Getting from Athens to Igoumenitsa

If you are heading to Igoumenitsa from Athens you are making your way to the main gateway port of northwestern Greece, a practical and underrated city on the Epirus coast that serves as the departure point for ferries to Corfu and Paxi and for international crossings to Italy. Igoumenitsa itself has a pleasant waterfront, good seafood and the mountains of Epirus rising sharply behind it. The surrounding region is one of the most beautiful and least visited in Greece, with the Vikos Gorge, the ancient Oracle of Dodona and the Acheron River all within reach.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Athens to Igoumenitsa. The two are connected by road only. KTEL Thesprotias operates bus services from Athens Kifissos terminal to Igoumenitsa, taking around 6 to 7 hours. The drive by car takes around 5 hours via the Patras and Rio-Antirrio bridge route heading northwest through Ioannina.

What about flying?

Igoumenitsa has no airport. The nearest airport is Ioannina, around 83 kilometres to the east, which has domestic connections from Athens. Flying to Ioannina and then taking the bus to Igoumenitsa, which takes around 1.5 hours, gives a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours and is the fastest overall approach.

Your best option

Fly to Ioannina and take the bus to Igoumenitsa, or drive from Athens if you are travelling with a car. The driving route via Patras and the Rio-Antirrio bridge is well-signposted and straightforward. If you are heading to Igoumenitsa to connect to Corfu or Paxi, ferries from Igoumenitsa to Corfu run up to 18 times daily year-round and the crossing takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.