Getting from Thessaloniki to Paros

If you are heading to Paros from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to the hub of the Cyclades, on the opposite side of the country. It has one of the most beautiful small harbour villages in Greece at Naoussa, long sandy beaches on the west coast and a position at the centre of the island ferry network.

Getting there by air

Paros has a small airstrip but no commercial scheduled flights operating in 2026. Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then taking the Piraeus to Paros ferry, which runs multiple times daily in summer and takes around 3 to 5 hours, gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the train, bus or drive

Thessaloniki is connected to Athens by train, taking around 4 to 5 hours, and by KTEL bus, taking around 5 to 6 hours. From Athens the Piraeus to Paros ferry runs multiple times daily in summer. The drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus takes around 5 to 6 hours via the E75 motorway. All three options suit travelers with a car as the conventional ferry takes vehicles directly to Parikia port.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Paros. Getting there means traveling to Piraeus for the ferry to Paros.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and take the Piraeus to Paros ferry. It is the most practical approach. Book ahead in July and August as Paros is one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades and both ferries and accommodation fill up fast. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and board the conventional Piraeus to Paros ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Parikia port.