How to Get from Athens to Paros: Ferries, Flights & Everything In Between
Whether you prefer to travel by plane or ferry, it’s super easy to get from Athens to Paros Island. With several convenient and affordable options available to suit your budget and travel preferences, you’ll be exploring Paros in no time. Read on to find out more.
UPDATED MAY 2026
Getting from Athens to Paros is straightforward, and for most travellers, the ferry is the obvious choice. It's comfortable, scenic, affordable and drops you right in the heart of Parikia (book in advance here).
That said, if time is short, direct flights now operate year-round with three airlines covering the route.
This guide covers every option, with ferry types, ticket classes, booking tips, departure ports and the flight alternative, so you can get to Paros with as little stress as possible and start enjoying the island immediately.
Our recommendation - take the ferry. The slow boat from Piraeus on a clear Aegean morning, watching the Cyclades materialise out of the water, is one of the great travel experiences in Greece.
The fast ferry is fine too if you're pushed for time. But the flight, unless you're genuinely in a rush, misses the point.
Whichever option you choose, you'll be enchanted by the stunning beauty of Paros, making it a must-visit destination for any traveller to Greece.
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HOW TO GET FROM ATHENS TO
PAROS ISLAND
FASTEST CROSSING | Fast ferry from Piraeus: 2hr 40min, from €74
BEST VALUE | Slow ferry from Piraeus: 4–5 hours, from €41.50
DAILY DEPARTURES | Up to 6 from Piraeus in summer; more in peak season
BEST FOR AIRPORT ARRIVALS | Rafina port: 3–4 hours, from €43
BY FLIGHT | 40 minutes - from €62 (Olympic Air, Sky Express, Aegean)
BOOK FERRIES | FerryHopper, our recommended booking platform
ARRIVAL PORT | All ferries dock at Parikia Port
ONWARD TO NAOUSSA | Bus from port - €2.00, departs right next to the terminal
WHERE IS PAROS ISLAND?
Paros sits in the heart of the Cyclades, approximately 165km southeast of Athens, roughly equidistant between Mykonos to the north and Santorini to the south.
Naxos is its nearest neighbour, just 30 minutes away by ferry.
Parikia, the island's capital, sits on the western coast and is where all ferries arrive.
It's the main starting point for exploring Paros, and from here, Naoussa is 30 minutes by bus, the beaches are a short drive, and the rest of the island opens up quickly once you have transport sorted.
ATHENS TO PAROS FERRY
The ferry is the best way to get from Athens to Paros, and on a clear day, one of the most enjoyable journeys in the Mediterranean.
Multiple daily services run from Piraeus year-round, operated by Blue Star Ferries and Seajets, with the fastest crossing taking around 2 hours 40 minutes and conventional ferries taking 4–5 hours.
Taking the slow ferry offers a much more sedate experience for travellers. There’s much more space, and stunning views as you cruise past the famous Cycladic Islands and to Paros. If you’re lucky enough to grab an indoor couch or chair, the ride is extremely comfortable, even in strong winds.
Otherwise, sitting on the outside decks, headphones in, relaxing and watching the world go by, is one of life’s great pleasures.
On the other hand, those who wish to get to Paros as quickly as possible should book the fast ferry. Comfortable and quick, yet slightly more expensive, the hydrofoil ferries will have you exploring the villages and beaches of Paros in no time.
So we suggest booking your tickets well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during July, August or September. More on that is below.
All ferries arrive at Parikia Port, right in the heart of the island's capital.
BOOK | Your Athens to Paros ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper App
HOW TO BOOK ATHENS TO PAROS FERRY TICKETS
The easiest and most efficient way to book your Athens to Paros ferry tickets is through a third-party provider - we used Ferry Hopper throughout our 2 months in Greece and loved the seamless service and affordability, especially when compared with the outdated ticket platforms used by the ferry companies.
Booking tickets on Ferry Hopper gave us peace of mind, knowing our tickets were secured ahead of time, and that nothing, pending a union strike or high winds, was going to stop us from making our journey.
