Athens to Paros Ferry

The Athens to Paros ferry sails from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, to Parikia, the port town of Paros. Two ferry companies share the route from Piraeus. Seajets runs high speed ferries that take about 2 hours 45 minutes; in summer 2026 the 08:00 departure reached Paros at 10:45, with economy tickets from about €62. Blue Star Ferries runs conventional ferries all year that take 4 to 5.5 hours, with tickets from about €51. The one thing a first-timer should know: several Paros ferries leave Piraeus in the morning and several in the evening, and there is little in between, so plan your arrival in Athens around them.

The crossing covers about 90 nautical miles (166 km). Paros is one of the best-connected islands in the Cyclades, which is why so many island hopping trips start here.

Ferry options compared

High speed ferries (Seajets)

Seajets runs the fastest ferries on the Athens to Paros route, using large high speed catamarans. There are two main types of trip:

• Direct to Paros: the 08:00 Champion Jet 3 goes straight to Paros in 2 hours 45 minutes, then on to Naxos and the Small Cyclades. It ran daily from 19 June to 14 September 2026, and on a reduced pattern from 29 May.
• Via Syros, Tinos and Mykonos: the 09:30 departure (09:15 in April and October) stops three times before Paros, so it takes about 3 hours 40 minutes. It is useful if you want to visit Mykonos first.

These high speed catamarans have reserved seats in air-conditioned lounges and snack bars, but little outdoor space. They are more sensitive to strong winds, and some passengers find them rough when the sea is choppy.

Conventional ferries (Blue Star Ferries)

Blue Star Ferries operates large conventional ferries such as Blue Star 1, Blue Star Delos and Blue Star Naxos. They are slower but steadier, with open decks, cafes, a restaurant, and space for hundreds of cars. Economy tickets give you a free seat anywhere in the lounges or outdoor seating areas; reserved seats and cabins cost more.

• Morning: Blue Star's morning ferry (07:25 in its 2026 service notices) reaches Paros around midday and continues to Naxos, Ios and Santorini.
• Evening: the 17:30 departure reaches Paros between 21:30 and 23:05, depending on whether it calls at Syros first. On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, Blue Star Naxos also leaves at 17:30 and reaches Paros at 21:45.

Which ferry suits you

Choose on three things: time, budget and comfort. High speed catamarans and jets save 1 to 2 hours but cost more, while the conventional vessels are cheaper and give you room to walk around on the Athens to Paros ferry journey.

• Fastest crossing: Seajets 08:00 from Piraeus in summer.
• Cheapest ticket: a Blue Star economy seat.
• Travelling with a car: Blue Star; car tickets start at about €85.
• Prone to seasickness: Blue Star; the big ships roll far less.
• Landing in Athens in the afternoon: the 17:30 Blue Star gets you to Paros the same evening.

Paros ferry schedules through the year

Ferryscanner counts about 38 weekly crossings from Piraeus to Paros between June and September, with daily ferries in every month of the year. Ferryhopper counts up to 6 sailings a day at the peak.

Summer (June to September): the first ferry leaves Piraeus around 07:00 and the last at 17:30. Expect two or three Blue Star ferries and one to three Seajets high speed catamarans a day on the route.

Spring and autumn: Seajets services run from April to October on reduced timetables, with some departure times shifting by 15 minutes or so. Blue Star keeps its daily sailings.

Winter (November to March): Blue Star is the main option, with one or two conventional ferries a day. There are no high speed ferries for most of the winter.

Paros ferry schedules change every season, and sometimes week to week. Always check the latest times when you book tickets.

Getting to Piraeus port

Piraeus is about 15 km south of Athens city center. Ferries to Paros usually leave from gates E6, E7, E9 or E10. Blue Star's Paros–Naxos line uses gate E6 for foot passengers and E7 for vehicles.

• Metro: Line 1 (green) and Line 3 (blue) end at Piraeus station, right opposite gate E5. A 90-minute ticket costs €1.20; the trip from central Athens takes about 25 minutes.
• From Athens airport: metro Line 3 runs direct to Piraeus in about an hour (€9). The X96 express bus costs €5.50 and takes 60 to 90 minutes in traffic.
• Taxi: about €20 from Syntagma Square by day, €25 at night.
• Inside the port: a free shuttle bus runs from near gate E5 to the far gates. E6 and E7 are a short walk from the metro.

