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Paros to Athens Ferry Guide

Greece › Ferries › Paros to Athens Ferry
Updated: July 24, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

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Ferries travel from Paros to Piraeus throughout the year, with as many as 8 to 12 departures in summer. The fastest ferries take about 2 hours 40 minutes, while Blue Star takes roughly 4 to 4½ hours.

Choose Piraeus when staying in Athens. Choose Rafina when heading directly to Athens Airport and the seasonal ferry schedule works for your flight.

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Paros to Athens Ferry: Quick Guide

  • Best port for central Athens: Piraeus.
  • Best port for Athens Airport: Rafina, when the seasonal schedule and flight time work.
  • Fastest ferry to Piraeus: About 2 hours 40 minutes.
  • Blue Star to Piraeus: Roughly 4 to 4½ hours.
  • Fastest ferry to Rafina: About 3 hours 15 minutes.
  • When to book: Book early for July and August, especially for a specific departure or vehicle space.
  • When to arrive: Reach Parikia port 45 to 60 minutes before departure.
Outdoor waiting area at Parikia ferry port in Paros.

The outdoor waiting area at Parikia ferry port. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure and download your boarding pass before reaching the port.

Paros to Piraeus Ferries

Piraeus is the best arrival port for travelers staying in Athens. Ferries run throughout the year, with up to several departures a day in summer.

  • Fast ferries: About 2 hours 40 minutes to 3½ hours.
  • Blue Star: Roughly 4 to 4½ hours.
  • Standard fares: From about €51.

Piraeus has the widest choice of sailings and direct metro connections to central Athens.

Paros to Rafina Ferries

Rafina service is seasonal, running from spring into October. The fastest ferries take about 3 hours 15 minutes, while slower ships make several island stops and can take much longer.

Standard fares start around €39 to €43.

Rafina is closer to Athens Airport than Piraeus, but do not choose it solely for that reason. Compare the ferry arrival time, transfer time, and flight departure before booking.

Should You Choose Piraeus or Rafina?

Choose Piraeus When:

  • You are staying in central Athens.
  • You are traveling outside the summer season.
  • You want the widest choice of ferries.
  • You prefer Blue Star or want a steadier crossing.
  • You plan to continue by metro.

Choose Rafina When:

  • You are heading directly to Athens Airport.
  • A seasonal ferry operates on your date.
  • The arrival time leaves a safe flight connection.
  • You are staying in eastern Attica.

A Piraeus ferry arriving several hours earlier can still be the better airport choice.

Which Ferry Should You Take?

Blue Star: Best for Comfort and Value

I prefer Blue Star when its schedule works. It costs less, has outdoor decks, and gives a steadier ride. Choose it when traveling with children, carrying a vehicle, or prone to seasickness. The drawback is arriving roughly 1½ hours later than on the fastest ferry.

High-Speed Ferry: Best for Saving Time

Choose a high-speed ferry when the earlier arrival gives you a useful extra part of the day. The tradeoffs are higher fares, enclosed seating, and a rougher ride on smaller vessels during strong winds. Check the exact vessel when booking. Large jets ride more smoothly than the smallest catamarans.

SeaJets high-speed ferry from Paros to Piraeus.

SeaJets operates some of the fastest Paros-to-Piraeus crossings, taking about 2 hours 40 minutes on the quickest sailings.

Ferry Prices

Standard passenger fares start around:

  • Paros to Piraeus: €51.
  • Paros to Rafina: €39 to €43.

High-speed ferries, premium seats, and vehicle tickets cost more. A standard seat is enough for the fast ferry. On Blue Star, a numbered indoor seat is worth considering, but deck or lounge seating is fine for most travelers.

Buying Tickets and When to Book

I use Ferryhopper to compare departure times, journey lengths, arrival ports, vessels, stops, and prices.

  • July and August: Book as soon as your dates are fixed when you need a specific ferry or vehicle space.
  • May, June, September, and October: Several weeks ahead is normally enough.
  • Winter: Seats rarely sell out, but the reduced schedule makes advance planning important.

