KTEL Kavalas inter-city bus station

The busy bus station is conveniently located in the city centre, at the corner of two streets, one block from the harbour and 5 minutes walk from the ferry terminal (see below).

There are often long queues for information and tickets, especially in summer. Bus tickets can not be booked in advance, and are usually on sale a few hours before departure. The staff are generally friendly and most speak English.

There is a left-luggage room, toilets (clean but not luxurious), a waiting room with a snack bar, and benches outside (often full).

There are grocery shops, bakeries and cafes near the bus station. If you have an hour or so to wait for a bus, you may prefer to do some shopping or sit at a cafe or in the nearby Heroon Park than hang around the noisy bus station.

Buses leave from the streets outside the bus station. Sometimes departures are called by loudspeakers or by the driver around 15 minutes before departure. However, such announcements may be impossible to understand or hear over the general noise. Find out where your bus is leaving from, and try to find other people (locals) who are waiting for the same bus.

Address
4 Mitropolitou Kavalas Street,
on the corner of Filikis Eterias Street.

Tel: 2510 22 22 94

Ticket office: 2510 23 22 67

website: www.ktelkavalas.gr

Although the website nominally offers timetable and ticket information in English, the site is slow, geeky and not very helpful. It uses an automatic computer translation programme which is awful. For example, the destination Laspi (ΛΑΣΠΗ) is translated as "MUD"! There is no information about fares in English, just a political declaration about government policies.

For better timetables and ticket information for buses between Kavala and Thessaloniki see:

www.ktelmacedonia.gr/en/routes/tid=17

This is the website for KTEL Macedonias, which offers information which is easier to find and understand.

Travelling by bus is generally the easiest and cheapest way to explore Greece. Buses are usually modern, comfortable and fast. Finding out how and where to catch your bus and the cost of tickets is not always easy, especially once you get off the main inter-city routes or want to visit smaller towns and villages.

Most bus stations in Greek towns and cities are in the centre, as at Kavala. Usually small buildings, they contain ticket booths, toilets and a cafe, and some also have left luggage facilities. Buses arrive and depart from outside the smaller stations, and you often have to find your bus among several parked along the adjacent streets. This is not always easy, as when buses arrive there is usually a huge, confused scramble and the sidewalks are choked with passengers trying to find their bus.

The trend in recent decades has been to move bus stations out of town centres, which is quite understandable due to the noise, diesel smog and traffic congestion they cause. In cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Corinth and Argos they are quite distant from the centre and other facilities such as railway stations. Some are difficult to get to by local public transport, particularly the two inter-city bus stations in Athens (see below).

Inter-city buses in Greece are run by 62 independent regional KTEL (ΚΤΕΛ) bus companies, each with its own services, schedules and website (mostly in Greek only). At present there is no central source of information, and the bus companies do not usually cooperate with each other to provide inter-regional information.

Most employees at KTEL bus station information desks speak English, but they are not all very forthcoming with information. Printed schedules and routes are difficult to obtain, and staff are often unwilling to provide information about connections with other KTEL companies.

For an overview of inter-city bus services in Macedonia, including information about the various regional KTEL bus companies bus, stations and fares.

See How to get to Macedonia, Greece: by bus.

The KTEL Kavalas website has timetables in English, but they are not very intelligible:

www.ktelkavalas.gr

The quality of information on most KTEL websites is very poor. It would be very helpful to know, for example, which roads, towns and villages are on particular routes. Fare information would also be useful.

The local blue and white city buses are run by Astiko KTEL Kavalas (Aστικό ΚΤΕΛ Καβάλας Α.Ε.). Most of the bus routes are short, and as a visitor you may prefer to walk around the town. However, the buses are very handy, especially considering Kavala's steep streets. The furthest route runs along the coast west of the city as far as Nea Iraklitsa, from where the local beaches (e.g. Kalamitsa Beach) can be reached.

website: www.astiko-kavalas.gr (Greek and English)

Timetables and routes:
www.astiko-kavalas.gr/en/schedules

Fares:
www.astiko-kavalas.gr/en/ticket-categories-prices

The area covered by the buses is divided
into two fare zones, A and B.

The normal ticket price within
the central Zone A is 1.10 Euro,
to the outer Zone B 1.50 Euro.

Tickets can be purchased from newspaper kiosks
(peripteros) or from the bus driver.

The website details the latest timetables, routes and fares, including fares for children and discounts.

Among the routes served by the bus stop in the photo on the right, the number 11 bus runs up to the new General Hospital and the Agios Silas Monastery in the hills northwest of the centre, near the start of the 2 km section of the ancient Roman Via Egnatia.

