Getting from Zakynthos to Ithaca

If you are heading to Ithaca from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to another island in the same sea, just a short distance to the north. It is the legendary home of Odysseus with a deep central bay at Vathy that is one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the Ionian.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Ithaca. Getting there means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and then driving north to Patras or Astakos for ferries to Ithaca. From Astakos the direct ferry to Ithaca takes around 2 to 2.5 hours and runs daily, while from Patras the ferry via Kefalonia takes around 3 to 4 hours. Alternatively take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Patras, then take the ferry to Sami on Kefalonia and the short crossing from Sami to Ithaca, which takes around 20 to 30 minutes. This keeps the journey entirely within western Greece and avoids Athens entirely.

Getting there by air

Ithaca has no airport. The nearest airport is Kefalonia. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Kefalonia, followed by the short ferry from Sami to Ithaca, 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 to Astakos for the direct ferry to Ithaca, or continue to Patras for the ferry via Kefalonia. It avoids Athens entirely and keeps the journey within western Greece. Having a car makes this route straightforward and the connections from both Astakos and Patras are reliable. If you prefer to fly, take the flight from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Kefalonia and take the short ferry across to Ithaca from Sami.