Are you planning a journey from Athens to Kefalonia? Not sure what’s the best way to travel or how to get to Kefalonia?
This guide will detail all your transport options to travel from Athens to Kefalonia including the Athens to Kefalonia flight, driving between Athens and Kefalonia via Killini, bus Athens to Kefalonia, private transfers and ferry options from Athens to Kefalonia.
For more information on visiting Kefalonia, visit our other posts below:
There are 5 main route options which I will detail in turn as well as talking about the best way to travel from Athens to Kefalonia with kids.
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How to get to Kefalonia from Athens – The Best Way
The best way to get to Kefalonia from Athens is to take a flight from Athens International Airport to Kefalonia Anna Pollatou Airport. Most Athens to Kefalonia flights run seasonally from May to October.
Athens to Kefalonia flight time – 1 hour
If you’re visiting out of season, the best way to get from Athens to Kefalonia is to drive to the mainland port of Killini and board a car ferry to Kefalonia. View the latest ferry schedules, ferry tickets and availability for your dates here.
Athens to Kefalonia MAP
The distance between Athens and Kefalonia is 188 miles (303km). The stunning capital of Greece – Athens is a must-visit for anyone visiting Greece.
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands which also include Zakynthos, Corfu, Lefkada and Ithaka located off the coast of western Mainland Greece.
The journey time from Athens to Kefalonia is around 5 hours, 28 minutes depending on which mode of transport you choose to use. The distance between Athens and Kefalonia is 334.8km or 208.03 miles.
Athens to Kefalonia – Options
| Transport Type | Journey Time | Notes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 1 hour | Multiple flights a day May-October from Athens international airport to Kefalonia Anna Pollatu Airport. | View flight deals, prices and View flight deals, prices and availability for your dates here. |
| Direct Bus | 7 Hours | Bus leaves from Kifisou KTEL bus station in Athens twice a day (season dependant) | Tickets are purchased on the bus (including ferry crossing) or online |
| Bus + Patras Layover | 2 1/2 hours (hourly) + 2 1/2 hours | First catch the bus from Kifisou KTEL bus station in Athens to Patras. Next catch the bus from Patras to Kefalonia (x2/day). This option is great for a layover in Patras if you're travelling with kids or want to explore more of Greece. | View Accommodation in Patras here >>> |
| Drive Athens to Kefalonia | 3 1/2 hours + 1 1/2 hour ferry | Great if you've hired a car in Greece. You can view hire car prices here. | View ferry prices, timetables aView ferry prices, timetables and availability here,nd availability here, |
| Transfer Athens to Killini then ferry | Transfer - 3-3 1/2 hours + 1 1/2 hour ferry | A pre-booked transfer is great for medium-large groups without a hire car. | View transfer prices and availability here, |
Option 1: Flights from Athens to Kefalonia
Flights from Athens to Kefalonia last around 1 hour. Athens to Kefalonia flights run multiple times per day from May to October. Many small, regional airlines make the journey each day, including Sky Express Athens to Kefalonia, Aegean Air, and Olympic Air.
View flight deals, prices, and availability for your dates here.
Note: Athens to Zakynthos Flight
If you’re looking for cheap flight deals and you find one to Zakynthos, it’s possible to fly from Athens to Zakynthos then board a ferry to Kefalonia. The ferry from Zakynthos to Kefalonia is 33 minutes. View flight deals, prices and availability for your dates here. It’s also possible to fly on a domestic flight from Zakynthos to Kefalonia.
Flights to Kefalonia from Europe
Many major European airports have flights direct to Kefalonia. If you’re island hopping in Greece, it may be better to start in the Ionian islands and make a one-way journey to Athens after. Here you can board ferries to the rest of the Greek islands from the 3 ports in Athens – Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio.
Option 2: Bus directly from Athens to Argostoli
Buses to Kefalonia’s capital town run from Kifisou KTEL bus station in Athens. The bus takes approximately 7 hours and runs about twice a day depending on the season and schedules are posted monthly at the bus station.
Tickets can either be purchased on the bus which includes the ferry crossing or online. Note that tickets bought online will not include the ferry ticket, and you will need to pay for that separately.
Once you reach the ferry port, you depart the bus and enjoy the journey in the foot passenger part of the ferry. Once at the port, you’ll need to board the bus again to reach Argostoli.
Argostoli is the transport hub of Kefalonia and also somewhere you can hire a car. Click here for the latest car hire prices and availability in Argostoli
Related Post | Best Things to Do in Kefalonia (including Myrtos Beach)
Option 3: Athens to Kefalonia Bus – Bus to Patras then Bus to Kefalonia
It is possible to reach Kefalonia by bus hourly. However, to do this, you’ll need to change buses in the mainland city of Patras.
