How to get to Paxos island in Greece

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Paxos has no airport, so the only way to reach this small Ionian island is by ferry — either from Corfu or from the mainland port of Igoumenitsa. Here is everything you need to know about how to get to Paxos, from flying in to catching the right boat.

Paxos (also written as Paxi or Paxoi) is one of the Ionian Islands on the western coast of Greece, sitting directly south of Corfu and west of the mainland town of Parga. At just 25.3 km², it is one of the smallest and least commercialised islands in the Ionian group — which is precisely why people keep coming back.

Getting to Paxos is a two-stage journey. First you need to reach either Corfu or Igoumenitsa, then you take a ferry for the final leg. No matter where you are starting from, that ferry ride is unavoidable.

Traveling to Paxi by ferry

Flights to Paxos: Can You Fly to Paxos?

There are no direct flights to Paxos. The island does not have an airport and there is no realistic prospect of one being built on such a small landmass. If you are searching for flights to Paxos or direct flights to Paxos, you will not find any — the answer is simply that you cannot fly directly to the island.

What you can do is fly to the nearest airport, which is Corfu International Airport “Ioannis Kapodistrias”. Corfu has good connections with major UK airports and airports across Europe throughout the summer season, as well as year-round domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki. Use Skyscanner to compare flights to Corfu and find the best fares for your dates.

Once at Corfu Airport, you need to get to a ferry port. A taxi takes around 15 minutes to Corfu Town ferry port. You can pre-book a transfer with Welcome so a driver meets you on arrival. The public Bus Line 15 also runs to the New Port for around 1.20 EUR and takes about 20 minutes.

If you plan to use the Lefkimmi ferry (see below), Kamelia Lines offers the option to bundle an airport transfer with your ferry ticket, which can be convenient if the timings align.

Related: Currency in Corfu

How to Get to Paxos from the UK

If you are wondering how to get to Paxos from the UK, the standard route is straightforward: fly from any major UK airport to Corfu, then take a ferry from Corfu to Paxos. Charter and scheduled flights to Corfu operate from airports including London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Edinburgh, mostly from April through October.

An alternative route from the UK is to fly to Athens, connect to a domestic flight to Corfu, and then take the ferry — but this adds cost and time compared to flying direct to Corfu. A third option, viable if you are already travelling overland in Europe, is to drive or take buses through Italy, cross by ferry to Igoumenitsa, and then take the Igoumenitsa to Paxos ferry.

Whatever route you take from the UK, the last leg will always be a ferry to Paxos. Plan your ferry connection carefully, especially in peak season when boats fill up.

How to Get to Paxos

There are three practical routes to Paxos: via Corfu (the most popular), via Igoumenitsa on the mainland, or on a day trip from Corfu or Parga. All ferries to Paxos arrive at Paxos ferry port in Gaios, the island’s main town.

Below is a breakdown of each route.

Corfu to Paxos

The Corfu to Paxos route is by far the most common way to reach the island. Ferries depart from two ports in Corfu: Lefkimmi ferry port in the south of the island, and occasionally from Corfu Town ferry port in the north.

The primary operator on the Corfu to Paxos ferry route is Kamelia Lines, which runs passenger-only boats from Lefkimmi. The crossing takes around 45 minutes and in high season there are typically five or more departures per day. Lefkimmi is roughly 40 km south of Corfu Town, so factor in travel time to the port — around 45 minutes by taxi or bus.

A hydrofoil (Flying Dolphin) service has also operated on this route, with a journey time of approximately one hour and a ticket price of around 23 EUR. Availability varies by season and year; contact the operator directly to confirm current schedules.

The Corfu to Paxos ferry is a passenger-only service, so you cannot bring a car on the Kamelia Lines boats. If you need to take a vehicle, use the Igoumenitsa route instead.

You can check the current Kamelia Lines timetable on their website and book directly there. The Lefkimmi route is not always bookable through third-party aggregators, so go direct.

kamelia lines corfu paxos timetable

Igoumenitsa to Paxos

If you are travelling through mainland Greece or arriving in Greece by ferry from Italy, the Igoumenitsa port route is worth considering. Igoumenitsa is the main ferry hub on the northwestern Greek coast and is well connected by bus and road from Athens and other mainland cities.

igoumenitsa paxos ferry

A car ferry runs from Igoumenitsa to Gaios harbour on Paxos during the summer season. The crossing takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. This is the only route that allows you to bring a vehicle to Paxos. Foot passenger tickets start at around 10 EUR; vehicles start at around 40 EUR.

