How to Get to Paros – Ferries, Flights & Island-Hopping Guide

Is It Easy to Get to Paros?

Yes — Paros is one of the best-connected islands in the Cyclades, with multiple ferries per day and year-round flights from Athens. However, the best way to arrive depends on the season, your starting point, and whether you want speed, comfort, or the lowest price.

This guide explains all options clearly so you can choose the best route for your trip.

Ferry or Flight – What’s Better?

Option	Best For	Travel Time	Price	Notes
Ferry	Most travelers	3–5 hours from Athens	€35–€75	More scenic, more schedules
Flight	Fastest	35–40 min from Athens	€60–€140	Small airport, limited seats
Island-hopping ferry	Already in Greece	25 min – 3 hrs	€15–€65	Best from Naxos / Mykonos / Santorini

✅ 80% of travelers arrive by ferry
✅ Flights exist, but only from Athens (no direct international flights)
✅ In summer, dozens of ferries arrive daily from 6+ islands

Ferries from Athens

There are 3 ports in Athens, but most ferries to Paros leave from Piraeus or Rafina.

1. Piraeus → Paros

Fast ferry: 2h 50m
Standard ferry: 4h 30m
Price: €38–€75
Companies: Blue Star, Seajets, Minoan

✅ Best if you arrive in Athens city center
❌ Longer road transfer from airport

2. Rafina → Paros

Fast ferry: 3h 20m
Price: €45–€70

✅ Closest port to Athens Airport (25–30 min)
❌ Fewer big ferry options than Piraeus

3. Lavrio → Paros

Small port, limited schedule
Only useful off-season or if staying in southern Attica

Ferry Booking Tips

✅ Book in advance for July–August
✅ Choose Blue Star for comfort (big ships, less seasick)
✅ Choose Seajets for speed (small, fast, sometimes bumpy)
✅ Print or download e-ticket QR code – no need to collect paper tickets anymore
✅ If windy (Meltemi), avoid small high-speed ferries

Ferries to Paros from Other Islands

Route	Travel Time	Notes
Naxos → Paros	25–40 min	Cheapest + most frequent
Mykonos → Paros	35–50 min	Great combo trip
Santorini → Paros	1h 50m – 3h	Daily ferries, peak summer
Ios → Paros	1h 30m	Good for island-hopping
Milos → Paros	2h 30m – 4h	Fewer ferries, book ahead
Syros → Paros	1h – 1h 30m	Good mainland alternative

✅ Paros is one of the easiest islands to combine with others
✅ Naxos, Mykonos and Antiparos are the most common pairings

Flights (PAS Airport)

🛫 Airport code: PAS
🛬 Flights are only domestic (Athens → Paros)
⏱️ Duration: 35–40 minutes
✈️ Airlines: Olympic Air, Aegean, Sky Express
📅 Year-round flights, more in summer

Important:
There are no direct international flights yet — so if you’re flying from abroad, you must connect via Athens, Mykonos, or Santorini.

When Flights Make Sense

✅ You want the fastest route
✅ You get a cheap connecting flight
✅ You want to avoid sea sickness
❌ Not good for large luggage (small plane)
❌ Summer seats sell out early

Round-trip price range: €100–€250 (depends on season)

Island-Hopping

If you’re already in Greece, ferries make island-hopping extremely easy.

Best 1-Island Combinations

Paros + Naxos (25 min apart)
Paros + Antiparos (7 min local ferry)
Paros + Mykonos (35–45 min)
Paros + Santorini (2–3 hrs)

Good 3-Island Routes

Athens → Paros → Naxos → Santorini
Paros → Mykonos → Tinos
Paros → Milos → Folegandros

How to Get to Paros from the Airport (ATH)

1. Fastest option

ATH → Rafina (taxi or bus) → Ferry

2. Cheapest option

ATH → Metro to Piraeus → Standard ferry

3. Fastest overall travel time

ATH → Direct flight (35 min)

4. Most relaxed

Night in Athens → Morning Blue Star ferry

How to Buy Ferry Tickets

✅ Official ferry sites (Blue Star, Seajets, Golden Star)
✅ Aggregators (Ferryhopper, Viva, DirectFerries)
✅ Travel agent at the port (last-minute)

Tip: Pick your seat type carefully:

Type	Price	Good For
Deck / Economy	€35–€45	Budget, basic seats
Airline seat	+€5	More comfortable
Business / VIP	+€15–€25	Quiet, big windows

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Booking the wrong Athens port (Piraeus ≠ Rafina)
❌ Not checking wind forecast (Meltemi can disrupt small ferries)
❌ Booking tight arrival–ferry connections
❌ Assuming ferries are always on time
❌ Going to Paros airport expecting taxis (few available)
❌ Forgetting that luggage is stored by yourself on ferries, not checked in

Best Way to Reach Paros (Depending on Traveler Type)

Traveler	Best Option
Budget traveler	Standard ferry from Piraeus
Flying into Athens late	Stay 1 night → morning ferry
Sea-sick traveler	Flight to Paros
Island hopper	Ferry from Naxos or Mykonos
Family with kids	Blue Star ferry (big, stable)
Luxury traveler	Private transfer + business class ferry seat

FAQ

Can you fly directly to Paros from another country?

No — you must connect via Athens, Mykonos or Santorini.

Is the ferry better than the flight?

Yes for scenery & luggage, no if you’re short on time.

Do ferries run all year?

Yes, but fewer in winter (1–2 per day instead of 8–12).

Can I bring my car or scooter?

Yes — all large ferries have vehicle decks.

How long is the ferry from Naxos to Paros?

25 to 40 minutes, depending on the boat.

Final Thoughts

Reaching Paros is simple once you choose the right route for your needs. Whether you fly in 40 minutes, sail in on a slow ferry with sea views, or hop over from a neighboring island, the journey is part of the Greek island experience — and Paros is worth every mile.