The Naxos to Paros Ferry (Timetables, Prices, & Tips)
Paros and Naxos are so close together that most travelers try to squeeze a visit to both into the same holiday. The problem is that there aren’t any direct flights between the islands, so you’ll need to know how to catch the Naxos to Paros ferry.
Luckily, taking ferries in Greece is really easy, especially once you’ve done it a couple of times, and that’s how we always get between the islands.
But it’s a good idea to figure out all the logistics before you actually get there, especially if it’s your first time in Greece. Otherwise, you’ll be scrambling!
So, we’ve put together a guide with tips for taking the ferry from Naxos to Paros, including how to book tickets, current timetables, prices, and the location of the ferry ports!
How to Get from Naxos to Paros
It’s pretty easy to get from Naxos to Paros by ferry. The ferry terminal is right in Naxos Town (Chora), so you usually don’t have to worry about finding a taxi unless you’re staying in one of the beach towns.
It’s also very short (30-60 minutes), comfortable, and quite affordable compared to other ferries in Greece, which we have seen run upwards of €100 for a single trip!
Here’s some of the basic information to know about the ferry from Naxos to Paros!
Where is the Naxos Ferry Port
The ferry terminal is actually right in Naxos Chora, next to the Temple of Apollo (Portara).
This is where all ferries depart Naxos. It’s a bit of a long walk, though, from the center of town. Even after getting to the start of the jetty, we still had about 5-7 minutes to walk to actually board the ferry.
At the end of the ferry, there’s a small cafe with snacks and coffee, along with some public bathrooms, so we like to get there a bit early and hang out so we don’t feel rushed.
Where to Book Ferry Tickets
It’s possible to book ferry tickets in person (some offices in this area near the port), but in the summer, it’s common for tickets to be fully booked for a few days out, so we always reserve our tickets online.
It’s the same price regardless, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Three primary aggregates dominate the ferry bookings in Greece: FerryHopper, FerryScanner, and DirectFerries.
All three are fine companies to use, but we personally prefer FerryScanner because they tend to have the best prices, and they’re the only one that offers free cancellation up to 48 hours before your departure, and Ferry Scanner has the lowest processing fees:
- DirectFerries – €2.00/ticket
- FerryScanner – €0.40/ticket
- FerryHopper – €1.90/ticket
Naxos to Paros Ticket Prices
Two main ferry companies run between back and forth between Naxos and Paros each summer: SeaJets and Blue Star Ferries.
Saos Enes and Hellenistic Seaways are both now operated by Blue Star Ferries.
SeaJets Express is the fastest ferry between Naxos and Paros, but cars and scooters are not allowed on board because it is more of a ‘fast ferry’ than a large cargo ferry. Here are the current prices.
- Silver Class Assigned Seat – €15.50-32.90
- Club Class Assigned Seat – €50-75
- Platinum Class Assigned Seat – €65-100
- Vehicle Fee – €37.20
Blue Star Ferries is slightly cheaper and allows vehicles, but it takes a bit longer to get from Naxos to Paros.
- Economy = €15.50
- Assigned Seat Economy = €17
- Business = €21.50
- Vehicle Fee = €45.74
Saos Enes / Hellenistic Seaways are super affordable ferry lines that you can take between islands, but they are even slower than Blue Star ferries and only run a few times per week (even in the summer).
How Long Does it take?
The High-speed ferries (Most SeaJet trips) can make the crossing in as little as 30 minutes, but if you end up on a conventional ferry (Blue Star Ferries), it will take about 50 to 90 minutes to complete the journey.
While it does depend on which ferry you take, it’s a very short journey compared to other ferries from Paros, so you shouldn’t stress too much and can even use it to take a day trip to Paros!
Naxos to Paros: Timetable
Ferries run frequently from Naxos to Paros throughout the year. They die down a little in the winter months, but they never stop altogether.
During high season (May – September), there are usually about 6-10 ferries per day, departing between 7:00 AM and 10:30 PM. The high-speed ferries are very fast, and the conventional ferries take about 1 hour. However, conventional ferries are the only option for those bringing a vehicle.
Here are the updated timetables for this summer.
SeaJets
- SUPER JET 2: 09:00 – 10:35 (95 Minutes)
- POWER JET: 09:00 – 09:30 (30 Minutes)
- CHAMPION JET 2: 10:05 – 10:35 (30 Minutes)
- CHAMPION LEAGUE: 11:10 – 11:35 (25 Minutes)
- CHAMPION JET 3: 13:40 – 14:10 (30 Minutes)
- SUPERJET: 15:35 – 16:05 (30 minutes)
Blue Star Ferries / Hellenic Seaways
- Blue Star 1: 09:30 – 10:20 (50 minutes)
- Hellenic Seaways Highspeed 4: 17:10 – 17:50 (40 minutes) *Occasionally departs at 15:50*
- Blue Star Delos: 18:00 – 18:45 (45 minutes)
Tips & Things to Know About Greek Ferries
From our experience taking ferries in Greece, particularly between Paros and Naxos, here are some things you should be aware of before you go island hopping!
