Kerkyra Lines

Who they are

Kerkyra Lines is a Greek ferry company whose identity is built almost entirely around a single, vital crossing: the short hop between Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland and Corfu (Kerkyra), the largest and most visited of the Ionian Islands. The name — Kerkyra is the Greek name for Corfu — signals where the company's focus lies.

The Igoumenitsa–Corfu route is one of the busiest short ferry crossings in Greece. Igoumenitsa is the entry point for international ro-ro ferries arriving from Italian ports (Ancona, Bari, Venice, Brindisi), and a very high proportion of those passengers continue immediately on to Corfu. Kerkyra Lines has operated in this environment for years, providing the domestic shuttle link that turns the international arrivals into Corfu arrivals.

The company is smaller and more focused than the large Greek domestic operators, which gives it flexibility on scheduling but means a narrower total capacity than the majors.

Network and routes

The core service is Igoumenitsa to Corfu (Kerkyra Town), run multiple times daily in the summer season. This short crossing — across the strait separating the island from the Epirus coast — is a genuine lifeline route: it carries residents commuting to the mainland, tourists arriving from Italy via Igoumenitsa, and commercial vehicles supplying the island.

Some Kerkyra Lines sailings call at Lefkimmi in southern Corfu rather than Kerkyra Town (the main north port), providing an alternative landing point that can be faster for travellers heading to the island's southern resorts.

The route is seasonal in intensity: summer sees high frequency and maximum vessel deployment; winter drops to a reduced but year-round schedule reflecting the island's permanent population.

Fleet and on board

Kerkyra Lines' vessels are conventional ro-ro ferries suited to the short crossing: multi-deck ships with a vehicle deck and passenger spaces above. The crossing is short enough that extensive catering is not expected, though a snack bar or basic café is typically available.

Open deck space gives good views of the Albanian coast and the entrance to the Ionian — the approach to Corfu harbour, passing the old Venetian fortifications, is one of the more atmospheric ferry arrivals in Greece.

Booking and tips

For foot passengers the Igoumenitsa–Corfu crossing is generally straightforward to book on the day. Vehicle passengers in July and August should pre-book, particularly those arriving on international ferries and hoping to catch an immediate connection — coordination between arrival times and ferry departure windows is critical.

Kerkyra Town's new port handles the majority of ferry traffic; Lefkimmi in the south is less busy and can be a good option if you have a car and are staying in the southern part of Corfu. Check which port your sailing uses when booking.

International visitors arriving from Italy at Igoumenitsa should confirm their Corfu ferry onward connection before departure — the international ferry timetable does not always align neatly with the domestic shuttle, and a wait of one or more hours at Igoumenitsa is common.