Getting to Paxos means travelling by sea, as this small Ionian island has no airport of its own. The two main gateways are the island of Corfu, from which fast passenger ferries and hydrofoils reach the Paxos port of Gaios in about an hour. The mainland port of Igoumenitsa. From which a car ferry makes the crossing in around an hour and three-quarters. Most visitors fly into Corfu and continue by boat, while those bringing a car use the Igoumenitsa route. In summer there are also day cruises from Corfu that combine the journey with sightseeing. This guide explains every way to reach Paxos, the journey times, prices, the nearest airports and how to plan your trip.
Here you will find everything about how to get to Paxos: whether the island has an airport, the fast ferries and hydrofoils from Corfu, the car ferry from Igoumenitsa. Journey times and prices, taking a car across, the nearest airports, when the ferries run, the best route for your trip. Practical tips for planning your journey to the island. Whether you are flying into Corfu, driving to the mainland coast, or planning a day trip. This guide sets out every option clearly so you can reach Paxos with the minimum of fuss.
How do you get to Paxos?
You get to Paxos by boat, since the island has no airport.
Paxos lies in the Ionian Sea just south of Corfu, and because it has no airport, the only way to reach it is by sea. The island’s main port is Gaios, on the sheltered east coast. This is where the ferries and hydrofoils arrive. Whether they come from the island of Corfu to the north or from the mainland port of Igoumenitsa to the east. Gaios sits in a beautiful, almost lagoon-like channel sheltered by a small wooded islet, so the approach by sea is a memorable arrival in itself.
For most visitors the journey to Paxos and Antipaxos involves two stages: flying or sailing to Corfu, and then taking a boat on to Paxos. Those travelling with a car generally head instead for Igoumenitsa on the mainland, from where a car ferry crosses to the island. In the summer season there are also organised day cruises from Corfu.
The crossings are short and, in the calm summer seas, usually comfortable, so reaching Paxos is straightforward once you understand the options. The choice of route depends mainly on where you are coming from and whether you want to bring a vehicle, both of which this guide covers in detail below.
How do you get from Corfu to Paxos?
From Corfu you get to Paxos on a fast passenger ferry or hydrofoil, which crosses from Corfu Town to the port of Gaios in around an hour.
The most popular way to reach Paxos is by fast ferry or hydrofoil from Corfu, since visitors fly into Corfu’s airport first. These passenger boats depart from the port of Corfu Town and cross to Gaios on Paxos in about an hour. Running daily through the summer season, with sailings a day at peak times.
There is also a shorter crossing from Lefkimmi, the southern port of Corfu, which lies closer to Paxos and reduces the time on the water. Some services combine a road transfer down through Corfu with the shorter sea crossing. This can be a quicker overall option for those staying in the south of the island.
These fast boats carry foot passengers rather than cars, so they suit visitors who do not need a vehicle on Paxos. Tickets can be booked in advance online through the ferry operators or a booking platform, which is wise in July and August when the popular sailings fill up quickly.
How to get to Paxos from Igoumenitsa?
From Igoumenitsa on the mainland you reach Paxos on a car ferry, which crosses to Gaios in around an hour and three-quarters.
Igoumenitsa, a major ferry port on the mainland coast opposite Corfu, is the gateway for travellers who want to bring a car to Paxos. From here a conventional car ferry crosses directly to Gaios, taking roughly an hour and three-quarters. It runs daily during the summer months, though with fewer sailings than the fast passenger boats from Corfu.
This route is well suited to those arriving by road from elsewhere in Greece. Or flying into a mainland airport such as Preveza and then driving the scenic coast road to Igoumenitsa. As a guide, fares start from around ten euros for a foot passenger and about forty euros for a car, though prices vary by season and operator. It is worth checking the current timetables and rates carefully when you come to book.
It pays to plan your journey around its schedule, especially if you are driving. Booking ahead in high season is sensible, particularly if you are taking a vehicle across, as space for cars is limited.
