Paros is one of the easiest Greek islands to reach by ferry, with boats leaving from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio ports in Athens. This Athens to Paros ferry guide has more details.
Paros island in Greece
It might not be quite as well known internationally as Santorini and Mykonos, but Paros is one of the more popular Cyclades islands in Greece.
Paros appeals to a wide range of visitors. It's got lovely beaches, the typical Cycladic quaintness, and a great landscape. Whether you're looking for a club that doesn't close until the small hours of the morning, or a quiet village far away from the crowds, Paros has it all.
Thanks to its popularity, Paros is also one of the best connected islands when it comes to ferry services from Athens. There's daily direct ferries from Athens to Paros even in winter, and the island also has its own airport.
How to get from Athens to Paros
Paros is one of only a few islands in the Cyclades to have an airport, so it is possible to fly there. There are occasional charter flight connections with a handful of destinations within Europe, which means that some nationalities may be able to fly directly.
Other international travelers might consider flying first into Athens International airport, and then taking a domestic flight from Athens to Paros. You should note, that unless the flights line up perfectly, this option may be longer than taking a ferry.
Most people will choose to travel to Paros from Athens by ferry. I recommend using the Ferryhopper site when booking Athens to Paros ferry tickets.
Ferries to Paros from Athens
Paros is one of the easiest Cyclades islands to reach by ferry from Athens. In the summer, ferries leave from all three Athens ports – Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio.
There can be between 3 and 5 ferries per day sailing from Athens to Paros, with normally 3 ferries per day leaving from Piraeus. Blue Star Ferries and Seajets both operate daily ferries from Piraeus to Paros island.
I personally find Rafina port to be my favourite of the three, as its nature is a lot less chaotic than Piraeus! If you find a good connection from Rafina to Paros, I'd suggest taking it.
Lavrio can have cheaper tickets, which start from 20.00 per person, however the travel time is longer at approximately 7 hours.
Piraeus Port has the more regular connections, and so many people may find it the best port to leave from when sailing to Paros. Ticket prices start at around 33.00 Euro for a 4 hour and 15 minute journey on the Blue Star boats. Seajets have faster but more expensive crossings to Paros mainly in the summer months.
For up to date ferry schedules and tickets, take a look at: Ferryhopper.
Paros Island Travel Tips
Start your Paros trip planning the right way with these travel tips and insights:
- Booking has the greatest selection of hotels in Paros, all easily booked online.
- Paros ferry tickets can be purchased online from the Ferryhopper website.
- Be at Greek ferry ports an hour before you are due to sail, especially in Piraeus Port.
- Welcome provide an easy way to pre-book taxis to and from the ferry ports in Athens.
- Paros can be busy in the peak month of August – If you plan to travel then, make your bookings as soon as possible.
- Transport geeks should check out my ridiculously in-depth guide to Ferries in Greece.
What to see in Paros Greece
Some of the best things to see and do in Paros include:
- Visiting the Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Church of 100 Doors)
- Walk through the streets of Old Town And Port Of Naoussa
- spending time in the Town of Lefkes
- Relaxing at Kolombithres Beach
- Hiking through Paros Park
- Make sure to visit AntiParos!
FAQ About Traveling To Paros
Other people planning to travel between Athens and Paros ask questions such as:
How do you get to Paros from Athens?
The most popular way to get to Paros from Athens is by ferry. Paros island does also have an airport with domestic connections to Athens Airport, so flying can be an option.
Is there an airport on Paros?
The island of Paros has an airport (IATA: PAS, ICAO: LGPA), and now receives seasonal charter flights from some European destinations, in addition to having connections with Athens Airport.
Where does the Paros ferry leave from in Athens?
Ferries to Paros leave from all three ports in Athens – Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. The most regular year-around connections are from Piraeus, with the Rafina Paros route operating during the summer. Ferries from Lavrio to Paros operate on a more occasional basis.
How long does the Athens to Paros ferry take?
The ferry to Paros from Athens can take between 3 and 7 hours, depending on if the ferry is high speed, which Athens port it leaves from, and how many stops it will make between Athens and Paros. Generally speaking, the quicker the ferry journey the more expensive the ticket will be.
How do I buy ferry tickets for Paros?
Ferryhopper is a very good website to check Paros ferry schedules and to buy tickets online. You can also wait until you are in Greece, and then use a local travel agency to reserve Athens to Paros ferry tickets. Note that ferries can become sold out during the peak month of August, so buying tickets as soon as you can makes the best sense.
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– Dave Briggs
Dave is a travel writer who's been based in Greece for the last five years. During that time, he's written hundreds of travel blog posts including this one about getting from Athens to Paros island by ferry. He has a somewhat ambitious goal of visiting every Greek island (there's over 200!) and writing about them all.
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