Kefalonia is a beautiful Greek island in the Ionian Sea, famous for its stunning beaches, charming villages, natural wonders and rich history. It is the largest of the Ionian Islands and the sixth largest island in Greece. Whether you are looking for a relaxing holiday, an adventurous escape or a cultural exploration, Kefalonia has something for everyone.
But how do you get to this island paradise? In this blog post, we will show you the best ways to travel to Kefalonia from Athens or other European cities by plane or ferry. We will also give you some tips and information to help you plan your trip and enjoy your stay.
How to get to Kefalonia from Athens by plane
The easiest and fastest way to get to Kefalonia from Athens is by plane. Kefalonia has an international airport, Anna Pollatou (EFL), located near Argostoli, the capital of the island. The airport serves flights from Athens and other European destinations, especially during the summer season.
The flight from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Kefalonia takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. There are several flights per day, operated by Sky Express and Olympic Air. The prices vary depending on the season, the demand and the booking time, but you can find tickets starting from 49 euros one way.
You can book your flights online on the official websites of the airlines or on travel platforms like Skyscanner or Expedia. You can also compare prices and schedules on Rome2rio, a useful website that shows you all the possible transport options between two destinations.
Once you arrive at Kefalonia airport, you can take a taxi, a bus or rent a car to get to your accommodation or explore the island. The airport is about 9 km from Argostoli and 40 km from Fiskardo, one of the most popular tourist resorts on the island. A taxi ride from the airport to Argostoli costs about 20 euros and takes 15 minutes. A bus ride costs 2 euros and takes 25 minutes. You can find more information about the bus schedules and routes on the website of KTEL Kefalonia, the local bus company.
If you want more flexibility and convenience, you can also rent a car at the airport or online before your arrival. There are several car rental companies operating at the airport, such as Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar. You can also book your car online on platforms like Rentalcars.com or Kayak.com. The prices vary depending on the type of car, the season and the duration of your rental, but you can find deals starting from 15 euros per day.
How to get to Kefalonia from Athens by ferry
If you prefer to travel by sea or if you want to bring your own car to the island, you can also take a ferry from Athens to Kefalonia. However, there is no direct ferry connection between the two destinations. You will have to drive or take a bus from Athens to one of the ports of Western Greece (Kyllini, Patra or Astakos) and then board a ferry to Kefalonia.
The ferry routes that connect Western Greece to Kefalonia are:
- Kyllini (Kilini) to Poros
- Astakos to Sami
- Patra (Patras) to Sami
The ferry tickets cost between 12 and 16 euros per person one way and between 40 and 60 euros per car one way. The ferry duration varies between 1 hour and 15 minutes and 3 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the route. The ferries operate daily throughout the year, with more frequent departures during the summer season.
You can book your ferry tickets online on platforms like Ferries in Greece or Ferryhopper. You can also buy them at the port or at a travel agency before your departure. However, it is advisable to book them in advance, especially during peak season or if you travel with a car.
To get from Athens to Kyllini, Astakos or Patra, you have two options: driving or taking a bus.
If you drive, you will need about 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach Kyllini, about 3 hours and 15 minutes to reach Astakos and about 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach Patra. The distance from Athens to Kyllini is 280 km, from Athens to Astakos is 260 km and from Athens to Patra is 210 km. You will have to follow the national road A8/E94 and pay toll fees along the way.
If you take a bus, you will need about 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach Kyllini, about 5 hours to reach Astakos and about 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach Patra. The bus tickets cost between 15 and 35 euros per person one way. The buses depart from KTEL Liosion, the intercity bus station in Athens, located at Liosion Street 260. You can find more information about the bus schedules and routes on the website of KTEL Kefalonia.
How to get to Kefalonia from other European cities by plane
If you are traveling from another European city, you can also fly directly to Kefalonia without having to stop in Athens. Kefalonia airport serves seasonal flights from many European destinations, such as London, Manchester, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Milan and more.
The flight duration and the prices vary depending on the departure city, the season, the demand and the booking time. You can find flights starting from 50 euros one way if you book well in advance or look for special offers.
The airlines that fly to Kefalonia from other European cities include Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, British Airways, Transavia, Eurowings, Volotea and more. You can book your flights online on the official websites of the airlines or on travel platforms like Skyscanner or Expedia. You can also compare prices and schedules on Rome2rio.
Tips and information for your trip to Kefalonia
- The best time to visit Kefalonia is between May and October, when the weather is warm and sunny, the sea is calm and clear and the island is lively and colorful. However, July and August are also the busiest and most expensive months, so if you want to avoid the crowds and save some money, you can opt for June or September.
- Kefalonia is a relatively large island with many attractions and places to see. If you want to explore it fully, you will need at least a week or more. However, if you have less time, you can still enjoy some of its highlights, such as Myrtos beach, Melissani cave, Fiskardo village and Assos castle.
- Kefalonia has a good road network that connects all the main towns and villages of the island. However, some roads are narrow, winding and steep, so you need to drive carefully and follow the speed limits. You also need to pay attention to the signs and directions, as they are not always clear or accurate.
- Kefalonia has a variety of accommodation options for all budgets and preferences. You can find hotels, apartments, villas, studios, guesthouses and campsites in different locations of the island. Some of the most popular areas to stay are Argostoli, Lassi, Fiskardo, Skala and Lourdas.
- Kefalonia has a rich gastronomy that reflects its history and culture. You can taste delicious dishes made with local ingredients such as meat, cheese, honey, olive oil and wine. Some of the specialties of the island are kreatopita (meat pie), aliada (garlic sauce), bourbourelia (bean soup) and mandola (almond candy).
- Kefalonia has a lot of activities and experiences to offer to its visitors. You can enjoy water sports such as kayaking, sailing, diving and snorkeling in its crystal-clear waters. You can also go hiking, biking or horse riding in its green mountains and forests. You can also visit its museums, churches and monuments that showcase its history and culture.
We hope this blog post has helped you plan your trip to Kefalonia from Athens or other European cities by plane or ferry. Kefalonia is a wonderful island that will enchant you with its beauty and charm. Have a great time!
