Getting from Elafonisos to Paxos

If you are heading to Paxos from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to a small island in the Ionian Sea, on the opposite side of Greece. It has ancient olive groves, turquoise coves and a Venetian harbour at Gaios that is one of the most charming 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 Paxos means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving northwest through the Peloponnese via Patras to Igoumenitsa for the car ferry to Paxos, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes and runs daily. This avoids Athens entirely and keeps the journey within western Greece. Alternatively drive to Athens and fly to Corfu and take the ferry from Corfu to Paxos.

Getting there by air

Paxos has no airport. The nearest airport is Corfu. 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 Corfu, followed by the ferry from Corfu to Paxos, gives a total journey time of around 8 to 9 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and drive northwest via Patras to Igoumenitsa for the car ferry to Paxos. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road and sea approach from the southern Peloponnese. Having a car is essential for this route as the KTEL bus connection from Pounta is slow and infrequent. Note that the Corfu to Paxos ferry does not carry vehicles so the Igoumenitsa route is the only option for travelers with a car.