Greece › Naxos › Naxos Buses
Updated: June 26, 2026
By Santorini Dave
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The Naxos bus station is an easy walk from arriving ferries.
Getting Around Naxos by Bus
The Naxos public bus system is the cheapest and easiest way to get from Naxos Town to the main beaches, especially Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka. It is also useful for visiting inland villages like Halki, Filoti, and Apeiranthos, though village buses run much less frequently than the beach buses.
The buses are coach-style, air-conditioned, and generally reliable. For a Greek island, Naxos has a very good bus network. But it is still an island bus system, not a city metro. It works well for simple beach days and planned village trips. It is more limiting for late dinners, remote beaches, airport transfers, and spontaneous exploring. If you are staying outside Naxos Town, Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or northern Plaka, a rental car is easier.
The main Naxos bus station is not really a station. It is a small ticket office and departure area on the harbor road in Naxos Town, directly opposite the ferry port. As you walk off the ferry, follow the crowd toward town and you will pass it. Look for the KTEL signs, the ticket office, the posted schedules, and the buses lined up along the road.
Quick Bus Tips
- Best route for visitors: Naxos Town to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka. This is the beach route and has the most frequent service in summer.
- Best village route: Naxos Town to Halki, Filoti, and Apeiranthos. Great for a day trip, but plan your return before you go.
- Buy tickets before boarding: In Naxos Town, buy tickets at the KTEL office by the port. At beaches and villages, buy from mini-markets, kiosks, tourist shops, or ticket sellers near the stop when available.
- Do not rely on the driver for tickets: The normal rule is that tickets are bought before boarding. If in doubt, buy a return ticket before you leave Naxos Town.
- Check the schedule at the station: Online schedules are useful, but the posted schedule at the port is the one I trust most when I am on the island.
- Schedules change often: Routes and frequency change by season and sometimes every couple of weeks in summer. June, July, August, and September have the most service.
- Arrive early in peak season: In July and August, popular beach buses can fill up. Get there 10 to 15 minutes early if you want a seat.
- Buses are useful, but not magic: They are great for the main beaches. They are less useful for late-night returns, remote beaches, airport connections, and combining several villages in one day.
Finding the Current Naxos Bus Schedule
The easiest place to find the current schedule is the large board posted outside the KTEL ticket office at the port. You can also ask for a printed schedule inside. If you are arriving by ferry, I recommend grabbing a schedule as you walk past the bus station, even if you are not taking a bus right away.
The official Naxos bus website is NaxosBuses.com. It is useful for checking routes and general timing, but I would still confirm locally when your plans depend on the last bus of the day, a village connection, or a ferry departure.
Buying Naxos Bus Tickets
In Naxos Town, buy tickets at the KTEL ticket office by the port before boarding. For return trips from beaches and villages, tickets are sold at nearby mini-markets, kiosks, newsstands, tourist shops, or small local businesses close to the bus stop. In some places, especially outside peak season, the ticket-buying setup can feel informal. Ask at the nearest shop or café if you are unsure.
If you know you are returning by bus, buy the return ticket before leaving Naxos Town. This is especially helpful for beach trips, families, and village day trips where you do not want to waste time hunting for tickets before the return bus arrives.
Naxos Bus Ticket Prices
Naxos bus fares are inexpensive and vary by distance. The short beach and airport-area routes are only a few euros. Inland villages cost a little more, and long routes to remote villages such as Apollonas cost more again. Fares can change every year. Always have a little cash or small coins for tickets.
- Naxos Town to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka: one of the cheapest and most frequent routes.
- Naxos Town to Filoti: inexpensive and useful for village visits and Mt Zas access.
- Naxos Town to Apeiranthos: more expensive than Filoti, but still very reasonable.
- Naxos Town to Apollonas: one of the longer and more expensive routes, and not something I would do casually without checking return times.
Key Naxos Bus Routes
Naxos Town to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka
This is the most useful bus route for most visitors. It runs from Naxos Town south to the main west-coast beach strip. In high season, buses are frequent, about every 15 to 30 minutes during the busiest parts of the day. Service is much thinner in spring, autumn, and winter.
- Agios Georgios: The closest beach to Naxos Town. The stop is easy to miss, and many people simply walk from town instead.
- Agios Prokopios: One of the best swimming beaches on Naxos, with clear water, restaurants, beach clubs, and lots of hotels.
- Agia Anna: Smaller and more village-like than Agios Prokopios, with beachfront tavernas and easy access to northern Plaka.
- Plaka: Long, beautiful, and more spread out. The bus is useful, but make sure you know which Plaka stop is closest to your hotel or beach club.
This is the route that makes a no-car Naxos trip work. Stay in Naxos Town and you can bus to the beaches during the day, then return to Chora for dinner. Or stay in Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or northern Plaka and bus into Naxos Town for shopping, sightseeing, and the Portara.
Naxos Town to Halki, Filoti, and Apeiranthos
This is the main inland village route and one of the best bus day trips on Naxos. It is a good choice if you want to see more than beaches but do not want to rent a car.
- Halki: Pretty village with old mansions, shops, cafés, and the Vallindras Kitron distillery.
- Filoti: Large, lively mountain village below Mt Zas. Good for lunch, wandering, and access to hiking routes.
- Apeiranthos: The marble village, with stone lanes, cafés, craft shops, and great mountain views.
The downside is frequency. Village buses do not run as often as beach buses, so you need to plan. Do not just wander off the bus in Apeiranthos assuming another one will come along soon. Check the return schedule before you start your day.
Naxos Town to Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, and Pyrgaki
There are buses to some of the farther south and southwest beaches, but they are much less frequent than the Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka route. These beaches are beautiful, but bus travel can be limiting if you want flexibility.
