Greece › Greek Ferries › Athens to Paros
By Santorini Dave
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The port of Piraeus is 30-minutes by taxi or train from downtown Athens. Ferries to Paros depart from gates E6, E7, and E8. You can purchase tickets in Piraeus but I recommend buying ferry tickets in advance.
There is now a direct train from the Athens International Airport to the Piraeus ferry port. The station is directly across the street from the E6 port entrance.
Athens-Paros Ferry Essentials
- FerryHopper.com is the best way to buy ferry tickets for Athens to Paros ferries. Also good for researching ferry timetables, prices, and schedules.
- Most ferries do not sell out. But for peace of mind, book tickets 2 to 3 months in advance.
- Most tickets (when booked through FerryHopper) are e-tickets which means you do not have to pick up a paper ticket before boarding.
- If a ticket purchased online doesn’t have a barcode that usually means you’ll need to pick up a real ticket when in Greece. This is most often done at the ferry port 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Don’t worry about pick up – it’s easy and effortless and usually very close to your actual ferry.
- Ferries will leave on-time from their first departure port in the morning (usually large ports like Piraeus, Heraklio, and Rhodes) but will be late arriving and departing from all onward ports (e.g. Paros). Usually getting later as the day progresses.
- Most areas in Greece, including Athens and Paros, have public transportation strikes throughout the year. These strikes can affect all forms of transit, including, buses, trains, ferries, flights, and taxis. During strikes no buses, no ferries, and only a handful of trains and flights will depart on time (or at all); taxis tend to be the least affected mode of transport. Though strikes can occur any time, there is always a huge strike on May 1. Avoid booking any ferries, flights, or trains that day.
Athens to Paros Ferry Schedule
The SeaJets Champion Jet 2 is the fastest ferry from Athens to Paros.
Walking off the ferry from Athens at the port in Paros (the main town of Parikia). The taxi queue is straight ahead. The buses off to the right.
There are daily ferries from Athens to Paros year-round, with frequency increasing in the summer months. The length of the ride varies depending on the type of boat you choose and how many stops are along the way. High-speed catamaran ferries can reach Paros from Athens in around 3 hours. Larger, Blue Star ferries usually take around 5 hours. If you can spare the extra hour or two, I recommend taking the Blue Star; its large size makes it more stable in rocky seas, and you’ll be able to walk around on the outside decks to take in the sea view and air. (Catamarans require all passengers to stay inside.) Ferry tickets from Athens to Paros cost €20 to €110, depending on the type of ferry and class of ticket.
Piraeus is the closest port to the Athens city center and is easily reached via metro or taxi. If you will be spending any time in Athens before sailing to Paros, this is the port you should choose. Piraeus is also the largest and busiest port in Greece, so be sure to allow ample time to get to your ferry.
The Blue Star ferry from Athens to Paros at the Piraeus Port.
Example Athens to Paros Ferry Schedule
Athens-Paros ferry schedule and prices on ferryhopper.com.
• Check prices for Piraeus-Paros ferries.
VIP and Business Class seating has more space and a quiet relaxed atmosphere.
Athens to Paros Ferries from Rafina Port
Rafina is the closest port to the Athens airport. If you don’t plan to spend any time in Athens, Rafina port would be a good choice. At the height of the summer season, there are usually many daily ferries sailing from Rafina port to Paros.
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