The ferries are Very Comfortable
When we booked our first ferry in Greece, we had no clue how massive they were. Most of them carry over 1,000 passengers and have all of the amenities you could want.
We also found convenience stores, fast food outlets, cafes, bathrooms, and even private ‘hotel’ rooms for people on a longer journey. The seating is also really comfortable and reminds us more of an airport lounge than a boat!
However, keep in mind that this doesn’t apply to every ferry. Other ships in the fleet, like the ExpressJet or SuperJet, are much smaller and will only have a small bathroom.
Always Pack Motion Sickness Medicine
If you’re planning to take ferries in Greece and are prone to motion sickness, you should pack some Dimenhydrinate (brand name Dramamine). Honestly, it’s smart to have it just in case, and we bring it on all of our trips just in case we end up taking a boat trip in Paros or need a long taxi ride. Sarah even takes it when we’re driving up to the mountain villages in Naxos.
You Can Take a Vehicle on the Ferry (within Greece)
With most rental companies in Naxos/Paros, you are allowed to take the rental car onto the ferry, but there’s usually a fee for it. Here are some of the most popular agencies’ fees for taking the car on the ferry.
- EXER Rent a Car = €62
- Auto Union Car Rental = €75
- SIXT = €3.73/day
Just because you can take the car on the ferry DOES NOT mean you can return it to the other island. The online booking platforms usually don’t allow this, so you’ll need to contact the rental agency directly.
In addition to that, you’ll have to pay a vehicle fee when booking the ferry ticket.
- Blue Star Ferries: €45.74
- Seajets: €59.51
Finding Transportation in Paros
Paros is much smaller than other islands in Greece, like Naxos or Crete, so you can actually drive around the entire island in less than an hour. We always rent a car, but public transportation and guided tours are available, too.
Car Rentals: Renting a car in Paros is not only the most flexible way to travel, but it ends up being the most affordable way, too, especially if you’re spending a couple of days on the island.
Scooter Rental: Another cool way to get around Paros is by booking a scooter rental. This is certainly more unconventional, but it’s an adventurous option, and the roads are easy enough to navigate that you won’t feel like you’re ever in danger on the scooter. Only rent a scooter in Paros during the summer because it sucks to get stuck on one in the rain.
Local Taxis: Taxis are available all over Paros. This is how most people get from the Paros Airport to their hotel in Naoussa. However, it’s the most expensive option, and we prefer to have our own transportation.
Buses in Paros: The island’s bus system is really efficient and covers nearly every town. Most buses also only cost a few euros, so they’re a great way to get around Paros on a budget.
Places to Visit in Paros
Paros is an awesome place to visit in Greece. While you can take a day trip from Naxos to Paros, we highly encourage you to spend 3-4 days exploring the island. That gives you enough time to see all the best parts without feeling super rushed.
Here are a few of our favorite places to visit in Paros.
Kolymbithres Beach is the most famous beach in Paros, and once we got there, we understood why. The smooth granite rock formations are super cool, and the water in the lagoons is crystal clear. There’s also a bunch of water sports available and a lively beach bar called Paros on the Rocks!
Wander around Naoussa for an afternoon. The whole town is super charming and full of cute shops and whitewashed buildings. It’s really close to what you’ll experience in Mykonos, but far less touristy! We also had a great time cafe-hopping and playing with the cats throughout town!
Golden Beach is another popular beach along the southwest coast that’s less busy than Kolymbithres. It’s known for golden sand, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. This is also where many honeymooners and people looking for a quiet beachfront vacation come to stay. There are some sunbeds, but bring your own snacks because there aren’t many restaurants right on the beach!
Lefkes Village: Another must-visit spot in Paros is the mountain village of Lefkes. The town sits high above the rest of the island with a beautiful church called Agia Triada and a view of the ocean with Naxos across the water. It’s a pedestrian-only village with lots of picturesque streets and small tavernas with local Greek food.
Closing Thoughts
Getting from Naxos to Paros is honestly very simple. The ferries are comfortable, and the trip is often less than an hour. We love that because it means you don’t have to necessarily give up an entire day for travel.
You can visit Portara(Temple of Apollo), relax in Agia Anna, or take a trip up into Chalki in the morning, then hop on a ferry and watch the sunset from a cafe in Naoussa, Paros.
Just remember to check beforehand if you can take your rental car on the ferry (or just book a new one in Paros because that’s usually even cheaper).
Also, if you want to have the flexibility of free cancellation, we would use FerryScanner over other aggregators.
