Getting from Zakynthos to Leros

If you are heading to Leros from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to one of the most atmospheric islands in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a striking Art Deco Italian colonial port at Lakki and a medieval castle above the main town of Platanos.

Getting there by air

Leros has its own small airport with daily connections from Athens. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Leros takes around 50 minutes 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 Leros. 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 Leros ferry, which runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 9 to 13 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 Leros. 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 Leros ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.