How To Get Around Paros, Greece (2024 Transportation Guide)
As a relatively small island, it’s pretty easy to figure out how to get around Paros.
But it might not seem like it on the surface, and Sarah and I were pretty nervous before our first trip, so we understand if you have a lot of questions.
Luckily, we have the answers! We actually rented a car, and that was a great choice. It’s how we will always choose to get around the island since the freedom to not rely on bus schedules and taxi drivers is well worth it.
But not everyone feels comfortable driving a car in a foreign country, and you’ll probably need to take a ferry or boat at least once to visit the nearby islands.
So, we’ve put together this guide to help you easily navigate Paros, whether you’re looking to rent a car, take taxis, use the public bus system, or take a ferry to other nearby islands.
Transportation in Paros, Greece
There are 6 main ways to get around Paros. We’ll discuss everything in more detail, but here’s everything at a glance before we dive in!
| Transportation Method | Duration | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental Car | Daily Rental | €30 – €50 per day | Freedom, Convenience, Families & Small Groups |
| Public Buses | Varies | Approx. €1.80 per trip | Budget Travelers, One-off Trips |
| Taxis | 20-30 minutes | €15 – €25 typical fare | Fast & Convenient |
| Scooter Rental | Daily Rental | €20 – €35 per day | Adventure Travel, Couples, Solo Travelers |
| Greek Ferries | 1 – 4 Hours | €30-60 per person | Island hopping |
| Private Boat | 8-10 hours | Varies by tour | Private Excusrions, Nearby Islands |
1. Rent a Car in Paros
We rented a car in Paros, which is by far our favorite way to get around the island. That’s actually the case for everywhere in Greece, except maybe Athens.
It’s really nice to have your own car in Paros, specifically, because you can see the entire island in just a few days.
You don’t have to wait around for buses, flag down taxi drivers, or book expensive guided tours to see a couple of beaches. We saved so much time and money that it’s a no-brainer from here on out.
If you’re like, “Awesome, sign me up,” and want to check rental prices, we recommend checking this website. They usually have the best prices and offer full coverage insurance.
And if you’re someone who gets nervous about driving in a foreign place, we can assure you that driving in Paros is easy. Their area has busy highways or steep mountain roads like those found when driving in Naxos or other parts of Greece.
But there are certain situations where it might not be ideal for you to rent a car, like if you’re;
- Concerned about parking
- Not familiar with driving stick-shift
- Nervous about using foreign roads.
Luckily, the public transportation system is really good in Paros.
2. Public Buses
The public bus system in Paros reaches every major area of the island, from Naoussa to Parikia, Lefkes, Aliki, Golden Beach, and Piso Livaldi. There’s usually a stop or two in all the smaller villages, too, in case you plan to stay a little off the beaten path!
They’re also the cheapest way to travel. A single bus ticket varies depending on where you go, but it’s always less than €3!
For example, if you take the bus from Parikia to Naoussa, you’ll likely pay €2 online (€2.50 in person).
There’s also a full-day online ticket that gives you unlimited rides for just €10.
The main bus terminal is at Paros Port, which is super convenient for people arriving in Paros by ferry and hoping to take a bus straight to their accommodation immediately. There’s luggage storage under the bus, and the routes expand all over the island!
Want to see all the routes and timetables? Check out the official K-Tel Website!
3. Taxis & Private Transfers
The next way to get around Paros is by taxi. Taxis are weirdly expensive in Paros, though. You’ll pay a minimum of €20, even if you travel only 5-10 kilometers.
We find that a little hard to stomach, especially since our rental car is usually the same price, and we get it for the entire day.
But if you’re traveling in a group and can split the price, it’s not that bad, and it’s so much more convenient than waiting on the bus.
We’ve also found a company called WelcomePickups that allows you to prearrange taxis beforehand.
This is helpful if you want to ensure a taxi is waiting for you at the airport or if you’re staying in a more remote region of Paros where there aren’t always taxis available.
You should expect to pay about the same price, but it will save time not having to flag down a taxi or bother your apartment host to find a ride.
4. Rent a Scooter in Paros
Looking for a more exciting way around Paros?
Paros is one of the few places in Greece where renting a scooter is really worth it. The weather is almost always pleasant (meaning you won’t get caught in the rain), and the island is small enough that your partner won’t get uncomfortable on the back.
But scooter rentals in Paros aren’t any cheaper than car rentals; they are just more novel.
Depending on the season and availability, you can expect to pay about €25-40 per day. We personally use Bikesbooking.com to find rentals.
Another reason we find renting a scooter in Paros can be a good idea is for easier parking. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare during high season (June-September), but you can avoid this hassle with a scooter since you barely need any space.
The downside is that you can’t bring much more than a backpack to explore the island, and it’s (slightly) more risky than a car.
