How To Get To Kefalonia – By Air or Sea?

Kefalonia is one of the most beautiful destinations in Greece. As the largest of the Ionian Islands, this breathtaking island has so much to offer. Honestly, there are so many amazing things to do in Kefalonia!

Better yet, it’s easy to get to, with a variety of direct flights and ferries running to the island. As such, you’ll have no issues getting to Kefalonia from destinations within Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, and other countries in Europe!

This guide will take you through how to get to Kefalonia, whether that be by air or sea. We’ll also take you through the pros and cons of each transport option, so you can make an informed decision!

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How to Get to Kefalonia – Your Options!

1. By Air

Travelling by air to Kefalonia is perhaps the most popular option! There are various flight routes from all over Europe, ranging from the United Kingdom to France. You can travel from over 25 European cities without a connecting flight, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Rome.

Various airlines service these routes, with popular operators including Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, and TUI. During the high season (June to September), flights are much more frequent.

This is especially the case if you’re flying domestically. For those who are in Athens, flights take just over an hour and you can get some fantastic deals! This is certainly the best option if you’re staying in Greece’s capital first.

Direct routes run from:

• Greece (Athens, Zakynthos, and Lefkada)
• United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, and more)
• France (Paris and Nice)
• Netherlands (Amsterdam)
• Italy (Milan, Naples, Rome, Pisa, and Venice)
• and other countries in Europe including Austria, Romania, Germany, Norway, and the Czech Republic.

For the best prices, check out Skyscanner!

Pros and Cons of Flying

Pros:

• There are various direct flight routes from all over Europe.
• Flights from within Greece are much quicker than local ferry services.

Cons:

• If travelling from further afield such as the USA, you’ll need to make a connecting flight.
• Depending on where you’re travelling from, flights can be expensive.

2. By Ferry

Ferries from Greece to Kefalonia

If you’re already in Greece, various ferry routes run from the mainland and other Greek islands. This makes island-hopping extremely easy, as you can travel from popular destinations such as Corfu, Zakynthos, Lefkada, and Ithaka. Just be aware that you can’t travel from the Greek capital of Athens.

During the summer, ferry sailings are more frequent with popular routes having multiple services a day. You can get some great deals on ferry tickets and you won’t have to worry about spending hours in an airport.

Ferry operators serving these routes include Levante Ferries, Lefkada Palace, and Ventoruis Ferries.

Popular routes include:

• Ithaka to Sami – 20 minutes
• Kyllini (Mainland Greece) to Poros -1.5 hours
• Zakynthos to Sami – 3 hours
• Lefkada to Sami – 3.5 hours
• Paxi to Sami – 7 hours
• Corfu to Sami – 9 hours

For ferry tickets and timetables, check out Ferryhopper!

Ferries from Italy to Kefalonia

For those in Southern Italy, it’s possible to catch a ferry from the port city of Bari to Kefalonia. This ferry service runs during the summer (mid-July to early September) and is operated by Ventouris Ferries.

The journey from Italy to Kefalonia takes between 17-18 hours so it’s a long journey. Typically only one ferry operates per week (often on a Monday) so it’s not a very convenient option. Luckily, it does run overnight, typically departing around 8 pm so you won’t lose a full day’s travel.

Prices can be expensive though, so it’s best to check Skyscanner first as an alternative.

Pros and Cons of Catching The Ferry

Pros:

• If you’re island-hopping around Greece, ferries tend to offer more convenience.
• You can admire the views as you travel if you go by ferry.

Cons:

• If travelling from afar, you can expect long ferry times (10+ hours).
• Depending on the route, ferry services can be infrequent, even during the summer.
  

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Get to Kefalonia, Greece

How do I get to Kefalonia?

There are two options when travelling to Kefalonia; by air or by sea. Flying often offers more convenience, as direct flights are available from many countries in Europe including the United Kingdom and France.

If you’re already in Greece, it’s possible to take a ferry to Kefalonia. Routes run from Ithaka, Zakynthos, and Corfu, among other locations. You can also catch a ferry from Bari in Italy although this is much less convenient.

Which airport do you fly to?

The island only has one international airport – Kefalonia Airport (EFL), which is located around a 15-minute drive from Argostoli. It receives both domestic and international flights and is especially busy during the summer.

A highlight of flying into Kefalonia Airport is that public buses run to Argostoli. There are also taxi services available and it’s easy to hire a car. As such, you’ll have no problems travelling from the airport.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Kefalonia?

Unfortunately, there are no ferries from Athens to Kefalonia. Instead, you’ll need to drive to Killini, which is over a 3-hour drive away. Ferries run to Poros Port from here and take around 1.5 hours.

If you want to travel from Athens, you’ll need to fly to Kefalonia. Flights take around an hour and you can get some fantastic deals. The route is serviced by multiple airlines including Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines.

Can you fly direct to Kefalonia?

There are direct flights to Kefalonia from various destinations in Europe. This includes the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway. Of course, there are plenty of domestic routes too.

With so many routes available (and without changeovers), it’s never been easier to reach Kefalonia. For the best deals, we’d recommend checking Skyscanner. It helps if you can be flexible with your dates too!

Final Thoughts on How to Get to Kefalonia Island, Greece

Travelling to the Greek island of Kefalonia is very simple so there’s no reason not to visit. Whether you’re looking to fly or take the ferry from a nearby island, you won’t have any issues getting here.

During the summer, Kefalonia ferry services and flights tend to be more frequent. If you’re travelling out of season, then prices will likely be cheaper. However, there will be fewer flights and ferry times so you may need to plan your trip in advance.

If you have further questions about getting to Kefalonia, don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!

Here are some other guides you may find helpful:

• Where To Stay In Kefalonia
• The Ultimate Rhodes Itinerary

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