Trains are still running within Greece - albeit with reduced services, closed lines and increased fares - and are generally remain an excellent and economic way to travel around the mainland.

Trains have more leg room, and usually a buffet car - and you can go to the toilet whenever you want. However, since the fast inter-city trains were taken out of service, train travel has become slower, less frequent and often more expensive than inter-city buses.

Trains in Greece are run by OSE (Ο.Σ.Ε.):

www.ose.gr (Greek and English)

Train schedule and fare information at Trainose, the official OSE website for passenger train information:

The west-east railway line between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli (near the Turkish border) follows an inland route, via Strymona, Serres, Drama, Xanthi, Komotini and Mesti.

The nearest station to Kavala is Drama (36 km north). There are regular buses between the two cities. The archaeological site of Philippi (recommended) is on the highway and bus route between Drama and Kavala, so it possible to visit it en route.

Numerous firms in Greece rent a variety of cars, vans, motorbikes and scooters.
At present it is beyond the scope of this website to recommend companies.

There are two main roads which run west-east through Macedonia,
between Thessaloniki in the west and Alexandroupoli, Thrace,
towards the border crossings with Bulgaria and Turkey, both passing
through Kavala. There is also a stretch of ancient country road along the way.

1. By motorway

The new A2 (E90) "Egnatia Odos" motorway across northern Greece,
from Epirus in the west, via Thessaloniki, Kavala, Xanthi, Komotini
and Alexandroupoli, to the Turkish border and on to Istanbul.

See www.egnatia.eu

This is quickest way to Kavala, taking around 3 hours from Thessaloniki.

Whether you are coming from the west via Thessaloniki, Asprovalta, Serres or Drama, or from the east via Alexandroupoli, Komotini or Xanthi, leave the motorway at exit number 31 (Άγιος Σίλας, Agios Silas), then follow the signs southwards into the centre.

This also the exit for the National Road 12 to Drama (36 km north), via Philippi (15 km).

The new Kavala General Hospital (see page 3: practical information) is immediately south of the motorway, close to exit 31.

NOTE: Greek motorways are toll roads. During the recent economic crisis, Greeks have complained that the tolls are far too expensive, and many are avoiding the motorways and using the old national roads.

2. The old National Road EO2

(Greek, Εθνική Οδός 2, Ethniki Odos 2, abbreviated as EO2)

Before the motorway was built, this was known as the Odos Egnatias, roughly following the route of the ancient Roman Via Egnatia (see History of Stageira and Olympiada Part 7) from the Albanian border across northern Greece to the Turkish border.

Between the Albanian border, through West and Central Macedonia to just west of Thessaloniki the road is part of the E86 European route. Among the places it passes along this stretch are Florina, Edessa, Skydra, Giannitsa and Pella.

It is a bit slower, but it is a pleasanter drive, with less traffic; and if you're on a bicycle it is the least challenging route.

From the northeast of Thessaloniki the road heads east, passing south of Koroneia and Bolbe (Volvi) lakes, and the ancient city of Apollonia (near the village of Nea Apollonia) and a Byzantine fortress at Rentina.

After passing through the wooded Vale of Rentina the route arrives at the Strymonic Gulf and the east coast of Halkidiki just north of Stavros (turn off for Ancient Stageira), then follows the coast through Asprovalta, to the mouth of The River Strymon (turn off north for Amphipolis and Serres).

Between the Strymon and Kavala the road hugs the coast along the foot of the south slope of Mount Simvolo (Όρος Σύμβολο). Along this isolated stretch there are a few seaside villages and service stations. The road passes through the centre of Kavala.

After Kavala the EO2 heads inland towards Xanthi and Komotini on the Thracian Plain, then Komotini back to the sea at Ennato (Έννατο) 2 km east of Makri (Μακρή) and 10 km west of Alexandroupoli. It passes through the centre of Alexandroupoli as Leoforos Dimokratias, just north of the port.

Continuing east from Alexandroupoli, the road merges with the A2 (E90) motorway (see above) 1 km before the Feres-Ipsala border crossing with Turkey and the bridge over the Evros River. On the Turkish side of the border the road is known as E84 to Tekirdağ and Istanbul.

3. The old road via Eleftheroupoli

If you have time, you may like to make a slight detour along a minor country road between the River Strymon and Kavala, through the villages and towns along the lower south slope of Mount Pangaeion.

The road does not appear to have a number, although it is referred to as "the Old National Road Thessaloniki-Kavala" and "the 11th provincial road". The single-carriageway road is fairly-well paved, and has the advantages of having less traffic than the motorway or EO2 and no tolls.

