Depends what you consider nearby! The two cities are about 500 kilometres apart, which can be traversed by car, train, plane, or bus. If you're willing to spend a little more in order to shorten your travel time between Athens and Thessaloniki, you can take a 40-minute domestic plane ride. Fancy taking the scenic route instead? Local train lines will take you through a relaxing journey across the countryside, where you'll pass through landmarks such as Larissa's steel viaducts, which played a key role in WWII. Depending on your train line, a one-way trip can take between four to six hours. Finally, buses, private shuttles, or rented cars can also take you to both cities in about six hours. You can turn this drive into a road trip, since you'll pass iconic destinations like Mount Olympus.