Getting from Zakynthos to Katerini

If you are heading to Katerini from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a city at the foot of Mount Olympus on the Pierian coast of northern Greece, with the mountain rising steeply behind it and the beaches of the Pieria coast below.

Getting there by air

Katerini has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 70 kilometres to the north. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Thessaloniki, followed by a bus or drive to Katerini taking around 1 hour, 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 Katerini. Katerini is a mainland city with no ferry connection. Getting there by road means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and driving northeast via Patras, Corinth, Athens and the E75 motorway to Katerini, which takes around 7 to 8 hours from Kyllini. Alternatively take the ferry to Kyllini and drive to Athens, then fly to Thessaloniki and take the bus or drive south to Katerini.

Your best option

Fly from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Thessaloniki, then take the KTEL bus or drive south to Katerini. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive northeast via Patras and Athens to Katerini, which takes around 7 to 8 hours from Kyllini.