Knowing how to get to Paros means choosing between the ferry from the Athens port of Piraeus in 2 to 5 hours, a fast boat from Mykonos, Santorini and the other Cyclades, or a 45-minute flight into Paros airport from Athens. The well-connected island has both a busy port and a small airport. This guide covers the ferries, the flights and how to get around once you arrive.
Reaching the island is part of planning any trip, set out alongside the rest of the Paros travel guide. Paros sits centrally in the Cyclades. The sections below cover every route in detail.
How do you get there by ferry from Athens?
You reach Paros by ferry from the Athens port of Piraeus in 2 hours 40 to 5 hours, with up to six sailings a day in summer. Blue Star Ferries and Seajets run conventional and high-speed boats to Parikia for about €50 and up.
The ferry from Athens is the main route to the island. Boats leave the port of Piraeus, around 15 kilometres south of central Athens, and reach Parikia in as little as 2 hours 40 on a high-speed catamaran or up to 5 hours on a conventional ferry. Blue Star Ferries and Seajets run up to six daily summer sailings, with fares from around €50 for a foot passenger and more for a car. The high-speed boats cost more but save time. Some travellers prefer to fly. The island links to its neighbours too.
Can you reach Paros from the other islands?
You can reach Paros easily from the other Cyclades: Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini and Ios all run frequent summer ferries, many under two hours. Paros sits at the crossroads of the central Cyclades ferry network, ideal for island-hopping.
The island is a central hub for island-hopping. Fast ferries link it to Mykonos and Naxos in around 45 minutes, to Santorini in roughly two to three hours, and to Ios, Sifnos and beyond across the season. The dense network means a Paros stay combines naturally with the other islands, and a single ferry line often allows a multi-island trip. Comparing operators on a booking platform shows the fastest option for a date. The airport adds a faster way in. Flights suit time-pressed travellers.
Does Paros have an airport?
Paros has its own national airport near Parikia, with direct flights from Athens taking about 45 minutes. Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Sky Express fly the route year-round, with many daily flights in summer from around €55.
Unlike some Cyclades, the island has an airport. Paros National Airport, a few kilometres south of Parikia, handles direct flights from Athens International in about 45 minutes, operated by Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Sky Express. Summer brings many daily flights, with fares from around €55 one way when booked early. There are no direct international flights, so overseas visitors connect through Athens. Flying saves hours over the ferry for those short on time, though it carries less luggage and costs more in peak season. Getting around completes the plan.
What about Rafina as an alternative port?
Rafina is an alternative mainland port for Paros, closer to Athens airport than Piraeus at about 15 kilometres away. Fewer boats run from Rafina, but it suits travellers flying into Athens who want to head straight to the ferry.
A second mainland port is worth knowing. Rafina, on the east coast of Attica, sits only about 15 kilometres from Athens International Airport, against roughly 45 for Piraeus, so it suits travellers arriving by air who want to sail the same day. Fewer ferries serve Paros from Rafina than from Piraeus, and the journey times are similar, so checking the schedule against your flight is wise. For most visitors Piraeus remains the main gateway, as this and the Paros itinerary reflect. Once on the island, transport is simple. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
How do you get around Paros?
You get around Paros by local bus between the main towns and beaches, by rental car or scooter for the most freedom, or by taxi and boat. A car is best for reaching the scattered villages and quieter coves.
The island is easy to explore once you arrive. A bus network links Parikia, Naoussa, the airport and the main beaches, cheap and reliable for the busy routes. Rental cars, scooters and ATVs, available at the port and airport, give the freedom to reach the hill villages and remote beaches, with a few days’ hire costing around €40 a day. Taxis and water taxis fill the gaps, and small boats cross between Naoussa, Parikia and nearby coves. The choice depends on your base, as the guide to where to stay in Paros sets out. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
How do you get from Paros airport to town?
You get from Paros airport to town by taxi, rental car or hotel transfer, since the airport sits a few kilometres south of Parikia near Aliki. Taxis wait for flights, the drive to Parikia takes about 15 minutes, and many car-hire firms deliver to the terminal.
The transfer from the airport is short and simple. Paros National Airport lies near Aliki on the south coast, roughly 9 kilometres from Parikia and a 15-minute drive. Taxis meet arriving flights, and pre-booked hotel transfers or a rental car collected at the terminal are easy alternatives, useful since public buses to the airport are limited. Arranging transport ahead avoids waiting in peak season, complementing the guide to Paros car rental. The route you pick affects the overall cost.
How much does it cost to reach Paros?
It costs from about €36 by fast ferry from Mykonos to €51 and up from Piraeus, while a flight from Athens starts around €55. Costs rise in peak summer, so booking early secures the lowest fares on both ferries and flights.
The cost depends on the route and the season. A fast ferry from a neighbouring island such as Mykonos or Naxos runs from around €36, the mainland crossing from Piraeus from about €51, and a direct flight from Athens from roughly €55 one way. High-speed boats and peak-season dates cost more, while conventional ferries and the shoulder months are cheaper. Carrying a car adds €40 to €85 depending on the route. Booking weeks ahead for July and August secures the best prices, as the guide to the best time to visit Paros notes. The right choice depends on your priorities.
What is the best way to get to Paros?
The best way depends on your priorities: the ferry from Piraeus for value and carrying a car, a flight from Athens for speed, or a fast boat from a neighbouring island for island-hopping. Most overseas visitors fly into Athens, then continue by ferry or a short flight.
Choosing the best route comes down to time and budget. Travellers with time and a car favour the Piraeus ferry, which is frequent, affordable and central, while those short on time fly from Athens in 45 minutes. Visitors already island-hopping arrive on a fast boat from Mykonos, Naxos or Santorini, often in under an hour. Overseas travellers usually fly into Athens and pick the onward leg that suits them. Planning the flight and the boat together keeps the journey smooth, set out alongside a Paros itinerary. The island also links onward to its neighbours.
Can you island-hop from Paros?
You can island-hop easily from Paros, which sits at the crossroads of the Cyclades ferry network. Frequent boats reach Naxos and Mykonos in under an hour, Antiparos in seven minutes, and Ios and Santorini to the south within a few hours.
The island is one of the best hubs for hopping. Its central position gives frequent links to Naxos and Mykonos in around 45 minutes, a seven-minute ferry to Antiparos, and onward boats south to Ios and Santorini, making multi-island trips simple. A single ferry line often allows stops along the way, and combining Paros with Naxos or Antiparos is especially popular, set out in the guides to the Naxos to Paros ferry and the Antiparos day trip from Paros. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the crossing from Athens take?
The boat from the Athens port of Piraeus to Paros takes 2 hours 40 on a high-speed catamaran and up to 5 hours on a conventional ferry. Up to six sailings a day run in summer, operated by Blue Star Ferries and Seajets.
Can you fly to Paros?
You can fly to Paros from Athens in about 45 minutes, on Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air or Sky Express into Paros National Airport near Parikia. There are no direct international flights, so overseas visitors connect through Athens.
How do you get from Paros to Mykonos or Naxos?
Fast ferries link Paros to Mykonos and Naxos in around 45 minutes, with frequent summer departures. Paros sits at the crossroads of the central Cyclades ferry network, which makes island-hopping to its neighbours quick and easy.