GreeceHalkidikiSithoniaChecked Oct 2026

Birmingham to Sithonia

Every way to get from Birmingham to Halkidiki's greenest peninsula: direct flights, hire cars, transfers, the local bus and the long way round overland.

7–8 hoursFastest, door to door
Thessaloniki (SKG)Nearest airport
Jet2 & TUIDirect in summer, ~2 a week
1h 35m–2hAirport to Sithonia by road

The short answer

Fly direct from Birmingham to Thessaloniki with Jet2 or TUI, pick up a hire car at the airport and drive about two hours south. If the direct flight days don't suit, fly from Manchester or London instead, where there are more flights to Thessaloniki.

Every way to get there

From the easy fly-and-drive to a flight-free road trip across Europe.

1

Direct flight + hire car

Best for most
Door to door7–8h
Cost££
Best forExploring, families
  1. Birmingham (BHX) to Thessaloniki (SKG)About 3h 15m. Jet2 and TUI, summer season only, around two flights a week.
  2. Thessaloniki airport to SithoniaAbout 1h 35m to Neos Marmaras, 2h to Sarti. Good motorway most of the way.
Compare BHX–SKG flightsCar hire at Thessaloniki

Best if you want to explore beaches across the peninsula, or you're travelling as a family with luggage.

2

Direct flight + taxi or transfer

Door to door7–8h
Cost££
Best forOne-resort stays
  1. Birmingham (BHX) to Thessaloniki (SKG)As above.
  2. Pre-booked transfer to your hotelAround 2 hours. Roughly €85–€135 to Neos Marmaras and €100–€160 to Sarti, per car.
Compare BHX–SKG flightsBook an airport transfer

Split between four people, it can cost less than a week's car hire.

3

Direct flight + KTEL bus

Cheapest
Door to door9–11h
Cost£
Best forBudget, light luggage
  1. Birmingham (BHX) to Thessaloniki (SKG)As above.
  2. City buses to KTEL Chalkidikis stationBus 79 to the IKEA stop, then bus 45 or 36. Under €2.
  3. KTEL Chalkidikis coach to SithoniaAbout €13 to Neos Marmaras. Departures are limited, so check the timetable before you fly.
Compare BHX–SKG flights

Not ideal with children or late-evening arrivals.

4

Fly from Manchester or London

Door to door9–10h
Cost££
Best forOff-season, flexible dates
  1. Train or drive to Manchester or a London airportAbout 1h 30m to Manchester, 2–3 hours to the London airports.
  2. Fly to Thessaloniki (SKG)More flights per week, with some routes running beyond summer.
  3. Hire car, transfer or bus to SithoniaAs in the options above.
Manchester–Thessaloniki flightsLondon–Thessaloniki flights
5

Drive and ferry via Italy

Flight-free
Door to door3–4 days
Cost££
Best forLong stays, pets
  1. Birmingham to Folkestone, then Le Shuttle to CalaisAbout 3h to Folkestone, 35 minutes through the tunnel.
  2. Drive through France and Italy to Bari or AnconaTwo or three days with overnight stops.
  3. Overnight ferry to IgoumenitsaCabins available. Car ferries run year-round.
  4. Igoumenitsa to SithoniaAbout 5 hours on the Egnatia motorway.
Le Shuttle crossingsItaly–Greece ferries

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Direct flight + hire car7–8h££Exploring, families
Direct flight + transfer7–8h££One-resort stays
Direct flight + bus9–11h£Budget, light luggage
Via Manchester or London9–10h££Off-season
Overland via Italy3–4 days££Long stays, pets

Where to stay in Sithonia

Greener and quieter than neighbouring Kassandra, with pine forests running down to the beaches.

Shortest transfer

Nikiti

The gateway to Sithonia. Good for families, with easy access to the west-coast beaches.

Hotels in Nikiti
Liveliest

Neos Marmaras

Harbour, tavernas, bars and boat trips. The best base if you're relying on the bus.

Hotels in Neos Marmaras
Calmest bays

Vourvourou

Turquoise bays dotted with small islets. Ideal for boat hire and quiet beach days.

Hotels in Vourvourou
Mount Athos views

Sarti

A long sandy beach facing Mount Athos and a relaxed village feel. About 2 hours from the airport.

Hotels in Sarti

Local tip: Hire a car for at least a few days even if you take a transfer from the airport. The best beaches, like Karydi near Vourvourou, are spread along both coasts, and buses between villages are infrequent.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Is there a direct flight from Birmingham to Sithonia?

Sithonia has no airport. The nearest is Thessaloniki (SKG). Jet2 and TUI fly direct from Birmingham in summer, usually around twice a week.

How long does it take from Thessaloniki airport to Sithonia?

About 1h 35m to Neos Marmaras and around 2 hours to Sarti by car or taxi.

Can I get a bus from Thessaloniki airport to Sithonia?

Yes, but not directly. Take city bus 79 to the IKEA stop, then bus 45 or 36 to the KTEL Chalkidikis station, and a coach from there. Neos Marmaras costs around €13.

Do I need a car in Sithonia?

It's strongly recommended, as beaches are spread out and village buses are infrequent. In Neos Marmaras you can manage without one.

When is the best time to visit Sithonia?

June and September: warm sea, fewer crowds and lower prices than July and August.

Travelling from somewhere else?

Pick any spot on the map and see every way to get there from your nearest airport or station, with kids, pets or without flying.

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