Reaching Paros is easy and convenient with multiple flights and ferry routes available from the ports of Athens and other Greek islands. Keep on reading to discover the best options for you!
You can reach Paros by ferry or by plane. The Airport of Paros (PAS) receives domestic flights from the International Airport of Athens. The small airport is located 10km south of Parikia, (about a 15-minute drive). You can reach Paros airport by car, public bus, or taxi. The flight takes only 35 minutes. The ferry port is in Parikia, one of the two main towns on the island. You can arrive by ferry straight from Athens (Piraeus or Rafina), which takes 4,5 hours with the normal ferry or about 3 hours with the fast ferry.
You can fly directly to the island from Athens; however, in the high season months, sometimes there are flights from Thessaloniki too.
Ferry or Flight to Paros?
You can easily get to Paros by ferry or plane. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. What you choose depends on your circumstances, style and personal preference.
Here are some of the key benefits of reaching Paros by ferry:
- Ferry travel is comfortable and the best way to get into the mood for your holidays in the Mediterranean.
- It is a cheaper way to travel than an aeroplane
- You can take as many suitcases and oversized luggage as you want, you can drop your things at the baggage storage area on the lower deck of the ferry (right-hand side as you get in)
- There is wifi Internet connection on the ferry, which you can use for a low fee
- You can take walks and stretch your legs on the ferry; children can run around. Shops and eateries are available on deck.
- If the weather is good, you will see many islands on your way to Paros and if you are lucky, dolphins and other boats too. (Choose the regular ferries for this experience that feature outside decks like Blue Star or Golden Star ferries; the quick boats like Champion Jet etc. are closed and you won’t be able to go outside.)
- By taking the ferry to Paros, you can bring along your vehicle and explore every corner of the island on your own.
- Travelling by ferry is far more environmentally friendly.
The advantages of reaching Paros by plane:
- The time to fly to Paros is much shorter
- If the weather is bad, it is a much smoother trip
- In case of bad weather, flights rarely get cancelled, while the fast ferries almost always do, and over 9 Beaufort wind, even the big ferries are affected by sailing bans.
Ferry from Athens to Paros
All 3 ports of Athens (Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrion) are connected to Paros. Due to its popularity, this ferry connection is served rather frequently, mostly in the summer.
Piraeus – Paros: the Athens (Piraeus) to Paros ferry route is active year-round with daily crossings. In summer, there are around 6-8 ferry departures per day that 3 companies usually operate: Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Fast Ferries.
The duration of the ferry ride is about 2.5-5.5 hr, depending on the company and type of vessel. The price of a standard ferry ticket for the Piraeus – Paros trip starts at around €50.
Rafina – Paros: the ferry route from Rafina to Paros runs in the summer with up to 4 daily departures. The ferry companies that usually serve this crossing are Seajets, Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries.
The duration of the ferry trip ranges from 3 to 6.5 hr, as there are both high-speed and conventional ferries. A standard ferry ticket costs approximately €45-€65.
Lavrion – Paros: there is 1 weekly ferry crossing from the port of Lavrion to Paros, mainly in the summer. The ferry company that operates this route is Blue Star Ferries with the conventional vessel Artemis. The ferry trip lasts around 7 hr and the ferry ticket price is €20.
Flight from Athens to Paros
There are frequent flights from Athens International Airport to the island of Paros year-round. The duration of the flight is 35 minutes, and the airport in Paros is located 10km from its capital, Parikia.
Tip: You can pre-book your plane tickets well in advance to find better prices! There is also a strict luggage policy regarding the weight of your bags.
As there are direct flights to the neighbouring islands of Mykonos and Santorini from many European capitals and towns, it can be cheaper and quicker to fly to these islands and take a short ferry ride to Paros. See https://www.directflights.com/JMK and Thira JTR for the flight ap.
How to get to Paros from Mykonos
Mykonos is well-connected to Paros with several daily ferry crossings. The ferry route is operated by the following companies: Seajets, Minoan Lines, Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries. The trip from Mykonos to Paros by ferry lasts 45 minutes to 1.5 hr, depending on the type of vessel. The price of a standard ferry ticket starts at €25 and can go up to €75.
How to get to Paros from Santorini
You can easily travel by ferry from Santorini to Paros all year long. In the summer, you can find up to 7 daily crossings to Paros, operated by Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines and Golden Star Ferries. The ferry ride between the two islands takes about 2 to 4 hr, depending on the type of vessel. Finally, the average cost for a single ferry ticket starts at €26.
Getting to Paros from other islands
In the Cyclades, close to Paros, you can find other popular islands like Naxos, Syros, Ios and, of course, Antiparos. These destinations are great for island hopping to Paros on a low budget, as there are multiple ferry crossings with cheap ferry tickets.
You can find more island-hopping options and discover the best way to get to Paros by checking Ferry Hopper’s interactive Map of ferries.
Intercycladic flights
Sall interccladic flights operate among several of the islands: Sros, Rodos, Paros, Astipalia, milos, Naxos, mykonos and Santorini. See https://www.flycycladic.com/