This was the course of the ancient road taken by the army of the Persian King Xerxes I in 480 BC on his way to Athens, during his enormous, well-planned, but ultimately unsuccessful campaign to conquer Greece (see History of Stageira and Olympiada - Part 4).

Although the Romans rerouted the Via Egnatia so that it ran around the north of Mount Pangaion to connect with Philippi, this road remained the most direct route between Thessaloniki and Kavala until the building of the National Road EO2 along the coast, which itself has recently been sidelined by the new Egnatia Odos motorway.

The main attraction along the route is the farming town of Eleftheroupoli (Ελευθερούπολη, 17 km northwest of Kavala), which has old houses and tobacco warehouses, as well as a wax museum (see page 5: Activities and sightseeing in Kavala). Some of the other villages also have small museums and historic buildings.

There is also some wonderful countryside along the way with great views of the mountains and the valley of the River Marmara (Μαρμαρά ποταμό), which has recently appears to have reacquired its ancient name Pieria Valley (Πιέρια Κοιλάδα). Although the river was described as pretty in the 1960s, much of its length has since been chanelled for irrigation and drainage and has recently been the centre of a local controversy concerning sewage dumping. There are remains of four late Byzantine/Ottoman bridges along the valley.

Travelling from the west (Thessaloniki, Serres), turn off the A2 (E90) "Egnatia Odos" motorway or National Road EO2 after Asprovalta and Kerdilia, at the mouth of the River Strymon, motorway exit 28 Strymonas (Στρυμώνας) or 28A Galipsos-Orfanio (Γαληψός-Ορφάνιο), and follow signs for Eleftheroupoli.

To reach the villages and towns along this road more directly from the motorway, take exit 28B Moustheni (Μουσθένη) or 28Γ Eleftheroupoli (Eλευθερούπολη).

The settlements along the road (west to east) include:
Galipsos (ΓΑΛΗΨΌΣ), Kokkinochori (ΚΟΚΚΙΝΟΧΏΡΙ), Podochori (Ποδοχώρι), Platanotopos (ΠΛΑΤΑΝΌΤΟΠΟΣ), Moustheni (ΜΟΥΣΘΈΝΗ), Domatia (ΔΩΜΆΤΙΑ), Melissokomeio (ΜΕΛΙΣΣΟΚΟΜΕΊΟ), Avli (ΑΥΛΉ), Panagia (ΠΑΝΑΓΊΑ), Eleftheroupoli (ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΎΠΟΛΗ), Kokkinochoma (ΚΟΚΚΙΝΌΧΩΜΑ) and Stavros (ΣΤΑΥΡΌΣ).

Kavala ferry port is on the east end of the main harbour, immediately below the Panagia peninsula. The passenger terminal is 10 minutes walk from the city centre and bus station. The terminal, consisting of a ticket office, waiting room, snack bar and toilets, is in a long, low, modern building along the quay.

There are ferry connections from Kavala to:

Thasos, Limnos, Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes, Kymi, Agios Konstantinos, and Piraeus. There is even a connection to Lavrion, on the east coast of Attica (southeast of Athens) near Sounion.

Most connections are once or twice a week in summer.
Ferries to Thasos run several times a day (see below).

Most of the destinations have further connections to other islands and ports.

Ferries to / from Thasos

In summer there are several ferries every day between Kavala and Thasos (Θασος), and also between the nearby port of Keramoti (see below) and Thasos town, locally known as Limenas (Λιμένας, literally "port").

The two companies which operate the routes are ANETH Lines and ANEK Lines.

ANETH Lines:
www.anethferries.gr/index.php/en/

ANEK Lines (Thassos Ferries):
www.thassos-ferries.gr

A "multilingual" (terrible computer translations) Flash site which takes ages to load. Non-Flash timetables open in annoying pop-up windows. Not very helpful or informative.

Current timetables for all Kavala and Keramoti to Thasos ferries, in English and Greek: www.thassoslines.gr

A useful and user-friendly website, with timetables and fares:

Kavala - Thasos ferries

There are currently no hydrofoil services to Thasos.

See details below.

Ferries from Kavala to Thasos land on the northwest coast of the island, at the small port of Ormos Prinou (Όρμος Πρίνου), also known as Skala Prinos, 17 km west of Thasos town (Limenas).

Fares: adults 4.70 €,
children 5 - 10 years 2.40 €, children under 5 FREE

Journey time 1 hour 15 minutes.

It takes about 20 minutes by road (a good single carriageway along the coast) to the main town, and there are regular buses, which run hourly in summer.

