Airplane
The closest airport is Aktion-Preveza just 20 minutes drive from Lefkada Town. It is a great small airport with good snack bars airside and landside; or two good tavernas outside across the road if you have a longer wait. Flights operate March-October to and from many destinations in Europe. There are several car-hire companies operating at the airport. Taxis are usually waiting at the rank and charge about 70 Euro to Lefkada Town, more to other parts of the island. Always ask price when booking or before you get in. There are about six buses a day to Lefkada Town> (in summer) and much cheaper if the timing works out.
Athens airport is open all year. All services including a hotel. By car it is three and a half hours drive along an easy toll motorway with great views. Firms do offer transfers between Athens airport and Lefkada by car/minibus. It isn’t cheap but worth considering, especially if you have a small group to share the cost. You can also catch the bus (see Bus section below).
It is also possible to travel via Thessaloniki airport. Slightly further than Athens but you don’t have to drive in Athens traffic. A good motorway runs all the way. Buses too>. Again lots to see enroute.
Car
You can easily drive to Lefkada despite it being an island. It is linked by causeway and a special floating bridge across the remaining canal. For most of the day and night you drive straight over the bridge. It moves to allow boats to pass – usually every hour on the hour during the day in summer – less in winter.
The drive from Athens is very easy along good toll motorways. Takes three and a half hours depending on traffic in Athens.
Many interesting places to stop enroute e.g. the Corinth Canal, Corinth, northern Peloponnese, or even Delphi if you take the much slower northern side of the Gulf of Corinth. If you haven’t seen those places before it is worth taking time. You also go over the amazing Rio–Antirrio Bridge> – the longest in the world of its type (multi-span cable-stayed).
If heading to Thessaloniki then Meteora is high on world-bucket list places to see. Also the tomb of Alexander the Great’s father, Philip, at Vergina is a must-see with gold treasure rivaling Tutankhamen. The treasure is displayed inside the reburied mound tomb – very atmospheric. The museum at his nearby palace is newly opened too.
Car hire is available at airports or in Athens, Nidri and Lefkada Town. One way hire is possible but often expensive.
Bus
Buses leave Lefkada Town for the Aktion-Preveza airport and Preveza itself, Igoumenitsa, Athens and Thessaloniki. From Lefkada Town bus station buses depart for the rest of Lefkada – some bits with several buses a day – other parts less frequently. The timetables> change often.
Long distance buses are pretty cheap and comfortable in Greece. They stop en-route for rest breaks although no toilet on board – so go before boarding.
The bus to Athens is by comfortable bus> taking four and a half hours including a short rest-break. The bus terminates at the Athens “KTEL Terminal A” bus station> at bay 39. Right next to this bay is a taxi rank and local buses.
Best to buy your Lefkada-Athens bus ticket in advance online but it must be printed before boarding. If buying the ticket at the Athens terminal the ticket office is right next to the 39 bay where the bus departs, not in the main ticket hall where all the other destinations are sold.
Getting between the Athens Airport and Bus Terminal A
If you’re in a hurry, the quickest option is to take a taxi directly to or from the airport.
For public transport:
• X93 Bus – Runs every 30 minutes and goes directly to the airport. Allow up to an hour during peak traffic times.
• 052 Bus + Metro – The 052 is a short shuttle to Eleonas Metro Station, where you can catch the metro for a 45-minute ride to the airport.
• 051 Bus + Metro – Departs every 8 minutes during peak hours to Omonia Square, giving you a great chance to explore central Athens before heading to the airport by metro.
Tip: If it’s your first time in Athens, a quick detour into the city is well worth it!
Ferry
Ferries link to nearby islands from Nidri (to Meganisi) and Vasiliki (to Ithaca and Kefelonia). There is also a summer ferry from Lefkada Town to Paxos and Corfu.
From Igoumenitsa (90 minutes drive or bus> up the mainland coast) you can get daily ferries crossing to Italy. This is a good route for cars from north or west Europe. If you have a campervan you can get good camp-on-board deals in summer. Comfortable (but not cheap) cabins if not. Cheap to sleep on airline-type seats or even cheaper on deck (OK in summer if you have a sleeping bag and mat).
Train
Get the ferry to/from Igoumentisa (see above). From Italy you can pick up trains from Bari, Ancona or Venice to take you on to the rest of Europe. If you have time, a great green way to travel. See Man in Seat 61> who describes the route from London or Paris to Corfu, just get the bus from Igoumentisa to Lefkada rather than continuing to Corfu. An option is to take the >Lefkada-Patras bus and then the ferries to Italy from there – depends on the most convenient timetable for you.
The closest train heading for Athens is Kiato just Lefkada side of Corinth. From there trains take an hour> into the centre of Athens. There is free parking at Kiato station. Worth considering as an option if driving or can get a transfer. The train is as fast as driving into Athens (quicker in peak traffic times). It runs to Piraeus too if heading out to the Aegean islands. The train takes you to Athens airport with a simple change of train.
Taxi
Taxi ranks at Aktion-Preveza airport, Lefkada Town and Nidri. They operate by phone anywhere on the island.