The Amorgos to Paros ferry links the remote south-eastern Cyclades to the central hub of Paros in about 1 hour 50 on a fast boat, with summer sailings from as little as €9. The crossing connects dramatic, far-flung Amorgos to the islands’ crossroads. This guide covers the ferry times, prices, operators and how to plan the trip.
The route is a useful island-hopping link to the island, set out alongside the connections in the guide to how to get to Paros. Amorgos lies to the south-east. The sections below cover the crossing in detail and how to use it.
How long is the crossing?
The crossing takes about 1 hour 50 on the fastest high-speed catamaran from Katapola, while slower services with stops take up to 4 hours 35, averaging around 3 hours. The time depends on the port, the operator and any islands called at along the way.
The journey length varies widely with the boat and the route. The fastest high-speed catamaran from Katapola reaches Parikia in around 1 hour 50, while conventional and multi-stop services that call at Naxos or the Small Cyclades stretch the trip toward 4 hours 35, for an average near 3 hours. The boats are modern vessels that ride the open Aegean well, though the summer meltemi can lengthen a crossing. Amorgos lies in the remote south-east of the Cyclades, so this connects a far-flung island to the central hub. The route suits travellers hopping north-west. Knowing the schedule helps with planning.
What is the ferry schedule?
The route runs several times a week in summer, with the first boat from Amorgos about 06:00 and the last near 19:50. Sailings leave from the Katapola and Aegiali ports, and the frequency drops in winter on this longer line.
The timetable suits a flexible plan rather than an hourly service. Through the high season a mix of high-speed and conventional boats links the islands across the day, leaving from both the Katapola and Aegiali ports of Amorgos, with the first around 06:00 and the last near 19:50, enough for an onward connection the same day. Schedules shift week to week and depend on the wider Cyclades line each boat runs, so confirming the exact time and port when booking is wise. Summer sailings fill quickly around the August peak. From late autumn the services thin out. Fares stay low at the budget end.
How much does the trip cost?
A standard seat costs from around €9 to €53 each way, depending on the port, the operator and the speed of the boat. Fares from Katapola start near €9 and from Aegiali near €11.50, with premium seats and cabins higher.
The crossing is among the cheaper routes at the budget end. A foot-passenger seat runs from around €9 from Katapola or €11.50 from Aegiali on a conventional sailing, rising to about €53 on a fast catamaran, with premium seats and cabins higher. The conventional ferries are the budget option, while the fast boats cost more for the speed. The low entry fare makes a two-island split between Amorgos and Paros easy and affordable. Booking early secures both the lowest price and a guaranteed place in summer, as the guide to the best time to visit Paros notes. Several operators run the route.
Which companies run the route?
Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and Seajets run the route, with conventional and high-speed vessels. The crossing forms part of the lines that link Amorgos and the Small Cyclades to Naxos and Paros.
Several operators share the route. Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways run conventional boats that carry vehicles and call at Naxos or the Small Cyclades, while Seajets adds fast catamaran services that cut the crossing to under two hours. Their combined departures give the route its summer frequency. A single ticket along the line often allows island-hopping, with stops at the Small Cyclades or Naxos, or onward from Paros to Mykonos. Comparing operators on a booking platform shows the fastest and cheapest option for a date. The ports themselves are simple to use.
Where do the ferries depart and arrive?
Boats leave from the Katapola or Aegiali ports of Amorgos and arrive at Parikia, the main port of Paros. Both Amorgos ports sit in their harbour town, and Parikia is central, so no long transfer is needed.
The ports are conveniently placed at each end. Ferries depart from Katapola, the main port in a sheltered bay, or from Aegiali to the north, both lively harbour villages on Amorgos. On arrival, Parikia sits in the heart of the island’s capital, so the marble old town, the Church of 100 Doors and the bus terminal are all within a short walk, with no onward transfer. Checking which Amorgos port your boat leaves from is worth doing, a pattern the guide to how to get to Paros describes. Bringing a vehicle depends on the boat.
Can you take a car on the ferry?
You can take a car on the conventional ferries that serve the route, while the high-speed catamarans are mostly foot-passenger only. Check the boat type and the departure port when booking a vehicle, and reserve a space early in peak season.
Carrying a vehicle depends on the boat. The conventional Blue Star and Hellenic Seaways ferries have car decks and take vehicles across, useful for travellers touring the Cyclades by car, while the fast catamarans focus on foot passengers and rarely carry cars. Confirming the vessel type and the Amorgos port is essential when booking a vehicle, and spaces sell out fastest in the August peak, so reserving ahead is wise, as the guide to Paros car rental notes. The longer crossing depends on the wind.
Is the crossing rough?
The crossing can be choppy when the summer meltemi blows, since it crosses open sea, though the modern boats handle it well. Morning sailings are usually calmer than afternoon ones, and the conventional ferries ride the swell more steadily.
The open-water route is usually fine but wind-dependent. The meltemi, strongest from mid-July to mid-August, can raise a swell across the south-eastern Cyclades, giving the fast catamarans a livelier ride, while the heavier conventional ferries absorb it better. A morning departure, before the wind builds, tends to be calmer, and those prone to seasickness may prefer the larger boats. The fast crossing soon passes any rough spell, as the guide to the best time to visit Paros reflects. Booking tickets is simple.
Why combine Amorgos and Paros?
You combine Amorgos and Paros to pair Amorgos’s dramatic cliffs, the clifftop Hozoviotissa monastery and unspoilt calm with Paros’s golden beaches, harbour towns and nightlife. The two offer wild remoteness and lively variety in one trip.
The two islands offer contrasting moods. Amorgos is dramatic and unspoilt, famed for its sheer cliffs, the spectacular clifftop monastery of Hozoviotissa and a deep, quiet calm, a favourite of walkers and those seeking authenticity, while Paros brings golden beaches, whitewashed harbour towns, watersports and a lively food and nightlife scene. Hopping north-west from remote Amorgos to the central hub of Paros adds energy and variety to a trip, with the highlights set out in the guide to things to do in Paros. The fast crossing makes the pairing easy. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Amorgos to Paros crossing?
The crossing takes about 1 hour 50 on the fastest high-speed catamaran from Katapola, while slower services with stops take up to 4 hours 35, averaging around 3 hours. The time depends on the port, the operator and any stops.
How much is the Amorgos to Paros ferry?
A standard seat costs from around €9 to €53 each way, depending on the port, the operator and the speed of the boat. Fares from Katapola start near €9 and from Aegiali near €11.50, with premium seats and cabins higher.
How often does the ferry run from Amorgos to Paros?
The ferry runs several times a week in summer, with the first boat about 06:00 and the last near 19:50, leaving from the Katapola and Aegiali ports. The frequency drops in winter on this longer line.
Which Amorgos port does the Paros ferry leave from?
Ferries leave from both Katapola, the main port, and Aegiali to the north. Checking which port your boat departs from when booking is worth doing, since fares and times differ slightly between the two.