Zakynthos · Getting there
Zakynthos is the southernmost of the main Ionian islands, about 20 km off the west coast of the Peloponnese. In summer most visitors fly straight into the airport between Zakynthos Town and Laganas, many of them on charter flights from Britain. Others drive or take the bus to Kyllini and cross on the ferry.
By plane
Between Zakynthos Town and Laganas, about 4 km from the town
Many direct and charter flights from May to October, especially from the UK, and also from Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Italy and Poland. Athens is under an hour away, with flights all year.
Into town: Laganas and Kalamaki are 5 to 10 minutes by taxi, Zakynthos Town about 10, Tsilivi about 20 and Volimes about 50. Hire cars can be collected at the airport.
By ferry
Zakynthos is not on the Piraeus ferry lines. The crossing is from Kyllini, a small port on the Peloponnese about four hours' drive from Athens, and in summer there is a boat to Kefalonia from the north of the island.
Kyllini Zakynthos Town
The main route, with car ferries. Kyllini is about 4 h by road or bus from Athens.
Athens (Kifissos bus station) Zakynthos Town
The KTEL bus drives onto the ferry at Kyllini, so the ticket covers the whole trip.
Island hopping
Agios Nikolaos (Skinari) Pessada, Kefalonia
The only direct link to another island. Check the season's timetable before you plan around it.
Zakynthos Town and Agios Nikolaos Navagio and the Blue Caves
Day boats along the coast. At Navagio, boats can only show you the cove from the water while the landing ban lasts.
Laganas and Limni Keri Marathonisi and the Keri caves
Choose a licensed boat that follows the marine park's rules in the bay.
When you land
Choose your base
Laganas for the nightlife, Kalamaki for the beach without the noise, Zakynthos Town for food and history, Tsilivi for families, and the north or the west for quiet and views.
Hire a car or a quad for a day
The strip is walkable, but the cliffs of the west, the north and Keri need wheels. Roads in the hills are narrow and steep, and quads are involved in many accidents, so a small car is the safer choice.
Respect the turtle beaches
On the nesting beaches of Laganas Bay, stay off the sand at night, keep away from the nest cages, and never use lights near the water. Boats in the bay have speed limits and no-go zones.
Times and frequencies are typical for the summer season and change every year. Check the current timetable before you book.
Rooms with a view, picked for how they feel, not for star ratings.
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