Getting from Astakos to Zakynthos

If you are heading to Zakynthos from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central Greece to one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands, relatively close in geographic terms. It has Navagio Beach, the shipwreck cove with towering white cliffs and turquoise water that is one of the most photographed places in the Mediterranean.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astakos to Zakynthos. Astakos ferry connections are limited to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Getting to Zakynthos means driving south from Astakos to Kyllini on the northwestern Peloponnese coast, which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours via Patras, and then taking the ferry from Kyllini to Zakynthos, which takes around 1 hour 15 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day.

Getting there by air

Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Astakos has no airport either. Driving from Astakos to Athens and flying to Zakynthos gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. The drive from Astakos to Kyllini via Patras is considerably more practical and avoids Athens entirely. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Astakos south to Kyllini via Patras and take the ferry across to Zakynthos. It is the most direct and natural approach and avoids Athens entirely. At around 1 hour 15 minutes the Kyllini to Zakynthos crossing is short and runs frequently. If you are traveling with a car this route is straightforward and keeps the entire journey within western Greece.