Getting to Paros
How to Get to Paros
Ferry from Athens, a domestic flight, or an inter-island hop from Mykonos, Santorini, or Naxos. Here is every route to Paros compared, so you can pick the one that fits your trip.
Last updated July 2026 · By Routey Editorial
Quick Answer
- From Athens: ferry from Piraeus or Rafina (~2.5–5.5 hrs) or a ~40-minute domestic flight to Paros National Airport (PAS).
- From another Cycladic island: direct ferries connect Paros to Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos and others, no need to route through Athens.
- From the UK, Europe, or the US: no direct flights to Paros exist. Fly to Athens, Mykonos, or Santorini first, then connect by ferry or domestic flight.
Paros sits almost in the geographic center of the Cyclades, which makes it one of the best-connected islands in the group. There is no single "correct" way to get there, the right route depends on where you are starting from, how much time you have, and whether you are combining Paros with other islands. Below is a summary of every realistic option, with a dedicated deep-dive guide linked for each.
Every Route to Paros, Compared
Ferry from Athens (Piraeus or Rafina)
Duration: ~2.5–5.5 hrs (high-speed) or ~4–7 hrs (conventional)
Price: Roughly €35–€75 depending on vessel and cabin class
Frequency: Multiple daily departures in summer, fewer off-season
The most common route for most visitors. Piraeus has more departures and bigger boats; Rafina is closer to Athens airport and often faster to Paros. High-speed catamarans (Blue Star, SeaJets, Golden Star) cut the crossing time roughly in half compared to conventional ferries but cost more and are more exposed to cancellation in rough weather.
Athens → Paros ferry guideFlight from Athens
Duration: ~40 minutes in the air
Price: Roughly €50–€150+ one-way depending on how far ahead you book
Frequency: Several flights per day in summer, thins out off-season
Olympic Air, Aegean, and SKY express fly Athens to Paros National Airport (PAS). Fastest way to cover the distance, but factor in airport transfer time on both ends, it can end up close to the ferry in total door-to-door time once you add check-in and getting to/from both airports.
Full flights to Paros guideFerry from Mykonos
Duration: ~35 minutes to 1.5 hrs depending on vessel
Price: Roughly €25–€50
Frequency: Frequent in summer, several times daily
One of the shortest inter-island hops in the Cyclades. Popular for combining a Mykonos stay with Paros, or for day-tripping between the two. High-speed catamarans make this fast enough to do as a day trip if you plan around the return schedule.
Mykonos → Paros ferry guideFerry from Santorini
Duration: ~2–4 hrs depending on vessel
Price: Roughly €40–€70
Frequency: Multiple daily in summer, reduced off-season
A common leg for anyone doing a multi-island Cyclades itinerary that includes Santorini. High-speed options exist but the crossing is longer than Mykonos–Paros simply because of the distance. Worth checking whether your ferry routes via other islands first, that adds time.
Santorini → Paros ferry guideFerry from Naxos
Duration: ~30–45 minutes
Price: Roughly €15–€35
Frequency: Very frequent in summer, often hourly on peak routes
The shortest and cheapest inter-island crossing on this list. Naxos and Paros pair naturally for a split week, close enough that even a spontaneous day trip is realistic.
Naxos → Paros ferry guideArriving from the UK, Europe, or the US
Duration: Varies, typically a full travel day
Price: Varies widely by origin and season
Frequency: No direct international flights to Paros
There is no direct international flight to Paros. The standard pattern is: fly into Athens and continue by domestic flight or ferry, or fly into Mykonos or Santorini (both have more international connections in summer) and take a short ferry over. Which is better depends on your origin airport and travel dates, see the comparison below.
Prices and durations vary by season, vessel, and how far ahead you book. Always check current schedules on the operators' sites or Ferryhopper before finalizing your trip.
Once you land, know exactly where to go
Routey self-guided tours give you a curated route through Paros the moment you arrive, no planning required, just follow the map and the stories at each stop. From €20.99.
Which Option Should You Pick?
Family with luggage
Ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, or a direct flight from Athens
Ferries let you keep luggage with you and move around during the crossing, easier than herding kids through two airport security checks in one day. If you are short on time, the Athens–Paros flight is fast, but budget extra time for checked bags and transfers.
