Getting from Crete to Lefkada

If you are heading to Lefkada from Crete you are going to one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands, connected to the mainland by a causeway but feeling entirely like an island once you are on it. The west coast has some of the finest beaches in Europe, with sheer white limestone cliffs dropping to water of an almost impossible blue.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Lefkada. The island has no main ferry port connecting it to the wider Greek ferry network. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Crete to Piraeus and then travelling by road northwest to Lefkada, which takes around 5 hours from Athens.

Getting there by air

Lefkada has no airport. The nearest airport is Preveza, around 20 kilometres from Lefkada Town. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Preveza takes around 50 minutes, followed by a taxi or bus to Lefkada taking around 30 minutes. Total travel time is around 3 to 4 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Preveza via Athens and take a taxi or bus across to Lefkada. It is the fastest approach and gets you on the island in under 4 hours from Crete. If you want a car for exploring the west coast beaches and the interior villages, rent at Preveza Airport on arrival.