Paros to Athinios
Paros to Santorini ferry
Compare the Paros sailings by speed and vessel type and open a booking for Athinios
- Up to 4 sailings a day from Parikia, three operators
- SeaJets from 1 h 30, Golden Star about 1 h 55, Blue Star 3 to 5 h
- Conventional Blue Star ships carry vehicles, the jets partly
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Paros to Santorini has three operators and two vessel types. SeaJets sails up to three times a day from September into November - 1 h 30 on a direct jet, four hours and more on sailings that call at Naxos and Ios; Golden Star Ferries runs Superexpress or Golden Princess most days until October in about 1 h 55; Blue Star Ferries has one conventional sailing a day until the end of October, 3 to 5 hours with Blue Star 1, Delos, Naxos or Artemis. Up to four departures a day in all.
Getting to the port in Paros
Ferries leave from the central harbour in Parikia, right on the town's waterfront, with a car park, taxi rank, cash machine, Wi-Fi, first-aid point and step-free access. The Antiparos boats use Pounda, 9 km to the west - a different port. Buses from Naoussa and the beaches end at the harbour, and the ticket agencies sit on the quay road.
Check-in and boarding
SeaJets: foot passengers at the embarkation area at least 30 minutes before departure, vehicles at the loading area 60 minutes before. Tickets are issued by name; show the e-ticket with your ID.
Golden Star Ferries: foot passengers at the ship no later than 30 minutes before departure, vehicles at the loading point one hour before. Online bookings arrive as e-tickets.
Blue Star Ferries: every passenger, on foot or with a car, at the embarkation area at least one hour before departure. Web check-in runs from 48 to 2 hours before departure and issues the e-ticket you show with your ID card or passport.
On board
Blue Star's ships have open decks, café bars, a restaurant, Wi-Fi and kennels; the jets and Golden Star's craft are seat-only with a café bar. In a strong Meltemi the conventional ship is the calmer choice and the last to be cancelled. Luggage up to 50 kg per person is free on all three.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Blue Star 1, Delos and Naxos have full garages; Golden Star's Superexpress (200 vehicles) and Golden Princess (180) and SeaJets' Worldchampion, Champions League, Eurochampion and Champion Jets carry cars, Superjet and Super Jet 2 do not. Electric cars board only with the battery at 40 % or less, declared at booking - a Greek rule every operator applies. Pets travel free but must be declared at booking with the health-booklet number; no pet ticket is issued on board. Blue Star's ships add pet cabins.
Arriving at Athinios
Every sailing lands at Athinios, Santorini's main passenger and vehicle port below the caldera cliffs - about 8 km from Fira, 7 km from the airport, open around the clock, with buses, taxis and a car park on the quay. The switchback road up the cliff is the only way out, so settle your transfer before you land: Athinios port guide.
Tickets and fares
The fare depends on operator, vessel and seat type. Cancellation terms are contractual and staggered: SeaJets refunds in full up to 14 days before departure, then in steps down to 12 hours; Golden Star Ferries charges a cancellation fee from 14 days out and cannot cancel within 12 hours; Blue Star Ferries refunds in full up to 14 days before departure, then in steps down to 12 hours. Departures for your date are in the timetable.
Paros - Santorini
Parikia to Athinios with three operators
From Parikia, Paros' main port, three companies sail to Santorini. SeaJets runs up to three high-speed departures a day from September into November, from 1 h 30 on a direct jet to well over four hours on the vessels that call at Naxos and Ios on the way. Golden Star Ferries sails Superexpress or Golden Princess most days until October in about 1 h 55. Blue Star Ferries has a daily conventional sailing until the end of October - Blue Star 1, Delos, Naxos or Artemis - which takes 3 to 5 hours but carries vehicles and has open decks.
Direct jets and multi-stop ships share the same route name, so compare the arrival time, not just the departure, in the schedule below.
- Departure
- Parikia, Paros main port
- Operators
- SeaJets, Golden Star, Blue Star
- Crossing
- 1 h 30 - 5 h
- From-price
- €11
- SeaJets
- Blue Star Ferries
- Golden Star Ferries
Next departures
FAQ Paros - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Paros - Santorini crossing.
How long is the ferry from Paros to Santorini? +
From 1 h 30 on a direct SeaJets jet, about 1 h 55 with Golden Star Ferries, and 3 to 5 hours on Blue Star Ferries' conventional ships, which call at Naxos and Ios on the way. Multi-stop SeaJets sailings can take four hours or more.
Which port does the Santorini ferry use on Paros? +
The central harbour in Parikia, right by the town's waterfront; it has a car park, taxi rank, cash machine and first-aid point. Ferries to Antiparos leave from Pounda, 9 km west - not from here.
Can I bring a car or camper? +
Yes on the daily Blue Star sailing, which has a full garage, and on Golden Star's Superexpress and Golden Princess. SeaJets' larger jets carry cars, the small Superjets do not. Vehicle fares appear in the booking step only for vessels with a deck; drivers must present the vehicle one hour before departure with every operator.
How early should I be at Parikia port? +
Blue Star Ferries: one hour before departure. SeaJets and Golden Star: 30 minutes on foot, one hour with a vehicle. Tickets are not sold on board with any of the three.
Is the Blue Star ship worth the extra time? +
If you carry a vehicle, travel with a large dog or the Meltemi is blowing, yes: the conventional ships ride steadier, have open decks and kennels or pet cabins, and are the last to be cancelled in strong wind. For a quick hop without a car, a direct jet saves two hours or more.