Getting from Zakynthos to Igoumenitsa

If you are heading to Igoumenitsa from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a port city on the Epirus coast in the far northwest of Greece, the main departure point for ferries to Corfu, Paxos and Italy, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit on the western side of Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Igoumenitsa. Getting there means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and then driving north via Patras, Preveza and the western Greek coast to Igoumenitsa, which takes around 4 to 5 hours from Kyllini. This avoids Athens entirely and keeps the journey within western Greece making it the most natural road connection from Zakynthos.

Getting there by air

Igoumenitsa has no airport. The nearest airport is Ioannina, around 83 kilometres to the east. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Ioannina, followed by a bus or taxi to Igoumenitsa taking around 1 hour 30 minutes, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive north via Patras and the western Greek coast to Igoumenitsa. At around 4 to 5 hours from Kyllini it avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural and direct approach. Having a car is essential for this route as the KTEL bus connections along the western coast are slow and infrequent. From Igoumenitsa you have direct ferry connections to Corfu, Paxos and Italy.