Paros to Naxos Ferries (Timetables, Prices, & Tips)
Nestled less than 11 nautical miles (20 kilometers) apart, Paros and Naxos are a great pair for people looking to spend this summer island hopping in Greece.
We spent over two months island hopping, and Paros and Naxos were two of our favorite islands we visited. We actually flew straight to Paros from Athens, but then we had to figure out how to take the ferry from Paros to Naxos.
It ended up being much easier than we anticipated, but it can be a little intimidating if it’s your first time on the island.
To help you feel a little more confident, we’ve compiled all the information you would need to take the Paros to Naxos Ferry, including how to get to the ferry terminal, current timetables, costs, and tips for making the most of the short trip.
How to Get from Paros to Naxos
Traveling from Paros to Naxos by ferry is very easy. The ferry terminal is right in Parikia, the ‘capital’ of Paros. But we know that most tourists stay in Naoussa, about 15 minutes north of the port. Luckily, getting between Naoussa and Paros Port is very straightforward.
The journey takes just 30 to 60 minutes and is relatively affordable (longer trips can cost up to €100). We find that all of the ferries are pretty comfortable!
Here’s a brief overview addressing some of the first questions you might have when planning the trip!
Where is the Paros Ferry Terminal?
The main port (ferry terminal) in Paros is in Parikia, and it’s pretty easy to find.
But don’t confuse it with the Port of Pounda, the smaller port slightly south. This port is only used to get to Antiparos, Despotiko, and other small boat trips.
All ferries to Athens or other islands around Greece, including Naxos, will depart from Parikia. The port is right at the center of the village, surrounded by plenty of coffee shops, car rentals, restaurants, and tourist shops. It’s also right next to the Paros bus terminal!
Despite its busy nature, we actually found this town very charming, with more local vibes. So, we actually like to stay here (there are lots of boutique hotels) instead of Naoussa when we come to Paros.
Ticket Prices
During the summer, two primary ferry companies, SeaJets and Blue Star Ferries, operate routes between Naxos and Paros.
SeaJets offers the quickest journey, but not all their boats accommodate vehicles, making it ideal for foot passengers who want to get there ASAP. Here’s what you can expect in terms of pricing (newly updated seat classes!):
- Silver Class Assigned Seat: €15.50-32.90
- Club Class Assigned Seat: €50-75
- Platinum Class Assigned Seat: €65-100
Conversely, Blue Star Ferries and Hellenistic Seaway provide a slower, more economical service with the added benefit of vehicle transportation. Pricing details are as follows:
- Standard Economy: €15.50-33.50
- Assigned Seat Economy: €17
- Business Class: €21.50
- Vehicle Transport Fee: €40.50
How to Book Ferry Tickets
While you can purchase ferry tickets directly at local offices near the port, we always book them online, especially during the summer, when they are not uncommon to sell out.
The price is the same whether you book online or in person, so booking ahead online is always a good idea. We’ve never actually booked tickets in person, but you walk past the offices anytime you walk near the port in Parikia.
Three major platforms dominate the online booking landscape for all Greek ferries: FerryHopper, FerryScanner, and DirectFerries.
While all three platforms are reliable for booking a ferry from Paros to Naxos, we use FerryScanner.
They often offer the most competitive prices and are unique in providing free cancellations up to 48 hours before departure. They also have the lowest processing fees:
- FerryScanner – €0.50/ticket
- FerryHopper – €2.20/ticket
- DirectFerries – €2.30/ticket
This flexibility is awesome because we save a few bucks, and it’s not uncommon for us to change our itineraries at the last minute.
Paros to Naxos: Timetable
Ferries run from Paros to Naxos (and back from Naxos to Paros) frequently throughout the year. These ferries die down a little in the winter months but never stop altogether.
During high season (May – September), the ferry operators increase their number of routes to around 10-15 ferries per day, departing between 8:00 AM and 10:10 PM. It’s a decent mix between high-speed ferries and slower, conventional ferries.
Here are the updated timetables for this summer!
SeaJets
- SUPERJET: 08:15 – 08:45 (30 Minutes)
- SUPERJET 2: 10:00 – 11:45 (105 Minutes)
- CHAMPION JET 3: 10:55 – 11:20 (25 Minutes)
- CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/WORLD CHAMPION: 13:10 – 13:35 (25 Minutes) *Occasionally departs at 13:35*
- POWER JETS: 18:05 – 18:35 (30 Minutes)
- CHAMPION JET 2: 19:20 – 19:50 (30 Minutes)
Blue Star Ferries / Hellenic Seaways
- Blue Star Delos: 11:45 – 12:30 (45 minutes)
- Hellenic Seaways Highspeed 4: 12:30 – 13:10 (40 minutes) *Occasionally departs at 15:50*
- Hellenic Seaways Artemis: 15:15 – 16:45 (70 minutes) *Fridays Only*
- Blue Star 1: 22:10 – 23:05 (55 minutes) *Occasionally departs at 23:15*
Insider Tips for Greek Ferries
The ferries in Greece, especially the Blue Star Cargo Ferries, were very different from what we expected. Here are a few things you should know about taking the ferries between Naxos and Paros.