Can you take a car to Paxos?
Yes, you can take a car to Paxos, but only on the car ferry from Igoumenitsa, as the fast boats from Corfu carry foot passengers only.
It is possible to bring a car to Paxos. Only via the car ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland, since the fast passenger ferries and hydrofoils from Corfu do not carry vehicles. Anyone wanting their own car on the island must therefore route their journey through Igoumenitsa and plan around the car ferry’s timetable.
That said, a car is far from essential on Paxos. The island is small, only around ten kilometres long. Its three main villages are close together, so visitors happily come as foot passengers from Corfu and manage without a vehicle, relying on local buses, taxis and boats to get about.
For those who do want independent transport once there, cars, scooters and bicycles can be hired locally on the island. Which avoids the cost and effort of bringing a vehicle across on the ferry. Much of the coast, in any case, is best explored on a Paxos boat trip, so a hired car is really needed only for reaching inland villages and the more distant beaches.
Is there an airport on Paxos?
No, there is no airport on Paxos. The nearest airport is on Corfu, from where you continue to Paxos by ferry.
Paxos has no airport of its own, which is one reason it has remained so quiet and unspoilt. To reach the island by air, you fly to a nearby airport and then complete the journey by sea, so the flight is only the first stage of getting there.
The most convenient airport is Corfu International Airport, well connected in summer with flights from across Europe. From where you transfer to the port and take a fast ferry to Paxos. This is the route most visitors use, as it combines a wide choice of flights with the frequent, quick crossings from Corfu.
An alternative is Preveza airport, also known as Aktion, on the mainland, which can be combined with a drive to Igoumenitsa and the car ferry to Paxos. This can suit travellers coming from certain destinations or those bringing a car, though for most people the Corfu route is simpler and quicker. From further afield, visitors fly into Athens and then take an internal flight to Corfu or drive across to the Ionian coast. This makes for a much longer journey and is rarely the most practical choice for reaching the island.
How long does the ferry to Paxos take?
The ferry to Paxos takes about an hour on the fast boats and hydrofoils from Corfu Town, and around an hour and three-quarters on the car ferry from Igoumenitsa.
Journey times to Paxos depend on the route and the type of vessel. The fast passenger ferries and hydrofoils from Corfu Town make the crossing to Gaios in around an hour. Which is why they are the most popular choice, offering a quick and scenic trip across the sheltered strait between the islands.
The car ferry from Igoumenitsa takes a little longer, at roughly an hour and three-quarters, reflecting both the greater distance and the slower, conventional vessel. From the southern Corfu port of Lefkimmi the sea crossing is shorter still, as this port lies closer to Paxos, though reaching it involves a drive down through Corfu.
It is worth remembering that slower, indirect routes exist too, such as travelling from Corfu via Igoumenitsa and changing ferries, which can take hours in total. For most visitors, however, the direct fast ferry from Corfu is by far the quickest and most convenient way to reach the island.
When do the ferries to Paxos run?
The ferries to Paxos run mainly from spring to autumn, with the fullest timetable in the summer months from roughly May to October.
The ferry services to Paxos are geared to the tourist season, running most frequently from spring through to autumn. In the peak summer months, roughly May to October, the fast passenger ferries from Corfu and the car ferry from Igoumenitsa both operate daily. Often with sailings a day at the height of the season.
Outside these months, in late autumn and winter, the timetable is much reduced, with fewer crossings and no day cruises, as demand falls and the seas can be rougher. Visitors travelling out of season check the schedules carefully in advance, as sailings run only on certain days.
It is always best to check the current schedules and book ahead, especially in July and August when the island is busiest. Booking online through the ferry operators or a comparison platform lets you see the sailings and secure your tickets in advance.
What is the best way to get to Paxos?
The best way to get to Paxos for most visitors is to fly to Corfu and take a fast ferry to Gaios, a quick hour-long crossing.