Arrive at least 1 hour before departure, or 90 minutes if you have a car. Gates can change, so check the screens and your ticket.

Three ports: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio

Athens has three ports with ferries to Paros. Piraeus has the most ferries by far and is the one most visitors use. Lavrio, in the south-east of Attica, has a slow conventional ferry that usually runs about once a week and takes more than 7 hours, so it is rarely worth it. Rafina is the useful alternative.

Rafina is Athens' second ferry port, 33 km east of the city and much closer to Athens International Airport. Seajets' 07:40 high speed ferry (Monday to Friday in 2026) leaves Rafina for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos and reaches Paros at 11:00. Golden Star Ferries also serves Paros from Rafina. Fares from Rafina are higher (€69.70 to €99.70 with Seajets), but if you land at the airport the night before, it can save you a trip into Athens. KTEL buses run from the airport to Rafina in about 30 to 40 minutes.

Arriving in Paros

All ferries from Athens dock at Parikia, the island's main town and ferry port. The quay is on the edge of town, and most hotels in Parikia are within walking distance.

• Bus: the KTEL bus station is right by the port exit. Buses to Naoussa leave from early morning to after midnight in summer, and routes also run to Lefkes, Piso Livadi, Aliki and Pounta, where the small ferry to Antiparos leaves. Buy your ticket at the station; tickets bought on the bus cost more.
• Taxi: the taxi rank is next to the port. In July and August queues form when a large ferry arrives.
• Car and scooter hire: several rental offices line the waterfront in Parikia.

If you are staying in Naoussa, Paros's other popular town on the north coast, the bus from the Paros port is the cheapest transfer. Buses to the east coast beaches are less frequent, so a rental car is worth it if you plan to explore the whole island on your vacation.

When you leave Paros for Athens, the ferry departs from the same quay in Parikia. The Blue Star return sailings in the 2026 timetables left Paros at 10:45 and reached Piraeus between 14:45 and 15:00. Screens at the quay show the ferry schedules; arrive 30 to 60 minutes early in August, when the port gets crowded.

Paros ferry tickets and prices

You can book Paros ferry tickets on the Blue Star and Seajets websites, on booking sites such as Ferryhopper, or at travel agencies in Piraeus and Parikia. E-tickets work on both companies' ferries, so you do not need to collect paper tickets.

What changes the price:

• Vessel type: high speed ferries cost about €10 to €30 more than a Blue Star economy ticket.
• Seat class: business or VIP seats start at around €70, cabins at around €82.
• Vehicles: from about €85 for a car and €30 for a motorcycle.
• Discounts: children, students, people with disabilities and island residents get reduced fares; rules vary by operator.

Ferry ticket prices on the conventional ferries are fairly stable through the year. What sells out in high season is the cheapest ticket class, the fastest departure and space for cars.

Ferry or flight to Paros

Olympic Air and Sky Express fly from Athens International Airport to Paros airport in about 45 to 50 minutes. The domestic flight uses small turboprop aircraft with tight luggage limits. The ferry leaves from central Athens, lets you bring more bags and costs less. Flying makes sense if you land at the airport and want to be on Paros the same afternoon, or if you are short on time.

Tips

• Meltemi: the summer north wind can delay or cancel sailings. On 31 July 2026 bad weather disrupted several Blue Star sailings in the Cyclades. Leave a spare day before an international flight.
• Strikes: seamen's unions occasionally call 24-hour strikes, as on 28 February 2026. Operators post changes on their websites.
• Best seats: on Blue Star, the upper outdoor deck at the back is the best place for views and fresh air. On Seajets, book a seat in the middle of the lounge if you are prone to seasickness.
• Luggage: most operators allow up to 50 kg per passenger. Leave big suitcases in the luggage area near the car deck entrance and take valuables with you.
• Onward travel: Paros is a hub. Ferries continue to Naxos, Mykonos, Ios and Santorini several times a day in summer.

See also our guides to Paros ferries, Piraeus, Rafina, Blue Star Ferries and Seajets, plus the Cyclades ferry itinerary.