Kefalonia ferry guide: from the mainland, Italy and the other islands

Kyllini–Poros: the main ferry from the mainland

The busiest link with mainland Greece is Kyllini–Poros, run all year by Levante Ferries. Kyllini is a small port on the west coast of the Peloponnese, about 80 km south-west of Patras; Poros is on Kefalonia's south-east coast, roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car from Argostoli. The crossing takes about an hour and a half.

Levante's published timetable has three sailings a day in each direction from October to late April and four a day in summer, with the earliest boats leaving Poros before dawn. Cars are carried, and in July and August it is worth booking a vehicle space ahead. KTEL buses from Athens to Argostoli use this route daily, with the ferry included in the journey.

Kyllini–Argostoli, which some older guides still mention, does not appear in Levante's current routes, and we found no other operator running it in 2026.

Patras–Sami and other mainland links

Levante Ferries also runs Patras–Sami–Ithaca, a crossing of about three hours. In the autumn 2026 timetable there was one sailing a day from Patras, in the early afternoon, and one from Sami in the morning. Patras is a major port with buses from Athens and ferries to Italy, so this route suits travellers without a car; KTEL also runs daily Athens–Argostoli and Athens–Lixouri buses that use it. In summer, Levante has also listed some Kyllini–Sami sailings.

From Astakos, on the Aitoloakarnania coast, booking platforms list Ionion Pelagos sailings to Sami and Ithaca, about 2 h 20 to Sami. It is the shortest crossing from western mainland Greece, but frequency varies through the year, so confirm before you plan around it.

Sami to Ithaca

Ferries cross from Sami to Pisaetos, on Ithaca's west coast, all year in 20 to 30 minutes. Levante Ferries runs it as part of its Patras line, with two or three sailings a day each way in the autumn 2026 timetable, and Ionion Pelagos also serves the route; there are more sailings in summer. Pisaetos is only a ferry ramp, so you need a car, a taxi or a tour to reach Vathy. Our Ithaca day trip guide explains how to make a day of it.

In summer there is also a sailing between Fiskardo and Frikes in the north of Ithaca, listed at about 45 minutes but with one sailing a day at most.

Fiskardo to Lefkada

West Ferry runs Fiskardo–Vasiliki, on the south coast of Lefkada, in about an hour. Its 2026 timetable runs from early April to the end of October: one sailing a day each way in April and October, two in May and up to four a day from late June to early September. Ionion Pelagos is also listed on the route by booking platforms. It is a handy way to combine the two islands or to visit Lefkada for the day.

Argostoli to Lixouri and Pessada to Zakynthos

Ionian Sea Ferries runs the car ferry across the gulf from Argostoli to Lixouri all year. On weekdays and Saturdays boats leave every half hour until the afternoon and then hourly until late evening, with hourly sailings on Sundays. The crossing takes 20 to 30 minutes and tickets are bought on board: €3.50 for a passenger and €7 for a car with driver in 2026.

The same company sails from Pessada, south of Argostoli, to Agios Nikolaos in the north of Zakynthos. In 2026 it ran twice a day in each direction from 15 May to 13 September and on five days a week until 30 September. The published fares were €13 for a passenger and €40 for a car.

Ferries from Italy: Bari, not Brindisi

For 2026, Superfast Ferries added a call at Sami on its line from Bari, and Ventouris Ferries ran weekly Bari–Sami sailings in high summer; the crossing takes around 14 hours. Exact dates, days and times vary from year to year, so check the operators' sites for your dates. We found no Brindisi–Kefalonia ferry operating in 2026: from Brindisi, the alternative is a ferry to Patras and the Patras–Sami crossing, or the drive to Kyllini.

Before you take a Kefalonia ferry: tickets, weather and strikes

Buy tickets on the operators' websites, at the agencies by each port or through booking platforms, and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, or earlier with a car in July and August. Timetables are published season by season and can change at short notice. Strong winds sometimes stop the smaller boats, especially on the open crossings to Lefkada and Zakynthos, and seamen's strikes are usually announced a day or two ahead. Check with the operator on the day if the weather turns, and leave a margin before a flight from the airport.

Once on the island, see car hire in Kefalonia for getting around, and our boat trips guide for excursions by sea.