Carry-On Only for Thessaloniki: Airlines, SKG Airport, and Packing Tips

Thessaloniki is Greece's second city and one of Europe's most underrated travel destinations. It has 2,300 years of layered history — Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Greek — a waterfront promenade along the Thermaic Gulf, and a food culture that many Greeks rate above Athens. Direct flights from European cities are growing, and the compact Makedonia Airport puts you in the city within 20 minutes of landing. The carry-on challenge here is Aegean Airlines' strict 8 kg limit, which requires deliberate packing.

Airline Carry-On Allowances to Thessaloniki (SKG)

Airline	Cabin Bag	Weight	Notes
Aegean Airlines	56 × 45 × 25 cm	8 kg	Strict enforcement, personal item also allowed
Ryanair	55 × 40 × 20 cm (Priority)	10 kg	Priority boarding recommended
Sky Express	55 × 40 × 20 cm	8 kg	Domestic Greek routes
Wizz Air	40 × 30 × 20 cm (free) or 55 × 40 × 23 cm (Priority)	10 kg with Priority	Carry-on add-on from ~£8

Aegean Airlines: Strict 8 kg Limit

Aegean is Greece's flag carrier and the most commonly used airline for European connections to SKG. Its 8 kg cabin bag limit is tightly enforced, particularly at Athens (ATH) connections — Aegean's primary hub. Gate agents at ATH are experienced at spotting overweight bags.

At 8 kg, you need a genuinely lightweight carry-on bag and efficient packing. A bag that weighs 1.5–2 kg empty eats into your allowance significantly. Consider a lightweight nylon or ripstop carry-on that weighs under 1 kg. With 6–7 kg of contents, a warm-weather week in Thessaloniki is achievable.

Aegean's personal item allowance (40 × 30 × 20 cm) is an additional underseat bag that does not count toward the 8 kg. A structured daypack or large handbag used as your personal item adds meaningful extra capacity.

Ryanair: Better Allowance, Growing Network

Ryanair has expanded its routes to Thessaloniki significantly. At 10 kg with Priority boarding, it gives you 2 kg more than Aegean, which matters when packing for a week. Ryanair operates from multiple UK and European airports. Check if Ryanair serves your departure airport before defaulting to a connecting Aegean flight.

Makedonia Airport (SKG): Practical Details

SKG is one of Greece's better regional airports — compact, easy to navigate, and genuinely close to the city.

• Getting to the city: Bus 78A stops outside arrivals and runs to the city centre (Eleftherias Square area) in around 25 minutes. Taxis are available immediately outside arrivals and the fixed-rate zone fare is reasonable. No metro exists.
• Single terminal: SKG has one terminal with a straightforward layout. Security is domestic-gate or international-gate depending on your flight. Allow 90 minutes before departure.
• Compact airside: SKG's departure lounge has limited shops and cafes. Eat and buy supplies in the city before heading to the airport.

Packing for Thessaloniki

Warm-weather clothes for summer, light layers for shoulder season. Thessaloniki has a Mediterranean continental climate — hot dry summers (July–August average around 32°C) and cool, occasionally wet winters. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit with temperatures of 18–25°C. One light cardigan or thin jacket is enough for evenings in April, May, September, and October.

Comfortable walking shoes. Thessaloniki's historic centre is walkable but uneven. The waterfront promenade is flat; the upper city (Ano Poli) and Byzantine walls require more effort. A good pair of trainers handles all of this. Flip-flops are fine for the seafront but inadequate for uphill cobblestone areas.

One smart casual outfit for the food scene. Thessaloniki's restaurant culture is genuinely excellent and somewhat competitive — local pride in the food scene runs high. One smart casual outfit (clean trousers, a proper shirt or blouse) is appropriate for better meze restaurants. Most places are relaxed, but looking presentable is worth it here.

A layer for Mount Olympus. If you plan a day trip to Litochoro and the Enipeas gorge trail (a spectacular river gorge walk), pack a light fleece or thermal base layer. Even in summer, the gorge is shaded and significantly cooler than the city. The summit area requires proper hiking gear but is a multi-day endeavour.

Autumn wine region visits. If visiting September–October, the Naoussa wine region is under 90 minutes by car. Xinomavro is Greece's top red wine grape. A small insulated bag inside your carry-on is useful for transporting a bottle home.

Nightlife and Casual Dress

Thessaloniki has a famous bar and nightlife scene centred around the Ladadika neighbourhood (near the old port) and the streets around Aristotelous Square. The dress code is genuinely casual — Thessaloniki style is stylish but unfussy. Neat dark jeans and a good t-shirt are appropriate almost everywhere. No need to pack anything formal.

Airport Tips

• Security at SKG: Standard EU 100 ml liquids rules apply. Queues are rarely long outside summer peak season.
• Smoking area outside departures: Greek airports have designated smoking zones outside the building. Plan for this if travelling with others who smoke.
• Summer peak (July–August): Arrive 2 hours before departure. The departure hall is small and fills quickly during peak evening flights back to northern Europe.

The Bottom Line

Thessaloniki rewards carry-on travel because its climate is predictable, its historic sites are compact and walkable, and its airport is right next to the city. The main challenge is Aegean's 8 kg limit — invest in a lightweight bag and use your personal item allowance strategically. Ryanair at 10 kg with Priority gives slightly more room. Either way, Thessaloniki delivers one of Greece's best experiences with very little luggage needed.