SantoriniDave.com

Santorini to Paros Ferry Guide

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

See Also

Ferries travel from Santorini to Paros throughout the year, with up to 8 departures a day in summer. The fastest high-speed ferries take about 1 hour 45 minutes, while Blue Star takes roughly 3 to 3¼ hours.

I prefer Blue Star when its schedule works. It is steadier, cheaper, and has outdoor decks. Take a high-speed ferry when arriving 1 to 1½ hours earlier makes a real difference to your day.

Helpful Links

Santorini to Paros Ferry: Quick Guide

  • Frequency: Up to 8 ferries a day in summer, with reduced but regular service in winter.
  • Travel time: About 1 hour 45 minutes on the fastest ferry and roughly 3 to 3¼ hours on Blue Star.
  • Best for comfort: Blue Star. It is larger, steadier, cheaper, and has outdoor decks.
  • Best for speed: SeaJets and other high-speed ferries.
  • Departure port: Athinios Port. Do not go to the Old Port below Fira.
  • Arrival port: Parikia, the main town and transport hub of Paros.
  • When to book: Book early for July and August, especially for a specific departure or vehicle space.
SeaJets high-speed ferry from Santorini to Paros.

SeaJets operates some of the fastest Santorini-to-Paros ferries, with summer crossings taking as little as about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Santorini to Paros Ferry Times

Ferries operate throughout the year. Summer has up to 8 departures a day, spread from morning into the afternoon or early evening. Winter has fewer choices but maintains regular service.

  • Fastest ferry: About 1 hour 45 minutes.
  • Blue Star: Roughly 3 to 3¼ hours.
  • Longest sailings: Up to about 4 hours when the ferry makes additional stops.

Some ferries travel directly to Paros, while others stop at Ios or Naxos. Check the full route because ferries leaving at similar times can have very different journey lengths.

Which Ferry Should You Take?

Blue Star: Best for Comfort and Value

Blue Star is my preferred ferry when the timetable works. The ships are large and steady, with outdoor decks, cafés, and plenty of room to move around.

Choose Blue Star if you are prone to seasickness, traveling with children, carrying a vehicle, or want a more relaxed trip. The main drawback is that the journey takes about 1 to 1½ hours longer than the fastest ferry.

High-Speed Ferry: Best for Saving Time

The fastest ferries reach Paros in about 1 hour 45 minutes. They are the better choice when the departure time is more convenient or the earlier arrival gives you a useful extra afternoon in Paros.

The tradeoffs are higher fares, enclosed seating, and a bumpier ride in strong winds.

Santorini to Paros Ferry Prices

Standard Blue Star fares start around €40. High-speed tickets start around €70. VIP and Business Class seating on both costs more.

A standard seat is enough for this route. Business Class offers a quieter lounge and more space but is unnecessary for most travelers. Vehicle space is limited and requires a separate ticket.

Buying Tickets and When to Book

I use Ferryhopper to compare ferry times, journey lengths, stops, vessels, 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 timetable makes advance planning important.

Mobile boarding passes are available on the main ferries serving this route. Follow the instructions in your confirmation email because check-in procedures differ by company.

Download the boarding pass or save a screenshot before leaving your hotel.

Example Santorini to Paros Schedule

Example Santorini to Paros ferry schedule and prices for 2026.

Example Santorini-to-Paros ferry schedule and prices on Ferryhopper.com. Departures, vessels, and fares vary by date.

Getting to Athinios Ferry Port

All passenger ferries leave from Athinios Port at the bottom of the caldera cliffs. Do not go to the Old Port below Fira.

The single switchback road to Athinios becomes badly congested when several ferries arrive or depart close together.

By Bus

Port buses leave from the main bus station in Fira according to ferry departure times. Check the current schedule shortly before travel.

The bus is cheap but crowded. Travelers staying in Oia, Imerovigli, Kamari, or Perissa must first reach Fira and transfer to the port bus.

By Taxi or Private Transfer

A pre-booked taxi or transfer is the easiest option from most hotels. Santorini has few taxis, and finding one shortly before departure is difficult.

A reservation guarantees a vehicle, not a traffic-free journey. From Oia or Imerovigli, leaving 2 hours or more before a busy summer ferry is reasonable.

By Rental Car

Rental cars can be returned at Athinios when arranged in advance. Confirm the meeting point with the rental company because stopping and parking space near the ferry ramps is limited.

When to Arrive

Aim to reach Athinios 45 to 60 minutes before departure. The port is crowded, exposed, and uncomfortable for a long wait, so leave your hotel early enough for traffic rather than arriving several hours early.

Arriving at Parikia Port

Ferries arrive in central Parikia, beside the waterfront, windmill roundabout, bus station, taxi stand, rental offices, cafés, and restaurants.

Walking to a Parikia Hotel

Many central Parikia hotels are within a 5 to 15-minute walk. The waterfront is flat, but hotels inside the Old Town can involve narrow lanes, uneven paving, or stairs.

Livadia Beach hotels are about a 10 to 20-minute walk north of the port. The route is mostly level, though heat and luggage make a taxi useful for the farther end.

Buses and Taxis

The main bus station is beside the port, near the windmill roundabout. Buses serve Naoussa, Lefkes, Aliki, Piso Livadi, Pounta, and the main beaches.

Check the current timetable before arrival. Evening and shoulder-season buses are less frequent.

The taxi stand is nearby, but queues can be long when a busy ferry arrives in July or August.

Getting to Naoussa and Other Areas

Naoussa is about 20 to 30 minutes from Parikia by bus or taxi, depending on traffic. A hotel transfer is easiest with luggage or after an evening arrival.

Aliki is roughly 20 to 30 minutes away by car. Piso Livadi, Logaras, and other east-coast areas require a bus, taxi, rental car, or hotel transfer.

Continuing to Antiparos

To reach Antiparos, travel from Parikia to Pounta and take the short local ferry across.

Do not confuse the Pounta ferry port with Pounda Beach on the east coast of Paros. Confirm the final ferry time when arriving late.

Rental Cars

A car is unnecessary for a short stay in central Parikia or Naoussa but useful for visiting Lefkes, Aliki, remote beaches, and smaller villages.

Reserve early for July and August. Driving and parking in central Naoussa are difficult in peak season, so leave the car at your hotel and walk into town when possible.

Luggage, Food, and Seasickness

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

All ferries have a café or snack bar. Blue Star has the widest choice and more room to move around.

Choose Blue Star if you are prone to seasickness. The route crosses exposed Aegean water and can be rough during strong Meltemi winds.

On a high-speed ferry, sit near the middle of the vessel, avoid reading or staring at your phone, and take motion-sickness medication in advance according to the instructions or your doctor’s advice.

Do not depend on onboard Wi-Fi. Download tickets, hotel details, maps, and entertainment before leaving Santorini.

Delays, Wind, and Ferry Strikes

Ferries reaching Santorini after earlier island stops are more likely to arrive late, especially in the afternoon.

Do not schedule a tightly timed rental-car pickup, dinner reservation, or onward connection immediately after the expected arrival in Paros.

Use the MarineTrafficSantorini to Paros Ferry Route

Santorini to Paros ferry routes and intermediate stops.

Some ferries travel directly from Santorini to Paros, while others stop at Ios or Naxos. Check the complete route because similar departure times can produce different journey lengths.

Santorini to Paros Ferry Videos

Traveling by Ferry in the Cyclades

Boarding at Santorini’s Athinios Port

Read More

Ferry Guides

Santorini Travel Guides

Paros Travel Guides

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.