Greece - Korina Miller [601]
BULGARIA
There are three Bulgarian border crossings: one located at Promahonas, 109km northeast of Thessaloniki and 41km from Serres; one at Ormenio in northeastern Thrace; and a new 448m tunnel border crossing at Exohi, 50km north of Drama. As Bulgaria is part of the EU, crossings are usually quick and hassle free.
FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA (FYROM)
There are three border crossings between Greece and FYROM. These are at Evzoni, 68km north of Thessaloniki; Niki, 16km north of Florina; and Doïrani, 31km north of Kilkis. A new crossing at Markova Noga, near Agios Germanos, was being discussed at the time of research.
TURKEY
The crossing points are at Kipi, 43km east of Alexandroupoli, and at Kastanies, 139km northeast of Alexandroupoli. Kipi is probably more convenient if you’re heading for İstanbul, but the route through Kastanies goes via the fascinating towns of Soufli and Didymotiho in Greece, and Edirne (ancient Adrianoupolis) in Turkey.
Albania
BUS
The Greek Railways Organisation (OSE; www.ose.gr) operates a daily bus between Athens and Tirana via Ioannina and Gjirokastra. The bus departs Athens daily from Sidiridromou 1 near the Larisis train station, arriving in Tirana the following day.
See Florina Click here and Ioannina for alternative public transport options to Albania.
Bulgaria
BUS
The OSE operates a bus from Athens to Sofia (15 hours, six weekly). It also operates Thessaloniki–Sofia buses (7½ hours, four daily). There is a private bus service to Plovdiv (six hours, twice weekly) and Sofia (seven hours, twice weekly) from Alexandroupoli.
TRAIN
There is a daily train to Sofia from Athens (18 hours) via Thessaloniki (nine hours). From Sofia, there are connections to Budapest and Bucharest.
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)
TRAIN
There are two trains daily from Thessaloniki to Skopje (five hours), crossing the border between Idomeni and Gevgelija. They continue from Skopje to the Serbian capital of Belgrade (13 hours).
There are no trains between Florina and FYROM, although there are one or two trains a day to Skopje from Bitola (4½ hours) on the FYROM side of the border.
Russia
TRAIN
There is a summer-only direct weekly train service from Thessaloniki to Moscow (70 hours).
Turkey
BUS
The OSE operates a bus from Athens to İstanbul (22 hours, six weekly), leaving the former Peloponnese train station in Athens in the evening and travelling via Thessaloniki (seven hours) and Alexandroupoli (13 hours). Students qualify for a 20% discount and children under 12 travel for half price. See each city’s Getting There & Away sections for information on where to buy tickets.
Buses from İstanbul to Athens leave the Anadolu Terminal (Anatolia Terminal) at the Topkapı otogar (bus station).
TRAIN
There are no direct trains between Athens and İstanbul. Travellers must take a train to Thessaloniki and connect with one of two daily services running to the Turkish city. The best option is the Filia–Tostluk Express service, leaving Thessaloniki in the evening (11½ hours) and arriving in İstanbul the next morning. The other service is the indirect Intercity IC90 service to Orestiada from Thessaloniki; passengers for İstanbul change at Pythio on the Greece–Turkey border.
Western Europe
Overland enthusiasts can reach Greece on a fascinating route through the Balkan peninsula, passing through Croatia, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. If you’re keen to reach Greece without taking to the air but fancy a bit more convenience and speed than offered by buses and cars, it’s easily done. All you need to do is train it to the western coast of Italy (there are connections throughout most of Europe) and then hop on a ferry to Greece. Not only will you be doing your bit for the earth, but you’ll see some gorgeous scenery from your window as well.
A sample itinerary from London would see you catching the Eurostar to Paris and then an overnight sleeper train to Bologna in Italy. From there,