Zakynthos Airport (ZTH): What to Expect and How to Get to Town

Zakynthos Airport, officially Dionysios Solomos, is a small single-terminal airport about 3 km (roughly 2 miles) south of Zakynthos Town. The trip into town usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, and you can get there by bus, taxi or private car. Most visitors fly in during summer, when the terminal is at its busiest.

Where is Zakynthos Airport, and what is it like?

The airport lies within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. Its single terminal carries the name of Dionysios Solomos, the poet born on the island in 1798, whose Hymn to Liberty became the Greek national anthem. A new building opened in 2008 to replace a cramped older one, and the spacious arrival and departure halls keep passengers moving more quickly.

In summer, dozens of flights arrive each day, many from the U.K. and the Netherlands, with more from Germany, Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe. Daily flights from Athens take about 45 minutes. In peak season, security lines can be long and chaotic, so give yourself a generous cushion before departure.

Inside, there's free WiFi, ATMs before and after security, baggage carts, first aid and a baby care room for feeding and changing. Charging stations with USB ports and power sockets are airside near Gates 3 and 7. Duty-free shops operate in the arrivals baggage reclaim area and in departures. There are no lockers or luggage storage, so keep your bags with you during any wait between flights.

What can you eat and drink at the airport?

A café serves travelers before security, and several more choices wait beyond it. Street Food Republic and The Barrels GastroPub serve the non-Schengen side, used by flights to and from countries such as the U.K. Each outlet keeps its own hours.

When is Zakynthos Airport open?

The terminal keeps short hours that change with the day of the week, and on Mondays and Sundays its doors stay shut until noon. Current terminal and airport operating hours:

• Monday and Sunday: terminal 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., airport 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday and Saturday: terminal 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., airport noon to 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday and Friday: terminal 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., airport 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday: terminal and airport both 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Planes may not take off or land between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., to protect the endangered loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs on the island's beaches at night during the summer months.

With hours this short, an overnight stay in the terminal isn't possible, and there are no cots, quiet zones or sleeping areas anyway. If you land late or leave early, a few small hotels sit about 0.8 to 0.9 miles (1.3 to 0.9 miles (1.4 km)) (under a mile) away: Elena Studios on a budget, the mid-range Vanessa Hotel and the Nikon Boutique Hotel. Some nearby hotels run airport shuttles for a fee.

How do you get from the airport to Zakynthos Town?

By bus

In summer, a bus links the airport with the main bus station in Zakynthos Town. Check the schedule on the Zakynthos bus website before you travel.

By taxi

Flat-rate taxis wait in the ground transportation area for the short ride to the center. To skip the line entirely, book a taxi transfer before your trip.

By rental car

Avis/Budget and Hertz/Thrifty have desks at the airport. The 3 km (roughly 2 mile) drive to town runs on local roads, with no highways, no major intersections and no tolls. A car pays off if you plan west-coast swims and trips to northern coves, since buses thin out once you leave the main resorts. Some roads on the island are in poor condition, so drive with care and wear your seat belt.

How do you reach the beach resorts from the airport?

Ride the airport bus to the town bus station, then change to a resort bus. Daily buses leave town for Tsilivi (10 runs a day), Laganas (14), Argasi (11), Kalamaki (14), Alykes (5), Vassilikos (4), Limni Keri (3) and Volimes (1).

Laganas, about a kilometer from the airport, is the center of the island's nightlife. Tsilivi makes an easy base, with a beach, plenty of tavernas and quick access to evenings in town. Limni Keri is a small, quiet seaside resort chosen by many couples and families looking for tranquility, and with just three buses a day it takes a bit more planning.

Agios Nikolaos Port, in the north, is roughly 30 km (about 19 miles) from the airport. Ferries leave there for Kefalonia, and smaller boat tours head out with a stronger focus on the Blue Caves. No public transportation serves the port, so you'll need a car or a taxi to get there.

Does Zakynthos Airport have VIP or fast-track service?

Platinum Aviation runs VIP services at Zakynthos Airport. A greeter meets you curbside or at the aircraft door, then takes you through check-in, security and immigration in priority lanes. The service also includes VIP lounge access and an escort all the way to your gate. Porter service may cost extra. Book directly with Platinum Aviation.

What should you know before arriving or leaving?

Greece uses the euro, and major credit cards are accepted on Zakynthos for lodging, restaurants, rentals and more. The day before you fly, check the terminal and airport hours for your travel day, confirm your flight time with your airline and look up the bus schedule if you plan to ride.