The Ultimate Guide to Traveling to Lefkada from Major European Cities
- Kathisma Bay Villas
- Nov 20
- 4 min read
Lefkada, a stunning Greek island in the Ionian Sea, attracts travelers with its turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and charming villages. Reaching Lefkada is very easy, despite the fact that the island does not have its own airport (hint: it does not have to as it is connected by a bridge to the mainland!). This guide breaks down how to get to Lefkada from major European cities, detailing the best airports to fly into, airlines that serve those routes, and practical tips for the final leg of your journey.
Overview of Getting to Lefkada
Lefkada is connected to the mainland by a long causeway and a floating bridge, making it accessible by car or bus from nearby airports. The closest airport to Lefkada is Aktion National Airport (PVK), located about 20 kilometers from the island’s main town. However, this airport has limited international flights. Most travelers fly into larger airports in Greece or nearby countries and then continue by road or ferry.
Airports Near Lefkada
Aktion National Airport (PVK)
Location: Preveza, mainland Greece, about 20 km from Lefkada
Airlines: Mainly charter and seasonal flights from European cities
Best for: Travelers flying from the UK, Germany, and some Scandinavian countries during summer
Transport to Lefkada: Taxi, rental car, or shuttle bus (approx. 30-minute drive)
Ioannina Airport (IOA)
Location: About 120 km from Lefkada
Airlines: Limited domestic flights, mainly from Athens
Best for: Travelers combining Lefkada with mainland Greece trips
Transport to Lefkada: Car rental or bus (around 2.5 hours)
Aktion Airport Alternatives
Because PVK has limited flights, many visitors use larger airports and then travel by road:
Athens International Airport (ATH): Greece’s main international hub, about 350 km from Lefkada. Offers many daily flights from all over Europe.
Corfu International Airport (CFU): About 150 km from Lefkada, mainly served by charter and low-cost airlines.
Kefalonia Airport (EFL): Around 100 km away, seasonal flights from Europe.
Preveza (PVK): As mentioned, the closest but limited flights.
Flights to Aktion National Airport (PVK) from Major European Cities
From London
Airlines: TUI Airways, Jet2.com, easyJet (seasonal)
Airports: London Gatwick (LGW), London Stansted (STN), London Luton (LTN)
Flight duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
Notes: Flights mostly operate from late spring to early autumn. Booking early is recommended due to limited seats.
From Berlin
Airlines: Eurowings, TUI fly Deutschland (seasonal)
Airports: Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
Flight duration: Around 2.5 to 3 hours
Notes: Flights are seasonal, mainly in summer months.
From Amsterdam
Airlines: Transavia, TUI Netherlands (seasonal)
Airports: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Flight duration: About 3 hours
Notes: Seasonal flights with limited weekly frequency.
From Paris
Airlines: Transavia France, easyJet (seasonal)
Airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris Orly (ORY)
Flight duration: Around 3 hours
Notes: Flights mainly in summer, check schedules carefully.
From Scandinavian Cities (Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo)
Airlines: Norwegian Air Shuttle, SAS, TUI (seasonal)
Airports: Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH), Oslo Gardermoen (OSL)
Flight duration: 3 to 4 hours
Notes: Seasonal flights with limited frequency.
Flying to Athens and Traveling to Lefkada
Athens International Airport (ATH) is the most reliable option year-round for travelers from all over Europe. It offers extensive connections and frequent flights.
Airlines Flying to Athens from Major European Cities
British Airways (London Heathrow)
Aegean Airlines (multiple European cities)
Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Munich)
Air France (Paris)
KLM (Amsterdam)
Ryanair and easyJet (various low-cost routes)
Getting from Athens to Lefkada
By Car: The drive takes about 4.5 to 5 hours. The route is scenic and straightforward via the E65 and E55 highways.
By Bus: KTEL buses run from Athens to Lefkada town, but the journey takes around 6 hours with transfers.
By Domestic Flight + Car: Fly from Athens to Aktion Airport (PVK) and then drive 30 minutes to Lefkada.
Flying to Corfu or Kefalonia and Reaching Lefkada
For travelers who want to combine island hopping or prefer shorter drives, flying into Corfu or Kefalonia is a good option.
Corfu International Airport (CFU)
Airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com, Aegean Airlines (seasonal and year-round)
Airports served: London, Berlin, Milan, Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels, and more
Transport to Lefkada: About 3-hour drive including a ferry crossing from the mainland to Lefkada
Kefalonia Airport (EFL)
Airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com, TUI (seasonal)
Airports served: London, Manchester, Dublin, Brussels, and others
Transport to Lefkada: Approximately 2-hour drive including ferry or road routes
Practical Tips for Traveling to Lefkada
Book flights early during the high season (May to September) to secure seats on limited routes.
Rent a car at the airport for flexibility, especially if flying into Aktion, Corfu, or Kefalonia.
Check ferry schedules if traveling via Corfu or Kefalonia, as connections vary by season.
Consider travel insurance that covers delays or cancellations, common in seasonal routes.
Use shuttle services from Aktion Airport to Lefkada town for convenience if you prefer not to drive.
Summary of Key Routes
| Departure City | Nearest Airport to Lefkada | Airlines | Notes |
|----------------|----------------------------|----------|-------|
| London | Aktion (PVK), Athens (ATH) | TUI, easyJet, British Airways | Seasonal flights to PVK, year-round to ATH |
| Berlin | Aktion (PVK), Athens (ATH) | Eurowings, Aegean | Seasonal PVK flights, frequent ATH flights |
| Amsterdam | Aktion (PVK), Athens (ATH) | Transavia, KLM | Seasonal PVK flights, frequent ATH flights |
| Paris | Aktion (PVK), Athens (ATH) | Transavia, Air France | Seasonal PVK flights, frequent ATH flights |
| Stockholm | Aktion (PVK), Athens (ATH) | Norwegian, SAS | Seasonal PVK flights, frequent ATH flights |
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