Getting from Volos to Paxos

If you are heading to Paxos from Volos you are making your way from a city on the Pagasetic Gulf at the foot of the Pelion peninsula 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 Volos to Paxos. No mainland Aegean port is connected by sea directly to any Ionian island. Getting there means driving from Volos west across central Greece to Igoumenitsa, which takes around 4 to 4.5 hours via Trikala and the E65 motorway, and then taking the car ferry from Igoumenitsa to Paxos, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes and runs daily. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural approach from Volos.

Getting there by air

Paxos has no airport. The nearest airport is Corfu. Volos has a small airport at Nea Anchialos with limited connections from Athens. Driving from Volos to Athens and flying from Athens to Corfu, followed by the ferry from Corfu to Paxos, gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Volos west to Igoumenitsa via Trikala and the E65 motorway, then take the car ferry to Paxos. At around 5.5 to 6.5 hours total it avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural and direct approach. Note that the Corfu to Paxos ferry does not carry vehicles so the Igoumenitsa route is the only option for travelers with a car. If you prefer to fly, drive to Athens and fly to Corfu and take the ferry across to Paxos.