Getting from Zakynthos to Folegandros

If you are heading to Folegandros from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a small clifftop island in the southern Cyclades, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a Chora perched on the edge of a sheer drop above the sea and an atmosphere of genuine calm.

Getting there by air

Folegandros has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Santorini, followed by the short ferry from Santorini to Folegandros taking around 45 to 50 minutes, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Folegandros. No Ionian island is connected by sea to any Aegean island. Getting there by road means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and driving to Piraeus for the Piraeus to Folegandros ferry, which runs several times daily in summer and takes around 4 to 8 hours. The total journey by road and sea takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

Fly from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry across to Folegandros. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Piraeus for the conventional Piraeus to Folegandros ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.