Getting from Zakynthos to Parga

If you are heading to Parga from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a Venetian-built harbour town on the Epirus coast, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit on the western side of Greece. It faces the Ionian Sea with good beaches and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Parga. Parga is a mainland coastal town accessible only by road. Getting there means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini, which takes around 1 hour 15 minutes and runs frequently, and then driving north via Patras and the western Greek coast to Preveza and then Parga, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours from Kyllini. This avoids Athens entirely and keeps the journey within western Greece.

Getting there by air

Parga has no airport. The nearest airports are Preveza, around 65 kilometres south, and Ioannina, around 103 kilometres east. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Preveza, followed by a taxi or bus to Parga 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.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive north via Patras and the western Greek coast to Parga. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road connection given the shared western Greece location of both. At around 4 to 5 hours total it is considerably more practical than flying. If you prefer to fly, take the flight from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Preveza and take a taxi or bus to Parga.