Arriving in Thessaloníki is fairly straightforward. The train station on the west side of town, with convenient bus links and a reliable taxi rank, is just a short walk from both the central grid of streets and the harbour. Buses arrive at a variety of points, mostly within sight of each other, near the train station. The efficient international airport is located 15km south of the city centre. Facilities include a tourist booth, operating restricted hours, and cash dispensers, located near the first-floor caf? on departures level. City bus #78 shuttles back and forth hourly between 6am and 11pm; it leaves from the base of the kerbside luggage-cart ramp going up to arrivals/departures. The most convenient city stops are Platía Aristotélous and the train station. That said, a taxi into town won't set you back more than €7.30, or a bit more at night. All ferries and hydrofoils call at the passenger port, within walking distance of the train station, at the western end of the seafront.

Once you're within the central grid of streets, orientation is made relatively straightforward by frequent sightings of the bay and a series of main avenues: Ayíou Dhimitríou, Egnatía, Tsimisk?and Mitropóleos. All run parallel to the quay, but confusingly change their names repeatedly as they head east into the city's post-medieval annexe. The divide between the older and newer parts of town is marked by the exhibition grounds and the start of the seaside park strip, known locally as Zoo Park and dominated by the Lefkós Pyrgos or White Tower, the city's enduring symbol.