How to Get to Paxos: Every Route, and the One to Pick

Paxos has no airport, so travelers reach it by sea and arrive at Gaios, the island's main harbor. Most travelers fly into Corfu, the closest airport, and cross from there in about an hour. Coming from Athens, a short domestic flight to Corfu followed by that crossing is the fastest way in, and the simplest to get right on a first visit.

How do you get to Paxos from Athens?

Fly to Corfu. Fares move constantly, so compare a few dates before you book. In winter, when direct flights from elsewhere in Europe thin out, the connection through Athens is the sensible way to reach Corfu.

From Corfu airport, city bus 15 or a five to ten minute taxi ride takes you to the New Port, where the Paxos boats leave. From there, Gaios is about an hour away by sea.

Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Paxos?

The choice comes down to two combinations: a plane to Corfu and then a boat, or the road to Igoumenitsa on the mainland and then a boat.

Flying to Corfu and taking a boat from there is a comfortable way to start a first visit. It is a quick way in, and it spares you a long day on the road. Depending on where you start, you may be able to skip Athens as well. In summer, Corfu receives direct flights from across Europe, and from May to October these include flights from local airports all over the UK. Whichever way you travel, build in extra time on arrival, because few boats sail around midday and missing the afternoon sailing could mean a night in Corfu Town.

Road plus boat suits tight budgets and anyone with a car. Buses from Athens to Igoumenitsa take about 6 hours, and the drive takes around five. The car ferry then reaches Gaios in roughly an hour and a half. Count on most of a day, and a smaller bill.

Who should pick what:

• First trip, no car: fly to Corfu, take the boat.
• Family with luggage: fly to Corfu and book the boat in advance.
• Tight budget: bus to Igoumenitsa, then the ferry.
• Driving through the mainland: take the Igoumenitsa crossing.

How long is the ferry to Paxos?

From Corfu

This is the crossing most people take. The hydrofoil takes about an hour, and ferries run roughly 55 to 70 minutes depending on the vessel. A hydrofoil that stops at Igoumenitsa on the way adds about 30 minutes. Boats leave from Corfu's New Port and run all year, several days a week and more often in summer. Sailings thin out in winter, bad weather can cancel them, and schedules change on short notice, so check the timetable before you go.

When your flight doesn't line up with the boats, a sea taxi can do the job. It's a private boat you charter from Corfu Town to leave at the time you choose, and it can drop you at Gaios, Loggos or Lakka.

From Lefkimmi

Boats from Lefkimmi, in the south of Corfu, take about 45 minutes, the shortest crossing to Paxos. The port sits almost an hour from Corfu airport, though, so the time you save at sea goes on the drive. One operator runs a shuttle from the airport, or you can book a private transfer.

From Igoumenitsa

The mainland crossing takes about 90 minutes, and some boats take two hours or a little more. Boats run all year, with fewer in winter. This is the route for anyone bringing a car, and it costs well under the Corfu fare.

How do you get to Paxos from other islands?

Lefkada has a seasonal boat to Paxos that takes about three hours and runs a few days a week. These crossings work for island-hoppers with time to spare. Check the season before you build a plan around them.

How do you book ferries to Paxos?

Operators on these routes keep their fares behind a booking form, so the simplest place to compare times and buy tickets is a booking site such as Ferryhopper, which covers the Corfu and Igoumenitsa routes. Fares are booking-engine quotes that vary by route and vessel, and the fast hydrofoil from Corfu costs more than the regular ferry. Your hotel can often send schedules when you reserve.

Book ahead in July and August, when the Corfu boats fill. May, early June and early October are easier for seats but come with a thinner timetable. Early June can be tricky, since the full summer schedule may not be running yet and a private transfer could become necessary. Strikes in Greece can also shut down seaports, taxis and airports, so leave a buffer around any day that matters, like your flight home.

Pick the boat first, then the flight that lands well ahead of it. The day before you travel, check the ferry timetable and the weather, and keep the sea taxi in mind in case a connection slips.

How do you get from the port to your hotel?

Boats land at Gaios, on the east side of the island. The ferry dock is about half a mile (1 km) from the center of town, where you'll find the cafés, restaurants and supermarkets, and the whole town takes about fifteen minutes to walk end to end. Taxis and rental vehicles are available at the port, and many villas are a short drive away.

Loggos and Lakka are the other two villages. Loggos is about 4 miles (6 km) from Gaios, roughly 20 minutes by bus, and Lakka is about 6 miles (9 km), roughly 30 minutes. A KTEL bus links all three. It isn't very regular and doesn't reach the island's remote corners, so check the timetable posted at the stop and pay the driver in cash. Taxis are unmetered, so agree on the fare before you get in.

Rental cars are limited, and local walk-up rates run much higher than booking in advance, which is essential in peak season. The roads are narrow, so a compact car is a comfortable choice for your group.

What should Americans know before they go?

U.S. citizens can visit Greece without a visa for up to 90 days of tourism. Your passport needs at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. A passport previously reported lost or stolen will be refused at the border. Officers may also ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket or other evidence of departure. Carry your passport or another photo ID at all times.

If you plan to drive, Greek law requires both a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit. Get the permit before you leave home.

Petty crime is common at popular tourist spots, and thieves break into rental cars looking for passports and luggage.