Paros sits in the middle of the Cyclades, and from the U.S. you reach it in two legs: a flight into Athens, then a ferry or a short domestic flight. Most visitors take the boat, which drops you right in the island's capital. The plane is the shortcut when time is tight, and a second port, Rafina, is the easy option if you're heading straight from the airport.
How do you get to Paros from Athens?
You have three realistic choices: a ferry from Piraeus, a ferry from Rafina, or a plane from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). Paros has its own small airport, but it mainly connects with Athens, so you will need to pick one of those three options once you land.
The ferry from Piraeus
Piraeus is Athens's main port, roughly 6 to 9 miles (10 to 15 km) southwest of the center. It's a separate suburb, not a neighborhood of the city. Ferries leave for Paros every day of the year, with more departures in summer. Blue Star Ferries and Seajets are the main operators, running both conventional and high-speed boats, and Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries also sail the route.
Boats to Paros usually leave from gates E6, E7, E9 and sometimes E10, at the far end of the terminal building. Gates can change, so confirm yours on the day. Cafes and food spots nearby make it easy to pick up snacks for the crossing.
The ferry from Rafina
Rafina is a smaller port on Athens's east coast and sits closer to the airport than Piraeus does. If you're landing in Athens and want to go straight to the boat, it's the smarter pick: a taxi takes 20 to 30 minutes, against 45 to 60 minutes to Piraeus, and you skip the city entirely. Departures are fewer, typically a morning boat and a couple in the afternoon. In summer, Seajets runs high-speed service from here, alongside the conventional ferries.
The flight
Olympic Air, Sky Express and Aegean fly from Athens to Paros year-round, and the flight takes about 40 to 45 minutes. Paros flights leave from the domestic terminal. Fares are lowest outside the busiest weeks and climb in July and August, when flights can sell out, so book early for summer and compare with the ferry before you commit.
Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Paros?
For most people, the ferry. Once you add airport check-in, security and the transfer at the other end, the fast ferry from Piraeus gets you there in about the same time door to door. The slow ferry takes longer, but it usually costs less, and many visitors find it the more relaxing way to arrive. You can walk around, find a spot on the outer deck, have a coffee and watch the islands appear.
Flying makes sense if you're landing at the Athens airport and want to reach Paros as fast as possible, if you're arriving late, or if you'd rather skip the trip to a port.
Here's how to decide:
- First trip: take the ferry. Choose the fast boat if time is tight, the slow one if you have the morning to spare.
- Family with luggage: the slow ferry, which has room to spread out.
- Tight budget: a deck or economy seat on the slow ferry.
- Short on time and landing at Athens airport: a flight, or the ferry from Rafina.
High winds can change ferry itineraries, and planes aren't immune to disruption either, so leave a little slack in your first and last days. Check the wind forecast the day before you sail.
How long is the ferry to Paros?
Crossing time depends on the port and the boat. High-speed ferries from Piraeus are the quickest, at about 2 hours 40 minutes. Conventional ferries from Piraeus take 4 to 5 hours or a little more, and crossings from Rafina take 3 to 4 hours. Ferry schedules can change from one season to the next, so check a booking platform for the timetable that applies to your travel date.
Should you take the fast ferry or the slow ferry?
The fast ferry is enclosed, air-conditioned and much quicker. It can be bumpier in rough weather and usually costs a bit more. Most passengers book economy, with airline-style seats that are fine for a short crossing. If you want to work or sleep, the Platinum class gives you a quiet lounge with power sockets.
The slow ferry is the roomier ride, with open decks, restaurants, lounges and cabins, and lovely views of the Cyclades drifting by. A deck ticket is the budget choice and works well on a calm day. If you'd like a private space to rest, Blue Star sailings offer cabins.
How do you book ferries to Paros?
Book online, ahead of time. Third-party booking platforms let you choose your date, your departure time or ferry type, and your seat class, then send the tickets to your email and store them in an app, which makes boarding easy. You can also buy tickets at the port, where each company runs its own booth, but summer sailings tend to fill up well ahead of time, so leaving it to the last minute is risky.
Timing matters. Crossings are abundant in July and August but so is demand, so book well ahead, and book early for September too. May and June are quieter and still have regular crossings. From October through March, service gets thinner, so check schedules carefully.
How do you get from Athens to the port or airport?
To Piraeus
The metro is a simple, budget-friendly way to reach the port. Take Line 1 (the Green Line) from Monastiraki or Omonia to Piraeus station, about 25 minutes, and walk a few minutes to the port. Buses 040, 049 and X80 also run from central Athens, but they're slower and best if you're traveling light. A taxi is quicker, depending on traffic, and is worth it with lots of luggage or a group.