Thasos bus information: +30 2593 02 21 62

NOTE: Buses from Thasos town to Ormos Prinou do not synchronize with ferry departures. If you take a bus which should, in theory, bring you to the port in time for a ferry to Kavala, you may arrive just in time to see your ship sailing away.

This means that you will almost inevitably have to wait at least an hour in Ormos Prinou. You may begin to believe that the bus and ferry timetables have been cunningly designed to force you to spend time and money in this village. There are a couple of seafront cafes, restaurants and small shops, and an OK beach within walking distance of the ferry landing, and while it is a pleasant place, it is not particularly attractive and there is not much to see here.

One wonders why ferries from Kavala land here and not at the main port. It may be handy for those headed for the island's small west coast resorts, and those with their own transport may not mind the 17 km drive to Thasos town. But it is hardly an inter-city connection.

Keramoti - Thasos ferries

The ferries to Thasos from the small port of Keramoti (Κεραμωτή), 45 km southeast of Kavala, and 15 km south of Kavala International Airport (see airports above), arrive and depart at the island's main port Thasos town (Limenas).

See above for information about Kavala - Keramoti buses.

Keramoti - Thasos (Limenas) ferries
Schedules: see above
Fare: adults 3.00 €
children 5 - 10 years 1.50 €, children under 5 FREE
Journey time 40 minutes

Keramoti is only 10 km from the main port of Thasos town (Limenas), and closer to the island than Kavala, making it more convenient for those travelling from the east and those arriving or leaving the area from Kavala International Airport, 30 km southeast of Kavala.

Unfortunately, reliable information about public transport between Kavala, the airport and Keramoti seems to be non existent: at Kavala we were advised to take a taxi, which apparently costs about 50 Euros from Kavala (1 hour) and 15 Euros from the airport (20 mins).

See new information about buses above.

Long distance ferries

Nel Lines ferries

NEL Lines runs ferries to many ports in Greece. From Kavala there are connections to: Limnos, Mytilene (Lesbos), Chios, Vathy (Samos), Karlovasi (Samos), Agios Kirikos, Lavrion, Psara and Agios Efstratios.

The twin Comet high-speed hydrofoils "Maria F" and "Konstantinos F", which used to take passengers from Kavala to Thasos in 40 minutes, ceased operating in 2011.

The Kometa type hydrofoils were built 30 years before in what was then the Soviet Union. Developed in 1961, the Kometa (Russian Комета) was the first Soviet sea-going hydrofoil. 86 Kometas were commercially produced at the More (Russian Море, "Sea") shipbuilding plant at Feodosia (Russian Феодо́сия; Ukrainian Феодо́сія) on the southeast coast of the Crimean peninsula between 1964 and 1981, including 34 for export. 39 Kometas were also built 1962-1992 at the Poti (Поти) Shipyard, Georgia, on the Black Sea coast at the mouth of the River Rioni (Риони).

They were equipped with high-speed diesel engines built by the Leningradskii Star (Russian лениградским Звезда, Leningradskii Zvezda) engingeering factory in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg - again). With a full-load displacement of 59.5 tons, a top speed of 32 knots, a range of 240 nautical miles, and capable of taking up to 120 passengers, they proved very popular as passenger ferries on the Black Sea and Mediterranean.

In Greece hydrofoils used as ferries are generally referred to as "Flying Dolphins", although early models were painted brown and looked more like flying cockroaches.

After 30 years of service, the two Kavala dolphins were due for their statutory safety checks and maintenance. However, the Greek operating company Thassos High Speed Boats, reportedly facing financial difficulties, decided to sell the vessels in March 2011.

It seems that they quickly found a purchaser, and by August 2011 they had been repaired, refitted, given a new livery and new names - Kometa 1 and Kometa 2 - and were carrying passengers on the Black Sea in Bulgaria.

They are now operated by Bulgaria Hydrofoil Ltd., carrying summer holidaymakers between the beach resorts of Nessebar, Pomorie and Sozopol. See http://fastferry.bg/ for further details.

All this left Kavala and Thasos without a high-speed ferry connection, and since the fast, convenient service was popular among many locals and tourists, efforts have been made since to start a new hydrofoil service here. However in October 2013 the Greek Council of Coastal Communications rejected a proposal to reassign the Ilida II, currently running between Corfu and Paxos, to the Kavala-Thasos route. Objections to the proposal were raised, not surprisingly, by operators of the local, slower, conventional ferries.

Many people prefer the convenience and speed of the hydrofoils, especially for longer routes, despite the fact that fares are typically double those for the slower "steamers". But others argue that they are noisy, fuel-guzzling monsters, despite their sleek, space-age looks. They can also only operate in summer, when the sea is not too rough, which makes their services less reliable than those of sturdier conventional ships.

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