You can Take Your Rental Car on the Ferry
Most car rental agencies in Naxos and Paros permit transporting the rental vehicle via ferry, though they typically charge a fee for this service. Below are the fees from several well-known rental companies for taking a car on the ferry:
- EXER Rent a Car: €62
- Auto Union Car Rental: €75
- SIXT: €3.73 per day
It’s important to note that while you may transport your rental car on the ferry, online booking platforms, like Discover Cars, don’t allow you to schedule pick-up on one island and drop-off on another. However, they will sometimes allow it if you contact the rental agencies directly.
Furthermore, when you book your ferry ticket, a separate fee for transporting the vehicle is required. Here are the costs associated with two popular ferry services:
- Blue Star Ferries: €45.74
- Seajets: €37.20
Always check with your rental company and ferry service for the most up-to-date information and any potential additional costs.
Take motion-sickness Medicine
This is especially important for the smaller SeaJet fast ferries, as they are smaller, and you feel the waves a lot more. The larger ferries didn’t give us a ton of trouble!
We take Dramamine with us on every trip to Greece in case we need to take a ferry, snorkeling tour, or other boat trip in Paros and Naxos.
Book Tickets in Advance
It might not seem necessary to book tickets in advance because the ferries are so large, but you actually should because these ferries are not only traveling between Naxos and Paros.
For example, the Hellenic Seaways Highspeed 4 goes from Piraeus (Athens) to Paros, Naxos, Koufonissi, and Amorgos. So, the passengers on that ferry include everyone going to all of those islands, which can add up very quickly during peak travel season!
We recommend getting your tickets at least one month in advance. If you use Ferry Scanner, there’s really no risk since they offer free cancellation!
Most of the Ferries are Huge
We were shocked when we walked onto the first conventional ferry in Naxos! There were so many amenities that it felt like we were in an airport!
There were convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, tons of tables and chairs, and some of them even had private rooms with bathrooms (you won’t need that for a trip this short, but it’s cool for longer ferries around Greece!).
This is not the case for specific ferries, like the ExpressJet or SuperJet, but most ferries are large enough to carry nearly 1,000 passengers.
So don’t feel like you have to eat or use the restroom before getting on the ferry. They have whatever you need on board!
How to Get Around in Naxos
Naxos is a much larger island than Paros, so it’s even more essential to rent your own car here to maintain flexibility in your itinerary and save some money on taxis/tours.
We always choose to rent a car in Naxos, and it typically costs less than $30-40 per day, even in the summer.
During the offseason, we’ve gotten car rentals for even cheaper!
Another option that’s recently become more popular is renting a scooter in Naxos. It’s about the same price as renting a car, but parking is way easier and a really fun way to get around the island!
But, if you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself, taxis are always available around Naxos. However, they are pretty pricey (€10-25 per ride), so this really only saves you money if you’re traveling in a group and can split the taxi.
The bus system in Naxos is much more affordable if you travel by public transportation. While it is slower, you can get almost anywhere on the island by bus.
Things to Do in Naxos
We loved Naxos and put together a full itinerary to see all the best parts of the island in just four days!
Travel Tools We Use For Naxos
Cheap Flights to Greece
#1 Boat Tour in Naxos
But if you don’t have time to read that, here are the highlights!
Naxos Castle: This Venetian Castle is sort of hidden among the buildings and city of Chora, but it’s one of the coolest parts of Naxos! Only one of the original defense towers remains, but the city has worked hard to restore it as much as possible. There’s even a rooftop wine/coffee bar called Aviation 1739, where you can stop for a quick bite!
Temple of Apollo (a.k.a. Portara): As the most recognizable landmark in Naxos, the Portara is something you absolutely must visit if you come to the island. It’s easy to get to from anywhere in Naxos, and you can visit at any time of the day, but it’s most beautiful at sunset! We came here on our first evening in Naxos and came back almost every evening to watch the sunset there.
Agios Prokopios: Agios Prokopios is the resort area in Naxos, and it’s less than 10 minutes from the port, so even if you aren’t staying long on the island, it’s worth a visit! The long sandy shore is full of sunbeds for rent and cafes, and it’s very popular during high season, so expect crowds and for it to feel relatively ‘touristy’!
Plaka Beach: If you’re looking for a beach away from the crowds in Naxos, we would encourage you to visit Plaka Beach. Even during the summer, it’s shocking how empty and peaceful certain parts are. The farther you go south, the more secluded it is! We also think that it’s the most beautiful beach in Naxos and home to a few of the best beachfront resorts on the island!
Alyko Beach / Hawaii Beach: If you are willing to drive 30 minutes from Chora, you’ll find our favorite beach area in Naxos. Alyko Beach is the main place to spend time, but right next door is Hawaii Beach, a small church, an abandoned hotel with graffiti art, and the largest Cedar Forest in Naxos.
Closing Thoughts
Traveling from Paros to Naxos is not difficult once you know the essential information, and the journey typically takes less than an hour!
This makes it one of the cheapest ferries in Greece, and it is really easy to still feel like you can have the morning or the evening to enjoy one last coffee in Naoussa or visit Lefkes on your way to the port!
You’ll also get to Naxos in time to catch the sunset at the Temple of Apollo!
If you want to stay flexible, we highly encourage you to book through FerryScanner, but any platform you use will get the job done!
