Getting from Mykonos to Corfu

Corfu is where a lot of people fall in love with Greece for the first time. It sits at the northern tip of the Ionian Sea, greener and more lush than anything you will find in the Aegean, shaped by centuries of Venetian rule that left behind a UNESCO listed old town that is unlike anywhere else in Greece. The narrow alleyways, the French influenced arcades of the Liston, the two Venetian fortresses bookending the old town and the cricket pitch in between that the British left behind. It is a layered island with a lot of history sitting just beneath the surface and enough coastline to keep you busy for weeks.

Take the ferry

Corfu sits in the Ionian Sea on the western side of Greece while Mykonos is in the Aegean, which means the two ferry networks do not connect directly. Getting there by sea means taking a ferry from Mykonos to Piraeus and then making your way across to Igoumenitsa on the northwestern mainland coast, from where ferries run across to Corfu in around 1.5 hours. The overland section from Athens to Igoumenitsa takes around 6 to 7 hours by car or bus. It is a full day of travel but manageable if you plan it properly.

What about flying?

Both Mykonos and Corfu have airports so flying is the obvious choice on this route. The journey goes Mykonos to Athens and then Athens to Corfu, with total travel time around 3 to 4 hours door to door depending on your connection. Corfu Airport is right on the edge of the old town and the approach over the sea is one of the more memorable landings in Greece. Book ahead in summer as Corfu is one of the busiest airports in Greece during peak season.

Your best option

Fly. The Ionian and Aegean networks do not connect and the overland alternative is a long day. The Athens connection is straightforward and gets you into Corfu with time to actually enjoy it. Stay in or near the old town if you can, explore the coast by scooter or car and give yourself enough time to get beyond the busy beaches on the eastern coast to the wilder western side of the island.