5. Ferries
If you’re spending extended time in Paros, you won’t spend all that time on the main island.
Antiparos is probably the most popular day trip in Paros. It’s just 5 minutes by ferry from the mainland, and you’ll also need to take a ferry if you’re coming here from Naxos or other Greek islands.
The ferries in Greece are actually really nice, and some of them remind us of an airport terminal with tons of amenities, restaurants, shops, and tables.
Paros is at the center of the Aegean Sea, so if you’re island hopping through Greece, it’s really easy to get to another island from Paros by ferry (much easier than by flight since the airport really only fosters flights to/from Athens).
Tickets are a little expensive but definitely not outrageous. Here are a few of the average prices for nearby islands (the range depends on what class & type of ferry you choose).
- Paros to Antiparos = €2-5
- Paros to Naxos = €15-33
- Paros to Mykonos = €35-60
- Paros to Sifnos = €70
- Paros to Ios = €25-60
These are just the direct routes, too. You can get to almost any island in Greece with a couple of connections!
6. Boat Trips
Being out on the water is the epitome of what people think of on the Greek Islands, so of all the excursions you can take in Paros, everyone usually wants to add a boat trip to their itinerary.
There are tons of boat trips in Paros, both well-known islands and remote spots we’d never heard of!
Paros boat trips are often an all-day excursion. You’ll meet your skipper in the morning and return to Paros late in the evening, making multiple stops throughout the day. These tours also include lunch, snacks, and sometimes drinks.
Here are some of the most popular places to visit on a boat tour from Paros!
Antiparos & Despotiko
Most people take the traditional ferry to Antiparos (and that’s what we would do, too), but if you want to visit more remote parts of the coast, like Despotiko or Epitafios Beach, then a private boat tour is the way to go!
These islands are usually seen as part of Paros and no one really visits them separately.
This small-group tour includes visiting several beaches, sea caves, and smaller islands around Antiparos and Despotiko, where you can relax in the sun or swim and snorkel in crystal-clear water!
Delos & Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the most popular islands in Greece, but if you don’t want to spend extended time there with all the crowds and expensive tourist attractions, you can take a day trip to Delos and Mykonos from Paros.
It doesn’t take too long to get to Mykonos (1.5 hours by catamaran), and the tours usually last 9-10 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore the main town of Tourlos.
You can also find tours that stop by Delos on the way to Mykonos to see its famous archaeological sites.
Santorini
The other central tourist island in Greece is a couple of hours south of Paros by boat, and people also like to take a day trip to cross this island off their bucket list!
It’s a long day, for sure, but most boat tours to Santorini (such as this one) leave from Naoussa and allow for about 6 hours to explore Santorini. You’ll get to visit both Oia and Fira to see some of the most iconic spots in all of Greece.
Naxos
Naxos is Paros’s next-door neighbor, and it’s much more convenient to take a small boat trip to Naxos since you can leave straight from Nouassa and get there much faster than a traditional ferry.
This catamaran boat tour includes lunch, plus 3 different stops that allow you to get a full glimpse of Naxos. You can swim, snorkel, visit authentic Greek taverns, and sunbathe in the Aegean Sea.
Paros Airport Transportation
The Paros airport is tiny, and there aren’t any facilities outside a couple of car rental stands. This makes it easy to find your way out into the parking lot, where you start finding your way to Parikia, Naoussa, or wherever you stay on the island.
Taxis: Public taxis in Paros are gray/black vehicles with a yellow taxi sign on the roof. They often track flights arriving in Paros and are waiting for potential passengers. Just be aware that they can be quite expensive (€30-50).
Rental Cars: There are quite a few rental car agencies with offices (and therefore pick-up) at the airport in Paros. You’ll see Hertz, AVIS, Enterprise, and SIXT, along with some local companies like Simply Rent a Car, Alamo Rent a Car, and Aegean Rent a Car.
Cars are rarely available to rent on the spot, so if you’re flying into Paros, you should definitely reserve your rental car ahead of time.
Airport Buses: The bus stop at Paros Airport is very easy to find. It stops right outside the terminal (arrivals and departures are in the same building). The issue is that there are only 3-4 buses each day, so you could wait a little while if your flight arrives way before the next departure.
Paros Airport to Parikia Bus Timetable
09.05, 11.50, 16.50, 18.00
Final Thoughts
We find getting around Paros very easy, and hopefully, you feel the same way after reading this.
Everything is less than 30 minutes away, so we do highly recommend renting a car in Paros (you can read about our experience and how to do that here), but if you don’t feel comfortable and have to use public transportation, you don’t need to worry about spending the entire trip in the back of a bus.
It’s also nice because you can stay pretty much anywhere you want on the island and still be close to all the other best beaches, villages, and attractions!
If you want an outline for planning your trip to Paros, check out our ultimate itinerary for the island!
