How To Get From Athens to Paros: Ferry & Flight Routes for All Budgets
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 2024
A visit to Paros Island is simply a must for any traveller visiting Greece’s incredible islands, and thankfully, it’s super easy to get from Athens to Paros to enjoy the island for yourself.
Whether you prefer to travel by plane or ferry, there are several options available to suit your budget and travel preferences (book in advance here).
For those short on time, you can take a direct domestic flight from Athens to Paros, with flights operating daily between the city and the island.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to have our experience, affordable daily ferries service the Athens to Paros route, with both fast and slow ferries depending on your preference.
This guide aims to help independent travellers get from Athens to Paros safely, comfortably, and efficiently. We’ve provided the best travel options based on travel preference, time constraints and budget.
Whichever option you choose, you're sure to 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
FERRY DEPARTURES | Up to 8 per day
FERRY COST | From €40 - €80
BOOK | In advance through Ferry Hopper
FLIGHT DEPARTURES | Up to 10 per day
FLIGHT COST | From €150 difference
WHERE IS PAROS ISLAND?
Paros Island is located in the central Aegean Sea, approximately 165 kilometres southeast of Athens. Situated in the heart of the famed island group, between popular destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini, Naxos is slowly becoming a tourist mecca in its own right.
Parikia is the capital of Paros Island and is situated in the west of the island, almost directly opposite Antiparos. Parikia is the main Port on Paros, and as a result, is the main starting point for almost all Parian adventures.
ATHENS TO PAROS FERRY
Despite being a less popular island in the Cyclades, getting from Athens to Paros is still super easy, with multiple daily ferries from Piraeus (the mainland Athens port) as well as nearby Cycladic islands. This is because most of the Athens to Paros ferries also visit Naxos and Santorini.
There are two types of ferries that connect Athens to Paros - the comfortable, high-speed, hydrofoil ferries operated by SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways, and the more traditional slow ferries, operated by Blue Star, Minoan Lines, and Fast Ferries.
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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.
Whichever way you decide, both options are affordable, ranging between €40 - €80, depending on the season, ferry type, and seat type.
All ferries arriving at Paros will disembark at the Parikia Port. From here, you can easily walk into town, take a local bus to Naoussa, or taxi/transfer to other parts of the island, depending on where your accommodation is.
Despite not being as popular as other islands, it’s important to know that Athens to Paros ferries get busy. Very busy.
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.
Ferries were our preference for getting around the islands, both for cutting down on unnecessary short flights, and also because they're generally the faster, more comfortable, and more affordable option anyway.
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
ATHENS TO PAROS FERRY TICKET OPTIONS
Tickets vary from economy seats through to private cabins on all Athens to Paros ferries.
HIGH-SPEED FERRIES
Fast ferries offer three types of seating - economy, VIP and Platinum. Economy seats are similar to aeroplane seats - wide and comfortable, but many to a row.
VIP tickets are in a different area of the ship but are mostly the same seats as in Economy. In our opinion, they’re not worth the money.
Platinum seats are located in a quiet, contained room on board the fast ferry. The ticket features dedicated service, large, comfortable seats, and power sockets to charge your devices.
Due to the relatively quick ferry time, we recommend booking economy seats.
SLOW FERRIES
Slow ferries are more affordable and tend to have far greater ticket options due to their size and travel times.
For most ferries, tickets will include deck seating (economy), numbered seats, lounge (business class), and cabins (one bed to four beds).
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.
The economy seats aren’t bad per se - on a nice day, you can sit outside and watch the world go by, or do as backpacker Mark did 20 years ago and set up a makeshift bed for a long nap.
BOOK | Your Athens to Naxos ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
HOW LONG IS THE ATHENS TO PAROS FERRY JOURNEY?
The Athens to Paros ferry journey is around 3 - 5 hours depending on many factors, so we recommend grabbing food and drinks from nearby Piraeus before stepping on board.
Remember, travel time will depend on the ferry company you choose, the time of year, and important factors such as weather conditions and tides. We suggest checking the ferry schedules and travel times prior to departure.
WHERE IS PIREAUS PORT & HOW TO GET THERE
The Port of Piraeus is actually not located within the city of Athens itself, but rather in the nearby suburb of Piraeus, which is about 10 kilometres southwest of Athens.
It is the largest port in Greece and one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean region, so there are a number of ways to get to the port from Athens city centre:
METRO | The easiest and most convenient way to get to Piraeus port from Athens is by taking the Metro Line 1 (Green Line), which connects Athens to Piraeus. The journey takes around 25 minutes from Monastiraki or Omonia stations. Expect to pay around €1.50 - €2 for the journey. From Piraeus station, it’s a short walk to the port. There are plenty of places to grab food and drink before your ferry departs.
BUS | There are also several bus routes that run from Athens to Piraeus, including buses 040, 049, 218, 232, 815, and A1. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic
TAXI / UBER | Taxis and Uber are widely available in Athens, and you can take a taxi direct to Piraeus port if it’s super hot, or you have a lot of luggage. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and will cost around €30 - €40.
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
If you’re already in the Greek Islands and wish to visit Paros, a number of surrounding islands have direct ferry services. These include Amorgos, Anafi, Antiparos, Ios, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini & Sifnos.
As always, we suggest checking departure routes and times, and booking your tickets in advance through Ferry Hopper.
BOOK | Your Athens to Naxos ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
HOW TO GET FROM PARIKIA PORT TO NAOUSSA
Depending on where you’ve booked your accommodation, you’d like to arrive and then leave Parikia straight away. We suggest staying in Naoussa, or Parikia for your stay on Paros.
