Kefalonia is best known for being the setting of “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” and is also the largest of the Ionian Islands.

Filled with a lot of interesting things to do, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the St George Castle, that offers some of the best panoramic views on the island. Assos Castle is also worth your time and you can explore Drogarati Caves, as well.

During summer, the beaches represent some of the main attractions on the island. Kefalonia is located close to the mainland and can be a lovely side trip when you visit Athens.

If you are also planning to add Kefalonia to your itinerary, in this article, we’ve detailed three ways to get from Athens (Attica) to the island.

Quick summary

If you plan to travel during winter (November to April), your only option is to fly between the capital and the island of Kefalonia. Otherwise, you can also choose to travel by ferry and can take a bus or drive to Patras (Patra) and from there board the ferry to Kefalonia. Another ferry route, although longer, is from Kyllini (Kilini) to Poros.

Flights from Athens to Kefalonia

Kefalonia is served by Kefalonia International Airport Anna Pollatou (EFL), located near Argostoli and Lassi.

All flights arriving from other European airports are seasonal, but there’s year-round service from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH).

The flight time is about 1h to 1h 15 min. Flights are operated by Sky Express and Olympic Air. Prices start at 62 eur / one way (if booked several months in advance).

>> Read more about Flights to Athens

Bus and ferry from Athens to Kefalonia

The cheapest yet most time-consuming way to get from Athens to Kefalonia is by combining a bus trip with a ferry crossing.

The following ferry routes connect the mainland to Kefalonia:

• Kilini to Poros
• Astakos to Sami
• Patras to Sami

Getting from Athens to the ports

To get from Athens to Kilini (Kyllini), you can take a bus (which takes about 4.5h) or rent a car and drive (which takes about 3.5h). Bus tickets start at 35 eur/one way.

Similarly, to get from the capital to Astakos, you can catch a bus, which takes about 5h and costs from 28 eur/one way or drive (which takes about 3h 15 min).

Whereas, to get from Athens to Patras, you can also catch a bus, which takes only 3.5h and costs from 15 eur/one way or drive (which takes 2h 15min).

The ferry tickets cost as follows:

• Kilini – Poros: from 13.50 eur/one way
• Astakos – Sami: from 12 eur/one way
• Patras – Sami: from 15.40 eur/one way

The ferry schedules

Kilini (Kyllini) to Poros (Kefalonia)

Kilini to Poros during the low season (April, May, September, October):

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Daily	6:15 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Thu to Sat	7:15 a.m.	Apr 13 – 15
Mon to Sat	7:15 a.m.	Apr 19 – 29, May 2 – Jun 3, Sep 5 – Oct 27
Mon, Tue	7:15 a.m.	Oct 30 -31
Mon to Sat	8 a.m.	until Apr 12
Mon	9 a.m.	Apr 17, May 1
Sun	9 a.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9, Sep 10 – Oct 29
Sun	9:30 a.m.	until Apr 9
Daily	10:30 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Sun	11 a.m.	Apr 16
Thu to Sat	12:15 pm.	Apr 13 – r15, Apr 18 – Jun 3
Thu to Sat	12:30 pm.	Sep 5 – 30
Sun	1:00 pm.	Apr 9, Apr 23 – Jul 9, Sep 10 – 24
Mon	1:00 pm.	Apr 17, May 1
Daily	3:15 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Daily	4:15 p.m.	until Apr 12
Thu to Sat	5 p.m.	Apr 13 – Apr 15
Daily	5 p.m.	Apr 17 – Jul 13, Oct 1 – 31
Daily	5:15 p.m.	Sep 5 – 30
Daily	8 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Daily	8:45 p.m.	until Apr 12
Daily	9 p.m.	Oct 1 – 31
Daily	9:30 p.m.	Apr 19 – Jul 13, Sep 5 – 30

Kilini to Poros during the high season (June, July, August):

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Daily	6:15 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Mon to Sat	7:15 a.m.	May 2 – Jun 3, Jun 6 – Jul 13
Sun	9 a.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9
Mon	9 a.m.	Jun 5
Daily	10:30 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Mon to Sat	12:15 p.m.	Apr 18 – Jun 3, Jun 6 – Jul 13
Sun	1 p.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9
Mon	1 p.m.	Jun 5
Daily	3:15 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Daily	5 p.m.	Apr 17 – Jul 13
Daily	8 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Daily	9:30 p.m.	Apr 19 – Jul 13

Poros to Kilini during the low season:

