Greece

How to get from Paros to Ios

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
8h 10min
💶
From
25€
📍
Distance
42 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Paros to Ios: Ferry, about 8h 10min, from €25. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Blue Star Ferries; main departure point: Paros Port.

Distance: 42 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Paros to Ios

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Ferry
8h 10min
25 – 26 €
View
🚌 Departure from Paros
📍Ferries on Paros generally leave from the port of Parikia, the island's main harbour, with a quayside waiting area, cafés and ticket offices. Check your booking for the exact quay and vessel name, and arrive early to board comfortably.
🚇If you are staying in Parikia, the port is an easy walk from the town centre. From other parts of the island, use the local bus network towards Parikia or take a taxi, and allow a safety margin for traffic in summer.
⏰Departures depend on the season and the day of the week. Summer offers more choice, while off-season sailings are fewer. Check the live timetable for your date and book early.
💸 Transport from 25€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 8h 10min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Paros Port €25 1
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Practical tips

💡
Book early in summer

Summer ferries between the Cyclades fill up, especially on weekends and around holidays. Book your seat online as soon as your dates are fixed, and keep the confirmation on your phone so you can board without queuing at a ticket office.

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Leave from Parikia

On Paros, the main ferry port is Parikia. Check that your ticket shows the right departure port before you travel, and do not confuse it with the Athens ports of Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio if you are planning a longer island chain.

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Check if it is direct

Before paying, look at the booking details to see whether the crossing is direct or includes a stop on another island. If there is a connection, check that the onward departure leaves you a comfortable margin in case of delays.

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Plan for wind and delays

Strong summer winds can delay or cancel sailings in the Aegean. Avoid booking this crossing on the day of a flight or an important tour, and keep a spare day in your schedule so a late boat does not wreck your plans.

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Arrive early at the port

Get to the port well before departure, with your ticket and ID ready. Several boats can load at the same quay, so confirm the vessel name and gate. Buy water and snacks beforehand, as the crossing is a long one.

The journey experience

Paros and Ios are both Cyclades islands, but they are not neighbours on the ferry map, and the link is a ferry-only affair. There is no coach or train to weigh up here, so the real question is which sailing suits your dates and how much time you are happy to spend on board.

The ferry is the option listed for this route. It is a sea crossing, so expect a deck or lounge seat, a small café and space for your luggage. Conventional ferries are generally steadier and cheaper than fast catamarans, which are quicker but more affected by strong wind. Because this is a long day of travel, the sailing you pick matters. Compare departure times, and check on the booking page whether the crossing is direct or includes a stop on another island.

Schedules in Greece change with the season, and several companies can serve the same area with different times and fares. Before you commit, check the sailing date, the departure port and the arrival time. Make sure you reach Ios with daylight left for your accommodation. In summer, book ahead rather than gambling on a walk-up ticket. Online booking gives you instant confirmation, so you can lock in your seat and keep the rest of your island-hopping plan on track.

Frequently asked questions — Paros → Ios

Why visit Ios?

  • ✓ Relax on Mylopotas Beach, a long golden sandy stretch with beach bars and water sports
  • ✓ Climb to Panagia Gremiotissa and Chora's hilltop windmills for sunset views over the Cyclades
  • ✓ Party in Chora's lively square, where bars and clubs stay open until dawn
  • ✓ Take a boat trip to the secluded beaches of Manganari on the island's south coast
  • ✓ Visit the legendary Homer's Tomb at Plakotos and hike the Psathi and Agia Theodoti trails
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 4 nights — compact island, enough time for beaches, Chora and a boat trip

When to visit Ios?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

June to mid-September — hot, dry and sunny weather, calm seas, with the liveliest nightlife in July and August

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
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In Ios — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Ios
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Ios?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🌅
Chora Village at Sunset
Wander Chora's whitewashed lanes, chapels and windmill-dotted hilltop, then settle on the Panagia Gremiotissa terrace for sunset. Arrive around 6pm in summer to grab a spot. Lanes are car-free and lit at night; wear grippy shoes, as the marble steps get slippery.
🏖️
Mylopotas Beach Day
Ios's longest sandy beach, about 2 km of golden sand with calm, clear water. Take the frequent bus from Chora (around 2€) or walk 25 minutes downhill. Sunbed and umbrella sets start around 10€; go early in July-August. Beach bars, watersports and tavernas line the shore.
🏛️
Homer's Tomb Hike
Local tradition places the poet Homer's tomb on a hill in northern Ios, near Plakoto. The site is a modest stone structure, but the views over the Aegean are superb. Go by scooter or taxi, then walk the final stretch. Bring water and visit in the morning to avoid the heat.
🌊
Manganari Bay Swim
A sheltered southern bay with three sandy coves and turquoise water, the best swimming on the island. In summer, boats leave Ormos port (around 10-15€ return); by road it is a winding 30-minute drive. Bring snacks, as options are limited, and check the meltemi wind forecast before going.
🛕
Panagia Gremiotissa Church
This blue-domed church crowns the cliff above Chora and is reached by a steep stairway of about 100 steps. Its icon-filled interior is modest and free to enter when open. Visit in the morning for soft light and few people, and cover shoulders and knees out of respect.
🧀
Local Tavernas in Chora
Try Ios specialities such as spanakopita, local cheeses like xynomyzithra, grilled octopus and fresh fish in the small tavernas tucked behind the main square. Mains run about 10-18€. Eat before 9pm for a calmer atmosphere, as the village turns lively later at night.
🏺
Skarkos Neolithic Settlement
One of the best-preserved prehistoric Cycladic settlements, dating to around 3000 BC, on a hill above Ormos port. Walls stand up to two metres high. Check opening hours locally as they are limited, and admission is usually a few euros. Bring a hat, as there is no shade.
⛰️
Agia Theodoti Hidden Beach
A quiet bay on the northeast coast, far from the party crowds, with soft sand and a small taverna. Reach it by scooter in about 25 minutes on a partly unpaved road. Visit on a weekday, and note that an annual panigiri festival is held at the nearby chapel in early September.

How long to visit Ios?

3 to 5 days

Plan 3 to 5 days on Ios. With 3 days, you can cover Chora, Mylopotas beach, and a boat trip or a hike to Homer's Tomb. With 5 days, add Manganari and Agia Theodoti beaches and a few quieter coves. Rent a quad or a car for the south, and book accommodation early in July and August, when the island is packed and nightlife dominates.

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