Information about Paros
The island of Paros is one of the most popular Greek destinations, The island is part of the Cyclades and is located in central Aegean. It spans an area of 197 km². There were 12800 inhabitants in 2001. Paros has many beautiful sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters, sea-side tavernas & bars and is known to windsurfers around the world.
The capital of Paros is called Parikia. The village of Naoussa on the far North of the island is also very popular and very picturesque. To the South West, very close to Paros, lies the sister island Antiparos which is also very popular especially for its natural beauty. There are local small ferries almost every hour to Antiparos from the small port of Pounda.
Interesting information concerning Paros you can find through the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) and Wikipedia.
The main port of Paros is Parikia. All ferries arrive and leave from there. The coordinates of the port are: 37°0512.59 N - 25°0857,87 E (Google Earth).
There are also two secondary ports from which only local boats operate. These are Naoussa with coordinates 37°0730.21 N - 25°1412,05 E (Google Earth) and Pounda with coordinates 37°0215.70 N - 25°0600,37 E (Google Earth).Useful info: Paros Port authority tel. +30 22840 21240, Greek Tourist police: +30 22890 22482 (in Mykonos)
Travel times
A. Ferry from Piraeus to Paros
- Catamarans & Hydrofoils: approx. 3½ hours
- Conventional ferries: min. 4½ hours - max 7 hours.
B. Ferry from Rafina to Paros
- Catamarans & Hydrofoils: min. 3 hours - max 4½ hours
Paros ferries schedule announcement
There are four, so called, "ferry schedule seasons":
- Winter ferry season 1st of November until 31 st of March.
- Spring ferry season 1st April - beginning of June.
- Summer ferry season beginning of June - mid September.
- Autumn ferry season rest of September - 31st of October.
Ferry connections and schedules for domestic routes, like to Paros, are usually announced by most shipping companies, a couple of weeks before the beginning of each season. There are some exceptions though, like Blue Star ferries, which announces schedules in the beginning of the year.
Athens to Paros ferry schedule frequency during summer
- Morning: Daily at least 1 conventional ferry and 2 Hydrofoils.
- Afternoon: Daily at least 2 conventional ferries.
Ferry types operating routes to Paros
Conventional car ferries
These vessels can be divided into two categories: the old ones and the modern ones.
The main differences between them are
- their cruising speed
- the quality of accommodation and services provided and
- the prices
They are usually very big vessels, which also carry vehicles. Their advantages compared to the High Speed vessels, like the catamarans, are that they are more seaworthy, offer more "relaxed" accommodation and cabins and the passengers have the possibility to sit outside and enjoy their cruise around the Greek islands.
Catamarans & Hydrofoils
These vessels are smaller and much faster than conventional ones. Only a few of them can carry vehicles. Their main advantage is that they go twice as fast.
Passengers are usually not allowed to sit outside even though there is some space on some of them. The accommodation inside is a little like a very wide airplane. The better the class, the wider the seat. There are no cabins.
Smoking is not allowed in any inside area of any ship.
Ferry connections to & from Paros
- Piraeus (Athens main port) - click here for port information
- Rafina (Athens secondary port - North East Attica coast) - click here for port information
- Lavrio (Athens secondary port - East Attica coast) - click here for port information
- Cyclades Islands: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Donousa, Folegandros, Heraklia, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Koufonissi, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini, Schinousa, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos
- Crete: Heraklio
- Dodekanissos Islands: Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Kos, Megisti, Nissyros, Patmos, Rhodes (Rodos), Tilos
- North Aegean: Chios, Fourni, Ikaria, Lesvos, Limnos, Samos
- East Macedonia & Thrace: Kavala
Note: Not all above connections operate throughout the year.
Ferry to Paros prices
Prices quoted below concern 2017, for the most popular routes, in economy class and are indicative. Same prices apply v.v. These prices are subject to change without prior notice.
| Paros Ferry Routes | Ferry types & pices | |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional ferry | Hydrofoil/Catamaran* | |
| Piraeus (Athens) - Paros ferries | approx. 35€/adult | approx. 50€/adult |
| Rafina (Athens) - Paros ferries | - | approx. 49€/adult |
| Cyclades - Paros ferries | ||
| Santorini - Paros ferry | approx. 22€/adult | approx. 50€/adult |
| Mykonos - Paros ferry | approx. 8€/adult | approx. 37 €/adult |
*Note: Hydrofoils/Catamarans usually operate between May and October.