For the great majority of visitors. The simplest and quickest way to reach Paxos is to fly into Corfu and continue on a fast ferry or hydrofoil to Gaios, a crossing of about an hour. This combines the wide choice of summer flights to Corfu with frequent, speedy boats, and avoids the need for a car.
Travellers who want their own vehicle on the island plan their journey through Igoumenitsa and take the car ferry. Accepting the slightly longer crossing and less frequent timetable in exchange for the convenience of a car. Those simply wanting a taste of the island can join a day cruise from Corfu, taking in Antipaxos and the blue caves along the way.
Whichever route you choose, it pays to book ferries in advance in high season and to plan your arrival around the sailing times. With a little preparation, the journey to Paxos is easy and even enjoyable. A short and scenic voyage across beautiful Ionian waters that forms a fitting introduction to this peaceful and lovely island. A gentle start to a relaxing holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get from Corfu to Paxos?
You get from Corfu to Paxos by sea, on a fast passenger ferry or hydrofoil that crosses from the port of Corfu Town to Gaios. The main port of Paxos, in around an hour. These fast boats are the most popular way to reach the island, since visitors fly into Corfu first. They run daily through the summer season, with sailings a day at the busiest times. They carry foot passengers rather than cars, so they suit those who do not need a vehicle on Paxos, which is small enough to explore without one. There is also a shorter sea crossing from Lefkimmi, the southern port of Corfu. Which lies closer to Paxos.
Some services combine a road transfer down through Corfu with this quicker crossing. In summer, day cruises also run from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos, combining the journey with sightseeing and swimming stops, though these are excursions rather than a simple transfer. For those bringing a car, the Corfu fast boats are not an option, and the car ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland must be used instead. For most visitors, however, the direct fast ferry from Corfu is the quickest and most convenient way to get to Paxos. It is well worth booking in advance in July and August when the popular sailings quickly fill up.
Can you do a day trip to Paxos from Corfu?
Yes, you can do a day trip to Paxos from Corfu, and it is one of the most popular excursions in the region. In the summer season, day cruises sail from Corfu to Paxos and its tiny neighbour Antipaxos, typically taking in the famous blue caves and white cliffs of the Paxos west coast. Anchoring in the turquoise bays of Antipaxos for a swim. Calling at the harbour town of Gaios for free time ashore. These full-day trips generally last between eight and twelve hours, leaving Corfu in the morning and returning in the evening. Are an easy. Relaxing way to see the best of both islands without arranging your own transport or accommodation.
They are ideal for visitors based on Corfu who want a memorable day out on the water. It is also possible to visit Paxos independently for the day by taking an early fast ferry from Corfu and returning on a later sailing. Which gives you the freedom to explore Gaios and the island at your own pace, though you check the timetables carefully to make the most of your day. Whether on an organised cruise or under your own steam, a day trip to Paxos from Corfu is a rewarding way to experience the island. Even if its beauty well tempt you to return for a longer stay.
Do you book Paxos ferries in advance?
It is strongly advisable to book Paxos ferries in advance, particularly in the peak summer months of July and August, when the island is at its busiest and the most popular sailings can sell out. Booking ahead secures your place, lets you choose the departure time that suits your plans. Is especially important if you are taking a car across on the ferry from Igoumenitsa. Where vehicle space is limited and fills up quickly. You can book online through the ferry operators or through a comparison platform. Which allows you to see the available sailings, compare times and prices. Reserve your tickets in one place.
In the quieter shoulder months of spring and autumn there is generally more availability. You have more flexibility to travel at short notice. But even then booking ahead gives peace of mind and guarantees the crossing you want. Because ferry timetables to Paxos change from season to season and services run only on certain days outside high summer, it is always sensible to check the current schedules when planning your journey, rather than relying on previous years’ times. A little advance planning ensures your trip to the island goes smoothly, so that reaching Paxos is a pleasure rather than a worry.