Flying to Preveza is the fastest and most convenient option. There are direct flights from many Italian cities. If you fly on a Saturday, you may pay more, but you will have more time to explore Lefkada.

If you fly to Athens, you can take a bus or transfer to Lefkada. The bus is cheaper, but the transfer is more comfortable.

You can also fly to Corfu and then take a ferry to Igoumenitsa. From Igoumenitsa, you can take a bus, taxi or transfer to Lefkada.

Taking a ferry to Igoumenitsa is a cheaper option, but it takes longer. There are ferries from many Italian ports. From Igoumenitsa, you can take a bus, taxi or transfer to Lefkada.

If you drive, you can take the ferry from Ancona, Bari or Brindisi to Igoumenitsa. From Igoumenitsa, it is a two-hour drive to Lefkada.

By plane:

Direct flights from Italy:

Duration: about 1 hour from southern Italy, 2 hours from northern Italy
Departure airports: Milan Malpensa, Bergamo, Rome Fiumicino, Venice, Naples, Pisa
Airlines: low-cost flights (book in advance for better rates)
Flights from Greece:

Departure airports: Athens, Preveza, Zakynthos
Airlines: Olympic, Sky Express, Hahn Air
Duration: 50 minutes from Athens, 25 minutes from Preveza and Zakynthos
Cost: about €50 each way

By ship:

Ferries to Sami and Poros
Shipping companies: Ventouris Ferries (Bari-Sami), Red Star Ferries (Brindisi-Sami)
Frequency: 1-3 times a week (depending on the season)
Duration: 15-17 hours
Advantage: possibility of bringing a car

Alternatively:

Flights with stopover on Corfu or Zakynthos (more stops, longer travel times)
Ferries from Ancona or Venice with a stop in Patras (longer trip, suitable solution if you also want to visit mainland Greece)