Getting from Zakynthos to Nafplio

If you are heading to Nafplio from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a neoclassical town on the Argolic Gulf in the Peloponnese, the first capital of modern Greece with the Venetian fortress of Palamidi above it and Mycenae, Epidaurus and Tiryns all within easy reach.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Nafplio. Nafplio is accessible only by road. Getting there means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and then driving east through the Peloponnese via Patras, Corinth and Nafplio, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Kyllini. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road connection between the two given their shared position in the Peloponnese.

Getting there by air

Nafplio has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then driving or taking the KTEL bus south to Nafplio, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours from Athens via Corinth, 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 east through the Peloponnese to Nafplio via Patras and Corinth. At around 3.5 to 4 hours from Kyllini it avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct road approach. Having a car is essential for this route as public transport connections are slow and infrequent. Nafplio rewards at least two nights and is an excellent base for exploring Mycenae, Epidaurus and Tiryns, all within easy reach by car.