Rafina To Paros Ferry Crossing In 2026
🚢 Rafina → Paros — this week
41 sailings over the next 7 days · usually 6/day (7 on weekends)
Tomorrow (Fri 7 Aug): 5 ferries — first at 07:20
Rafina to Paros Ferry
Rafina to Paros -- At a Glance
- Season: Timetables are currently published through 4 October 2026.
- Frequency: Multiple daily departures (6 per day) during the season.
- Sailing days: Daily service.
- Journey time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 45 minutes.
- Operators: Golden Star Ferries, SeaJets, Fast Ferries.
- Tickets from: €30 – €70 per person.
- Book tickets: Check prices at Ferryscanner
Rafina is the quieter of Athens' two ferry ports, and for anyone heading to Paros it is usually the more convenient one. It sits on the eastern side of Attica, roughly forty minutes from the airport and under an hour from the centre of Athens by bus, and the terminal itself is compact enough that you can find your gate without much fuss even in the crush of a July morning. From there the ferry cuts out into open water before threading into the Cyclades proper, so there is a stretch of the crossing with no land in sight -- something to bear in mind if you are prone to seasickness, though conditions are generally manageable outside a strong meltemi. Paros itself lies close to the middle of the group, which is part of why so many boats call here: check the schedule box above for the latest confirmed dates rather than assuming a fixed timetable, since operators file their routes in stages through the year.
The spread between the fastest and slowest crossing times on this route is wide, and that gap tells you something useful. The quicker sailings are high-speed catamarans that run more or less direct; the longer ones are conventional ferries that may call at other islands on the way, which suits travellers who are not in a hurry and would rather sit out on deck than pay extra for speed. Either way, expect several crossings a day at the height of summer, thinning out as the season winds down.
Monthly Schedule Overview
Here is a month-by-month overview of ferry service from Rafina to Paros:
| Month | Available | Avg. Ferries/Day |
|---|---|---|
| January | Not yet published | – |
| February | Not yet published | – |
| March | Not yet published | – |
| April | Not yet published | – |
| May | Not yet published | – |
| June | Not yet published | – |
| July | Yes | 5.3 (4–6) |
| August | Yes | 5.8 (5–7) |
| September | Yes | 4.8 (4–7) |
| October | Yes | 3.0 |
| November | Not yet published | – |
| December | Not yet published | – |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Rafina to Paros — next 14 days
Actual sailing dates and departure times for the next two weeks (last updated 2026-08-06):
| Date | Sailings | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 6 Aug | 6 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:05, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
| Fri 7 Aug | 5 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:35, 14:20, 16:00 |
| Sat 8 Aug | 7 | 07:20, 07:30, 07:40, 08:05, 08:35, 14:20, 16:00 |
| Sun 9 Aug | 6 | 07:20, 07:30, 07:40, 08:35, 14:20, 17:00 |
| Mon 10 Aug | 6 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:05, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
| Tue 11 Aug | 5 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
| Wed 12 Aug | 6 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:05, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
| Thu 13 Aug | 5 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
| Fri 14 Aug | 6 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:05, 08:35, 14:20, 16:00 |
| Sat 15 Aug | 6 | 07:20, 07:30, 07:40, 08:35, 14:20, 16:00 |
| Sun 16 Aug | 7 | 07:20, 07:30, 07:40, 08:05, 08:35, 14:20, 17:00 |
| Mon 17 Aug | 5 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
| Tue 18 Aug | 6 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:05, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
| Wed 19 Aug | 5 | 07:20, 07:40, 08:35, 14:20, 15:30 |
Check availability & book on Ferryscanner →
Ferry Companies
The Rafina–Paros route is served by 3 companies:
- Golden Star Ferries – approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
- SeaJets – approximately 3 hours 20 minutes
- Fast Ferries – approximately 4 hours 5 minutes
Tips for the Rafina–Paros Ferry
- The KTEL bus from Athens Airport to Rafina port runs roughly hourly between around 04:30 and 22:30, picking up between arrivals exits 2 and 3, opposite the Sofitel hotel, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Rafina is far smaller than Piraeus, with a single terminal and no barrier gates, so arrive around 30 to 45 minutes before departure – boarding typically starts about half an hour beforehand and staff will point you to the right quay.
- There is no free parking directly at Rafina port; the municipal car park is about a three-minute walk from the terminals, with private sheltered lots also nearby – arrive with a plan for where you'll leave your car.
- If you are island-hopping across multiple islands, pack light – you will be lifting your bag on and off ferries, into overhead racks, and up and down steps repeatedly.
- In Paros, the charming fishing village of Naoussa on the north coast is the best place to eat fresh seafood at family-run waterfront tavernas. The main town of Parikia has an impressive Byzantine cathedral built from the marble of ancient temples, and the island's beaches – particularly Kolymbithres with its sculpted granite rocks – are among the most striking in the Cyclades.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars
More to do near Athens
If you have time before your ferry, there is plenty to see near the capital. Browse our complete guide to the best day trips from Athens – from ancient ruins and mountain villages to coastal escapes and island hops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Rafina to Paros?
Multiple daily departures (6 per day) during the season. Timetables are currently published through 4 October 2026.
Are there ferries from Rafina to Paros today?
Yes – 6 sailings today. See the 14-day timetable above for departure times.
How many ferries run from Rafina to Paros this week?
Around 41 sailings over the next 7 days (typically 6 per day, 7 on weekends).
What time is the first ferry from Rafina to Paros?
The first departure is usually 07:20.
How long is the ferry from Rafina to Paros?
The fastest crossing takes approximately 3 hours 15 minutes, while the slowest takes around 6 hours 45 minutes. Journey times depend on the ferry type and company.
How much does the Rafina to Paros ferry cost?
Ticket prices start from €30 per person for a standard seat. Prices can go up to €70 depending on the company, seat class, and time of year.
Which ferry companies operate the Rafina–Paros route?
The route is served by Golden Star Ferries, SeaJets, Fast Ferries.
Can you rent a car in Paros?
Yes, and rental desks cluster right by the port in Parikia, most just a couple of minutes' walk from where the ferry docks. A car earns its keep here: nowhere on Paros is more than about 30 minutes' drive away, opening up marble-quarry villages and quieter southern beaches that the KTEL bus network doesn't reach directly. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars if you'd rather not rely on the bus timetable.
Can you rent a car at Rafina port?
Yes, several international agencies including Sixt, Avis and Budget have desks at the port, roughly 25km from Athens airport by road. It's a useful pickup point if you're collecting a car before driving onward, rather than sailing, or heading into Athens after a ferry from the islands. Compare prices at Discover Cars.