Getting from Zakynthos to Halkidiki

If you are heading to Halkidiki from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a three-pronged peninsula southeast of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, with Kassandra in the west for long sandy beaches, Sithonia in the middle for quieter waters and the monastic peninsula of Athos in the east.

Getting there by air

Halkidiki has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 60 to 90 kilometres from the various parts of the peninsula. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Thessaloniki, followed by a rental car or KTEL bus to Halkidiki, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. From Thessaloniki a rental car is essential for getting around Halkidiki comfortably. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry to Halkidiki. It is a mainland peninsula with no island ferry connections. Getting there by road means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and driving northeast via Patras, Athens and the E75 motorway to Thessaloniki and continuing to Halkidiki, which takes around 8 to 9 hours from Kyllini. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Your best option

Fly from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Thessaloniki, then rent a car at the airport. Halkidiki is large and spread out enough that a car is essential for getting between beaches, villages and the different peninsulas. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive northeast via Patras and Athens to Thessaloniki and continue to Halkidiki from there.