Getting from Thessaloniki to Corfu

If you are heading to Corfu from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to an island in the Ionian Sea with a UNESCO World Heritage Site town and a lush green coastline, on the opposite side of the country.

Getting there by air

Corfu has an international airport with daily connections from Athens and seasonal direct flights from Thessaloniki in summer. When the direct service is running the flight takes around 1 hour making it one of the most convenient connections from Thessaloniki to any Ionian island. Check the schedule carefully as direct flights are seasonal. Alternatively fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Corfu.

Take the train, bus or drive

Thessaloniki is connected to Igoumenitsa by road, taking around 4 to 4.5 hours via the Egnatia motorway and Ioannina. From Igoumenitsa the ferry to Corfu runs multiple times daily and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. This is the most natural road and sea approach at around 5.5 to 6 hours total and avoids Athens entirely. The KTEL bus from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa runs several times daily.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Corfu. Getting there by road and sea means driving to Igoumenitsa for the ferry across to Corfu.

Your best option

Drive from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa via the Egnatia motorway and Ioannina, then take the ferry across to Corfu. At around 5.5 to 6 hours total it avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road and sea approach. Having a car makes this route straightforward and gives you transport on Corfu for exploring the coastline and interior villages. If you prefer to fly, fly directly from Thessaloniki to Corfu when the seasonal service is running.