Getting from Elafonisos to Kefalonia

If you are heading to Kefalonia from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to the largest of the Ionian islands, on the opposite side of Greece. It is mountainous with dramatic cliffs, turquoise bays and some of the finest beaches in Greece.

Take the ferry

Elafonisos has no ferry connection to the wider Greek ferry network. The only ferry from Elafonisos is the short 10 minute crossing to Pounta on the southern Peloponnese, which runs every 30 minutes in summer. Getting to Kefalonia means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving northwest through the Peloponnese to Kyllini, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, and then taking the ferry from Kyllini to Kefalonia, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes and runs up to 4 daily crossings. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road connection from the southern Peloponnese to Kefalonia.

Getting there by air

Kefalonia has an international airport with connections from Athens. Elafonisos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens, around 3.5 to 4 hours by car from Pounta. Taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and flying from Athens to Kefalonia gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and drive northwest through the Peloponnese to Kyllini for the ferry across to Kefalonia. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct and natural approach at around 4.5 to 5 hours total. Having a car is essential for this route as the KTEL bus connection from Pounta is slow and infrequent.