Flights to Paros: How Americans Get There via Athens

Your long-haul flight lands at Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), and a 45-minute domestic flight takes you on to the island. The ferry from the Athens ports is the other way across: slower, cheaper, and lovely on a calm day.

Can you fly direct to Paros from the U.S.?

No. Paros Airport (PAS) is a small domestic airport, and its flights connect the island with other places in Greece. Plan on reaching Athens first, often with a change at a European hub. From Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Madrid, Munich, London or Zurich, Paros is a single stop away, so pick the hub that fits your U.S. departure city and your airline.

Mykonos and Santorini both have international airports. If your departure city has a direct flight to either one, a ferry can finish the trip.

What flights go from Athens to Paros?

Athens is by far the busiest route, with an average of about 25 flights a week. Each flight takes 45 minutes. Olympic Air and Sky Express both fly from Athens to Paros, and Mysky offers direct flights on this route too.

Are there flights to Paros from other Greek cities?

A few, and they run far less often than the Athens flights. Thessaloniki has nonstop service with Aegean and Sky Express, and the flight takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Mysky also flies between Mykonos and Paros.

Heraklion on Crete has a seasonal Aegean route that runs from June through August, so don't build an off-season plan around it. The Highspeed 3 ferry also connects Heraklion to Paros in 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Flights from Thessaloniki and Mykonos can help if you're already moving around Greece, and from Heraklion the connection to Paros is by ferry on the Highspeed 3, which takes 4 hours and 30 minutes. For most trips from the U.S., Athens is the connection that matters.

Is it better to fly or take the ferry from Athens to Paros?

Both work well, and the choice comes down to time, budget and season. The high-speed boats can make the crossing in as little as 2 hours 35 minutes, while a conventional ferry can take up to around 5 hours 35 minutes. In summer, boats also sail from Rafina, a smaller port closer to the Athens airport. Seajets runs high-speed service from there, and crossings take 3 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours.

Ferries from Piraeus carry cars as well as foot passengers. Seeing the Cyclades appear on the horizon as your boat nears Parikia makes for a memorable arrival. Ferries from Piraeus arrive at Parikia Port, right in the island's capital. The flight suits arrival day if you'd rather not travel from the airport to a port after a night over the Atlantic.

Weather is the catch with ferries. The meltemi, a strong, dry northerly wind, can make summer crossings rough and sometimes cancels sailings. Operators warn that itineraries may change in bad weather, and crossings get trickier from October to March. Boats sell out in summer, so book well ahead and check the timetable before you lock in onward plans.

At Parikia, the KTEL bus station sits just to the right as you leave the port. If you're renting a car, choose a company based at the port, so the office is a short walk from the ferry.

When is the best time to go to Paros?

May and June are lovely, though the meltemi starts to blow by mid to late June. July and August are the busiest, hottest and priciest months. The wind tends to blow strongly then, and rooms book up fast. September into early October is the other sweet spot. The sea is still very warm, crowds thin out, restaurants and bars stay open, and accommodation prices ease. May, June and September all keep regular ferry crossings.

How do you get from Paros Airport to your hotel?

The airport sits south of Parikia, close to Aliki. The bus is a budget-friendly option: it reaches Parikia in roughly 20 to 25 minutes, with much better service in summer. A taxi or a pre-booked minibus waiting on arrival is a quick way to reach your hotel. Gilfades, for example, is about 15 miles (24 km) from the airport, around 25 minutes by car.

Parikia is the island's main bus hub, with routes on to Naoussa, Aliki, Lefkes and Pounta. Naoussa, a favorite base, is 30 minutes from Parikia by bus. If you're staying on Antiparos, take the bus from Parikia to Pounta Port, about 20 minutes, then board the short car ferry across.

Most places on Paros are under 35 minutes by car. A rental car or ATV lets you reach the beaches and hill villages that the buses don't cover. 2026 prices: a bus ticket bought on board costs a higher fare of €2.80 or €4.00, so buy yours at a kiosk or tourist shop before you ride.