Backpacker / budget trip
Conventional ferry from Piraeus
The slower conventional ferries are noticeably cheaper than high-speed catamarans or flights. If your schedule is flexible, this is the lowest-cost way in, and the deck seating is fine for a several-hour daytime crossing.
Short trip, limited days
Fly into Athens, then domestic flight to Paros
If you only have 3–4 days on the island, do not spend half a day of it on a conventional ferry. The domestic flight or a high-speed catamaran keeps travel time to a minimum.
Coming from another Cycladic island
Direct inter-island ferry (Naxos, Mykonos, or Santorini)
Skip Athens entirely. Inter-island ferries connect the Cyclades directly, Naxos and Mykonos in particular are short, frequent, and cheap crossings that make island-hopping straightforward.
Arriving From the UK, Europe, or the US
Paros has no direct international flight connections, so anyone flying in from outside Greece needs one connection. The two practical patterns:
- Via Athens: fly into Athens International Airport (ATH), then either a domestic flight (~40 min) or a ferry (~2.5–5.5 hrs) from Piraeus or Rafina onward to Paros. This is usually the most reliable option regardless of origin, since Athens has the most international connections.
- Via Mykonos or Santorini: in peak summer, both islands have more direct charter and low-cost flights from UK and European airports than Athens does for some regional airports. Flying into one of these and taking a short ferry over to Paros can sometimes save a connection.
From the US, routing through Athens is almost always simplest, most transatlantic flights land there, and Athens has the widest choice of onward connections to Paros. Whichever route you choose, build in a buffer, missed ferry or flight connections due to delayed international flights are a common travel headache in the Cyclades.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Paros, Greece?
Most travelers arrive by ferry from Piraeus or Rafina (Athens' two ports), or by domestic flight from Athens to Paros National Airport (PAS). There is also frequent ferry service connecting Paros to nearby islands, Mykonos, Santorini, and Naxos, which makes it easy to add to a multi-island itinerary. There are no direct international flights to Paros.
What is the best way to get to Paros from Athens?
It depends on your priorities. High-speed ferries from Piraeus or Rafina take roughly 2.5–5.5 hours and drop you into the heart of Parikia. Domestic flights take about 40 minutes in the air but add airport transfer time on both ends. For most travelers with a day or more to spare, the ferry is more relaxed and often better value; for very short trips, flying saves time.
How do you get to Paros from the UK?
There is no direct flight from the UK to Paros. The two common routes are: fly to Athens and continue by domestic flight or ferry, or fly to Mykonos or Santorini (both have more direct UK summer charter and low-cost routes) and take a short ferry to Paros. Check which gives a shorter total journey from your specific UK airport before booking.
Can you fly directly to Paros from abroad?
No. Paros National Airport (PAS) currently handles domestic flights only, mainly to and from Athens. There are no scheduled direct international flights. See our flights to Paros guide for the full breakdown of routing options.
Is it better to fly or take the ferry to Paros?
Ferries are usually better value, let you bring more luggage without fees, and the high-speed options are only slightly slower than flying once you count airport transfer time. Flights win if your total trip is very short or you specifically want to avoid a longer sea crossing. Neither is objectively "better", it depends on your itinerary.
Which islands have direct ferries to Paros?
Paros is one of the best-connected hubs in the Cyclades. Direct ferries run to and from Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Ios, Milos, Antiparos, and several smaller islands, plus Piraeus and Rafina on the mainland. Naxos and Antiparos are the shortest crossings; always confirm the current route and schedule on Ferryhopper or the operators' sites before booking, as frequency drops sharply outside summer.
Deep-Dive Ferry & Flight Guides
Athens → Paros Ferry
Piraeus vs Rafina, operators, prices
Mykonos → Paros Ferry
Crossing times and day-trip planning
Santorini → Paros Ferry
Routes, durations and pricing
Naxos → Paros Ferry
The shortest Cycladic crossing
Flights to Paros
Airport, routes, flight vs ferry
Getting Around Paros
Once you've arrived, transport on the island
Plan Your Trip