Antiparos does not have its own airport. It does not have a direct high-speed ferry connection to Piraeus. Getting there requires a stop in Paros — and this is not a complication so much as the beginning of the journey, which has its own particular quality once you accept it.

Option 1: Fly to Paros, then cross

Olympic Air and Sky Express both operate flights between Athens International Airport (ATH) and Paros National Airport (PAS). The flight takes approximately 35 minutes. Frequency varies by season: in high summer, there are multiple daily departures; in shoulder months, fewer.

Paros airport is small. Taxis are available outside. From the airport to Pounda — the small ferry dock on the west coast of Paros where the car ferry to Antiparos departs — takes about twenty minutes by taxi. From Pounda, the crossing to Antiparos takes ten minutes.

Flying is faster but significantly more expensive than the ferry, and requires booking well in advance in July and August when seats fill quickly.

Option 2: Ferry from Piraeus to Paros, then cross

This is how most people get there. Blue Star Ferries operate large conventional ferries from Piraeus to Paros on a daily basis. The crossing takes approximately four and a half to five hours depending on the route and stops. Cabins and airline-style seats are available; the journey overnight is one way to arrive rested.

SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways operate high-speed catamarans on the same route. These are faster — roughly two and a half to three hours — but more expensive, weather-dependent, and less comfortable in a swell.

From Paros port (Parikia), you have two options to reach Antiparos: a direct passenger ferry from the port (30 minutes, several times daily), or a taxi to Pounda and the car ferry (10 minutes). If you have a car or bike, go to Pounda. If you are on foot, either works.

The Pounda–Antiparos car ferry

The car ferry is a small, functional vessel that crosses the narrow strait between Pounda and Antiparos roughly every 30 to 40 minutes in high season. The crossing takes ten minutes. It carries cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and foot passengers.

The ferry runs from approximately 6am to 10pm in summer, with reduced hours off-season. It does not run in severe weather.

In peak season, queues for the car ferry can be long. If you are bringing a vehicle, arrive at Pounda with time to spare, particularly on weekends in July and August.

The one mistake most people make

The mistake is arriving at Paros port and assuming there is a convenient ferry to Antiparos that matches their onward connection. There is a passenger ferry, but it does not run continuously. Check the schedule before you arrive and plan accordingly.

The other mistake is booking the last ferry from Piraeus that arrives at Paros after 10pm and expecting to cross to Antiparos the same night. The car ferry does not run that late. You will need to stay on Paros or book a private water taxi.

Practical summary

  • Athens to Paros by plane: 35 minutes, book ahead in summer
  • Athens to Paros by fast ferry: 2.5–3 hours from Piraeus
  • Athens to Paros by conventional ferry: 4.5–5 hours, overnight option available
  • Paros to Antiparos (car ferry from Pounda): 10 minutes, runs throughout the day
  • Paros to Antiparos (passenger ferry from Parikia): 30 minutes, several times daily

The total journey from central Athens to Agios Georgios, Antiparos, if you take a morning flight to Paros, is around two and a half hours door to door. By ferry from Piraeus, it is seven to nine hours depending on the vessel. Both journeys are part of arriving somewhere that is, by design, not easy to reach quickly.