First, catch a bus from Athens to Patras. The journey should be 2 hours, 30 minutes and runs hourly. If you’re travelling with kids, you may want to consider an overnight stopover in Patras. View family-friendly accommodation deals in Patras here.
Secondly, catch another bus from Patras to Kefalonia. This bus will take you to the mainland port of Killini and board the car ferry to Kefalonia. This journey will take 3 hours, 22 minutes and buses run 2 times a day. On the ferry, you will not stay on the bus.
Ports in Kefalonia
There are four ports in Kefalonia:
- Poros: Ferries to the other Ionian islands – Zakynthos, Lefkada and Ithaca as well as the mainland port of Killini for onward bus connections to Athens and other destinations in Mainland Greece.
- Fiscardo: Ferries to Ithaca and Lefkada as well as a docking area for private yachts.
- Lixouri: Routes to the mainland port of Killini for onward connections in Mainland Greece.
- Sami: Ferries to other Ionian islands – Ithaca and Paxi +bus/ferry connections to Patra on the mainland and Brindisi in Italy.
Related Post: Best places to stay in Kefalonia for families (Hotel, apartment and unique accommodation)
Option 4: Athens to Kefalonia by Car – Drive to Killini then ferry to Kefalonia
If you’ve driven to Greece or you’ve hired a car in Greece, the best way to reach Kefalonia (and have more freedom to explore the island) is by car.
First, you’ll need to drive from Athens to Killini, a port in mainland Greece 3 hours, 28 minutes drive from Athens.
You’ll then need to board a car ferry from Killini to the port of Poros in Kefalonia. The ferry takes around 1 hour, 20 minutes and runs up to 4 times a day. View the latest timetables and availability for your dates here.
Is there an Athens to Kefalonia ferry?
There’s NO direct derry between Athens and Kefalonia. Ferries generally only serve one island group at a time. The Ionian islands are further away from the Cyclades islands and other island groups. However, there are ferries between the Ionian islands. From Kefalonia, you can board a ferry to the neighbouring island of Zakynthos or the small island of Ithaka. There are also ferry services to Patras on the Greek Mainland.
Option 5: Pre-booked Transfer Athens to Killini then ferry
A pre-booked transfer will be somewhat more expensive than catching the bus from Athens to Killini or driving. However, if you’re looking to make the journey fast and you don’t want to hire a car, this is the best option for you.
The drive from Athens to Killini should take around 3 hours depending on traffic. Transfers can be booked with Get Transfer. View transfer prices and availability here.
You’ll then need to board a car ferry from Killini to the port of Poros in Kefalonia. The ferry takes around 1 hour, 20 minutes and runs up to 4 times a day. Make sure you pre-book your taxi to coincide with ferry timetables. View the latest timetables and availability for your dates here.
Travelling Between Athens And Kefalonia With Kids
The journey is definitely worth doing with kids. Many families make the journey each year when island hopping with kids or while on a multi-centre holiday.
You will ultimately know which mode of transport will work best for you and your family. In my opinion, the best way to get from Athens to Kefalonia island is by booking cheap flights in Advance. View cheap flight deals here.
If you have a car with you, the best way is to drive to Killini and board the car ferry to Kefalonia. You can view the latest car hire deals here. If you don’t fancy flying and you don’t have a car, a private transfer will be the best option for you. View private transfer prices and reviews from Athens to Killini here.
However, if you’re on a budget, you may also want to take the bus. If you’re travelling by bus between Athens and Kefalonia with kids, consider an overnight stopover in Patras, the 3rd largest city in Greece with plenty to do for families. View accommodation in Patas here. There’s also the option to take a direct bus from Athens to Argostoli.
Click here to book ferry tickets
FAQ’S
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These sound like really great ways to travel to Kefalonia! They all sound like they have their pros and cons, and I think the ferry option would be fun!
I think any way you travel from Athens to Kefalonia, you’re going to have a great time. It’s a really beautiful area.
This is an excellent resource. Figuring out how to get from one place to another can be difficult if you’re not from the area or from another country.
I think a bus ride from Athens to Kefalonia would be an amazing experience. I’d love to do that with my family.
Lovely post. I think that my first step is to get from USA to Athens. That is something I have always wanted to do .
I have always wanted to go to Athens! Maybe if we are able to go next year, we can also visit Kefalonia.
I have been wanting to go to Greece for so long and now I have one more place on my route! Argostoli looks absolutely beautiful and thanks for the detailed introduction and sharing – Knycx Journeying
Greek is one of my dreaming country wanted to visit. I love Greek,history, beach and anything about this country even never been there. And Wow, just see new about this article you put FAQ’s coloumn. This is cool.
I truly wish I could travel during these times. I think Athens looks amazing.