Getting to Zakynthos: Flights, Ferries, and Getting Around

Zakynthos is a medium-sized Greek island with a well-functioning international airport and good ferry connections. Reaching it is straightforward from most of Europe. Getting around once you’re there requires a car or scooter if you want to explore beyond the main resort areas — public transport is limited.

By Air

Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH)

Zakynthos International Airport “Dionysios Solomos” (IATA: ZTH) is located about 5 kilometres south of Zakynthos Town. The airport is compact but handles the summer rush reasonably well. Terminal facilities include car hire desks, ATMs, a café, and basic shops.

From the UK: Direct flights operate from March/April through October from London Heathrow (British Airways, seasonal), London Gatwick (easyJet, TUI), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, and Edinburgh. Charter flight capacity is enormous — Zakynthos is one of the UK’s most popular summer package holiday destinations. Budget airlines (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2) typically start routes in late April and close in late October.

From Germany: Direct charter flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Stuttgart, and several secondary airports throughout summer. Condor, Corendon, and various package operators. Scheduled service is limited — most German visitors book package holidays or charter seats.

From the Netherlands: TUI and Transavia fly direct from Amsterdam Schiphol and several regional airports in summer.

From other European cities: Seasonal direct flights from Poland, Scandinavia, Czech Republic, Austria, and other markets. Outside peak season, connecting through Athens is typically the best option.

Via Athens: Olympic Air and Sky Express operate daily flights from Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Zakynthos year-round. Flight time is approximately 45 minutes. This is the most reliable option for shoulder and off-season travel. Athens is accessible from virtually anywhere in the world on major carriers.

What to Know About ZTH

• The airport is on the flat land in the south of the island; you won’t have dramatic mountain approaches
• Ground transport from the airport: taxis readily available; car hire desks at the airport (see below); buses are available but infrequent
• The taxi rank is outside arrivals; fare to Zakynthos Town centre: approximately €12-15, to Laganas: €10-12, to Tsilivi: €15-18

By Ferry

Kyllini — Zakynthos (Main Route)

The primary ferry connection is from Kyllini port on the Peloponnese mainland to Zakynthos Town (Agios Dionysios port). This route runs year-round, with increased frequency in summer.

Journey time: Approximately 1 hour - 1 hour 15 minutes Operator: Ionian Group (formerly Minoan Lines subsidiaries), Levante Ferries Frequency: Multiple crossings daily in summer (typically 5-8 per day); reduced to 2-4 in winter Booking: Online via operator websites or ferriesingreece.gr. Book ahead in July-August, especially if taking a vehicle

Getting to Kyllini: From Athens (Kifissos bus terminal), direct bus to Kyllini — approximately 3 hours. From Patras, by regional bus or taxi — approximately 1 hour. From Athens by car (KTEL bus or drive) via the E65 motorway.

Pessada (Kefalonia) — Agios Nikolaos

A second ferry route connects Pessada on the south coast of Kefalonia with Agios Nikolaos on the northeast tip of Zakynthos. This is a smaller, seasonal service (typically April-October) primarily used by island-hoppers. Journey time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Note: Both Pessada and Agios Nikolaos are remote from the main towns of their respective islands. This route suits those specifically island-hopping who have their own transport.

Via Patras

Travellers arriving by international ferry into Patras (from Italy — Brindisi, Ancona, Venice, Bari) can take ground transport south to Kyllini (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes) and connect to Zakynthos. This is a popular route for those doing a longer European road trip.

Getting Around the Island

Car Hire — Essential

If you want to explore beyond Zakynthos Town, Laganas, and Tsilivi, a hire car is essential. The island is small enough (40km x 20km) to drive end-to-end in an hour, but the best beaches, villages, and viewpoints are scattered across the interior and west coast with no useful bus service.

Where to hire: Multiple car hire companies operate at the airport and in Zakynthos Town, Laganas, and Tsilivi. International chains (Hertz, Avis, Europcar) plus many local operators. Local operators are often cheaper; quality varies — inspect the vehicle thoroughly before signing.

What you need: EU driving licence (or international permit for non-EU visitors), credit card for deposit, minimum age typically 21 (25 for some categories). Most visitors hire a small hatchback or SUV.

Driving: Roads are generally well-paved in main tourist areas; some roads to remote beaches and villages are narrow, steep, or unpaved. The mountain road to Anafonitria and the Navagio viewpoint is paved but narrow. Drive carefully and give way to oncoming traffic on single-lane roads — this is standard procedure, not a contest.

Parking in Zakynthos Town: Paid parking near the port; free parking available further from centre. Summer town centre traffic is considerable.

Fuel: Several petrol stations in Zakynthos Town, Laganas, and Tsilivi. The western coast and remote areas have none — fill up before heading out.

Scooter and Quad Hire

Widely available throughout resort areas. Good option for more experienced riders; many tourist roads are perfectly manageable on a 125cc scooter. Wear a helmet — mandatory by law and sensible. Quad bikes: not recommended for inexperienced riders; they’re harder to control than they appear and local hospital emergency departments have a sad familiarity with quad-related injuries.

Buses (KTEL)

Zakynthos has a KTEL bus service connecting Zakynthos Town with the main resort areas:

• Laganas: Multiple daily services in summer
• Tsilivi: Several daily services
• Alykes: Limited services
• Interior villages: Very limited service; some villages have one or two buses daily

Bus timetables are posted at the KTEL bus station in Zakynthos Town (centrally located). Not suitable for reaching remote beaches or for flexible sightseeing. For day-to-day resort-to-town trips, buses work fine.

Taxis

Available throughout the island. Fixed fare zones for common routes are posted at taxi ranks. For non-standard destinations, agree the fare before getting in. WhatsApp-based informal taxi booking is common — ask your accommodation.

Water Taxis and Boats

For beaches accessible only by boat (Navagio, Roxa, some Keri area beaches), boat trips and water taxis operate from several harbours. Main departure points: Zakynthos Town harbour, Porto Vromi (for Navagio), Limni Keriou (for Keri caves area), Agios Nikolaos (for Blue Caves).

Practical Arrival Tips

Money: ATMs are available in Zakynthos Town, Laganas, Tsilivi, and Alykes. Remote areas have no ATMs. The economy is predominantly cash; carry euros.

SIM cards: Greek SIM cards are cheap and coverage is good across the island. Available at telecom shops in Zakynthos Town.

Medical: Hospital in Zakynthos Town. Pharmacies in main towns. Travel insurance with medical cover is strongly recommended.

When to arrive: If arriving by flight in peak summer, morning flights generally mean less heat at the airport and better traffic on the road. If arriving by ferry at Zakynthos Town in the evening, the town is pleasant for a first walk and dinner.

Getting Off the Island

Plan ahead in late August and September — ferry crossings and flights both book up. If your departure is fixed and critical, book return transport the moment you book your accommodation. Greek summer transport doesn’t have infinite capacity, and the peak July-August period regularly sees sold-out ferries.