The process is simple - jump on their app or online, select your travel dates, the departure time you’d prefer, or by ferry type (fast, slow), and book your required seating (deck, VIP or cabin). Make your payment, and the tickets will be sent directly to your email, as well as stored in the app, which makes boarding an absolute breeze, trust us.
Alternatively, you can purchase your ferry tickets directly at the ferry ports, with each company supplying on-site ticket booths. We’d advise against this, especially in summer - ferries tend to book out well in advance, so waiting until the day of departure to book your ticket is risky.
Remember to arrive at the departure port at least an hour prior to departure.
BOOK | Your Athens to Paros ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
FAST VS SLOW FERRY
SLOW FERRY
The experience ferry. Larger vessels with outdoor decks, restaurants, lounges and cabin options.
There's space to move around, stunning views of the Cyclades as you cruise past, and a genuinely relaxing way to travel.
On a good day, sitting on the outer deck with headphones in and the Aegean rolling past is one of life's simple pleasures.
We recommend booking a numbered seat, which provides a guaranteed seat that, in the height of summer, is highly sought after, and potentially a power socket, depending on which company you book with.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer your own space and to get some rest, the private cabins are a great option.
Backpacker Mark famously set up a makeshift bed on the deck 20 years ago and has been recommending the slow ferry ever since.
FAST FERRY (SEAJETS)
The efficient option. Enclosed, air-conditioned, and significantly quicker — useful if time is tight.
Slightly more expensive and bumpier in rough weather, but it gets you to Paros in under 3 hours.
Our recommendation: if time allows, take the slow ferry.
Due to the relatively quick ferry time, we recommend booking economy seats.
BOOK | Your Athens to Paros ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
TICKET OPTIONS
ON SLOW FERRIES
Deck/economy: no assigned seat, outdoor access, cheapest option. Fine on a calm day. Tickets from around €41.50
Numbered seat: our recommendation. Guaranteed seat, power socket on most vessels, worth the small premium. From around €55
Business/VIP lounge: quieter, more comfortable, from around €70
Private cabin: ideal for overnight or long crossings, from around €82
ON FAST FERRIES (SEAJETS)
Economy: airline-style seats, comfortable enough for the shorter crossing. Most passengers book this
VIP: similar seats in a separate area, not worth the premium in our opinion
Platinum: quiet dedicated lounge with dedicated service and power sockets. Worth it if you want to work or sleep
HOW TO BOOK
We booked all our ferry tickets through FerryHopper, which is the easiest way to compare operators, crossing times and seat types in one place.
Book online or via the app, pay securely, and your e-ticket goes straight to your phone. Boarding is fully digital, which means no paper tickets, no port kiosk queues.
You can buy tickets at the port on the day, but we'd strongly advise against this in summer - popular sailings, fast ferries and VIP seats book out weeks in advance. Book early, especially for July and August travel.
Arrive at Piraeus at least 60 minutes before departure. Ferries depart from Gates E6, E7 and E9 — check your specific gate on the day as it can vary.
WHERE IS PIREAUS PORT & HOW TO GET THERE
Piraeus is Athens's main port, located about 10km southwest of the city centre, a separate suburb rather than part of Athens itself.
It's the largest port in Greece and one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, so allow plenty of time and arrive at least 60 minutes before your ferry departs.
Ferries to Paros depart from Gates E6, E7 and E9; check your specific gate on the day.
METRO | The easiest and cheapest option. Take Metro Line 1 (Green Line) from Monastiraki or Omonia — the journey takes around 25 minutes and costs €1.50. From Piraeus station, it's a short walk to the port. There are cafes and food spots nearby if you want to grab supplies before boarding.
TAXI / UBER | A direct taxi from central Athens takes 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs around €35–45. Worth it if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. Note: if you're coming from Athens Airport, a taxi to Piraeus takes 45–60 minutes and costs around €55–65.
RAFINA PORT — worth knowing about | If you're flying into Athens Airport and heading straight to the ferry, Rafina port on the east coast is a much better option than Piraeus. It's only 20–30 minutes from the airport by taxi (around €25–30), ferries to Paros run from here too, and you avoid the entire Athens city centre. Tickets from Rafina start from €43.
BUS | Several routes run from central Athens to Piraeus, including 040, 049 and X80. Journey time is 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic. Fine if you're not in a rush and travelling light.
