Knowing how to get to Corfu means choosing between flying into Corfu International Airport from Athens, Thessaloniki and many European cities, taking the ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland in about 1.5 hours, or sailing from Italy. Well connected by air and sea, the island is one of the easiest in Greece to reach. This guide covers the flights, the ferries and how to get around once you arrive.
Reaching the island is the first step in any trip, set out alongside the rest of the Corfu tours and travel guide. Corfu sits in the north Ionian, close to the mainland and Italy. The sections below cover every route.
Can you fly to Corfu?
You can fly to Corfu International Airport, which takes flights from Athens and Thessaloniki year-round and, in the May-to-September season, direct flights from many European cities, plus Dubai and Tel Aviv. The airport sits just 3 kilometres from Corfu Town.
Flying is the quickest and most popular way in. Corfu International Airport, named after Ioannis Kapodistrias, handles domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki all year, and through the summer season fills with direct charter and scheduled flights from across Europe, along with Dubai and Tel Aviv, so many visitors arrive without changing in Athens. The airport lies only about 3 kilometres from Corfu Town, an easy bus, taxi or car-hire transfer. This direct access from abroad sets Corfu apart from the Cyclades, set out alongside the guide to where to stay in Corfu. The mainland ferry is the alternative.
How do you reach Corfu by ferry from Greece?
You reach Corfu by ferry from Igoumenitsa in Epirus, the nearest mainland port, with the crossing taking about 1 hour 10 to 1.5 hours and fares from around €6. Ferries run year-round to Corfu Town and Lefkimmi.
The mainland ferry is frequent and cheap. To reach the island by land and sea, travellers head to Igoumenitsa in Epirus, western Greece, and take the short ferry across, a crossing of about 1 hour 10 to 1.5 hours with fares from around €6. Ferries run all year, with up to 25 daily crossings in the high season, docking at the main port in Corfu Town or the southern port of Lefkimmi. This route suits those driving down through Greece or arriving from Athens by road, and carries vehicles, set out alongside the guide to a Corfu itinerary. Italy offers another sea route.
Can you reach Corfu from Italy?
You can reach Corfu by ferry from Italy, with services from Bari, Ancona and Venice. These overnight crossings are popular with Italian and central European travellers bringing a car, and connect Corfu to the wider Adriatic ferry network.
Corfu’s position makes it a gateway between Greece and Italy. Ferries cross the Adriatic from the Italian ports of Bari, Ancona and Venice, mostly as longer overnight sailings, convenient for travellers from Italy and central Europe who want to bring their own vehicle to the island. Corfu is often a stop on the Italy-to-Greece ferry routes that continue to Igoumenitsa and Patras. For most international visitors, though, flying remains far quicker, with the Italy ferries suiting a road trip, set out alongside the guide to things to do in Corfu. Other islands link in too.
Can you reach Corfu from other islands or Albania?
You can reach Corfu by boat from the nearby islands of Paxos and the Diapontian islets, and by a short ferry from Saranda in Albania across the channel. Day boats also connect to Parga and Sivota on the mainland coast.
The island connects to its neighbours by sea. Small ferries and excursion boats link Corfu to Paxos to the south and the tiny Diapontian islands to the north-west, while a short international ferry crosses from Saranda on the Albanian Riviera, popular for day trips to Butrint. Seasonal day boats also reach Parga and Sivota on the mainland opposite. These links make Corfu a hub for exploring the wider region, set out in the guide to Corfu boat tours. Getting around the island completes the plan.
How do you get around Corfu?
You get around Corfu by rental car for the most freedom, by the green KTEL and blue local buses between towns and resorts, or by taxi and boat. A car is best for the scattered beaches and villages.
The island is large and varied, so transport matters. A rental car or scooter gives the most freedom to reach the west-coast beaches, the north-east bays and the hill villages, all spread across the island. The bus network covers the main routes, with green long-distance KTEL buses linking the towns and resorts and blue local buses serving Corfu Town and its suburbs, cheap but less frequent to remote spots. Taxis, organised tours and boats fill the gaps. Choosing transport depends on your base, set out in the guides to where to stay in Corfu and Corfu beaches. Leaving the airport is the first move.
How do you get from Corfu airport to your resort?
You get from Corfu airport to your resort by taxi, pre-booked transfer, hire car or local bus. The airport lies three kilometres from Corfu Town, so taxis reach the centre in minutes, while buses and car-hire desks handle onward travel.
The short hop from the airport shapes the start of a trip. Because the terminal sits only about three kilometres south of Corfu Town, a taxi to the centre or the old port takes just a few minutes, and metered fares stay modest. Pre-booked private transfers wait in arrivals and suit families with luggage or groups heading to distant resorts such as Kassiopi or Sidari.
Blue local buses pass near the airport for budget travellers reaching Corfu Town, where the green KTEL buses fan out to the rest of the island. Car-hire desks in the terminal let drivers pick up on arrival and head straight to their base. These options sit alongside the guide to Corfu car rental. Ferry travellers plan a little differently.
What should you know about the Corfu ferry?
Booking the Corfu ferry ahead is wise in summer, especially with a car. Igoumenitsa crossings carry vehicles, foot passengers and pets, run day and night, and take about ninety minutes. Fast and conventional ferries operate, and Italy routes add cabins.
Two practical points make the ferry smooth. On the busy Igoumenitsa route, foot passengers can usually turn up and buy a ticket, but drivers should book ahead in July and August when vehicle space fills fast. The ferries take cars, motorhomes, bicycles and, on most services, pets travelling with their owners, so a road trip through Greece carries straight onto the island. Crossings run through the day and into the night, with both quicker high-speed boats and slower conventional ferries. On the longer Italy sailings from Bari, Ancona and Venice, cabins and reclining seats make the overnight passage comfortable. This planning sits alongside the guide to a Corfu itinerary. From Corfu, the region opens up.
Can you island-hop or take day trips from Corfu?
You can island-hop and take day trips from Corfu to Paxos, Antipaxos and the Diapontian islets by boat, and cross to Saranda and Butrint in Albania or to Parga on the mainland. These links make Corfu an Ionian base.
Corfu’s location turns it into a springboard for the wider region. Day boats and organised cruises sail south to Paxos and Antipaxos, whose sea caves and turquoise coves fill a memorable day afloat. To the north-west, small ferries reach the quiet Diapontian islands of Erikoussa, Mathraki and Othoni. Across the strait, a short international ferry crosses to Saranda in Albania, opening the ruins of Butrint to a day trip, while seasonal boats link Parga and Sivota on the Greek mainland. These connections let visitors combine Corfu with its neighbours in one holiday, set out alongside the guides to the Paxos day trip and the Albania day trip. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Corfu have an airport?
Corfu has its own international airport, about 3 kilometres from Corfu Town. It takes flights from Athens and Thessaloniki year-round, and in the May-to-September season direct flights from many European cities, plus Dubai and Tel Aviv.
How do you get to Corfu by ferry?
You reach Corfu by ferry from Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland in about 1 hour 10 to 1.5 hours, with fares from around €6 and up to 25 daily crossings in summer. Ferries also cross from Italy, from Bari, Ancona and Venice.
How do you get around Corfu without a car?
Without a car, you get around by the green KTEL and blue local buses between Corfu Town and the resorts, plus taxis, organised tours and boats. Corfu Town itself is very walkable, but a car is best for the scattered beaches and villages.
Is it better to fly or take the ferry to Corfu?
Flying is quicker for most international visitors, since Corfu airport takes direct summer flights from across Europe. The Igoumenitsa ferry suits travellers driving through Greece or bringing a vehicle, and the Italy sailings work for a longer road trip through the Adriatic.