Getting from Crete to Ithaca

If you are heading to Ithaca from Crete 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 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.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Ithaca. The two islands sit on opposite sides of Greece and are not connected by sea. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Crete to Piraeus and then travelling by road to Astakos or Patras for the onward ferry to Ithaca, making the total journey by sea and road the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Ithaca has no airport. The nearest airport is Kefalonia, which has connections from Athens. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Kefalonia takes around 50 minutes, followed by the short ferry from Kefalonia to Ithaca taking around 20 to 30 minutes. Total travel time is around 3 to 4 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Kefalonia via Athens and take the short ferry across to Ithaca. It is the most time efficient approach and the connection between the two islands is one of the most pleasant short hops in the Ionian.