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Ashley Metcalfe
June 17, 2024
Are you traveling from Athens to Paros…
…But you’re not sure how to get there?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Matthew and I spent our honeymoon in Greece and our first island destination was Paros.
Paros is a beautiful island only a few hours away from Athens. It’s one of the most underrated islands (in our opinion) and it’s honestly become our favorite island! We’re excited that you are going to explore this lesser-known gem of a Greek island.
Figuring out how to get from Athens to Paros is the first step to your Greek adventures. Here’s everything you need to know about your transport options and the best ways to get to Paros for you.
Where Is Paros Located?
Paros is located in the Cyclades islands of Greece along the Aegean Sea. The island of Naxos is quite nearby and you can sometimes see it in the distance.
There are many towns in Paros that make it such a unique and beautiful island to spend a few days in. Some of the most famous towns to visit are Naoussa, Lefkes and Parikia. There’s also a smaller island nearby called Antiparos which is an awesome day trip that is worth visiting!
We think Paros is in the right location for your first island tour. It’s one of the first major islands most ferries will stop in before moving on to more popular destinations like Mykonos or Santorini.
How Far Is Paros From Athens?
Paros is about 123 miles (199 km) away from the Piraeus port in Athens where most ferries depart. It’s right next to Naxos which is a popular stop in the Cyclades.
If you take a flight from Athens to Paros, it will only take 40-50 minutes of flying. If you take the ferry, it will take around 3 hours by high-speed ferry or 4 hours for the conventional ferries.
Where To Fly/Dock In Paros?
When you take a ferry around Greece, the ports are usually close to where you want to be. For example, the ferry docks in Thira in Santorini which is one of the main areas most tourists want to explore. For Paros, it’s pretty much the same because the ferry docks in Parikia. It’s the main town with all the commercial businesses like banking (ATMs), shopping and more.
What if you’re flying into Paros from Athens? You’ll actually land at Mykonos International Airport which is a whole other island. It seems that you can only use the Paros Airport which is located near the town of Kampos, if you are on a very local, domestic flight. The chances are higher that you’ll land in Mykonos which means you will have to take a ferry from Mykonos to Paros anyway.
How To Get From Athens To Paros – 2 Options
There are technically two transport options to get from Athens to Paros: you can take the ferry or you can take a plane. We highly recommend taking the ferry because it’s the most direct way to get to Paros.
Here’s all the information you need to know about getting from Athens to Paros.
Getting From Athens To Paros By Ferry
For our honeymoon, Matthew and I mapped out our journey. We would arrive in Athens and spend a couple of days exploring the capital city. We would then make out way to the port to hop on a ferry for Paros. We are so glad we did this because it felt like the Greek adventure we were looking for and the time honestly flew by!
But how do you know what’s the best way to get from Athens to Paros? Here are some questions that helped us map out the best way for us:
- Would I rather save time or save costs?
- Am I super sensitive to motion sickness?
- Do I need to make the most of my time?
- Am I pressed for time?
- Is money a matter in this case?
It comes down to 2 things: cost and time. If you’re in Greece for only a short number of days, you might consider a flight to save some time. However, if you have a couple of extra hours – the most direct way to get to Paros is by ferry.
Here’s all you need to know about traveling from Athens to Paros.
How To Book Your Athens To Paros Ferry
There are several ways to book your ferry from Athens to Paros. You can book directly with the ferry companies if you know which ones are operating when you want to ride. Otherwise, you can take a look at some third-party sites which gather all the ferry rides so you can see which one is best for you.
We have booked through the third-party sites and we didn’t have any problems. They seem safer than booking via third-party sites for flights lol!
Ferry Company Websites
These are the ferry companies’ websites to get from Athens to Paros:
We used a third-party website and we had no issues! These are the most popular third-party websites for ferries from Athens to Paros:
Both are great options to book your ferry from Athens to Paros!
How Long Is A Ferry Ride From Athens To Paros?
It seems that Blue Star Ferries is the most consistent ferry company that travels from Athens to Paros.
This can always depend on the season you’re visiting Greece! We rode Blue Star Ferries when we traveled from Athens to Paros so it seems like a reliable option!
Traditional Ferries
The traditional ferries take longer than high-speed ferries, obviously. If you’re traveling long distances like Athens to Santorini or Athens to Crete, it does make a difference because it’s an extra 2 to 4+ hours on the boat.
However, it’s only an extra hour longer to get from Athens to Paros with a traditional ferry than a high-speed ferry.
High-Speed Ferries
Want to save time? Take a high-speed ferry! There seems to be at least one option for some days of the week for those traveling from Athens to Paros. Note: There are less options if you’re traveling during low season, but plenty of options during high season!
If you take the high-speed ferry it will only take you 3 hours to reach the port of Paros. That’s very quick but you just have to be aware that speed can mean that you will have to brave some waves. If you are at all sensitive to getting motion sickness, the saved hour might not be worth it to you.
How Much Does A Ferry Trip From Athens To Paros Cost?
A traditional ferry from Athens to Paros costs around €50 ($49.17 USD). A high-speed ferry from Athens to Paros will cost more at around €70 ($69.60 USD).
The price of your ferry trip all depends on when you travel (peak vs low season) and whether you take the conventional or high-speed ferry.
Getting From Athens To Paros By Plane
This is definitely an option you can take to get from Athens to Paros, however, it’s going to require a little more planning. When I check the flights, they all arrive in Mykonos which means you have to take a ferry anyway to get to Paros.
However, if you spend a few days in Mykonos then it will still be faster from Mykonos to Paros.
How Long Is The Flight From Athens To Paros?
The flight time is only 40-50 minutes from Athens International Airport to Mykonos Airport. It should be similar if you can find a flight directly to Paros Airport (which might be difficult).
Make sure when booking a flight that you double-check the arrival airport. Sometimes, they will show you flights to nearby islands instead.
How Much Does A Plane Ride From Athens To Paros Cost?
You can find flights for as low as $30 USD. On average flights will cost more like $50-$80 USD which turns out to be a little more than a ferry ride.
Can You Do A Day Trip To Paros From Athens?
It’s possible! You can take a very quick trip to Paros from Athens.
But is it worth it? No.
Even if you leave early around 7am, that means you will arrive in time for lunch, have the afternoon to explore and get back on the ferry at night for another 4 hours on the water. Paros has much more to offer, it deserves a little more exploration than just a day trip!
What’s The Best Way To Get From Athens To Paros?
The best, most direct way to get from Athens to Paros?
Taking the ferry will be your best choice. If you fly from Athens to Paros, you might actually land in Mykonos – meaning you’ll have to take a ferry anyway to get from Mykonos to Paros. Skip all of that and take the ferry in the first place!
It’s pretty much the same price and it’s only a 3-4 hour ride to arrive at one of the most beautiful, underrated islands in Greece, Paros!
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