Thessaloniki-Istanbul by train

The Question:

What is the cost of train travel from thessaloniki to istanbul and do we need a visa


The Answer:

Hello!

I have found for you that there is a OSE train departing every day at 19:38 from Thessaloniki main train station. The trip lasts about 12 hours and you can book a seat/bed by calling at 1110. Prices begin from 60 E and go up to 94 E depending whether you share the same space with other persons or not. For the VISA I am not sure, I suggest you asking directly on the phone.

Regards,

-Stavros

Thessaloniki-Istanbul "filias ticket"

The Question:

Dear Stavros,
do you know anything about \"filias ticket\" in Greece? I have to travel from igoumenitsa to thessaloniki and then to istanbul. May you give me any information?
Thanks,
Lorenzo


The Answer:

Hello Lorenzo!

As far I understood, by "filias ticket" you mean the Train Dostluk/Filia (Friendship) Express. This line connects Thessaloniki with Istanbul, departing from Thessaloniki at 20:00 (8 pm) and arriving in Istanbul just before 08:00 am the next morning (a 12-hour trip). The one-way fare, including the sleeping compartment fee, is 85 E for one person in a private sleeping compartment, or 97 E for two people (48,50 E per person) sharing a sleeping compartment.
The KTEL bus connection between Igoumenitsa and Thessaloniki costs 37 E and you will arrive at Thessaloniki 5 hours later. Please mind that there is only one route per day at 10.30 am.

Hope I helped you!

-Stavros

Distance between Istanbul to Igoumenitsa

The Question:

I would like to learn the poad Distance between Istanbul to Igoumenitsa??


The Aswer:

Hello,

The completion of the Egnatia Odos highway, linking Igoumenitsa with İstanbul, will allow you to travel from the one point to another in 15 hours (if you plan 2-3 short stops). At viamichelin.com you can find the exact route with all the points of interest you have to pay attention to. The total distance Istanbul-Igoumenitsa is 1029 km.
If you don't have your own car, you can take the bus from Istanbul towards Thessaloniki that leaves once a day from Büyük Otogar. Then you simply change bus to Igoumenitsa. It is being realized one route per day departing at 13.00, so you should plan arriving from Istanbul ontime. The total ticket cost for this schedule is about 80 euros.

Enjoy your tip!

-Stavros

From Istanbul to Thessaloniki by train

The Question:

Thanks very much, Stavros. I think I will take the ferry from Volos.
If you have time to answer another question, I'd really appreciate it: Do you know about the trains from Istanbul to Thessaloniki? I know there is a night sleeper train, but I'm travelling alone, and apparently the price for a sleeping compartment is around 85 euros for one person. I've read on the internet that there is a day train as well, but I can't find any official information on it. Do you know if it actually exists?
Thanks alot. Every country should have a blogger like you to make things easier for travellers. It's a great service.
Joe

The Answer:

Hey Joe and thank you for all your kind words!
Regarding the day train from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, as far as I know it departs at 08.30 a.m. and arrives in Thessaloniki at 23.50. It makes several stops and the first class tickets cost 50euros. This train line used to be IC91. But since the train schedules change constantly, ti would be better to call the greek central train station to confirm this itinerary. The phone number is 0030 210 5240601.
Hope this has helped...

-Stavros

From Istanbul to Alonissos island

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
What a great website you have! Nice picture, too. In a week or so I will need to get from Istanbul to Alonissos by bus/train and ferry. What\'s the best way to get from Istanbul into Greece (Kavala or Thessaloniki), and also, do you think it\'s better/cheaper to take ferries all the way from Thessaloniki to Alonissos, or would a bus to Volos and then a ferry be better? Hope you can answer my question.
Thanks,
Joe Lennon

The Answer:

Hey Joe!
Thank you for all your kind words!
A bus or train from Istanbul to Thessaloniki or Kavala will take you almost the same time. So it is more a matter of how you prefer to be travelling. From Kavala there are no ferry connections to Alonissos, so it is better to get to Thessaloniki from the start. From Thessaloniki port there is a ferry by the ferry company GA ferries which leaves to Alonissos but it doesn't depart daily. Tickets cost approximately 33 euros. On the other hand, flying dolphins as well as conventional ferries depart from Volos' port daily. Tickets cost almost 40 euros. So I would recommend leaving from Volos to Alonissos especially if your times and dates are not flexible and because the ferries departing from there are much newer and comfortable. To get to Volos all you need is to continue by train or take a suburban bus KTEL to the city!

-Stavros