Ferry to Zakynthos 2027: routes, prices & tickets

How to get to Zakynthos by ferry

Zakynthos has no direct ferry from Piraeus or Patras. The ferry leaves from Kyllini, on the north-western coast of the Peloponnese, and arrives in Zakynthos Town. Sailings are operated by Levante Ferries with conventional car ferries. Foot-passenger tickets start from €13.50, which makes this one of the cheapest crossings to the Ionian Islands.

Since only one company runs the route, there are no ferries to compare. What you choose is the departure time and, if you are travelling with a vehicle, when to book your space.

From Athens and Patras to Kyllini

Kyllini is about 280 km (175 miles) from Athens, a little over 3 hours by road, and about 75 km (47 miles) from Patras, roughly 1 hour. If you are driving, allow for the journey plus 30 to 60 minutes of margin before departure, especially in summer.

If you would rather not drive, KTEL intercity coaches (Greece's national coach network) run from Athens (Kifissos coach terminal), Patras and Thessaloniki. They drive onto the ferry and drop you at the KTEL station in Zakynthos Town. You stay on the same coach and don't need a separate ferry ticket. From Athens, allow around 5 hours in total.

What about flying?

Zakynthos International Airport "Dionysios Solomos" is about 4–5 km (2–3 miles) from the town. The ferry makes sense if you are travelling with a car, carrying a lot of luggage, or combining Ilia (Ancient Olympia, Chlemoutsi Castle) with Zakynthos.

Timetables by season

Ferries run daily all year round. In winter, spring and autumn you can usually expect around 4 departures a day. In summer this rises to 6 or 7. The first ferry from Kyllini usually leaves in the morning, between 05:45 and 07:45, and the last in the evening. In August, an extra late-night departure may be added. On Sundays the first sailing usually starts later, at around 09:15–09:30.

Exact times change from season to season, and the 2027 timetable is usually published a few months in advance. Before you plan connections (a return flight, a KTEL coach, car hire), check your date using the search on ferryfast.gr.

When to book

• Foot passengers: outside peak season you can usually find a seat even a few days before. In July and August, book earlier, especially for morning and afternoon sailings.
• With a car: deck space is limited. For weekends, 15 August (a major public holiday in Greece) and Orthodox Easter, book as soon as reservations open.
• Return trip: book both legs together so you don't end up without a seat on the return ferry, particularly on an August Sunday.

The price for a vehicle depends on its length and the time of year, and it varies quite a bit between sources. In the search, enter your vehicle type and you will see the exact fare before you pay.

Travel tips

• If you have a vehicle, arrive at Kyllini port at least 45–60 minutes before departure.
• Keep your e-ticket on your phone and bring a photo ID or passport.
• This is mainly a daytime ferry, not an overnight one. If you will be reaching Kyllini late, book an evening sailing rather than the very last one of the day, to leave a safety margin.
• In strong winds, delays or cancellations can occur. Don't book a same-day flight home from Athens on the day of your ferry, and leave a buffer of at least a few hours.

After you arrive: town, airport and beaches

The ferry docks in Zakynthos Town, so you arrive right by the seafront promenade and the shops. From there you can go by car or taxi towards Argassi, Laganas, Kalamaki, Alykanas and Tsilivi. KTEL buses serve the larger villages, but if you plan to see Navagio (Shipwreck Beach), Keri and the north of the island, you will need a vehicle.

At the north-eastern tip of the island, at the little harbour of Agios Nikolaos (Volimes), about 32 km (20 miles) from the town, boat trips set off for the Blue Caves. In summer, sailings to Pesada on Kefalonia also leave from there. It is a separate port from the one where the ferry from Kyllini arrives.

What to watch out for

The Kyllini–Zakynthos route itself is simple, but it's the connections (KTEL coaches, flights, car hire) that tend to cause problems. Compare your arrival time in Zakynthos with your accommodation check-in or car-rental pick-up time, and book once the timetable for your date is confirmed.