Mobile boarding passes are available for the main ferries on this route. Follow the operator’s check-in instructions and save the boarding pass to your phone before leaving your hotel.

Getting to Parikia Ferry Port

All Athens-bound ferries leave from Parikia, the main port and transport hub of Paros.

From Parikia and Livadia

Many central Parikia hotels are within a 5 to 15-minute walk. Hotels inside the Old Town can involve narrow lanes, stairs, and uneven paving.

Livadia Beach hotels are roughly 10 to 20 minutes away on foot. Allow longer with luggage or summer heat.

From Naoussa and Other Areas

Allow about 30 minutes by taxi or transfer from Naoussa, and longer in summer traffic. The bus is cheaper but less convenient with luggage.

From Aliki, Piso Livadi, Logaras, and other east-coast areas, arrange a taxi, rental car, hotel transfer, or bus well in advance. Do not rely on finding a last-minute taxi on a busy summer morning.

From Antiparos

Take the local ferry from Antiparos to Pounta, then continue by bus or taxi to Parikia.

Leave a generous buffer. This requires two separate journeys, and the Pounta ferry is not the Athens-bound ferry from Parikia.

When to Arrive

Reach Parikia port 45 to 60 minutes before departure as a foot passenger. Arrive earlier with a vehicle.

Confirm the vessel and departure area before joining a queue because several ferries can arrive close together.

Example Paros to Athens Schedule

Example Paros to Athens ferry schedule and prices for 2026.

Example Paros-to-Athens ferry schedule and prices on Ferryhopper.com. Departures, vessels, arrival ports, fares, and journey times vary by date.

Arriving at Piraeus

Paros ferries commonly arrive near the metro and suburban railway station, but the exact gate depends on the vessel. Follow signs after disembarking rather than relying on a fixed gate number.

Paros ferries arriving at Piraeus port in Athens.

Paros ferries often arrive in this part of Piraeus, close to the metro and suburban railway station. Exact gates change by vessel and departure.

Metro and Taxi

The metro is the cheapest and most predictable way to reach central Athens. Allow roughly 30 to 45 minutes after reaching the station, depending on your destination and connections.

A taxi is easiest with luggage or children. Traffic can add substantial time, especially on weekdays.

Continuing to Athens Airport

Piraeus is much farther from Athens Airport than Rafina. Allow substantial time for the transfer, traffic, check-in, and security.

For a same-day flight, I would leave at least 5 hours between the scheduled Piraeus arrival and flight departure, and more for an international flight.

Flying the next day is safer when missing the flight would be costly.

When to Stay in Piraeus

Stay in Piraeus when arriving late, leaving on another ferry early the next morning, or transferring between ships.

Stay in central Athens when sightseeing.

Arriving at Rafina

Rafina is smaller and easier to navigate than Piraeus. Taxis and airport buses leave near the ferry ramps, but queues form when several ferries arrive together.

Pre-book a transfer when connecting to a flight.

Getting to Athens Airport

The drive from Rafina to Athens Airport takes about 25 to 35 minutes without heavy traffic.

For a same-day flight, allow at least 4 hours between the scheduled ferry arrival and flight departure. Add more time for an international flight or checked luggage.

Getting to Central Athens

Travelers continuing to central Athens should choose Piraeus unless the Rafina ferry schedule is much better.

Rafina has buses and taxis to Athens, but the journey is less direct than taking the metro from Piraeus.

Luggage, Food, and Seasickness

Large bags are stored in racks near the ferry entrance. Keep passports, medication, electronics, money, and valuables with you.

Ferries have cafés or snack bars. Blue Star offers more space and a wider selection, but bringing water and a snack is enough for most travelers.

Choose Blue Star or a large high-speed ferry if you are prone to seasickness. The smallest catamarans give the roughest ride during strong Meltemi winds.

Sit near the middle of the vessel, avoid reading or staring at your phone, and take motion-sickness medication in advance according to the package instructions or your doctor’s advice.

Delays, Wind, and Ferry Strikes

Ferries arriving in Paros after several earlier stops are more likely to run late, especially later in the day.

Track the vessel on MarineTrafficParos to Athens Ferry Video

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.