A rental car is the practical way to see Lefkada — the best beaches and villages are off the bus routes and the island is small enough (about 35 km long, 15 km wide) for a different corner each day. Roads in the interior are narrow and twisting; the route across the spine via Karya to the west coast involves some steep climbs.
The KTEL bus network connects Lefkada Town with Nydri, Vasiliki, Kalamitsi, Agios Nikitas, and the larger villages, but services are infrequent (a few a day) and time-tables thin out in shoulder season. Scooters and quad bikes are popular but the island's roads have a poor accident record — drive carefully if you choose one.
Caïque water taxis from Nydri and Vasiliki reach the boat-only beaches on the west and the small islands offshore.