Flights to Kefalonia: How Americans Get There, and When to Book

No airline flies nonstop from North America to Kefalonia, so the trip takes two flights. The first crosses the Atlantic to Athens or a big European hub, and the second is a short hop to Kefalonia Airport (EFL). From New York, plan on 14 to 16 hours from departure to your hotel on the island, layover included. Athens connections run all year.

How do you fly to Kefalonia from the U.S.?

Most travelers go through Athens. Delta, American Airlines and Norse Atlantic fly nonstop from New York (JFK) to Athens, and United flies nonstop from Newark. Delta's daily JFK flight takes about 9 hours 45 minutes. From the West Coast or a city without service to Athens, connect in London Heathrow, Frankfurt or Amsterdam, where British Airways, Lufthansa and KLM offer same-day connections to Athens. In summer, Air Transat and Air Canada also fly to Athens from Montreal and Toronto.

With a layover of about 4 to 5 hours in Athens, you should have enough time to clear customs, walk over to the domestic terminal and catch your flight on to Kefalonia. If your layover stretches to 8 hours or more, a taxi into the city to see the Acropolis and back can work nicely.

What is the flight from Athens to Kefalonia like?

It's short and frequent. Sky Express and Olympic Air fly the route, and the trip takes about 45 minutes. Athens is the island's busiest air link by far, and Sky Express is the airport's largest operator. Many flights use small ATR turboprops, so seats are limited.

Which European cities fly direct to Kefalonia?

In summer, direct flights reach the island from a number of European cities. London has the most: Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Luton all connect, and British Airways flies from Heathrow. The flight from London takes about three and a half hours. Elsewhere in Britain, there is service from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle and East Midlands.

On the Continent, direct routes run from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Paris Orly and Oslo, and from the Italian cities of Milan, Rome, Naples, Pisa and Bari. Munich is about 2 hours 15 minutes away and Vienna about 2 hours 10 minutes. Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair and Sky Express carry most of the traffic.

These direct routes give Americans a second way in. Fly to London, Frankfurt, Munich or Amsterdam, then continue to the island on a direct flight without going through Athens.

When is the best time to fly to Kefalonia?

Direct flights from Europe follow the beach season. In those months, connect through Athens.

Spring and fall bring pleasantly warm weather. July is the driest month and August the hottest, and summer is also the busy season, so many visitors book early. Domestic flights fill quickly then, partly because many Greek-American families return to the island each summer. Fall and winter cost less and have a more local feel. Winter is mild but the wettest time of year.

How far ahead should you book flights to Kefalonia?

For summer, book 3 to 4 months ahead. Transatlantic fares to Athens peak from June through August. Book the transatlantic and Athens to Kefalonia legs together, especially for July and August, when getting bumped to a later connection after a long flight from the U.S. is a rough start to a vacation. British Airways' low fare finder shows the cheapest months on its London route.

On British Airways, economy standard fares and British Airways Holidays packages include one checked bag of up to 23 kg (about 50 pounds) per passenger, plus a small carry-on such as a handbag or laptop case. Business cabin passengers can check two bags at 32 kg (about 70 pounds) each. Families with young children can also check a car seat and a collapsible stroller.

What's the airport like, and how do you get into town?

Kefalonia Airport is small, with one terminal and arrivals on the ground floor, so you're usually out quickly. The information point inside the terminal can be reached at +30 26710 29900, and lost bags are handled by each airline and its ground agent. Argostoli, the capital, is about 5 miles away, roughly a 15-minute drive. Resorts around Skala are about an hour away.

Taxis wait outside, and many hotels will arrange a transfer. The public bus stop is on the left side of the departures building's main entrance. The airport bus connects the terminal with Lassi and Argostoli. If you're staying elsewhere on the island, change buses in Argostoli or take a taxi.

A rental car is the best way to see the whole island. Book it from home and pick it up at the airport, because summer availability gets tight and last-minute prices jump.

Can you take a ferry to Kefalonia if flights are full?

Yes, and it makes a scenic alternative. Rent a car at Athens airport, drive about three hours to Kyllini or Patras on the Peloponnese coast, and take a car ferry across. The fastest route from Athens is Kyllini to Poros, on Kefalonia's southeast coast, and the whole trip takes four to five hours. The Patras to Sami crossing takes about 3 hours 15 minutes.

2026 prices: Kyllini to Poros costs €14.50 per adult and €45 per car one way, and Patras to Sami costs €15.40 per adult and €52.90 per car. Children under 5 travel free.

You can also fly to Zakynthos and take the ferry from Agios Nikolaos to Pessada. It runs mostly in summer.

Book ferry tickets ahead, including your car. Tickets are issued electronically, so you can show yours on your phone when you board.