Italy to Corfu Ferry

Compare the 3 direct routes

Corfu is unusual among the Greek islands in having three separate direct ferry links to Italy, rather than one main gateway. All three only run in summer, when demand is high enough to justify a dedicated island call – the rest of the year, ferries from these same ports stop at Igoumenitsa on the mainland instead, and Corfu is reached from there by local ferry.

Greece is 1 hour ahead of Italy – all arrival times above are local Greek time. Schedules are seasonal and change year to year; always confirm exact dates when booking.

Brindisi → Corfu: the shortest crossing

Grimaldi Lines runs the shortest direct link to Corfu, departing Brindisi late at night – around 23:59 – and arriving on the island around 08:30 the next morning, a crossing of roughly 6.5 to 8.5 hours depending on the exact sailing. It runs seasonally, broadly from June to September, and is the most practical option if you're already in Puglia or finishing a southern Italy road trip and want the fastest way across.

Because it departs just before midnight, this is effectively an overnight sailing: board in the evening, sleep through most of the crossing, and disembark with a full day ahead of you on Corfu. It's the same operator and similar ship type used on the year-round Brindisi–Igoumenitsa route, just running the seasonal Corfu call instead.

Check current Brindisi–Corfu prices and dates on DirectFerries →

Bari → Corfu: most weekly departures

Ventouris Ferries operates Bari–Corfu in summer with 6 departures a week – nearly daily – making it the most frequent of the three direct routes. Sailings leave Bari between 20:00 and 24:00 and arrive in Corfu between 07:00 and 11:00, a crossing of roughly 8 to 11 hours. The season runs approximately from June to early September.

On the ship Rigel VII, a typical sailing departs Bari at 20:00 and arrives in Corfu at 07:00 local time, with fares starting from around €50 per person for a foot passenger. As with the other routes, prices climb in July and August and rise further once a vehicle is added.

Check current Bari–Corfu prices and dates on DirectFerries →

Ancona → Corfu: the long haul from central Italy

Superfast Ferries adds a Corfu stop to selected sailings of its Igoumenitsa line in high summer, roughly July to early September. On the ship Superfast III, a typical sailing leaves Ancona at 20:30 and arrives in Corfu at 14:45 the following day – around 17 hours, well over double the Brindisi crossing. It suits travellers starting from central or northern Italy who would otherwise face a long drive south to Brindisi or Bari first.

In summer, the seasonal Venice line (operated jointly by Anek and Superfast) also calls at Corfu on some sailings, extending the journey to around 25 hours from Venice – worth knowing if you're travelling from further north and prefer to sail rather than drive down to Ancona.

Check current Ancona–Corfu prices and dates on DirectFerries →

Year-round alternative: via Igoumenitsa

None of the three direct routes above run in winter. From roughly late September/early October through May, there is no direct ferry from Italy to Corfu at all. The only way across in that period – and a valid option year-round, including in summer – is to take any of the regular Igoumenitsa ferries (Brindisi, Bari, Ancona or Venice all run this year-round) and continue with the short local ferry to Corfu.

That local crossing takes just 70 to 90 minutes, with up to around 25 departures a day in summer thinning out to a handful in winter. Operators include Kerkyra Lines, Kerkyra Seaways and Lefkimmi Lines – the last of these also serving Lefkimmi in the south of the island. Vehicles are carried on all of them, so you're never without your car.

For the full route options into Igoumenitsa, see Brindisi–Igoumenitsa, Bari–Igoumenitsa and Ancona–Igoumenitsa.

FAQ

Which Italian ports have a direct ferry to Corfu?

Three: Brindisi (Grimaldi Lines), Bari (Ventouris Ferries) and Ancona (Superfast Ferries). All are seasonal, running roughly June to early September.

Is there a ferry from Italy to Corfu in winter?

No. Outside summer, none of the three direct crossings operate. The year-round option is any ferry to Igoumenitsa followed by the 70–90 minute local ferry to Corfu.

Which direct route to Corfu is fastest?

Brindisi–Corfu with Grimaldi Lines, at roughly 6.5 to 8.5 hours overnight. Bari–Corfu takes about 8 to 11 hours, and Ancona–Corfu is the longest at around 17 hours.

What does the Bari–Corfu ferry cost?

Fares start from around €50 per person as a foot passenger with Ventouris Ferries, departing 20:00 and arriving around 07:00. Expect higher prices in July/August and with a vehicle added.

Can I reach Corfu without a direct ferry?

Yes – any ferry to Igoumenitsa plus the local ferry across (70–90 minutes, up to ~25 sailings a day in summer). It's the only option outside the direct-ferry season, and a fine choice year-round.