Overall, taking the metro is the most convenient and cost-effective option for getting to Piraeus port from Athens.
FERRIES FROM OTHER ISLANDS TO PAROS
Already island-hopping? Paros is well connected to Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Antiparos, Amorgos, Sifnos and Anafi.
Check current routes and book via FerryHopper - schedules change seasonally, so always verify before travelling.
BOOK | Your Athens to Paros ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
HOW TO GET FROM PARIKIA PORT TO NAOUSSA
Parikia town is a 2-minute walk from the port. If you're heading straight to Naoussa, here are your options:
LOCAL BUS | The bus terminal is directly next to the ferry port — one of the easiest transfers in the Cyclades. Tickets cost €2.00 purchased before boarding at the terminal kiosk. Buses run frequently in summer, and timings align with ferry arrivals. Buy your ticket immediately after disembarking and head straight to the bus, but it gets competitive in peak season.
TAXI | Around €20–35 to Naoussa, depending on time of day and traffic. A good option if you're travelling as a group or arriving late. Radio Taxi Paros: +30 22840 21500. Most taxis are cash only.
PRIVATE TRANSFER | Several Naoussa hotels offer complimentary transfers, which is worth organising in advance if you're staying somewhere like Parilio or Cosme.
KEEP PLANNING | Our complete Parikia to Naoussa transport guide covers everything in detail.
ATHENS TO PAROS FLIGHT
Three airlines now fly direct from Athens to Paros year-round: Olympic Air, Sky Express and Aegean. The flight takes around 40 minutes, and there are up to 45 weekly departures in peak summer, making it genuinely easy to get a seat if you need one.
The honest case for flying: it makes sense if you're short on time, arriving late, or combining Paros with islands that aren't well-connected by ferry.
Otherwise, we'd take the ferry every time it's cheaper, more comfortable and considerably more enjoyable.
PRICING
Flights start from around €62 one-way in shoulder season with Olympic Air or Sky Express, climbing significantly in July and August.
Book well in advance for summer travel - peak season flights sell out.
THE ALTERNATIVE OPTION
Fly directly into Mykonos or Santorini and take a ferry to Paros.
Both are well-connected, and it lets you see another island without backtracking through Athens.
ON SUSTAINABILITY
Athens to Paros produces around 27kg of CO2 per passenger — for a journey the ferry covers just as conveniently, that's worth factoring in.
If you do fly, offset your emissions - we explain how here.
WHERE IS ATHENS AIRPORT & HOW TO GET THERE?
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) is 33km from the city centre, allow 40–60 minutes to get there depending on your mode of transport.
Paros flights depart from the domestic terminal.
METRO | Our recommendation. Line 3 runs directly from Syntagma or Monastiraki to the airport every 30 minutes (05:40–23:30). Journey time around 40 minutes. Tickets cost €9 one-way or €16 return.
TAXI / UBER | Around €40–55 from central Athens, 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. More comfortable with luggage and worth splitting between a group.
Note for Rafina users: if you're considering Rafina port instead of flying, it's only 20–30 minutes from the airport by taxi — a far easier option than Piraeus for direct airport-to-ferry transfers.
HOW TO GET FROM PAROS AIRPORT TO PARIKIA AND NAOUSSA
Paros Airport sits in the southwest of the island, about 10km from Parikia (10 minutes) and 20km from Naoussa (30 minutes).
TAXI | Around €15 to Parikia, €25–30 to Naoussa. Taxis are limited at the airport; if arriving on a busy summer flight, don't count on one being immediately available. Cash only.
BUS | A shuttle bus runs to Parikia, tickets cost €3 for the 10-minute ride, departing four times daily. From Parikia, you can connect to the Naoussa bus. Check the KTEL Paros timetable before you land.
CAR RENTAL | If you're hiring a car for your stay, picking it up at the airport is the most convenient option; arrange in advance, as airport pick-up availability is limited.
IS IT BETTER TO FLY OR FERRY FROM ATHENS TO PAROS?
Ferry, and it's not particularly close.
