The Santorini to Paros ferry links the two famous Cyclades in 1 hour 45 on a high-speed boat, running up to eight times a day in summer for about €33 to €72. The route heads north through the islands, often calling at Ios or Naxos on the way. This guide covers the ferry times, prices, operators and how to plan the trip.
The crossing is a popular island-hopping link to the island, set out among the routes in the guide to how to get to Paros. Santorini lies to the south of Paros. The sections below cover the crossing in detail and how to use it.
How long is the crossing?
The crossing takes about 1 hour 45 on the fastest high-speed catamaran and up to 3.5 hours on a conventional ferry. Many sailings call at Ios or Naxos along the way, which is included in the total travel time.
The journey length varies with the boat. High-speed catamarans cover the route in around 1 hour 45 when sailing direct, while the larger conventional ferries take about 3.5 hours and often stop at Ios or Naxos en route. The boats are modern vessels that ride the open Aegean well, though the summer meltemi can lengthen a crossing. Santorini lies south of Paros, with several islands between, so this is a mid-length trip. The route suits travellers combining the two best-known Cyclades. Knowing the schedule helps with planning.
What is the ferry schedule?
The route runs up to eight times a day in summer, with the first boat from Athinios around 06:45 and departures continuing into the early evening. The frequency drops in winter, when fewer high-speed services operate.
The timetable is busy through the high season. From spring to autumn up to eight crossings a day link the islands, with the first leaving Santorini’s Athinios port around 06:45 and the last in the early evening, which supports an onward connection the same day. Schedules shift week to week and depend on the wider line each boat runs, so confirming the exact time when booking is wise. Summer sailings sell quickly. From late autumn the high-speed services thin out and the conventional ferries carry the route. Fares vary with the boat and the season.
How much does the trip cost?
A standard seat costs about €33 to €72 each way, with the high-speed catamarans at the higher end around €62 and up. Taking a car across starts from around €65 and a motorbike from €18, and early booking secures the lower fares.
The mid-length crossing is moderately priced. A foot-passenger seat ranges from roughly €33 on a cheaper sailing to about €72 for a high-speed business seat, with standard fast seats near €62. Carrying a car across starts near €65 and a motorbike from €18. Because high-speed boats dominate the route, prices run higher than on the short northern hops. Booking early secures both the lowest price and a guaranteed place in the busy summer months. Several operators run the route.
Which companies run the route?
The route is run by Blue Star Ferries with conventional boats, plus Seajets and Golden Star Ferries with high-speed catamarans. It forms part of the central Cyclades line that links Santorini northward through Ios and Naxos to Paros.
Several operators share the long channel. Blue Star Ferries runs large conventional boats that carry vehicles and call at islands en route, while Golden Star Ferries and Seajets add fast catamarans across the central Cyclades. Their combined departures give the route its daily frequency. A single ticket along the line lets travellers break the journey at Ios or Naxos, turning the transfer into island-hopping. 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 Santorini’s Athinios port, below the caldera cliffs, and arrive at Parikia, the main port of Paros. Allow time to reach Athinios by bus or transfer, since it sits below the island’s main towns.
The ports differ in their convenience. Santorini’s ferries leave from Athinios, the island’s main harbour at the foot of the caldera, reached by bus, taxi or hotel transfer down the winding cliff road, so allowing extra time is wise. On arrival, Parikia sits in the heart of the island’s capital, so the old town, the Church of 100 Doors and the bus terminal are all within a short walk, with no onward transfer. This central docking makes the arrival efficient, a pattern the guide to how to get to Paros describes. The contrast between the islands shapes the trip.
Why combine Santorini and Paros?
You combine Santorini and Paros to pair the dramatic caldera and sunsets of one island with the beaches, windsurfing and laid-back towns of the other. The two offer very different sides of the Cyclades in a single trip.
