How to Get to Ithaca, Greece: Ferry, Flight and Bus Options

Greek Ithaca has no airport of its own, and the nearest one is on Kefalonia, so your trip finishes with a short boat ride. The nearest airport is on Kefalonia, a taxi ride and a short crossing away. From Athens, buses run west to Patras or Astakos, where ferries cross to the island. A quick flight to Kefalonia cuts most of the road out of the day.

How do you get to Ithaca from Athens?

Start with the map. Ithaca is a small island in the Ionian Sea, south of Lefkada and northeast of Kefalonia. It sits about 215 miles from Athens, on the far side of mainland Greece. No boats sail from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, to Ithaca, so you first travel to the west coast. Patras is the closest port for travelers coming from Athens. Astakos suits anyone arriving from northern Greece.

There are several ways in:

• Bus to Astakos, then a ferry to Frikes or Pisaetos.
• Bus to Patras, then a ferry via Kefalonia to Pisaetos.
• Combined bus and ferry ticket from Athens to Sami on Kefalonia, then a boat to Pisaetos.
• Flight to Kefalonia, then a taxi across the island and the same short crossing from Sami.
• Drive west and take a car ferry.

By bus and ferry via Astakos

From Astakos, Ionion P. Ferries also run from Astakos to Pisaetos, which takes longer. Frikes sits up north, so it is the stop to aim for if your hotel is in that part of the island.

By bus and ferry via Patras

Buses run hourly from the Kifissos terminal to Patras, so this route fits a loose schedule. The ferry is less flexible. Levante Ferries runs the Patras to Sami to Pisaetos route, along with several other routes in the region. With the bus, the wait at the port and the stop in Sami, it makes for a long day.

By bus and ferry via Sami

Kefalonia Buses links its stations, Sami among them, with Athens and Patras. From Sami a ferry crosses to Pisaetos. This route is a budget-friendly choice, though it is also a slow one.

By plane via Kefalonia

Kefalonia's Anna Pollatou airport gets flights from Athens all year, and the hop takes about an hour. In summer, flights also arrive from around Europe. The airport is about 5 miles (8 km) from Argostoli and about 21 miles (33 km) by road from Sami. A taxi is the best way to reach the port. Ferries to Ithaca also leave from Poros and Fiskardo on Kefalonia, but Sami is the main link. If your flight lands after the last sailing, passenger boats cover the crossing (see the island section below).

The other nearby airport is Aktion-Preveza on the mainland. It suits a trip that pairs Ithaca with Lefkada, since the Lefkada ports of Nydri and Vasiliki are about 21 miles (34 km) and 34 miles (55 km) from the airport.

By car and car ferry

Driving is the fastest way from Athens. Keep a careful hand on the wheel. Greece has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the European Union, and forest fires in the dry summer months occasionally close roads.

How long is the ferry to Ithaca?

Crossing times depend on where you leave from:

• Sami (Kefalonia) to Ithaca: about 30 minutes, sometimes closer to 20.
• Poros to Ithaca: about 50 minutes.
• Astakos to Frikes: about 2 hours.
• Astakos to Pisaetos: about 3 hours and 15 minutes.
• Patras to Ithaca: about 4 hours, with a stop in Sami.

Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Ithaca?

The answer depends on whether your priority is time or money.

If you want to bring a car along, driving to the west coast and crossing by car ferry is one option.

For a family with luggage, the flight to Kefalonia is worth a close look. It swaps most of the road for an hour in the air, and the crossing from Sami is short.

For flexibility, choose Patras, because its hourly buses let you leave Athens when it suits you.

On a tight budget, take the Sami ticket. You may want to book a hotel for the night to break up the trip.

How do you get to Ithaca from other islands?

Kefalonia and Lefkada sit so close that many travelers hop among all three. From Kefalonia, a day trip to Ithaca via Sami is easy if you're staying nearby. Lefkada connects through Vasiliki. In summer, boats also link Ithaca with Fiskardo on Kefalonia and Nydri on Lefkada.

Smaller passenger boats fill the gaps. Sea taxis run day and night for anyone who arrives too late for the main ferries or would rather not wait at the port:

• Odysseas Sea Taxi is based in Vathy.
• Zaharatos Cruises works out of Sami.
• Kavallieratos Transfer runs between Sami and Pisaetos.

How do you book ferries to Ithaca?

Levante Ferries is the main operator. Besides the Patras route, it also has a route from Poros on Kefalonia. From 3 September to 31 October 2026, the departure from Pisaetos via Sami to Patras leaves at 07:40. For other schedules, call Levante at 210-9499400. Weather can cancel or delay sailings, so check the ferry status and the forecast before you head to the port.

How do you get from the port to your hotel and around Ithaca?

Most ferries dock at Pisaetos, the main port. It is basically a dock on a steep hill, with no village. From Pisaetos, buses go to Kioni, Stavros and Frikes on the northern side of the island, and taxis are another option. A single bus links Vathy with those northern villages. Vathy also has the island's second port, used mainly by sailboats, tourist boats and small ferries from Lefkada.

Public buses to Frikes are scarce all year, so without your own vehicle a taxi is the easiest way to reach it or leave it. Taxis on Ithaca can be expensive, so agree on the price before you get in.

Renting a car or scooter is highly recommended for exploring the island, and boat excursions are a favorite way to see the coast. Motorcyclists must wear a helmet, and talking or texting on a phone while driving is illegal. Thieves in Greece break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables and luggage, so it is wise to take your belongings with you when you park.

What do Americans need to know before going?

U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. A passport that has been reported lost or stolen will not get you in. Officers may also ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket. To drive a rental car, Greek law requires a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit. Transportation strikes can shut down seaports, airports, buses and taxis. Leave a spare day at the start and end of your trip, especially if a ferry has to connect with your flight home.