What to expect when visiting Santorini
Santorini is home to one of Greece’s most iconic trademarks — whitewashed buildings overlooking cliffs. They blend beautifully with the island’s rugged landscape, which was shaped by a massive volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago. Not-so-fun fact: Santorini sits on a still very active volcano, whose crater is hidden under the sea.
Volcanic-sand beaches dot the coasts of Santorini. Some black, some red, others even multi-coloured. They all open up to alluring turquoise waters that will make you want to take a dip. Do yourself a favour and spend at least one sunset in Oia. It will be one of the most picturesque views you’ll ever see!
1 way to get from Paros to Santorini
The ferry is the only suitable way for travellers to cross the distance of 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Paros to Santorini. The journey takes around 1 hour 55 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes and costs start from €32.Paros to Santorini by Ferry
A direct ferry is your only option if you’re travelling from Paros to Santorini.
Ferries operate on this route all year round, but there are fewer ferry trips on the off-peak season from November to April.
For the latest schedules, we recommend checking BookAway prior to your trip. It’s also best to buy your tickets online beforehand to secure good seats!
Step 1: Paros to Santorini by Ferry
There are 2 kinds of ferries you can take from Paros to Santorini: high-speed ferries and regular ferries.
High-speed ferries are faster with only 1.5-hour travel time. However, we don’t recommend these ferries if you’re prone to motion-sickness, as the ride can get really bumpy.
On the other hand, regular ferries offer a slow and steady ferry trip from Paros to Santorini. Travel time can take 3-5 hours.
The ferry tickets vary, but prices range from €29 to €49.
Ferries depart from Paros Port in the island’s capital Parikia. These ferries dock at Santorini New Harbour, which is about 8 km south of Fira.
Step 2: Santorini Harbour to Fira by Bus or Taxi
Most travellers visiting Santorini stay in Fira, the island’s city capital. This town is easy to reach by bus from Santorini Harbour. Buses are usually parked near the port, waiting for ferry arrivals.
You can buy your bus ticket from the driver for €2.50. Travel time to Fira Bus Stop is around 30 minutes.
Keep in mind, though, that there are often not enough buses for all passengers. If you miss the bus, you might have to wait a few hours for the next trip.
Another option to travel to Fira is by taxi. Rates start from €29, and travel time can be around 20 minutes. If you’re travelling alone and on a budget, you can ask around for tourists willing to share a taxi ride to Fira.
Heading to other destinations in Santorini, like Oia or Imerovigli? It will be easiest to take a direct taxi, but this option would be a bit expensive. You can also take a bus to Fira, where there are buses bound for almost every town on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paros to Santorini
What is the distance from Paros to Santorini?
The distance from Paros to Santorini is 80 kilometers (50 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Paros to Santorini?
The fastest way to get from Paros to Santorini is by ferry and takes 1 hour 55 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Paros to Santorini?
The cheapest way to get from Paros to Santorini is by ferry with ticket costs starting from €32.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Paros to Santorini. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
