Getting from Syros to Kefalonia

If you are heading to Kefalonia from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades 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

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Kefalonia. No Cycladic island is connected by sea to any Ionian island. Getting there means taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat, and then either flying from Athens to Kefalonia or driving to Kyllini on the northwestern Peloponnese coast for the ferry to Kefalonia, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes and runs up to 4 daily crossings. The drive from Athens to Kyllini takes around 3 to 3.5 hours via Corinth and Patras.

Getting there by air

Kefalonia has an international airport with connections from Athens. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Kefalonia takes around 45 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Kefalonia. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and drive to Kyllini for the ferry across to Kefalonia, which at around 1 hour 30 minutes is the shortest mainland to Kefalonia connection.