How to Get To Zakynthos (By Plane, Car and Ferry)

Find out everything you need to know about how to get to Zakynthos by either plane, car or ferry.

Zakynthos island (also known as Zante) is rapidly growing as one of the top island destinations in Greece. If you’re ready to explore an island beyond the Cyclades, Zakynthos is a top choice.

With superb beaches, divine viewpoints and rich history, traveling to Zakynthos is well worth it and surprisingly not difficult.

Logistically, Zante’s location in the Ionian Sea and close proximity to mainland Greece makes it a convenient place to get to for European and international visitors. Ready to visit?

This Zante travel guide includes information on how to get to Zante from Athens, other neighbouring islands and even countries!

Whether you’re flying, backpacking or road tripping, we’ve compiled useful details for any type of visitor.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that some links found in our posts are affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How to Get to Zakynthos by Ferry

Most of Greece’s most beloved destinations are islands. This makes getting places by ferry a very normal form of transportation in Greece.

You’ve likely even heard of the term “Greek island hopping” which is particularly popular in the Cyclades. Although there are less islands in the Ionian cluster, Zakynthos has various routes among the other islands, countries and mainland Greece.

Taking the ferry to Zakynthos is very simple, effective and routine.

Do You Need to Take a Ferry?

If you are not flying then yes, you need to take a ferry to get to Zakynthos. It is a standalone island with no bridge or underground tunnel leading to it.

Despite it being only 20 km (or 12 mi) from the Greek mainland, taking a ferry is the only option to getting there without flying. The primary ferry route to get to the main town of Zante is from the port of Kyllini on mainland Greece.

Important Note: If you are traveling outside of high season, do not 100% rely on planning to take a ferry. Many routes are only available or have a change in frequency between May – October. Always double check which dates the route(s) is available from the ferry operator’s website directly.

How to Get to Zakynthos From Athens

Since Greek ferry travel is so popular, it’s easy to think there is a ferry from Athens to anywhere. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case and an Athens to Zakynthos ferry does not exist.

If getting to Zakynthos from Athens is something you’re interested in accomplishing, there are a handful of other ways on how to complete the route.

Athens to Zakynthos By Plane

The quickest way to get from Athens to Zakynthos is by taking a domestic 1 hour flight.

Driving to Zakynthos from Athens

By car, you can get to the port of Kyllini from Athens in just over 3 hours. Next, the ferry ride from Kyllini to Zante will take another hour. This is an option most suitable for people with their own cars traveling in Greece.

It’s also possible with a rental car but only for those looking to rent a car in Athens, drive it to Zakynthos (and use it while on Zakynthos), then drive back to Athens to return the rental car. Rental car agencies will usually charge a hefty fee to pick up a rental car in one location and return it to a different location.

Athens to Zakynthos by Public Transportation

Generally speaking, Greece is rather accessible by public transportation but it does take longer than driving yourself or flying. Given the demand from tourists opting for a more affordable way of travel, there is a bus line for getting from Athens to Zakynthos operated by KTEL.

The bus departs multiple times per day in the summer, takes around 5 hours and costs just under €30 per person, one way. Online tickets and timetables can be seen directly on their website here.

Taking a taxi may sound like an absurdly expensive option at first but worth exploring for groups. If you are splitting the cost, a taxi ride can be an affordable and flexible way to reach Kyllini. From there, you can take the ferry to Zakynthos on foot.

How to Get to Zakynthos From Corfu

While they share the same location of the Ionian Sea, Corfu is quite far from Zante. The Greek island of Corfu sits west of the border between Greece and Albania and has many ferry routes flowing in and out of it.

However, the ferry route between Corfu and Zante is not as frequent as a traveler may need it to be. Getting to Zakynthos from Corfu is doable but will require some slight planning.

• Catching a domestic flight from Corfu to Zakynthos is the quickest way to get there. There are direct flights available between the two island with a flight time of 2 hours.

• If choosing to travel by ferry, you’ll need to check exactly which day(s) of the week it departs as the journey does not happen daily. Even during peak season, the ferry from Corfu to Zakynthos may operate 1-2 times a week mainly because most tourists will fly to Zakynthos instead. The sailing is a 13 hour journey, makes multiple stops along the way and costs around €33 per person, one way.
• By car, taking the ferry from Corfu to Igoumenitsa on mainland Greece takes just over one hour. This route is available over 10 times per day during the summer. Once you arrive in Igoumenitsa, you have two options which are both a bit lengthy.
  • Historically, there has been a ferry route from Igoumenitsa to Zakynthos but is a bit elusive. If you have unlimited time, you’ll be able to find out more about the ferry in person but tickets are not available to purchase online.
  • Starting in Igoumenitsa, the drive to Kyllini port will take 3.5 hours. To complete the journey to Zakynthos, you’ll take the ferry from Kyllini to Zante which is an additional hour. This journey can be long and can easily eat up an entire day of travel. You’ll need to be mindful when precisely lining up ferry times if you plan on making the trip in one day or if you’ll need to split it up.

Note: The ferry operators between Corfu and Zakynthos are small which means they likely will not accommodate cars. These will be foot traffic only ferries.

How to Get to Zakynthos From Kefalonia

The island of Kefalonia (or Cephalonia) and Zakynthos are closely related and visible from one island to the other. Many travelers may choose to visit both during one trip since they’re easily accessible from one another.

If you are planning to visit the Ionian Islands for two weeks, it’s feasible to spend one week on Kefalonia and one week on Zante. Here are the easiest ways to get to Zakynthos from Kefalonia.

