Getting from Zakynthos to Koufonisia

If you are heading to Koufonisia from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to one of the Small Cyclades, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades and a lively summer atmosphere that punches well above its size.

Getting there by air

Koufonisia has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Naxos, followed by the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Koufonisia taking around 45 minutes and running almost daily in summer, 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 Koufonisia. 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 direct Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry, which runs daily in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours. The total journey by road and sea takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

Fly from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Naxos, then take the short ferry across to Koufonisia. It is the most practical approach. Book ahead in summer as Koufonisia has very limited accommodation and the island fills up fast. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Piraeus for the conventional Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry.