What two additional European cities should I visit while overseas in Thessaloniki, Greece?

May 21, 2011 5:55 PM

What 2 major European cities - that are relatively close to Thessaloniki, Greece - should I visit for a week?

I will be in Thessaloniki, Greece next summer in July for a conference. I am hoping to explore 2 major European cities (3 or 4 days each with a travel day in between) that would be easy to get to via rail.

MeFites - Do you have any suggestions? I would love to visit Berlin, but feel that may be too far away - certainly by train. The airport in Thessaloniki isn't very cheap towards getting to other major cities.

However, if quick flights were an option, where would you suggest?

I love the planning aspect of this trip. I haven't been overseas in 12 years and am really looking forward to making the trip!

Thanks for all of your helpful suggestions and insights.

posted by bengalsfan1 to Travel & Transportation around Thessalonika, Greece (4 answers total)

Both EasyJest and Ryanair serve Thessalonki. You can go from there to at least Paris, London, Milan, Berlin. London would be the furthest at 3 hours. Flights are easily booked one way and seem to not exceed €100 each. What am I missing?
posted by DarlingBri at 6:14 PM on May 21, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks so much for that response. I didn't realize it was quite so easy to get in and out of Thessaloniki by air. That will make things much easier!
posted by bengalsfan1 at 6:30 PM on May 21, 2011

To be fair, when I was first preparing to answer that question, I assumed Thessalinki was not a real airport, in the way Knock is not a real airport. But as it turns out, it very much is, and has excellent route support (at least in the summer; no idea about winter.)

If you needed or wanted more extensive routes, you could fly/train/ferry to Athens but honestly, you're better hooked up in Thessalonki than I am here in Cork (which doesn't suck) and you should have more than enough to choice to have a wonderful time at any available destination. Have fun!
posted by DarlingBri at 6:46 PM on May 21, 2011

er. . . Istanbul and Athens?

Both those cities are amazing if you're into history and culture. Should be able to get to either of them in a few hours on a coach. There should be lots of companies running those routes so it should be pretty cheap too compared to flying.
posted by davidjohnfox at 2:12 AM on May 22, 2011