Getting from Zakynthos to Kos

If you are heading to Kos from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to one of the most popular islands in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. It is the birthplace of Hippocrates, with good beaches, a lively town and ancient ruins that are among the finest in the eastern Aegean.

Getting there by air

Kos has an international airport with daily connections from Athens. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Kos takes around 1 hour on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Kos. 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 overnight Piraeus to Kos ferry, which runs daily in summer and takes around 12 to 15 hours. The total journey by road and sea takes the better part of two days. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Your best option

Fly from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Kos. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Kos ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.