• A direct flight departs from Kefalonia to Zakynthos 2-3 times per week and only takes 25 minutes. There are additional flight paths available which will require stop overs. For tourists without a car, this is by far the best option for getting to Zakynthos from Kefalonia.

• Without a car, you can take the ferry from Kefalonia to Zakynthos which is operated by Lefkada Palace and departs multiple times per week. The ride lasts three hours and costs under €15 per person, one way. This option is the most affordable. This is also one of the few ferry routes which will land you in Agios Nikolaos on the northern tip of the island opposed to the main town of Zante.
• A car ferry between Kefalonia and Zante is available but a bit more challenging to nail down a schedule and tickets. The journey takes just over one hour and sails daily but exact schedules are not published well ahead of time. The best way to secure a timetable and tickets is to get in contact with the operator (Ionian P. Lines) directly.

How to Get to Zakynthos From Italy

One of the most wondrous things about Europe is how interconnected it is which allows for easy access from one country to another. Getting from Italy to Zakynthos sounds far but to an eager traveler, it’s a mere hop and skip through the Adriatic to reach the Ionian Sea.

A direct route from the port city of Brindisi in Italy is operated during peak season, usually only once a week. The ferry from Brindisi will land you directly in Zakynthos after a 19 hour journey.

Long ferry rides such as this one are also typically performed overnight which make the journey much more palatable. Once available for an upcoming season, the ferry schedule for this route can be found here.

Flying To Zakynthos

Flying into the international airport on the island (airport code: ZTH) is the most convenient way for anyone to get to Zakynthos. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a long weekend away from London or exploring Greece domestically, the airport is well connected.

As the island is relatively small, the airport’s proximity to hotspots such as Laganas and Argassi (under ten minutes!) make it easier for you to get to enjoying your vacation that much quicker.

Which Airlines Fly to Zakynthos?

You can find a full list of the airlines which fly into Zakynthos on the airport’s website here. For an island destination, the list is impressively long which means you’ll have options when it comes to booking flights.

Here are some notable airlines which fly to the island:

• Aegean Airlines (ideal for flying within Greece)
• Austrian Airlines
• British Airways
• Buzz (budget airline)
• Condor
• EasyJet
• Eurowings
• Finnair
• Lot Polish
• Lufthansa
• Ryanair (One of Europe’s most popular budget airlines)
• SAS
• Smartwings
• Vueling
• Wizz Air

Are There Direct Flights to Zakynthos?

Nothing ruins a trip like multiple stops or layovers on what should be a short flight. If you’re limited on time, we highly recommend looking into direct flights only, particularly if you’re flying from another European country.

Some popular nonstop flight paths include:

• London (all three airports) to Zakynthos in just under four hours
• Munich to Zakynthos in two hours
• Rome to Zakynthos in less than two hours
• Paris to Zakynthos in three hours
• Amsterdam to Zakynthos in three hours
• Vienna to Zakynthos in two hours
• Warsaw to Zakynthos in three hours

Flying From the U.S. To Zakynthos

Flying from the U.S. will require at least one stop. If you are flying to Zakynthos from the East Coast, it is viable to book a flight under five hours to a major city in Europe for a layover before reaching your destination of Zakynthos.

Departing from the West Coast is a bit of a longer haul and it’s recommended to make a “mini trip” out of your longer layover in another European city before arriving in Zante.

When to Visit Zakynthos

Peak Season

The leading holiday destination of Zante is made for summer travel. This is most true if you’re looking to visit Zakynthos for its beaches.

The island is rich in beautiful beaches, stunning resorts, and diving opportunities. To experience these things to their utmost potential, the best time to visit Zakynthos is summer.

Temperatures will effortlessly reach above 30°C / 86°F in the peak summer months of July and August. However, the around-the-clock breeze still makes being outdoors in the heat pleasant.

The obvious downside of staying in Zakynthos during high season is the crowds and higher priced accommodation.

Shoulder Season

If swimming, snorkeling, and tanning are not on your vacation agenda, it’s recommended to travel to Zakynthos in the shoulder seasons of fall or spring. As early as April, the weather warms up to a comfortable 19°C / 66.2°F, which makes it ideal for exploring the island beyond going to the beach.

You don’t need to get into the water to explore the jaw-dropping coastlines and viewpoints from above instead. Experience the delightful small villages that sit inland or trek the many hiking paths leading to mountain peaks with panoramic views.

You’ll be rewarded for visiting during the off-season with superb deals on hotels and the feeling of having the island to yourself.

Getting Around Zakynthos

Although it’s certainly possible to enjoy a holiday on the island without a car, we highly recommend renting a car to make your trip the best it can be.

The places to visit in Zante by car are endless and there’s only so much you can accomplish with taking a hotel shuttle or taxi.

If you consider a car rental in Zakynthos, you’ll have easy access to secluded areas where you’ll find some of the best beaches. Despite what you’ve read elsewhere, Navagio Beach is not the only best thing to see and do on Zakynthos!

Where to Stay in Zakynthos

Zakynthos island has many different pockets of places to stay for visitors. Each area is slightly different in feel, accommodation types and things to do.

You may want to dive deeper into the most popular areas to stay in order to determine which one suits your trip best. These are the best areas to stay in on Zakynthos island:

• Keri
• Agios Nikolaos (Skinari)
• Tsilivi
• Zakynthos Town
• Argassi
• Vasilikos
• Laganas

Travel Resources for Visiting Zakynthos

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator