Getting from Astakos to Elafonisos

If you are heading to Elafonisos from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central Greece to a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast, on the opposite side of the country. It has pink-tinged sand beaches that are among the finest in Greece and a setting of extraordinary natural beauty.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astakos to Elafonisos. Astakos ferry connections are limited to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Elafonisos is accessible only by the short local ferry from Pounta on the southern Peloponnese. Getting there means driving south from Astakos through the Peloponnese via Patras, Corinth, Tripoli and Sparta to Pounta, which takes around 5 to 5.5 hours, where the 10 minute ferry to Elafonisos runs every 30 minutes in summer.

Getting there by air

Elafonisos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Astakos has no airport either. Driving from Astakos south through the Peloponnese to Pounta and taking the short ferry to Elafonisos is the most practical approach and avoids Athens entirely. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Astakos south through the Peloponnese to Pounta for the short ferry across to Elafonisos. Having a car is essential as the KTEL bus connection to Pounta is complicated and infrequent. The drive via Patras, Corinth, Tripoli and Sparta avoids Athens entirely and takes around 5 to 5.5 hours. The ferry across to Elafonisos takes just 10 minutes and runs every 30 minutes in summer.