Getting from Tilos to Kefalonia

If you are heading to Kefalonia from Tilos you are making your way from a volcanic island in the Dodecanese 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 Tilos to Kefalonia. No Dodecanese island is connected by sea to any Ionian island. Getting there means taking the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes, flying from Rhodes to Athens and then either flying 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. Tilos has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes, flying from Rhodes to Athens and then Athens to Kefalonia takes around 45 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes and fly from Rhodes to Athens, then fly from Athens to Kefalonia. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the Tilos to Rhodes schedule before booking as departure days and times vary by season. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Tilos 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.