Getting from Athens to Ithaca

If you are heading to Ithaca from Athens you are going to one of the most mythologically loaded destinations in the world and an island that lives up to it. Homer's Odysseus spent ten years trying to get home here, and arriving by sea for the first time you understand why he kept going. The island is steep, green and mountainous, with a deep central bay at Vathy that is one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the Ionian. The villages are quiet, the roads are winding and the island has a literary and contemplative atmosphere that draws people who want something more thoughtful than the usual Greek island experience. It is small enough to feel intimate and beautiful enough that leaving is genuinely difficult.

Take the ferry

Ithaca is connected to the mainland by several ferry routes. From Patras, ferries run to Pisaetos on the western coast of Ithaca taking around 3 to 3.5 hours with daily crossings in summer. From Astakos on the western mainland coast, ferries run to Ithaca taking around 2 to 2.5 hours. Ithaca is also connected to Kefalonia by a short 20 to 30 minute crossing, which is useful if you are combining the two islands. Getting to any of these mainland ports from Athens means travelling by road first.

Getting there by air

Ithaca has no airport. The nearest airport is Kefalonia, which has daily connections from Athens taking around 50 minutes. From Kefalonia the short ferry to Ithaca takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Total travel time via Kefalonia is around 2 to 3 hours and is the fastest overall approach.

Your best option

Fly to Kefalonia and take the short ferry across to Ithaca. It is the most time efficient approach and the crossing between the two islands is one of the most pleasant short hops in the Ionian. If you are travelling with a car, drive to Astakos and take the ferry from there, which gives you a vehicle on the island.