How do I get to Paros ?

How do I get from Athens airport to the port of Piraeus and back ?

Can I use my credit card everywhere in the Greek islands ?

We wish to spend a week in a hotel in Paros after our week sailing cruise with Archipel Club. What would you recommend ?

Should we book our ferry tickets in advance ?

Are Greek islands’ ferry timetables available on line ?

How do I get to Paros ?
By plane or ferry
A. Landing in Athens:
1. Catch a flight (1 or 2 flights per day) for Paros with Olympic Airlines (www.olympicairlines.com). Make sure you book well in advance as there are only few seats available. Flight duration: 25 mn. One way fare: around 70€.
2. Catch a ferry from either Piraeus (45mn by cab or 1h15mn by shuttle from the airport) or Rafina (25mn by cab from the airport). Numerous daily ferries.Timetables accessible on the website www.greekferries.gr Click on ‘Ferries to Greek Islands’ then on  ‘Reservation Type’. Online booking available. Voyage duration: between 2h45mn and 6h, depending on the ferry. One way fare: between 25€ & 40€, depending whether the ferry is slow, regular or fast. Note: if you spend a night in down town Athens, the port of Piraeus is 30 mn away by subway train and you avoid morning traffic jams!
B. Landing in Mykonos or Santorini: catch a fast ferry for Paros, timetables on www.greekferries.gr
C. Landing in Crete: a super fast ferry (Flyingcat 4) sails daily at 09:30 from Heraklion to Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos, return.

How do I get from Athens airport to the port of Piraeus and back?
By shuttle bus, taxi, subway train.
A. Direct express shuttle n° 96 will take you to Piraeus in around 1h15mn, depending on traffic. Ticket costs 3,20 € at the booth in front of the bus.
B. Taxi cab will take you to Piraeus in around 40mn, depending on traffic. Please watch the taxi meter and overcharges (luggage, airport, port fees, toll fees, all indicated on a printed card in the taxi). Cab drivers are generally honest but there is always a black sheep…
C. Metro subway train ride will require 2 changes: at Douk. Plakentias & Monastiraki. Duration: 40 to 60mn. Cost: 6€. Convenient during rush hour and if you travel light.

Can I use my credit card everywhere in the Greek islands?
Yes, all inhabited islands have at least one ATM at your disposal. No cash is needed on the uninhabited islands reached by our catamarans! Upon arrival in Paros port (Parikia), you will find several ATMs on your left, between the ferry pier and the small craft harbour, where our catamarans dock. Hint: not all businesses in Greece do accept payment by credit card, so always have some cash at the ready.

We wish to spend a week in a hotel in Paros after our week sailing cruise with Archipel Club. What would you recommend?
Depending on your preferences (seafront, beachfront, village in the hills, down town, pool) and your budget (cheaper or dearer than 90 €/night), we will forward you a list of establishments recommended by our customers. Websites like www.paros-online.com & www.parosweb.com are an excellent source of information about Paros and Greece in general. Reviews are published in www.tripadvisor.com

Should we book our ferry tickets in advance?
Yes, it is necessary at peak vacation times like Easter, Whitsunday and all July & August weekends. Outside these dates, you may purchase them at the ticket booth, on the ferry dock.

Are Greek islands ’ ferry timetables available online?
Yes you may access them on the website www.greekferries.gr. Click on ‘ Ferries to Greek Islands ’ then on  ‘Reservation Type’. Online booking available.
Apart from the obvious port of Piraeus, ferries also sail from Rafina, barely 25 minutes away from the airport.