The fast ferry from Piraeus gets you to Paros in under 3 hours door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in, security and the transfer from Paros airport to wherever you're staying. The slow ferry takes longer, but costs less and is genuinely enjoyable in a way that a 40-minute domestic flight never will be.
Flying makes sense in one scenario: you're arriving at Athens Airport and need to get to Paros fast, with no interest in stopping in Athens. In that case, a flight or the Rafina ferry are both worth considering.
Otherwise, download a podcast, grab some snacks from Piraeus, find a spot on the outer deck and let the Cyclades unfold around you. It's one of the great travel experiences in Greece and costs a fraction of the flight.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO PAROS ISLAND
WHAT TO SEE AND DO ON PAROS
Let Paros woo you with its ubiquitous Greek island elements: feta-cubed villages, endless marmalade sunsets, sun-drenched hilltop towns, pretty laneways made for slow meanders, endless golden beaches and hidden coves, lazy days and long nights filled with delicious food (and booze), and the gorgeous old fishing harbour of Naoussa, that twinkles with fairy lights at dusk while the boats bob gently in the water.
We suggest visiting Paros’ best beaches, exploring the pretty seaside towns of Naoussa and Parikia, and the beautiful mountain villages of Lefkes, Prodromos and Marpissa, the stunning Byzantine-era ‘Church of 100 Doors’, Ekatontapiliani, setting sail in the azure waters on a Paros sailing tour, enjoying a wine tasting at Moraitis winery, and watching the sunset every. single. day.
For more, read all our guides to Paros Island: The best things to do on Paros Island, Detailed guides to Naoussa, Parikia, Lefkes village, and where to stay on Paros
WHERE TO STAY IN PAROS
Paros has some of the most beautiful hotels and villas in the Cycladic Islands, so to help you choose the right place for your budget, we’ve written a complete guide about where to stay on Paros.
Below are our top picks for every budget:
COVE PAROS | Cove Hotel overlooks the golden sands and sparkling water of Agioi Anargyroi beach, and the rooms and suites are spacious and well-designed with a modern boho-Cycladic style. Book here
BETHLEHEM HISTORIC TOWNHOUSE | Despite being in the middle of Parikia, Bethlehem Townhouse is a nest of tranquillity for a chilled-out family stay. Built in 1600 and renovated in 2016, it features minimalist vibes, traditional Cycladic furniture to the sunny rooftop terrace. Book here
APARTMENTS SVORONOS | Where we stayed, and somewhere we couldn’t recommend highly enough. The rooms are simple but comfortable, with kitchenettes and charmingly creaky Cycladic furniture. But the hospitality is wonderful! Book here
READ MORE | The best hotels, hostels and villas on Paros
HOW TO GET AROUND PAROS
There are a few ways to get around Paros, although which one you should opt for depends on how long you’re planning to visit, and whether you’re planning to explore or relax by the sea.
CAR RENTAL | If you have your own set of wheels it will allow you to see all the best things to do on Paros. Expect to pay around €25 - €50 per day for car rental on Paros. Book your car rental here
SCOOTER OR ATV | For those on a budget, hiring an ATV or scooter is a great option to explore Paros. There are many rental agencies in Parikia and Naoussa. Note that to rent a scooter in Greece you'll need to show proof of a motorbike license.
LOCAL BUS | Buses are by far the cheapest mode of transport on Paros, and the network is pretty good and reliable, especially between Parikia port and Naoussa. Tickets between major hubs generally cost around €2 (cash only). See the Paros bus timetable here
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLANNING A TRIP TO PAROS SOON?
Getting to Paros is the easy part, here's everything you need to know once you arrive.
EXPLORE | Best Things to Do on Paros: beaches, villages, wineries, sailing and everything worth doing on the island
PLAN | Paros Island Guide: when to visit, how long to stay, what to know before you go
STAY | Where to Stay on Paros: hotels, villas and hostels across every budget and neighbourhood
NAOUSSA | Naoussa Guide · Best Hotels in Naoussa
EXPLORE MORE | Parikia Guide · Lefkes Village Guide · Best Beaches in Paros
GET AROUND | Parikia to Naoussa Transport Guide
PLAN YOUR PAROS TRIP WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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