Levante Ferries

Who they are

Levante Ferries is a Greek ferry company founded in 2014 that runs the main car-ferry links between the western Peloponnese and the southern Ionian islands of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca. Its ships sail from the mainland ports of Kyllini (also spelled Killini) and Patras.

On its Ionian routes Levante is the main operator, and on Patras–Sami it is the only one listed by Ferryhopper. The company runs conventional car ferries rather than fast craft, so vehicles, campervans and families with plenty of luggage can travel without the limits of a hydrofoil or catamaran.

Network and routes

From Kyllini, in the north-west Peloponnese, Levante sails to:

• Zakynthos (Zakynthos Town), about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. This is the busiest route, with several sailings a day in summer.
• Poros on south-east Kefalonia, about 1.5 hours, daily for most of the year.

From Patras, Levante sails to Sami on the east coast of Kefalonia in about 3 to 3.5 hours, daily from March to December and less often in January, with sailings continuing to Pisaetos on Ithaca. There is also a short Sami–Pisaetos crossing of about 20 minutes, and some sailings link Kyllini with Ithaca.

Frequency is highest in summer, when extra sailings are added. Outside the season, and on the Ithaca links in particular, there are fewer sailings, so check the timetable before you plan a winter trip.

Fleet and on board

Levante runs five conventional car ferries, including the Fior di Levante, Mare di Levante, Andreas Kalvos, Kefalonia and the larger Smyrna di Levante. They are multi-deck ships with a car deck below and lounges, snack bars and open deck space above. Only the Smyrna di Levante has a full restaurant.

Ferryhopper lists a free luggage allowance of up to 50 kg per passenger. Pets are allowed: small pets can travel in a carrier, larger dogs use kennels on ships that have them, and dogs must be muzzled outside a carrier. Wi-Fi is available on some ships, and cabins on some.

Booking and tips

Book ahead for vehicles in July and August, especially on Kyllini–Zakynthos and Kyllini–Poros, which fill with summer traffic. Foot passengers usually have more flexibility.

Foot passengers should be at the port 30 minutes before departure and drivers an hour before. At Patras, Ferryhopper advises arriving at least 1.5 hours early if you have a vehicle.

Kefalonia is a large island, and Poros (south-east) and Sami (east) are some way apart. Choosing the port nearest your accommodation saves driving time, so check which port your sailing uses.

If you arrive in Patras on a ferry from Italy, Levante's Patras–Sami sailing is a direct onward link to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Allow time to disembark and get from the international arrival area to the domestic departure, as connections are not timed to each other.