How To Get To Corfu Greece By Plane, Ferry Or Day Trip

You can get to the Greek island of Corfu either by flight, or ferry. Here is everything you need to know about how to get to Corfu in Greece.

How to get to Corfu Greece – Travel guide

Corfu is one of the Ionian islands in Greece. Most people travel to Corfu by plane or ferry, while some visitors arrive on cruise boats or sailing trips.

The popular island has a long and rich history, going back to the ancient times. Unlike most of modern Greece, it was never a part of the Ottoman Empire, but remained under the Venetian rule for several centuries.

Corfu’s highlight is Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with impressive architecture. Apart from the two Venetian fortresses which dominate the landscape, you will see several imposing neoclassical buildings, large squares, and dozens of quaint side streets.

Corfu island also boasts an array of beautiful beaches with golden sand, small pebbly coves, verdant landscapes and traditional Greek villages.

You can either get to Corfu by flight, or by sea. Here are all the ways you can travel to Corfu.

How to travel to Corfu – Flights

Corfu island has an international airport, known as Ioannis Kapodistrias (CFU). The fastest and most convenient way to reach Corfu is by plane.

International flights to Corfu from Europe

In the summer months, there are direct flights to Corfu from many European countries. For example, you can easily fly to Corfu from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands.

Several airlines fly directly to Corfu airport. Some of them are Ryanair, Easyjet, Eurowings, Wizz Air, Lux Air, Condor, Swiss, TUI, SAS, Jet2, Austrian and British Airways.

Luggage policies typically vary from airline to airline. If you have carry-on luggage, always look closely at the dimensions and weight, and make sure you comply with your airline’s regulations.

Domestic flights from Athens to Corfu

Apart from the international flights, there are also daily domestic flights from the Athens International Airport to Corfu. The flight time is roughly 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Two domestic airlines operate this route year-round: Aegean Airlines / Olympic Air, and Sky Express.

Make sure you check the type of fare you prefer, as there are several options. Also, note that both carriers tend to be very strict with luggage dimensions, so make sure you have an airline-approved carry on.

Try to book your air tickets in advance to secure a lower price, especially if you are travelling during the high season.

How to get from Corfu airport to the town

Corfu airport is located quite close to Corfu city. Once you arrive at the airport, you have several options to get to the Old Town.

The fastest option is to take a taxi or an airport transfer service, while the cheapest way is to use the public bus – or even walk!

Here are all the ways to get from the airport to Corfu Town.

Getting to Corfu by ferry

Another way to get to Corfu is by ferry. This is a great idea if you want to travel with your own vehicle, and explore the island at your own pace.

Ferries to Corfu from Igoumenitsa port in Greece

Igoumenitsa is a port town, located on the western coast of mainland Greece. There are frequent ferry crossings from Igoumenitsa to Corfu, on a daily basis.

Note that Corfu island has two ports. The main port, where most people travel to, is in Corfu Town.

The ferry journey from Igoumenitsa to Corfu Town takes about 90 minutes. It’s best to allow a couple of hours to be on the safe side.

If you are planing to stay in South Corfu, you can also get to Lefkimmi port, which is located on the south coast of Corfu. Travel time from Igoumenitsa to Lefkimmi is just under an hour.

You can check routes from Igoumenitsa to Corfu and book your ferry tickets on a search engine called Ferryscanner.

Getting to Corfu from other Ionian islands

A slow passenger ferry runs a couple of times a week between Corfu and other islands in the Ionian Sea, such as Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

You can find the routes on Ferryscanner, but note that it takes a very long time between islands.

In addition, there are ferry services from Corfu to Paxi on a daily basis. These are small ferries that don’t carry vehicles.

If you want to visit Corfu and then Paxi with your vehicle, you’ll have to go from Corfu to Igoumenitsa, and then take an onward ferry to Paxi.

How to get from Italy to Corfu by ferry

Another way to reach Corfu is to take a ferry from the Italian ports of Brindisi, Bari or Ancona.

The ferry journey from Brindisi to Corfu takes about 6.5 hours, whereas travel time from Bari is about 8 hours. The trip from Ancona to Corfu can take you up to 19 hours.

