Getting from Crete to Zakynthos

If you are heading to Zakynthos from Crete you are going to one of the most amazing of the Ionian islands, with Navagio Beach, the shipwreck cove with towering white cliffs and turquoise water that is one of the most photographed places in the Mediterranean, and a National Marine Park protecting the largest nesting population of loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Zakynthos. 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 Kylini for the onward ferry to Zakynthos, making the total journey the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Both Crete and Zakynthos have airports. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Zakynthos takes around 1 hour, giving a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly to Zakynthos via Athens. It is the only realistic approach and at around 3 to 4 hours total it is straightforward. If you are travelling with a car, fly to Athens, drive to Kylini and take the ferry across to Zakynthos, which at 1 hour 15 minutes is a short and frequent connection.