Getting to Parikia town from the port is easy - a simple 2-minute walk and you’re in the heart of the old town.
However, Naoussa is located about 10km from Parikia, so getting there is somewhat harder. Below are the best ways to get from Parikia Port to Naoussa:
LOCAL BUS | The best terminal is right next to the port, making it an easy transfer to Naoussa. Multiple buses depart every hour and cost €1.80 per ticket, which must be purchased prior to boarding at the bus station (cash only)
TAXI | Expect to pay around €25 - €30 for a taxi to Naoussa. If you travel as a group, a taxi can be quite a cost-effective mode of travel. Most taxis are cash only.
PRIVATE TRANSFER | Some of the best Naoussa hotels offer complimentary private transfers, which need to be organised in advance
We used buses regularly on Paros Island, and the service is super efficient. It does get busy, so you might need to get elbows out to secure a seat, but that’s all part of the fun.
KEEP PLANNING | A detailed guide on how to get from Parikia to Naoussa
ATHENS TO PAROS FLIGHT
Keen to visit Paros Island, but aren’t willing to take the long, and sometimes arduous ferry ride? Well, you’re in luck! You can fly from Athens to Paros direct, year-round.
There is a caviet, though - Paros airport is tiny, and can only handle medium sized aircraft. Thus, demand is high, and so are prices, so we feel like it’s cost prohibitive to fly to the island, unless you’re really in a rush to see as much of Greece as possible, or money is no object.
Olympic and Sky Express offer up to 10 flights per day in the height of summer,and prices start at €150 per person. Prices increase as demand increases, so the summer months can be pricey and tend to sell out. We suggest booking well in advance (Jan - March are good times).
If you do wish to fly, and you plan on exploring more Cycladic Islands, an easy alternative could be to fly directly to Mykonos or Santorini and then take a ferry to Paros.
As always, please consider whether flying is appropriate during the climate crisis. On average, flights from Athens to Paros produce 27kg + of CO2 emissions, which in our opinion, is unnecessary. If you chose to fly, please offset your emissions. Learn how, here.
PRO TIP | Fly directly to Mykonos or Santorini, and take a ferry to Paros
ATHENS TO PAROS FLIGHT TIME
The flight time from Athens to Paros is 45 minutes, depending on weather conditions.
WHERE IS ATHENS AIRPORT & HOW TO GET THERE?
Flights from Athens to Paros Island depart from Athens Domestic Airport, otherwise known as Eleftherios Venizelos
The airport is located 33 km from Athens city centre, and travel time takes around 35 - 60 minutes, depending on your mode of transport.
There are three modes of transport to get to Athens Airport - taxi / Uber, the Athens metro, or bus.
Taxis / Uber are obviously the most expensive option, and a fare is likely to cost between €40 - €60 depending on your travel time. They’re also the most comfortable option and take around 35 minutes.
The metro is our suggested option to get to the airport from the city, especially for those on a budget. We’ve taken this a number of times, and it’s safe, comfortable and air-conditioned.
Tickets for the Athens airport metro cost €9 one-way or €16 return, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. Trains are available every 30 minutes from 05:40 - 23:30.
NOTE | For flights to Naxos, you’ll need to depart from the domestic terminal
HOW TO GET FROM PAROS AIRPORT TO PARIKIA AND NAOUSSA
Paros Airport is located in the southwest of the island and is about 10km from Parikia (travel time: ~10 mins), and 20km from Naoussa (travel time: ~ 30 mins).
The route is and is operated by the metered taxi service and local shuttle bus.
TAXI | Expect to pay around €15 for a taxi to Parikia. Taxis are limited on Paros, so it may take a while to secure one. Most taxis are cash only.
BUS | Alternatively, the shuttle bus to Parikia is quick and cheap, however, departs only 4 times a day. Tickets to cost €3 for the 10-minute ride (cash only). From here, you can board the bus to Naoussa if you’re based there.
CAR RENTAL | If you’re planning to hire a car for the duration of your stay, you can arrange to pick it up from the airport
IS IT BETTER TO FLY OR FERRY FROM ATHENS TO PAROS?
Overall, we’d suggest taking the ferry from Athens to Paros.
Travelling by ferry is a rite of passage in Greece, and provides a picturesque way of seeing the country’s vast network of islands. It’s also cost-effective and relaxing - the stress of boarding flights, baggage allowances and delays means that a ferry is a vastly superior option.
We recommend downloading a few of your favourite podcasts or tv shows, grabbing a few snacks, and sitting back to embrace the subtle joy of ferry travel.
PAROS ISLAND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
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 GREECE SOON?
Check out these essential guides, travel tips, and more to help you plan your trip:
EXPLORE PAROS | The best things to do on Paros, Things to know before visiting Paros Island, the best beaches on Paros, A guide to Naoussa town, A guide to Lefkes, A short guide to Parikia Paros, Where to stay on Paros, The best hotels in Naossa, How to get from Athens to Paros Island
THE BEST OF NAXOS | Top things to do on Naxos, These are the best beaches on Naxos, Where to stay on Naxos Island, Things to do in Chora Town, A guide to the pretty town of Halki, A guide to Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios, How to get from Athens to Naxos
SANTORINI ATTRACTIONS | Our complete Santorini Guide, The best of Santorini, A complete guide to Oia, Santorini, Exploring the stunning Ammoudi Bay, Our guide to hiking Skaros Rock, How and where to find the best Santorini sunsets, where to stay in Santorini, How to get from Athens to Santorini
MYKONOS DREAMING | What to see and do on Mykonos, How to get from Athens to Mykonos, A guide to Mykonos Chora
PLAN YOUR PAROS TRIP WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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