For any of these routes, you will need to book your ferry tickets in advance, especially if you want a cabin. You can book your ferry tickets on Ferryscanner.

Ferry routes from Albania to Corfu

Finally, there are local ferries that run the route from Agioi Saranta / Sarandë port in Albania to Corfu.

This international trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Most ferries only carry passengers, but you can bring your vehicle on certain services.

Have a look here for ferry routes and tickets from Albania to Corfu: Ferryscanner.

Arriving at Corfu on a cruiseship

Some people arrive at Corfu on cruiseships. There are many different cruises that include Corfu Town in their itinerary.

If you are reaching Corfu on a cruise boat, you will typically have limited time on the island. One idea is to stay in the Old Town, and explore on foot.

What to do in Corfu town

Here are some of the highlights of the main town:

The Old Fortress, Corfu’s main historical attraction
New Venetian Fortress of Corfu, which offers a fantastic panoramic view of the town
Museum of Asian Art, worth visiting for the exhibits as well as for the building itself
Archaeological Museum of Corfu, where you can catch a glimpse of the island’s ancient history
The impressive Town Square, Spianada
The wonderful buildings and the quaint side streets
Vlacherna monastery and Pontikonisi, the Mouse island

Activities and tours in Corfu island

If you are arriving on the island on a cruise ship and want to explore areas out of the town, it’s better to book a guided tour of Corfu. Getting around on the public buses, or even hiring a car, will waste you precious time.

Here are some of the top-rated tours around Corfu:

Best of Corfu and the Old Town – for people with limited time on the island
Private tour of Corfu island by road – this is also ideal if you are staying in the Town and want to see the highlights
Private tour of Corfu island by yacht – go around Corfu in style!

Some of the best places to visit in Corfu island include the following:

Paleokastritsa Monastery and the beautiful beaches in the area
Angelokastro castle, a Byzantine castle offering some of the best views of Corfu
Achilleion, the palace the Empress Elisabeth of Austria built to honor the mythical hero Achilles
The famous Canal D’Amour beach

Day trips to Corfu

Finally, if you are in mainland Greece or Albania, another option is to take a sailing trip to Corfu. You can find options from Parga and Syvota in Greece, or Sarandë in Albania.

Again, this will not give you enough time to explore the whole island, but you will have the chance to see the town. Then, next time you visit Corfu, you can stay a bit longer!

FAQs about traveling to Corfu

People planning to visit Corfu often ask questions like these:

What’s the best way to get to Corfu?

The quickest way to reach Corfu is by direct flight – there are direct flights from many European airports. If you want to bring your own vehicle, you will need to take a ferry to Corfu from Igoumenitsa port in Greece, Bari / Brindisi / Ancona ports in Italy, or Agioi Saranta / Sarandë port in Albania.

How long is the ferry ride from Athens to Corfu?

There is no ferry route from Athens to Corfu, but there are direct flights. Alternatively, you can travel to Corfu from Igoumenitsa port town in western Greece. The ferry ride from Igoumenitsa to Corfu town takes about 90 minutes.

What is the fastest way to get to Corfu?

The fastest way to travel to Corfu from anywhere in Europe is to fly. There are direct flights from several European airports during summer, and also Athens daily flights year-round.

Where do you fly into to get to Corfu?

To reach Corfu, most visitors fly straight into Corfu international airport, Ioannis Kapodistrias (CFU).

How long is the ferry from Greece to Corfu?

The ferry ride between Igoumenitsa port, on the west coast of Greece, and Corfu Town, takes about 90 minutes. There are also ferries from Igoumenitsa to Lefkimmi port, in South Corfu. This trip takes just under an hour.

What is the best sandy beach in Corfu?

Even if you are a frequent traveler to Greece, Corfu will amaze you with its variety of beautiful beaches. If you like busy resorts, you can’t go wrong with Paleokastritsa or Kassiopi. If a remote beach is more your style, head to the south, and explore the sand dunes at Halikounas, Gardenos and Arkoudilas.

More Corfu guides

Here are a few more guides about Corfu:

Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens and my goal is to visit all the inhabited Greek islands. Follow me on Facebook for more inspiration about Greece!

How To Get To Corfu Island In Greece – Flights, Ferries And Cruises