Rent a Car Thessaloniki Airport
Thessaloniki International Airport "Makedonia" is the main airport serving Northern Greece and the third-largest and busiest airport in the country. It is located 13 km southeast of the city center in the municipality of Thermi. Thessaloniki Airport first opened in 1930 and was known as Mikra Airport with basic infrastructure and was mostly used as a military airfield. Works for expanding the airport and making it available for public use were suspended due to the Second World War. The construction of a civilian airport at the current site began in 1938 as part of government initiatives to promote the expansion of civil aviation in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki Airport was officially opened to civil aviation in 1948, and significant investments were made after the war to improve and develop its facilities and services. At that time, the runway was extended, the air traffic control was upgraded, and the new terminal building was inaugurated in 1965. As part of the celebrations for Thessaloniki's 1997 designation as the European Capital of Culture, modernization projects were started in the late 1990s. Thessaloniki Airport is now a modern, organized, and fully efficient airport that meets EU standards and the increasing needs of its passengers. Get to know our reliable Fly & Drive service at Thessaloniki Airport and book the best car rental without excess. Our friendly staff will await your arrival at Thessaloniki Airport to take you to your chosen rental car. We guarantee flexibility, affordability, and all-inclusive coverage options for car rentals at Thessaloniki Airport.
Car Hire Thessaloniki Airport
Thessaloniki Airport was privatized in 2015 by Fraport to deal with the high demand for flights and operations. Several significant improvements and extensions occurred, and the second terminal building opened at Thessaloniki Airport in 2021. In December 2015, the state privatization fund and the joint venture Fraport and Copelouzos approved the privatization of the airport's operations and those of 13 other Greek airports. The refurbishment and expansion works in Thessaloniki Airport were completed in 2021. Some improvements included the construction of a new terminal, a new fire station, expansion of the duty-free area, and new access control, among others. It is said that passenger traffic in Thessaloniki Airport will increase by 45% by 2026.
Thessaloniki International Airport saw significant traffic increase before and after the COVID pandemic, with the highest record number in 2023 when total passenger traffic surpassed 7 million. Annual passenger traffic from both domestic and international destinations at SKG Airport is approximately 6 million. The number of passengers that used Thessaloniki Airport increased by 76% between 1994 and 2010, from 2.2 million to 3.9 million in 2010. Moreover, the airport experienced a major increase between 2003 and 2008, from 3.5 million to over 4.2 million, which used to be the highest number ever recorded. The busiest passenger routes are domestic operated by Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. The busiest international routes to Thessaloniki Airport include countries like Germany, Austria, the UK, Cyprus, and Italy. Thessaloniki Airport tends to get crowded during peak hours, and public transport is only operated by bus at the moment. This is why renting a car is the best and most convenient way to move to and from Thessaloniki Airport. Check out our car rental offers in Thessaloniki Airport for both short-term and long-term car hire. Combine your stay in this lively city with the best car hire service at the most affordable prices and without any hidden charges attached to your reservation. Try our services at Thessaloniki Airport today!
Car Rentals Thessaloniki Airport
Thessaloniki Airport offers a wide range of modern services and passenger facilities, spread over a building of 21,000 sq. m. surface and consisting of four parking slots. Terminal 1 consists of three floors and handles both domestic and international traffic. You will find a shopping center, dining areas, duty-free areas, and a total of twelve departure gates. The newly built Terminal 2 consists of twelve departure gates and handles domestic and intra-Schengen flights. Services in Terminal 2 include a duty-free area, airline offices, baggage claim, and some restaurants, snack bars, and cafes. You will find a wide range of shopping and dining options as well as currency exchange, medical services, business lounges, lost property offices, ATMs, and much more in Thessaloniki Airport’s Terminals. Thessaloniki Airport's location serves the city center, surrounding districts, and major tourist resorts. Getting to the city center takes approximately thirty to forty-five minutes because of traffic congestion. However, driving from Thessaloniki Airport to Thermi, Peraia, Kalamaria, and Nea Kallikratia takes less than half an hour. Kalamaria, Nea Kallikratia, and Peraia are seaside towns near Thessaloniki Airport, and many visitors choose to book their stay in these areas because of their proximity to the sea and city center. If you arrive at Thessaloniki Airport during summer, Neoi Epivates Beach, Peraia Beach, and Epanomi Beach are the cleanest and busiest ones near the city. Rent a car from Thessaloniki Airport and benefit from a fair fuel policy, unlimited kilometers, and 24/7 roadside assistance.