The ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras are the two biggest ports, which are considered as gates to Ionian.
From Italy – There are frequent ferries from Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi to Igoumenitsa and Patras in Greece. From there it is a couple of hours’ easy drive along good roads to Lefkada.
From Igoumenitsa – There is one short toll-tunnel crossing at Preveza. (With Eurostar’s route direct from London to Venice, this may be an interesting option.)
From Kefalonia – there is a daily ferry service from Fiskardo to Nidri (2 hours). There is also a service from Fiskardo to Vassiliki (40 minutes) in the summer.
From Nidri and Vasiliki, depart daily ferry boats that connect Lefkas to Kefalonia, Ithaca and to the smaller islands Scorpios, Sparti, Meganisi, Madouri, Prigiponisia, Skorpidi.
Lefkada itself is connected to the mainland by bridge, so access is not affected by the weather.
View ferry routes, prices, and schedules here.
From Igoumenitsa or Patra you will have to drive or take a bus to Lefkada.
Read more information about buses to Lefkada.