Schedules and ticket availability for the Igoumenitsa to Paxos ferry can be checked on Ferryscanner. Note that this is a summer service and does not run year-round.

If you are coming from Corfu to Igoumenitsa or vice versa as part of your journey, the Igoumenitsa to Corfu ferry is a frequent service that can be worked into your itinerary.

Athens to Paxos

There is no direct ferry from Athens to Paxos. The Athens to Paxos journey requires either flying or travelling overland to an intermediate point first.

The quickest option is to fly from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) to Corfu Airport, then take the Corfu to Paxos ferry. Domestic flights between Athens and Corfu take under an hour. Check Skyscanner for current fares.

Alternatively, you can travel by bus from Athens to Igoumenitsa (roughly 7-8 hours via KTEL intercity coaches) and then take the ferry from Igoumenitsa to Paxos. This is a budget-friendly option but takes significantly longer than flying. Check Ferryscanner to compare ferry options once you have decided on your mainland routing.

Ticket to Paxos from Parga

Parga is a small mainland resort town located almost directly east of Paxos, making it geographically the closest mainland point to the island. In some years, there is a ferry or boat service running between Parga and Paxos, and organized day cruises operate on this route during summer.

The From Parga: Full-Day Cruise to Paxi Islands & the Blue Caves is a popular excursion if you are already based in Parga and want to visit Paxos and Antipaxos for the day. These cruises typically include time at the famous Blue Caves and a stop on Antipaxos for swimming.

Buying a ticket to Paxos from Parga is usually done locally through tour operators in Parga. Availability is seasonal and not guaranteed, so confirm before building your travel plans around it.

Day Trips to Paxos

If you only have limited time or want to see Paxos without committing to an overnight stay, an organized Corfu to Paxos Day Trip is a practical choice. These tours typically combine Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves into a single day excursion departing from Corfu.

Day trips are ideal for travellers based in Corfu who want to tick Paxos off their list without the logistics of booking accommodation there.

Getting to Paxos in Winter: January and February

Access to Paxos changes significantly outside of summer. Ferries to Paxos in January and February operate on reduced schedules, and some services stop altogether. If you are planning to visit Paxos in January or Paxos in February, check current timetables directly with Kamelia Lines before booking anything else.

In winter, the island is very quiet. Most businesses close, accommodation options are limited, and the weather can be unpredictable. That said, some travellers specifically seek out Paxos in the off-season for its peace and low prices. Just go in knowing that connections are less frequent and you may need to be flexible with timings.

FAQ: Getting to Paxos Island

How long is the ferry from Corfu to Paxos?

The standard ferry from Corfu (Lefkimmi) to Paxos takes approximately 45 minutes with Kamelia Lines. The hydrofoil service takes around an hour. Journey times can vary slightly depending on sea conditions.

Can you fly to Paxos? Are there direct flights to Paxos?

No. There are no flights to Paxos and no direct flights to Paxos from anywhere. The island has no airport. The closest airport is Corfu International Airport. From there, you take a ferry to Paxos.

How do you get to Paxos from the UK?

Fly from a UK airport to Corfu — there are direct flights throughout the summer from many UK regional airports. Once in Corfu, take the ferry from Lefkimmi or Corfu Town to Paxos. The full journey from the UK can be done in a single day if your flight and ferry connections align.

Where does the ferry arrive in Paxos?

All ferries arrive at Gaios port, which is the main harbour and town on Paxos. The Paxos ferry port guide has more detail on what to expect on arrival.

Can you take a car to Paxos?

Yes, but only via the Igoumenitsa to Paxos car ferry. The Corfu to Paxos ferries operated by Kamelia Lines are passenger-only boats.

Other Ionian Island Travel Guides

If you are exploring beyond Paxos, here are travel guides to the other islands in the Ionian Sea: