Corfu Ferries: Ports, Routes and Island Connections

Corfu is an island where ferries are not just an excursion option, they are part of the transport network. Whether you are arriving from mainland Greece, travelling on to Paxos, taking a day or overnight trip to Albania, or reaching Corfu from Italy, choosing the correct port and route makes a big difference.

The important thing to know is that Corfu has more than one useful ferry port and different operators serve different routes. Timetables also change through the year, so this guide focuses on how the network works, which port to use and what to check before you book rather than publishing a timetable that may quickly become outdated.

Last checked against official ferry sources: 12 September 2026. Ferry schedules, vessels and fares can change at short notice, so use this guide to choose the right route and port, then confirm the exact sailing with the operator before travel.

Corfu ferry routes at a glance

Route	Corfu departure port	Typical crossing	Useful for / notes
Corfu Town – Igoumenitsa	New Port	About 70–90 min	Year-round mainland link; foot passengers and vehicles
Lefkimmi – Igoumenitsa	Lefkimmi	About 50 min	Year-round; often best for Kavos and South Corfu
Corfu Town – Paxos	New Port	Fastest about 55 min	Scheduled island travel, Gaios and overnight stays
Lefkimmi – Paxos	Lefkimmi	About 45 min	Short option from South Corfu; check Kamelia Lines
Corfu Town – Saranda	International terminal	30–45 min hydrofoil; 55–70 min ferry	International crossing to Albania; border controls apply
Corfu Town – Italy	New Port	Varies by route; often long or overnight	Seasonal Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Venice connections
Corfu Town – Diapontia Islands	New Port	About 2 hr 30 min–4 hr	Ereikoussa, Mathraki and Othoni; limited sailings

The main ferry ports in Corfu

For most visitors, the two ports to understand are Corfu Town New Port and Lefkimmi. They are not interchangeable, and choosing the wrong one can mean a long road transfer across the island.

Corfu Town / New Port

Corfu Town is the island's main ferry hub. Domestic sailings to Igoumenitsa and Paxos use the New Port area, while international departures for Saranda and Italy use the port's international passenger facilities. The port is on Ethnikis Antistaseos, just north of the Old Town.

Getting there without a car: Corfu City Bus line 15 links the airport, the Intercity / Green Bus Station, San Rocco Square in the city centre and the port. The official Visit Corfu transport information confirms that line 15 makes stops inside the port. From the Old Town, the port is roughly a 15–20 minute walk for travellers who are comfortable walking with luggage.

Lefkimmi Port

Lefkimmi is in South Corfu and is especially useful if you are staying around Lefkimmi, Kavos or nearby resorts. It has direct services to Igoumenitsa and scheduled connections towards Paxos. From Corfu Town it is roughly an hour by road, so it can save a substantial detour if your accommodation is already in the south.

Which Corfu port should you choose?

• Staying in Corfu Town, the north or north-east? Corfu Town New Port will usually be the most practical starting point.

• Staying in Kavos or South Corfu? Check Lefkimmi first for Igoumenitsa and Paxos.

• Travelling to Saranda or Italy? Use Corfu Town New Port and allow international check-in time.

• Travelling to the Diapontia Islands? The scheduled Kerkyra Lines service departs from the Port of Corfu.

Names you may see on tickets and timetables

• Kerkyra / Kerkira: Corfu.

• Paxi / Paxoi: Paxos.

• Sarandë / Saranda: the Albanian port opposite Corfu.

• Neo Limani / New Port: the main ferry port in Corfu Town.

Always read the departure port on the actual ticket. A search result that simply says 'Corfu ferry' is not enough to tell you whether you need Corfu Town or Lefkimmi.

1. Corfu Town to Igoumenitsa

Igoumenitsa is Corfu's main gateway to mainland Greece. Ferries run frequently throughout the year, with both passenger and vehicle capacity, and the route is used by locals as much as visitors. In September 2026, operators are running multiple departures every day, but the exact number and departure times vary by date and company.

Typical crossing time: roughly 70 to 100 minutes depending on the vessel and operator. If you are taking a car, book the vehicle as well as the passengers and arrive earlier than you would for a foot-passenger crossing.

Current operators include Kerkyra Lines and Kerkyra Seaways. Always check the operator's date-specific timetable before travelling.

Why use it? Igoumenitsa is the obvious route if you are driving onwards through mainland Greece, heading towards Epirus, Meteora, Thessaloniki or Athens, or making a wider European road journey.

2. Lefkimmi to Igoumenitsa

If you are staying in southern Corfu, travelling all the way to Corfu Town just to board a ferry can add a lot of unnecessary road time. Lefkimmi has its own mainland ferry connection and is often the more practical choice for Kavos, Lefkimmi and nearby resorts.

The crossing is typically around 50 minutes. Lefkimmi Lines operates daily services and Sarris Lines also serves this corridor. Frequency changes by date and season.

Corfu & Beyond tip: when comparing ferry times, include the road journey to the port. A sailing from Lefkimmi may be far more convenient than a slightly better-timed departure from Corfu Town if you are based in the south.

3. Corfu to Paxos

Paxos is one of the most useful island connections from Corfu. A scheduled ferry is different from an organised sightseeing cruise: it lets you travel independently, arrive in Gaios, stay overnight and build your own itinerary rather than returning with a tour group.

From Corfu Town: Kerkyra Lines operates scheduled services, including the Paxos Island II hydrofoil introduced in 2026. The fastest published crossing is about 55 minutes, although journey time depends on the vessel and sailing.

From Lefkimmi: Kamelia Lines connects South Corfu with Paxos, with a typical crossing of about 45 minutes. Kamelia currently lists an adult one-way Lefkimmi–Paxos fare of €15 before optional transfer charges. That price was checked on 12 September 2026, so confirm it when booking.

Plan the return first: for an independent day visit, the return sailing determines how much time you really have in Gaios. Check the final boat back before buying the outward ticket, especially outside peak summer.

If you want caves, swimming stops and a sightseeing day rather than point-to-point transport, read our Best Boat Trips in Corfu for Families guide instead.

4. Corfu to Saranda, Albania

The Corfu to Saranda route is a proper international border crossing. It is popular both for independent travel into Albania and for day trips to Saranda, Butrint and the Albanian Riviera, but you should plan it differently from a domestic Greek ferry.

In 2026 the route operates through the year, with much higher frequency in summer. Ionian Seaways publishes high-speed hydrofoil crossings of about 30–45 minutes and passenger / car ferry crossings of about 55–70 minutes. Finikas Lines also operates the route.

Do not miss the one-hour time difference: Corfu is one hour ahead of Saranda. Ferry operators publish departures in local time, so the clock on your return ticket from Albania is Albanian time. This is one of the easiest details to overlook on a day trip.

When to arrive: Ionian Seaways instructs passengers to be at Corfu's international passenger terminal at least one hour before departure. Passport / ID and customs checks take place before boarding, and the operator states that boarding closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Treat one hour as the minimum planning point unless your own ticket says earlier.

Hire cars: do not assume you can drive a Corfu rental car into Albania. Ionian Seaways explicitly states that rented cars are not permitted on its Corfu–Albania service, and rental agreements commonly have their own cross-border restrictions. Check both the ferry operator and the rental company before paying for a vehicle ticket.

British passport holders: current UK government guidance says a passport must expire at least three months after the date you plan to leave Albania, and British citizens can normally visit visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Entry rules can change, so check the latest GOV.UK Albania entry requirements before travelling. Other nationalities should check the rules that apply to their own passport.

5. Corfu to Italy: Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Venice

Corfu's direct links with Italy are seasonal Adriatic ferry services rather than short local crossings. They are particularly useful for travellers bringing a car, motorcycle, campervan or a large amount of luggage, and many sailings involve a long or overnight journey.

The important 2026 picture is broader than just Ancona and Brindisi. Grimaldi Lines lists active Corfu routes with Ancona and Brindisi. Superfast Ferries states that Corfu can also be reached from Ancona, Bari and Venice, with direct Corfu calls on those routes during the summer period.

Italy routes to check

• Ancona ↔ Corfu: seasonal services appear with Grimaldi and Superfast / Attica Group schedules.

• Bari ↔ Corfu: seasonal Corfu calls appear on Superfast schedules.

• Brindisi ↔ Corfu: Grimaldi operates seasonal direct services.

• Venice ↔ Corfu: Superfast lists direct Corfu calls during the summer period.

Do not assume every Italy–Greece sailing stops at Corfu. Some ships continue between Italy, Igoumenitsa and Patras without calling at Corfu, and published calls can be revised. Search using Corfu as the actual origin or destination for your exact date rather than booking a general Italy–Greece crossing and assuming the ship will stop.

Check-in: Grimaldi's Corfu port information requires passengers to be at embarkation no later than two hours before departure. Valid identification is required for all passengers, including children. Follow the specific instruction on your ticket if another operator gives a different time.

6. The Diapontia Islands: Erikoussa, Mathraki and Othoni

The Diapontia Islands off north-west Corfu are a very different proposition from Paxos. Services are less frequent, journey times are longer and same-day returns are not always practical, so this is a route where you should plan the return before committing to the outward sailing.

Kerkyra Lines states that its scheduled service to the Diapontia Islands leaves from the Port of Corfu on the vessel EVDOKIA.

• Ereikoussa / Erikousa: about 2 hours 30 minutes from Corfu.

• Mathraki: about 3 hours 20 minutes, including a stop at Ereikoussa.

• Othoni: about 4 hours, with stops at Ereikoussa and Mathraki.

These crossings are ideal for travellers who want a quieter island stay, but they are not routes to build a tight flight or ferry connection around. Confirm the sailing day, return service and weather situation before booking accommodation.

Taking a car on the ferry

• Book the vehicle, driver and passengers together. A passenger ticket alone does not reserve vehicle space.

• Have the registration details requested by the operator available when booking.

• Allow more check-in time when travelling with a vehicle, particularly on international routes.

• During busy summer weekends, vehicle spaces can sell out before passenger spaces.

• For Albania, verify cross-border permission with both the ferry company and your rental provider before booking.

Foot passengers and luggage

Foot-passenger travel is straightforward on the main routes, but the distance from the ticket office or terminal entrance to the vessel can vary. If you have heavy luggage, young children or limited mobility, allow extra time and ask the operator about assistance before travel.

For high-speed hydrofoils, luggage space can be more limited than on a conventional car ferry. If you are travelling with large suitcases, pushchairs, sports equipment or bicycles, check the operator's rules before booking.

Accessibility and reduced mobility

Accessibility varies by vessel, not simply by route. Larger car ferries may have lifts and more space, while smaller passenger craft and hydrofoils can involve steps, narrower boarding points or limited accessible toilets. Contact the operator about the exact vessel on your sailing rather than relying on a general route description.

For Italy services, Grimaldi says passengers who need specific assistance should report their needs when booking and normally at least 48 hours before departure. Its Corfu terminal also has a meeting point where passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility can request assistance. If accessibility is important to your journey, confirm boarding, lifts, toilets and assistance directly before paying for the ticket.

How early should you arrive?

The operator's own check-in instruction always takes priority. As a practical planning guide, we would use the following buffers rather than aiming to reach the port at the published departure time:

• Domestic foot passenger: allow around 30–45 minutes, and more in peak summer if you need to collect a ticket or are unfamiliar with the port.

• Domestic vehicle: allow around 45–60 minutes so there is time for ticket checks and vehicle loading, unless your operator asks for longer.

• Corfu–Saranda: Ionian Seaways requires passengers at the international terminal at least one hour before departure and closes boarding 30 minutes before sailing.

• Italy routes: Grimaldi requires check-in no later than two hours before departure. Follow the booked operator's instructions for other Italy services.

If you are connecting from a flight, another ferry or a long bus journey, build in a larger margin. Ferry schedules can move because of weather, port traffic or operational changes.

Booking ferries in Corfu

For the main routes, the operating ferry company's own website is the best place to confirm the final timetable, vessel and check-in rules. Comparison sites are useful for seeing options together, but re-check the operator's information shortly before travel.

Useful official sites include Kerkyra Lines, Kerkyra Seaways, Lefkimmi Lines, Sarris Lines, Kamelia Lines, Ionian Seaways, Finikas Lines, Grimaldi Lines and Superfast Ferries.

Before pressing pay, check four things: the exact Corfu port, the departure date, whether the ticket includes a vehicle if you need one, and the check-in / travel-document requirements for that specific service.

More Corfu transport planning

Once your ferry is sorted, browse our Things to Do in Corfu directory and our destination pages for Corfu Town and Lefkimmi to plan the rest of the journey around the island.

Frequently asked questions

Which port do ferries leave from in Corfu?

Most routes use Corfu Town New Port, including the main Igoumenitsa service, Saranda, Italy and the Diapontia Islands. Lefkimmi in South Corfu also has useful services to Igoumenitsa and Paxos. Your ticket is the final authority on the departure port.

Can I take a ferry from Corfu to mainland Greece?

Yes. Igoumenitsa is the main mainland gateway. You can travel from Corfu Town or from Lefkimmi, with the Lefkimmi crossing typically the shorter of the two.

How long is the Corfu to Paxos ferry?

The fastest scheduled Corfu Town to Paxos crossing is about 55 minutes. From Lefkimmi, the Kamelia Lines crossing is typically about 45 minutes. Other vessels can take longer.

How long is the Corfu to Saranda ferry?

High-speed hydrofoils are generally around 30–45 minutes and conventional passenger / car ferries around 55–70 minutes. Remember that Albania is one hour behind Greece and published departures use local time.

Can I take a rental car from Corfu to Albania?

Do not assume so. Ionian Seaways explicitly states that rented cars are not permitted on its Corfu–Albania route. Your rental agreement may also prohibit cross-border travel.

Can I travel directly between Corfu and Italy?

Yes, seasonally. Depending on the operator and date, direct Corfu calls can involve Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Venice. Not every Italy–Greece sailing stops at Corfu, so search specifically for Corfu on your intended travel date.

Do I need to book Corfu ferries in advance?

For ordinary foot-passenger travel to Igoumenitsa there are often many sailings, but advance booking is sensible for peak summer, vehicles, Paxos, international routes and any sailing that is critical to a flight or onward connection.

Our practical advice

For most visitors, the key decision is not which ferry company has the prettiest website, but which port and route make sense for where you are staying. Use Corfu Town for the widest range of connections, consider Lefkimmi if you are based in the south, and treat Saranda and Italy as international journeys with extra check-in and document requirements.

Most importantly, check the live timetable again shortly before travel. Weather, seasonal demand and operational changes can alter ferry schedules, and a route that has many departures in August may have far fewer in spring, autumn or winter.