Paxos Ferry Port Guide

Gaios port is the main ferry port on Paxos, a small and remarkably quiet island in the Ionian islands of Greece, and it handles all scheduled ferry connections to the mainland and neighbouring islands.

Paxos — also written as Paxi — sits roughly 13 nautical miles south of Corfu. The island has one main settlement, Gaios, which doubles as its harbour town. The port of Paxos is compact and easy to navigate on foot. Ferries arrive and depart from the main quay on the southern edge of the harbour, while the smaller fishing boats and day-trip vessels use the inner lagoon area.

If you are planning a visit, the How to get to Paxos guide covers all arrival options in detail, including ferries, hydrofoils, and private transfers.

Where Exactly Is Gaios Port?

Gaios port is on the east coast of Paxos, facing the small islet of Agios Nikolaos. The ferry quay is located just to the north of the main square. The waterfront is lined with cafes, restaurants, and a small ticket office where you can purchase or collect ferry tickets. Arrivals and departures are visible from the village centre, so there is no risk of missing your boat if you are nearby.

Paxos Ferry Routes

The scheduled ferry connections from Gaios port change by season, but the main routes operate in summer between June and September. Outside those months, services are reduced and some routes stop entirely.

Parga to Paxos Ferry

The most popular route for visitors is the Parga to Paxos ferry. Parga is a coastal town on the Greek mainland, around 30 km south of Igoumenitsa, and the crossing to Gaios takes approximately one hour. Several operators run this route in summer, typically with multiple daily departures in each direction. This is the easiest connection if you are based on the mainland coast. Search for tickets on Ferryscanner to compare operators and times.

Igoumenitsa to Paxos

Ferries also run between Igoumenitsa ferry port and Paxos. Igoumenitsa is the main ferry hub on the northwest mainland and has good road connections from Ioannina and the rest of Epirus. The crossing to Gaios takes roughly one and a half hours. This route is useful if you are arriving by bus or coming from further inland.

Corfu to Paxos

Day-trip boats and some scheduled services connect Corfu with Paxos during summer. These typically depart from Corfu Town rather than a dedicated ferry terminal, so check in advance with the operator. If you are routing through Corfu, the Corfu Town Ferry Port Guide has details on the layout and facilities there. Travellers crossing via the southern tip of Corfu may also use Lefkimmi Ferry Port In Corfu, which is closer to Paxos and can save time. For the mainland leg, see the guide on Taking The Igoumenitsa to Corfu Ferry if you are combining both crossings.

Facilities at Gaios Port

The port area is small but has the essentials. On the waterfront you will find:

• A ticket office and agency handling ferry bookings
• Cafes and a small restaurant within a few metres of the quay
• ATMs in the village centre, a short walk from the harbour
• Taxi rank on the main square
• Car and scooter hire available nearby

There is no large waiting hall or covered terminal building. Passengers typically wait at the quayside or at one of the nearby cafes. Luggage storage is not formally available at the port, though some accommodation and hire car offices in the village may assist.

For accommodation, Booking.com lists hotels and studios both in Gaios itself and in the quieter villages of Lakka and Loggos further up the island.

Practical Tips for Arriving at Paxos

• Book ferry tickets in advance during July and August — the island is small and boats fill quickly
• The ferry quay is a short walk from most accommodation in Gaios
• There is no bus service on Paxos; taxis and hire vehicles are the main transport options
• If you are bringing a car, check in advance whether your specific ferry service accepts vehicles — not all do
• The Parga to Paxos ferry is typically a passenger-only service

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main port on Paxos?

Gaios is the main port on Paxos. It is the only settlement on the island with a scheduled ferry quay, and all commercial ferry services arrive and depart from here.

How do you get to Paxos from the mainland?

The main options are the Parga to Paxos ferry or ferries from Igoumenitsa. Both are seasonal services running primarily from June to September. Parga offers the shorter crossing and is the most popular starting point for visitors on the Epirus coast.

Is there a ferry from Parga to Paxos?

Yes. The Parga to Paxos ferry runs daily in summer, with the journey taking around one hour. Services are operated by local companies; timetables and tickets can be checked on Ferryscanner or through local travel agents in Parga.

How long is the ferry crossing to Paxos?

From Parga, the crossing is approximately 50-65 minutes. From Igoumenitsa the journey takes around 1.5 hours. Timings vary by operator and vessel type.

Is Gaios port easy to find?

Yes. Gaios is the only town on Paxos, and the ferry quay is directly on the main waterfront. If you arrive by ferry, you step off into the village immediately. Signage is limited but the port is impossible to miss given the size of the settlement.

Can you get a ferry to Paxos from Corfu?

In summer, day-trip boats and some scheduled services connect Corfu with Paxos. These are not year-round. If you are travelling via Corfu, check current timetables as routes and operators can change between seasons.