Getting from Syros to Paxos

If you are heading to Paxos from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades to a small island in the Ionian Sea, on the opposite side of Greece. It has ancient olive groves, turquoise coves and a Venetian harbour at Gaios that is one of the most charming in Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Paxos. No Cycladic island is connected by sea to any Ionian island. Getting there means taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat, and then either flying from Athens to Corfu and taking the ferry from Corfu to Paxos, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, or driving northwest to Igoumenitsa for the car ferry to Paxos taking around 1 hour 30 minutes. The drive from Athens to Igoumenitsa takes around 5 to 6 hours via the E65 motorway.

Getting there by air

Paxos has no airport. The nearest airport is Corfu. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, flying from Athens to Corfu and then taking the ferry from Corfu to Paxos gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. Note that the Corfu to Paxos ferry does not carry vehicles. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Corfu, then take the ferry across to Paxos. It is the most practical approach. Note that the Corfu to Paxos ferry does not carry vehicles so if you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and drive northwest to Igoumenitsa for the car ferry to Paxos.