bus. The total trip takes about 4 to 5 hours.
How long is the drive?
About 2 to 2 h 30, depending on your starting point. From Kassandra and Sithonia you drive north to the Egnatia Odos and east past the lakes to Kavala. From the Mount Athos side, the road via Stavros and Asprovalta is the shortest. Expect a few euros in tolls.
Can I do it as a day trip?
Yes, by car. With about 2 hours each way you can see Kavala's old town, the castle and the aqueduct, and perhaps stop at Amphipolis on the way. By bus the trip is too long for a comfortable day trip.
Is there a train?
No. There is no railway in Halkidiki and Kavala is not on the passenger rail network. Roads are the only land option. Kavala airport (Megas Alexandros) is mainly used for flights from Athens and abroad. For Thassos, ferries leave from Kavala and Keramoti.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.