Travelling by bus from Athens to Kefalonia is a great economical option that will allow you to see more of Greece’s beautiful coastline.

To catch the bus from Athens to Kefalonia, you will need to get to the Kifisou bus station in Athens. From the Athens airport, you can take a taxi to the bus station (~50 euros) or get on the X93 bus (~5 euros). The Kifisou bus station is the central KTEL Bus Station at Kifisou Avenue. The bus from the Athens airport will take 1 hour to reach the central bus station.

The cost for the bus to Kefalonia is approximately 40 euros and the travel time including the ferry is around 7 hours. There is no added stress of figuring out which ferry to board to Kefalonia because the bus takes you to the proper ferry and the schedules are coordinated.

Skala Field Station: We strongly recommend you take the bus to Poros rather than to Sami in Kefalonia as we only provide transport on your start/end dates from Poros, NOT Sami. When arriving in Kefalonia, be sure to get off at Poros. Do not travel on to Argostoli or Lixouri.

Svoronata Field Station: There is at least one bus to Argostoli daily from Athens.

Once you arrive at the Kifisou bus station via the X93 bus, you will then purchase your ticket to Kefalonia if you have not already done so online.

Skala Field Station: Your final destination via bus will be Poros in Kefalonia. This bus will travel from Athens to Kylini to reach Poros. There is another bus that goes through Patras on the mainland with the final destination of Sami in Kefalonia. You should take the bus to Poros through Kylini, NOT to Sami.

Your ferry ticket fee is included in your bus fee if you purchase them at the Kifisou KTEL bus station. If you purchase your ticket online, you will need to buy your ferry ticket upon reaching the ferry port. When you reach the ferry port on the mainland, your bus from Athens will board the ferry. You will need to get your luggage from the bus before getting on the ferry as you will not get back on the bus upon arriving in Kefalonia. During the 1.5-hour ferry ride, you may have a bite to eat at the ferry’s cafe and relax in the lounge areas etc. When the ferry docks in Kefalonia (either in Poros or Sami), you will disembark the ferry and walk to the waiting area.

Svoronata Field Station: The bus will travel from Athens either to a port in Patras or Killini (either one, it doesn’t matter), and then you and the bus will board the ferry. If you buy your bus ticket online, it does not include the ferry ticket, but you will have the opportunity to purchase that upon your arrival at the bus station or directly at the ferry port office. If you purchase your bus ticket at the bus station, it should include the cost of the ferry from the mainland to the Island of Kefalonia. For either option, there is no added stress of figuring out which ferry to board to Kefalonia as the bus always links up directly to the correct ferry.

The ferry takes about 1.5 hours to reach the island. During your ferry ride, you will get off the bus and can have a bite to eat on the ferry and relax in the lounge area etc. When the ferry docks in Kefalonia (either in Poros or Sami), the same bus you were on before will drive off the ferry and you will quickly walk from the lounge area off the ferry to board the bus waiting just outside the ferry for you. Hurry up though! They don’t make sure everyone is on the bus before they leave.

The bus will then make several stops until the final destination of Argostoli, Kefalonia. Make sure to communicate with the bus driver and confirm your final destination.

Kefalonia Bus Station (book tickets and find schedule): https://www.ktelkefalonias.gr/en

We make several trips on these start dates and will refer to the travel information you entered on your volunteer user account, at least 2 weeks before your start date.

Skala Field Station: Around one week before your arrival we will contact you with a pick-up time from Poros.

If you arrive in Poros, please wait there for the team to pick you up. If you do not see someone there holding a sign and/or wearing a green Researcher shirt, please do not be worried.

If you arrive in Sami, you’ll need to take a taxi to Poros (~ 30 min). Once in Poros, we will pick you up and take you to the Field Station.

Svoronata Field Station: Once you arrive in Argostoli, please collect your bags, and wait at the bus station. If you do not see someone there holding a sign and/or wearing a green Researcher shirt, please do not be worried. We make several trips on these start dates.