Getting from Thessaloniki to Lefkada

If you are heading to Lefkada from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to an island in the Ionian Sea connected to the mainland by a causeway, on the opposite side of the country. It has some of the finest beaches in Europe on its west coast with sheer white limestone cliffs dropping to turquoise water.

Getting there by air

Lefkada has no airport. The nearest airport is Preveza, around 22 kilometres from Lefkada Town. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then driving or taking the KTEL bus northwest to Lefkada via Preveza, which takes around 5 hours from Athens, gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 hours. Flying to Preveza directly from Thessaloniki is a more practical alternative when the seasonal service is running.

Take the train, bus or drive

Thessaloniki is connected to Lefkada by road, taking around 4.5 to 5 hours via the Egnatia motorway and Ioannina and Preveza. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural cross-country approach. The KTEL bus from Thessaloniki to Lefkada runs via Ioannina and takes around 5 to 6 hours. Having a car makes this route considerably more practical given Lefkada's position at the end of the western Greek coast.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Lefkada. Lefkada has no main ferry port as it is linked to the mainland by a floating bridge.

Your best option

Drive from Thessaloniki to Lefkada via the Egnatia motorway and Ioannina and Preveza. At around 4.5 to 5 hours it avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct and natural road approach. Having a car makes this route straightforward and gives you the freedom to explore Lefkada's spectacular west coast beaches. If you prefer not to drive the full distance, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and drive or take the KTEL bus northwest to Lefkada.