The two islands complement each other. Santorini delivers the volcanic caldera, the cliff-top towns and the world-famous sunset, busy and spectacular, while Paros offers a more relaxed island of great beaches, whitewashed harbour towns and world-class windsurfing. Travellers moving north from Santorini find a calmer pace and lower prices, with the highlights set out in the guide to things to do in Paros. Pairing the two gives a fuller picture of the islands. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Can you take a car on the ferry?
You can take a car on the conventional Blue Star ferries that serve the route, with fares from around €65 for a car and €18 for a motorbike. The high-speed catamarans are largely foot-passenger only, so check the vessel when booking a vehicle.
Carrying a vehicle depends on the boat. The larger conventional ferries on the route have car decks and take vehicles across for about €65 and up, with motorbikes from €18, handy for travellers touring the Cyclades. The fast catamarans that dominate this longer route mostly carry foot passengers only, so confirming the vessel type is essential when booking a car. Vehicle spaces are limited and sell first in peak season, so reserving early is wise, as the guide to Paros car rental notes. The longer crossing also raises the question of conditions.
Is the crossing rough?
The crossing can be choppy when the summer meltemi blows, since the route crosses open water, though the modern high-speed boats handle it well. Afternoon sailings tend to be bumpier than mornings, and the conventional ferries ride the swell more steadily.
The open-water route is usually smooth but wind-dependent. The meltemi, strongest from mid-July to mid-August, can raise a swell across the central Cyclades, giving the fast catamarans a livelier ride, while the heavier conventional ferries absorb it better. Morning departures, before the wind strengthens, are generally calmer, and travellers prone to seasickness may prefer the larger boats or a morning slot. The journey is long enough that conditions matter more than on the short northern hops, as the guide to the best time to visit Paros reflects. Tickets are easy to arrange.
How do you book tickets?
You book tickets online through a ferry platform or operator, or at a port agency, choosing the boat, the seat class and any vehicle space. Booking ahead is wise in summer, when seats sell out, and checking whether a sailing is direct avoids a longer trip.
Ticketing is straightforward with notice. Online platforms let you compare operators, departure times, durations and prices, and reserve a seat or vehicle space in minutes, while port agencies sell tickets in person. Because many sailings stop at Ios or Naxos, checking whether a boat is direct is worth doing before booking, to avoid an unexpectedly long trip. Summer departures fill quickly, so reserving ahead secures both a place and the best fare, set out alongside the guide to how to get to Paros. The route also rewards island-hopping.
Can you island-hop along the route?
You can island-hop along the route, since many sailings call at Ios or Naxos between Santorini and Paros. A single ticket line lets travellers break the journey at one of these islands, turning the transfer into a multi-island trip.
The route is a natural island-hopping line. With boats often stopping at Ios or Naxos on the way north, travellers can pause at one of these islands for a night or two, then continue to Paros on a later sailing. This makes it easy to string together several Cyclades on one trip, from the volcanic drama of Santorini to the beaches of Naxos and the harbour towns of Paros. Planning the stops around the ferry schedule keeps it smooth, set out alongside a Paros itinerary. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the crossing from Santorini to Paros take?
The crossing takes about 1 hour 45 on the fastest high-speed catamaran and up to 3.5 hours on a conventional ferry. Many sailings call at Ios or Naxos along the way, which is included in the total travel time.
How much is this crossing?
A standard seat costs about €33 to €72 each way, with high-speed catamarans at the higher end around €62 and up. Taking a car across starts from around €65 and a motorbike from €18, so early booking secures the lower fares.
How often does the ferry run?
The ferry runs up to eight times a day in summer, with the first boat from Athinios around 06:45 and departures into the early evening. The frequency drops in winter, when fewer high-speed services operate.
Is there a direct boat from Santorini to Paros?
There are direct high-speed sailings that reach Paros in about 1 hour 45, alongside services that call at Ios or Naxos and take longer. Checking whether a sailing is direct when booking avoids a longer trip than expected.