Getting from Zakynthos to Elafonisos

If you are heading to Elafonisos from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit on the western side of Greece. It has pink-tinged sand beaches that are among the finest in Greece and a setting of extraordinary natural beauty.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Elafonisos. Elafonisos is accessible only by the short local ferry from Pounta on the southern Peloponnese, which takes around 10 minutes and runs every 30 minutes in summer. Getting there means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and then driving southeast through the Peloponnese via Pyrgos, Tripoli and Sparta to Pounta, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Kyllini. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road connection between the two given their shared position on the western and southern sides of the Peloponnese.

Getting there by air

Elafonisos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then driving south to Pounta gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive southeast through the Peloponnese to Pounta for the short ferry across to Elafonisos. At around 4.5 to 5 hours total it avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct and natural approach. Having a car is essential for this route as the KTEL bus connection to Pounta is complicated and infrequent.