Getting To Paros

There is only one realistic way to get to Paros, and that is by ferry. During the summer months, numerous ferries come and go throughout the day from Parakias quayside. Once on the island, hired mopeds are the most ideal means of getting about.

By ferry

Most visitors depart from Piraeus Port, south of Athens, to get to the Cyclades, and Paros is the ferry hub of this archipelago. From here, onward travel to other nearby islands such as Santorini, Ios, Mykonos and Naxos is easy. There are about six ferries a day departing from the mainland, the last one leaving for Paros at 17:00. The journey time is about 5 hours or 2 hours 30 minutes on a high-speed hydrofoil. However, schedules often change and cancellations are quite likely if the conditions are bad. Dont rely on the last ferry if you have a plane to catch.

From Paros, you can get a ferry to almost every other island group at least once a week including Crete, the Dodecanese and even Samos. Ferries to Mykonos arent as frequent as you would expect, but other islands in the immediate area are reachable several times a day, with a short journey time. Santorini is the farthest away and takes 5 hours to reach.

By car

Car hire isnt that popular on Paros, simply because the island is too small for the need to drive anywhere. A single day hire for exploring the island is feasible and local companies, including international rental firms, are present in Parakia. A few locals also hire out cars, often with a driver, in the smaller towns. The roads are in reasonable condition, but driving is slow due to the winding country lanes.

By bus

A limited bus service plies the island along roads from Parakia to the north and east and back via the centre. It is infrequent, geared towards the locals and impractical for tourists hoping to get about.

By air

There is an airstrip on Paros and it receives three flights a day on an 18-seater Olympic Airways plane. Facilities at the landing site are limited and all youll find are taxis waiting to spirit you away. Hellenic Star have three flights a week on a 50-seater flight. In all, these services can only handle a fraction of the amount of visitors to the island and the services are reduced out of season. Flight time is approximately 35 minutes from Athens.

Taxis

Every island and town in Greece has its share of taxi characters affable locals who will offer to be your guide for the duration of your stay, available on call when you need to travel. This might be a good option for taking an excursion around the island or getting into the nearby town if your resort is remotely located. The taxi drivers are fairly honest with fares, and helpful, but a little pushy for business.