- Mikri Vigla: Best known for kitesurfing and windsurfing on the windy side, with calmer swimming on the south-facing side.
- Kastraki: Quiet, spacious, and more remote, with fewer services.
- Pyrgaki: A peaceful southern beach area with calmer water and a much quieter feel.
For a simple beach day, the bus can work. For beach-hopping or staying in these areas, a rental car is much better.
Naxos Town to Apollonas
Apollonas is a small north-coast village near the large unfinished kouros statue, often called the Colossus of Dionysus. It is scenic and quiet, but it is a long ride from Naxos Town and not a route to improvise. Check the return schedule carefully before going. I prefer Apollonas by rental car unless the bus schedule lines up perfectly.
Naxos Town to the Airport
There is no regular bus that pulls directly into the Naxos Airport terminal. The closest practical bus stop is on the main road near Naxos Camping, about a 500-meter walk from the airport. This can work if you have light luggage and are comfortable walking. Otherwise, take a taxi or book a transfer.
For flights, I recommend a taxi or pre-arranged transfer. Naxos Airport is small and close to town, but taxis can be limited in peak season, so do not leave it too late.
When the Bus Works Well
- Staying in Naxos Town and visiting the main beaches: This is the easiest and best use of the bus system.
- Staying at Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or northern Plaka and visiting Naxos Town: Good in summer, especially for daytime and early evening trips.
- A planned village day trip: Halki, Filoti, and Apeiranthos can be done by bus if you check return times.
- Budget travel: Buses are much cheaper than taxis and car rentals.
- Families with older kids: Easy for beach trips, though crowded buses with strollers and beach gear can be annoying in July and August.
When You Should Rent a Car Instead
- You are staying in southern Plaka, Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, Alyko, Pyrgaki, Apollonas, Moutsouna, or an inland village.
- You want to visit several beaches in one day.
- You want to combine Halki, Filoti, Apeiranthos, the Temple of Demeter, Melanes, and a beach stop in one day.
- You are traveling with small kids, lots of beach gear, or older travelers who do not want to wait in the heat.
- You need reliable airport transfers.
- You plan to eat late dinners away from where you are staying.
My general advice: use the bus for Naxos Town, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka, and direct village trips. Rent a car for one or two days if you want to see the interior properly and reach the quieter beaches.
Pro Tips for Riding the Naxos Bus
- Arrive early: Popular beach buses can fill up in July and August. The bus station can feel chaotic when ferries arrive and everyone wants to get to the beaches.
- Confirm the destination: Buses display their final destination in the front window. If unsure, ask the driver before boarding: “Plaka?” “Filoti?” “Apeiranthos?”
- Use the luggage hold: Larger bags go in the compartment under the bus. Keep passports, wallets, phones, medication, and valuables with you.
- Know your stop: Some stops are obvious. Others are not. On Plaka especially, ask your hotel which stop to use.
- Flag the bus down: At smaller stops, stand where the driver can see you and raise your arm as the bus approaches.
- Do not cut the return too close: If you have a ferry or flight, take an earlier bus than you think you need. Traffic, crowds, and full buses can add stress.
- Check the last bus: This matters for beach hotels, village dinners, and nights out in Naxos Town. Taxis are limited, and walking distances can be longer than they look on a map.
Naxos Bus Information
- Naxos public bus website: NaxosBuses.com
- Naxos bus schedule: The bus schedule is revised regularly, with the most frequent routes running from June to September.
Example bus schedule for Naxos. The most popular bus for visitors is the one to the beach towns of Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna (3rd from the bottom).
Taking the Bus in Naxos
The main Naxos bus station is in the center of Naxos Town, directly opposite the ferry port.
Naxos bus station.
As you exit the ferry Naxos Town is straight ahead. Just follow the crowd along the pier and into town.
It’s a flat, easy walk to the bus station. About a 3 to 5-minute walk depending on where your ferry docks.
Along the way you’ll pass the taxi queue. If there aren’t taxis here keep walking into town, there are often more taxis waiting close to the bus station.
At the end of the pier is the “Naxos Bus Transfer” – or bus station. Buy tickets inside before boarding the bus. Bus schedules are posted outside or grab printed schedules inside.
There’s a small but nice swimming beach directly beside the bus station.
The famous Naxos Portara is at the end of the same beach.
View from the Portara towards Naxos Town. The ferry port is to the right. The bus station is in the center of the photo.
View from bus station looking back towards the ferry port.
There’s a rental car pick up spot opposite the bus station. Reserve cars with Booking.com.
Buses park on the street. There’s plenty of room for luggage on all buses.
Bus stop near Agia Anna Beach.
Bus stop near Plaka Beach.
Bus stop in the village of Chalki.
Bus stop in the village of Apeiranthos.
Bus stopping in Agios Prokopios Beach.
A bus stop on the north side of Agia Anna Beach.
A bus stop on the south side of Agia Anna Beach.
My wife and kids waiting at the bus stop near St George Beach, which is small and easy to miss. Buses stop here on their way out of Naxos Town, heading south to the beaches.
There are no buses to the Naxos airport. Taxi is the best option. Otherwise take the bus from Naxos Town to Agia Anna Beach and ask the driver to let you off at Naxos Camping. From there it’s about a 500 meter walk that takes 10 minutes.
Naxos bus line #1.
Naxos bus line #2.
Naxos bus line #3.
Naxos bus line #4.
Naxos bus line #5.
Naxos bus line #6.
Naxos bus line #7.
Naxos bus line #8.
Naxos bus line #9.
Naxos bus line #10.
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