This guide covers how to get to Kefalonia by plane and ferry boat, and also includes how to book your tickets in advance.
Where is Kefalonia in Greece
The beautiful island of Kefalonia is perfectly positioned in western Greece, is the 6th largest island in Greece after Crete, Euboea, Lesbos, Rhodes and Chios and it is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region.
Kefalonia is accessible by air or sea.
Kefalonia has an international airport, which has recently been renovated. You can reach the island by international flight from some European cities, or a short domestic flight from Athens.
There are also various ports for ferry boats. Poros port connects Kefalonia with the mainland (i.e Kyllini port), Pesada port connects Kefalonia with the island of Zakynthos (or Zante), Sami’s port connects Kefalonia with Ithaca island and Patras, Fiskardo’s port connects Kefalonia with the island of Lefkada. Finally, Argostoli (which is the capital city of Kefalonia) is connected with Lixouri (i.e the second-largest city on the island) with a ferry boat
Hundreds of flights, ferries and cruise ships arrive to Kefalonia from Athens and different locations in Europe, USA etc, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.
How to fly to Kefalonia Greece
A common way to get to Kefalonia is by plane. Many people travel on direct flights to Kefalonia from England and various European countries (e.g Italy, Austria, Germany, Poland, etc)
In addition, there are numerous year-round daily connections from the Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos.
Ticket costs can be very reasonable if booked well in advance. As a rule, booking a last-minute ticket can be quite expensive, especially if you have checked luggage.
Direct flights to Kefalonia from Europe
During the tourist season, several different airlines operate direct flights to Kefalonia from Europe. Examples include British Airways, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, EasyJet, RyanAir etc. A full list is available on the airport’s website.
Generally speaking, there are more international flights that enter Kefalonia in the high season, July and August.
As an example, let’s check the best way to get to Kefalonia from London. Whereas in high season there’s a choice of companies offering direct flights, you’ll find fewer options in shoulder season, and no direct flights in winter.
Flights from Athens to Kefalonia
Another option to reach Kefalonia island is to fly from the Athens international airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, located a 45-minute drive from central Athens. The short direct flight to Kefalonia only takes 40-45 minutes.
The main air carrier in Greece, Olympic Air / Aegean Airlines, fly to Kefalonia a few times per day, year-round. Seasonal options include Ryanair, Sky Express etc.
If you book in advance, you can get very reasonable prices, which might be even cheaper than the return cost of a ferry.
As an indication, return plane tickets from Athens to Kefalonia will usually cost around 40-80 euro when booked in advance.
Getting from Kefalonia airport to your hotel
The airport in Kefalonia is located a 10 minute drive from the capital city Argostoli.
There are several ways to get to your hotel from Kefalonia airport. You can take a bus, pre-booked taxi, or a car rental.
Bus: There is a regular bus service leaving from the airport and terminating at Argostoli main bus station. The fare is free.
Taxi: While many hotels offer a complimentary airport transfer service, you will often find that there is a charge. Taxi fares vary, as they depend on distance covered and number of passengers.
Rental car: Renting your own vehicle is the best way to get around Kefalonia. You can see all of Kefalonia’s beautiful villages and iconic beaches. A list of car rental agencies is available on the airport’s website.
Travelling to Kefalonia by ferry
Another popular way to reach Kefalonia is by ferry to Kefalonia’s main port, Poros.
There are numerous daily ferry connections with the Kyllini port in the mainland.
Moreover, visitors who are planning to do some island hopping in Greece will be pleased to know that there are ferry routes from Kefalonia to several islands.
Ferries from Patras & Kyllini ports to Kefalonia
During high season, there are usually 3-4 ferries per day from Patras & Kyllini ports to Kefalonia.
Ferries are run by Levante Ferries company. The Patras – Sami (Kefalonia) trip lasts about 3 hours, while Kyllini – Poros (Kefalonia) lasts just 1 1/2 hours.
Cost of ferry travel from Piraeus
Ferry ticket prices vary a lot. One-way ticket prices for the Levante Ferries start at about 15 euros per person.
Fares are the same year-round, but they can sometimes be sold out, so advance booking is recommended. You can compare routes and book ferry tickets on levante ferries
Island hopping from Kefalonia
People visiting Kefalonia usually travel to one or more popular islands nearby. Lefkada, Zakynthos known as a party island and Ithaca that are all very easy to get to, as they are directly connected with Kefalonia.
These ferry journeys typically take anywhere between 1-2 hours.
Getting from Poros port to your hotel in Kefalonia
Poros port is about 40 km from Argostoli.
To reach your hotel anywhere in Kefalonia from Poros, you will need to take a bus, pre-booked hotel transfer/taxi, or car rental.
Bus: Whenever ferries arrive from Kyllini, you will find there are regular bus services waiting to pick up passengers. This information isn’t always accessible on the official KTEL bus website.
Taxi: Unless your hotel offers a (free) pickup, make sure you pre-book a taxi
Rental car: If you decide to rent a car and get around Kefalonia on your own, you can arrange to pick it up at the port.
Arriving to Kefalonia on a cruise ship
People visiting Kefalonia on a cruise will typically have a few hours on the island. While this is not enough to see the whole island, you will get an idea of the highlights.
In this case, it’s best to book a tour with one of the local companies. Otherwise, trying to get your bearings might get stressful.
There are various companies that offer guided tours, that will help you discover the best of Kefalonia and make the most of your holiday.
How to fly to Kefalonia from USA, Canada, Australia
Finally, let’s see what happens if you are travelling to Greece from outside Europe, e.g. USA, Canada, or Australia.
In these cases, your best option is to fly into an airport somewhere in Europe, from where direct flights depart to Kefalonia.
Generally speaking, some of the best options for a layover include, of course Athens, London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt etc.
However, it’s worth checking all possible itineraries. There may be significantly cheaper options, especially if you are happy to use low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, or easyJet.
Frequently asked questions about how to get to Kefalonia
Here are some questions that people, visiting Kefalonia, ask:
Apart from international flights, there are daily flights to Kefalonia from Athens International Airport at Eleftherios Venizelos. These flights are available every day of the week at various times of the day.
Kefalonia has an international airport, which is located a 10-minute drive from Argostoli, which is the capital city of the island.
Flying into Kefalonia is quick, and is the best way to get to Kefalonia if you are pushed for time. Taking a ferry is the best way if you want to enjoy the serenity of a leisurely journey throughout the islands in Greece.
Usually, the cheapest way to get to Kefalonia from Athens is the bus service KTEL. With that said, you may find cheap airfares, either from Athens or from certain European cities.
If you are planning to visit Athens, Kefalonia and more islands in the same trip, the best option is usually to fly into Kefalonia, and make your way back to Athens through the other islands.