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Daily	4 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Tue to Sat	5 a.m.	Apr 13 -15
Mon to Sat	5 a.m.	Apr 18 – 29, May 2 – Jun 3, Sep 5 – Oct 27
Mon, Tue	5 a.m.	Oct 30-31
Mon to Sat	5:45 a.m.	until Apr 12
Mon	7 a.m.	Apr 17, May 1
Sun	7 a.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9, Sep 10 – Oct 29
Sun	7:30 a.m.	until Apr 9
Daily	8:15 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Sun	9 a.m.	Apr 16
Mon to Sat	9:15 a.m.	Sep 5 – Sep 30
Thu to Sat	9:30 a.m.	Apr 13 – 15
Mon to Sat	9:30 a.m.	Apr 18 – 29, May 2 – Jun 3
Mon	11 a.m.	Apr 17, May 1
Sun	11 a.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9, Sep 10 – 24
Daily	1 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Daily	2 p.m.	until Apr 12
Thu to Sat	2:45 p.m.	Apr 13 – 15, May 2 – Jun 3
Mon to Sat	2:45 p.m.	Apr 14 – 29, Oct 2 – 27
Mon, Tue	2:45 p.m.	Oct 30, 31
Mon to Sat	3 p.m.	Sep 5 – 30
Mon	3 p.m.	Apr 17, May 1
Sun	3 p.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9, Oct 1 – 29
Sun	3:15 p.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9, Sep 10 – 24
Daily	5:45 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Daily	6:30 p.m.	until Apr 12
Daily	7 p.m.	Oct 1- 31
Thu to Sat	7:15 p.m.	Apr 13 – 15
Daily	7:15 p.m.	Apr 17 – Jul 13
Daily	7:30 p.m.	Apr 19 – Jul 13

Poros to Kilini during the high season:

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Daily	4 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Mon to Sat	5 a.m.	May 2 – Jun 3, Jun 6 – Jul 13
Sun	7 a.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9
Mon	7 a.m.	Jun 5
Daily	8:15 a.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Mon to Sat	9:30 a.m.	May 2 – Jun 3, Jun 6 – Jul 13
Sun	11 a.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9
Mon	11 a.m.	Jun 5
Daily	1 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Mon to Sat	2:45 p.m.	May 2 – Jun 3, Jun 6 – Jul 13
Sun	3 p.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9
Mon	3 p.m.	Jun 5
Sun	3:15 p.m.	Apr 23 – Jul 9
Mon	3:15 p.m.	Jun 5
Daily	5:45 p.m.	Jul 14 – Sep 4
Daily	7:15 p.m.	Apr 17 – Jul 13
Daily	7:30 p.m.	Apr 19 – Jul 13

Astakos to Sami (Kefalonia)

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Sun	4 a.m.	Apr 23
Tue to Sat	12:45 p.m.	until Apr 29
Mon	12:45 p.m.	Apr 10
Sun	5 p.m.	until Apr 9, Apr 30
Mon	5 p.m.	Apr 17
Sun	7:30 p.m.	Apr 23

The Astakos to Sami schedule is not available yet for sailings during the high season.

Sami to Astakos during the low season:

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Sun	9 a.m.	Apr 23
Tue to Sat	9:45 a.m.	until Apr 29
Mon	9:45 a.m.	Apr 10
Mon	2 p.m.	until Apr 9, Apr 24
Sun	2 p.m.	Apr 30
Sun	4:30 p.m.	Apr 23
Thu	5:30 p.m.	Apr 27
Mon	5:30 p.m.	Apr 10
Tue	5:30 p.m.	Apr 18

The Sami to Astakos schedule is not available yet for sailings during the high season.

Patras to Sami (Kefalonia)

The Patras (Patra) to Sami ferry runs daily at 1 p.m., from Apr 17 to Oct 31.

The Sami to Patras ferry runs daily at 8:30 a.m. from Apr 17 to Oct 31.

Flight and ferry from Athens to Kefalonia

You can also fly from Athens’ airport to Zakynthos International Airport Dionysios Solomos (ZTH), located near the town of Kalamaki.

While the international flights into Zakynthos are seasonal, there’s a year-round service from Athens. The flights are operated by Sky Express and Olympic Air. Prices start at 62 eur / one way if booked some months in advance.

From the airport, you’ll need to either rent a car or take a cab to the port.

The ferry service connects the ports of Agios Nikolaos on Zakynthos and Pesada in Kefalonia.

Unfortunately this route is not yet confirmed for the 2023 season.

Driving from Athens to Kefalonia

Yes, it’s possible to drive to Kefalonia. The ferries connecting the mainland to the island also allow for the transportation of vehicles. So, you can rent a car in Athens and drive to Kyllini or Patras, then hop on a car ferry.

Note: This article includes links that may qualify as affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission.
The article was first published in September 2011 and has been updated (prices and schedules) as of March 2023.