Zante Transportation

To go from Athens to Zante/Zakynthos island, there is a bus service from the Athens Kifissos bus station. For summer 2008 here are the details
Bus Athens - Zakynthos | Fare 23,20 €: Daily 5:45 - 7:45 - 10:45 - 12:45 - 17:15
Updated info on this link
http://www.zakynthos.net.gr/English/travel_en.php#ferry

The bus to Zakynthos will have a drive to port of Killini in Peloponissos, I estimate it to 4-5 hrs and then it gets in the ferry and takes the passengers until the final destination in Zakynthos.

To the above link find also info about going to nearby islands and getting around in Zante.

From Thessaloniki take the Highway to Athens, pass Larissa and at Lamia follow the exit to Amfissa. Have a good relax near Lamia, to enjoy better the next part of your travel and the landscapes of the mountains. Continue to Amfissa, pass near Delphi, Itea, Nafpaktos. Recommended place for stop/relax is Nafpaktos old harbour. Continue to the great bridge Antirio-Rio. Get in the Higway to Pyrgos, pass Patra and follow the exit to Kyllini. Usually at Kyllini you have a long wait in the queue for the ferry and you can have there your last relax in a cafe/restaurant.

My estimation, total time is about 12 hours, including some stops for coffee/lunch/repose, waiting in the queue for the ferry (day/night, every 2 hours ??? not sure) and 2 hours in the ferry (Kyllini-Zakynthos).

There are plenty of taxis at Zante airport and it is only a ten minute journey to the resort of Kalamaki. Don't book this before leaving home through a tour operator as it will cost a lot more than if you get a taxi when you get there. Ensure you agree a price before getting in the taxi.

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Last time I visited Zakynthos, I took the bus from Athens and the ferry from Kyllini. The total time for the trip was about six hours (including a 20-minute rest stop in Aigio) and was easy and relaxing. It was also a nice way to see some Greek countryside.

At Kyllini, get off the bus, and it drives right on to the boat. When you dock at Zakynthos, you can get back on the bus and you'll be taken to the KTEL station in the middle of the main town. There, you can get return tickets.

The boat ride was nice, too. The ferry boats have really come a long way. I remember when they only had bench seats! Now, they have nice lounges where you can stretch out or sit at a table and read a book to pass the time. Snacks are sold on board, and the boat ride takes about 90 minutes.

To catch the bus, you must go to the KTEL Terminal A bus station. There, you can get tickets (actually, the ONLY place to get tickets) to Kyllini and the ferry boat tickets from Kyllini to Zakynthos, as well. The bus schedule is coordinated with the ferry boat schedule.

If you plan on staying in town, walking can get you anywhere.

If you plan on venturing out to other parts of the island, you will find car and scooter rental places all over town. For scooters, I would say its generally safe to ride one in Zakynthos.

Special tip if you are coming on a package holiday. Opt out of the coach transfers to and from the airport to Kalamaki or Laganas. We saved £30 and got taxis - 10euros each way.
It's nice to come straight out of terminal and hop in a taxi and not wait for the bus to fill up. It's only 5 minutes away.
Best of all is the return trip. Zakynthos airport is HORRENDOUS.. On arriving, three flights arrived close together and there is only one carousel.
Going back there were about five flights all due out within a couple of hours. The terminal is very small - only 3 check-in desks and even smaller departure lounge.
Passengers are kept in open pens outside until they are ready to check you in. And it can be VERY hot.
By opting for a taxi from Amaryllis you can leave the apartments an hour after the bus and save on queueing time.

If you want to explore the island you'll need to hire a car, or bike. The public transport is a bit limited and haphazard.

It is easy enough to drive but the roads are a bit narrow and quite steep in places, but you will reap the benifits if you get out and explore.

Rent a jeep and drive around to visit some of the beaches. Protect yourself against the heat though, it can be very, very hot. But driving on the islands is relaxed as there?s not too much traffic and parking space everywhere.