To Rafina
From the airport, take a taxi. The ride is short, and it's by far the simplest airport-to-ferry transfer.
To the airport
Athens International Airport is about 20 miles (33 km) from the center, so allow 40 to 60 minutes. Metro Line 3 runs straight there from Syntagma or Monastiraki. A taxi is more comfortable with luggage and easy to split in a group. Both the metro and the airport are fully accessible, with ramps and elevators.
How do you get to Paros from other islands?
By ferry. Island hopping from Paros is done by boat, and the connections are good: Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Antiparos, Sifnos, Amorgos, Milos and more. Naxos is a quick hop, Mykonos takes 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the boat, Santorini two to three hours, Sifnos one to two, and Milos around two. Heraklion in Crete connects by high-speed ferry.
Flying into Mykonos or Santorini and taking the ferry across is a good alternative to Athens, since you see another island without doubling back. Island schedules change by season, so confirm yours before you go.
How do you get from the port or airport to your hotel?
From Parikia Port
Ferries from Piraeus arrive at Parikia Port on the west coast, and the town is just a short walk from the dock. The KTEL bus station sits just meters away, immediately to your right as you leave the port. Parikia is the main bus hub, with routes to Naoussa, Aliki, Lefkes and the Pounta ferry point for Antiparos, and in summer the buses are timed to meet the ferries. The ride to Naoussa takes about 30 minutes.
Buy your ticket at the terminal kiosk as soon as you step off, because buses fill up in peak season. You can also pay on board, but it costs more, €2.80 or €4 (2026).
Taxis and rental cars are easy to find at the port. Many taxis on the island prefer cash, so it helps to carry some euros with you. If you're renting a car, pick a company with an office at the port so it's a short walk after you disembark. Several Naoussa hotels offer complimentary transfers, so ask when you book.
From Paros Airport
The airport is south of Parikia, close to Aliki, about 6 miles (10 km) from town. A shuttle bus runs to Parikia four times a day, a ride of roughly 10 to 25 minutes, with much better service in summer. Once you reach Parikia, you can hop on a bus to Naoussa from there. Taxis run to Parikia and Naoussa, but there aren't many at the airport, and when a busy summer flight lands you may have to wait, so have a backup plan. Picking up a rental car at the airport is handy, but availability is limited, so reserve in advance.
How do you get around Paros?
Paros is very drivable, and most places are under 35 minutes by car. A rental car lets you see more of the island, while an ATV suits exploring closer to your base. The bus network is cheap, reliable and reaches some beaches, and it's strongest between Parikia and Naoussa.
What should Americans know before traveling?
U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for up to 90 days, and your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. Carry your passport or another photo ID at all times.
The U.S. State Department rates Greece as generally safe, though petty crime is common in popular tourist spots. Pickpocketing happens on public transportation, especially the metro, so keep your bag close on the ride to Piraeus. Transportation strikes and demonstrations are common and can shut down seaports, airports and taxis, sometimes with little notice, so check for announced strikes the day before you travel.
If you plan to rent a car, Greek law requires an international driver's permit along with your U.S. license, even if the rental company doesn't ask for it, so get one before you leave home.
Sources
- thecommonwanderer.com (https://www.thecommonwanderer.com/blog/athens-to-paros-ferry-flight-guide), checked October 18, 2026
- greeka.com (https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/paros/travel/), checked October 18, 2026
- omio.com (https://www.omio.com/ferries/athens/paros-nsjpn), checked October 18, 2026
- ferries.gr (https://www.ferries.gr/en/ferry-routes/athens-paros/), checked October 18, 2026
- rome2rio.com (https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Athens/P%C3%A1ros), checked October 18, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html), checked October 15, 2026
- Visit Greece (GNTO) (https://www.visitgreece.gr/en/islands/cyclades/paros), checked October 15, 2026
- imagine.paros.gr (https://imagine.paros.gr/en/what-to-do/shmeia-endiaferontos/museums.html), checked October 15, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/tsg_aem/us/en/home/international-travel/travel-advisories/destination.grc.html), checked October 15, 2026
- seajets.com (https://www.seajets.com/), checked October 15, 2026
- Visit Greece (GNTO) (https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/cyclades/antiparos/), checked October 15, 2026
- Visit Greece (GNTO) (https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/cyclades/paros), checked October 15, 2026