Lefkada: the Ionian island with no ferry

The island with no ferry

Of all the Ionian islands, Lefkada is the only one you reach without boarding a ferry. A short causeway and a floating swing bridge connect the island to the Greek mainland near Lefkada Town. For drivers who have just spent several hours on an Adriatic crossing, that's the detail that matters: no second queue at a loading ramp, no waiting for the next sailing, no separate booking for the onward leg. You step off the ferry in Igoumenitsa and simply keep going.

It's a real advantage if you're travelling by motorhome: there's no size or weight limit to worry about the way there can be on smaller island ferries, and you're not tied to a sailing schedule. If you want a taste of a Greek island after hours at sea but don't fancy another queue, Lefkada gives you the setting without the logistics of a second crossing.

That's exactly what makes Lefkada the obvious first stop after the ferry if you're travelling with your own car or motorhome. For more on this and the other islands you can reach the same way, see the Ionian Islands guide.

Driving from Igoumenitsa

From the port of Igoumenitsa, the route runs south toward Preveza – about 130 km, roughly a 2-hour drive. Most of it hugs the coast, with views over the Ambracian Gulf as you approach Preveza.

Just before Lefkada you'll pass through the Aktio-Preveza underwater tunnel, which runs beneath the Preveza bay and is tolled. From there it's only a few more kilometres to the causeway and the swing bridge that take you straight onto the island. Signage is clear the whole way – "Λευκάδα" or "Lefkada" marks the route right up to the bridge.

Whichever crossing brought you into Greece – the Bari–Igoumenitsa ferry or the Brindisi–Igoumenitsa ferry – the onward drive to Lefkada is the same straightforward run via Preveza. If you're travelling by motorhome, there are enough fuel stations and rest stops along the way to build in a break if you need one.

One practical side effect of the bridge connection: you're not tied to any ferry timetable. If your Adriatic crossing runs late, or you want to spend a little more time in Igoumenitsa first, there's no booked departure to miss – you set off whenever you're ready.

Beaches and towns

The west coast is lined with limestone cliffs above turquoise water, and that's where the island's best-known beaches sit. Porto Katsiki shows up regularly in lists of Europe's best beaches, and it draws crowds accordingly, especially at the height of summer; getting down means a steep staircase cut into the cliff, or arriving by boat instead. Egremni is just as striking but quieter, and Kathisma is wider and easier to reach by car than the other two – a good option if the steep descent to the others isn't practical.

Lefkada Town was largely rebuilt in wood after a series of earthquakes, giving it a look unlike any other Greek island capital, with narrow lanes and coloured facades rather than stone and marble. Nidri on the east coast is the base for boat trips to the surrounding islets and for the small ferry to Meganisi; the waterfront comes alive in the evening as the boats return. Vasiliki in the south is a well-known windsurfing spot – the bay channels the afternoon wind reliably – and it's also the departure port for the onward crossing to Kefalonia.

If you're driving, all three are easy to string together in a single day: Lefkada Town in the morning, one of the west-coast beaches around midday, then Nidri or Vasiliki in the evening for dinner on the waterfront. The island is compact enough that day trips like this don't mean long stretches behind the wheel.

Frequently asked questions about Lefkada

Do you need a ferry to get to Lefkada?

No. Lefkada is the only Ionian island you reach without a ferry – a short causeway and a floating swing bridge near Lefkada Town connect the island to the Greek mainland. You simply drive across.

How far is it from Igoumenitsa to Lefkada?

About 130 km, roughly a 2-hour drive. The route runs south via Preveza, passing through the tolled Aktio-Preveza underwater tunnel just before Lefkada, then over the causeway and bridge onto the island.

Can you get from Lefkada to Kefalonia?

Yes, in summer. Between June and September a seasonal ferry runs from Vasiliki to Fiskardo on Kefalonia, a crossing of about 1 hour. It's operated by West Ferry and Ionion Pelagos.