Does anyone know, how long it takes to get from Paros to Athens and what time of day do the boats leave.
Also how long does it take to get from Santorini to Paros and what times do the leave leave.
I understand the 2006 schedules are not out yet but I am just looking for a ball park answer for the month of July based on previous years experience.
thanks

use ww.gtp.gr to enter your islands and see the travel times.

You can also go to http://www.greekislands.gr/hfd/ to see the interisland schedule for the Hellenic Seaways Express Catamaran.

No need for a schedule those routes are so frequent in July like 4x/day or more. You only need to look at greek travel pages about 3 weeks before. Thera-Paros 4hrs~08:00,15:00.
Paros-Piraeus 5 hrs~11:00,19:00,24:00
You must ask in the ferry agents on the respective island when you are there for the up to date position.

Paros-Pireaus approx times:
Highspeed - 3 hrs
Blue Star - 4 hrs
Conventional ferry - 5 hrs

As stated above, ferries leave throughout the day, but the highspeed and Blue Star leave Paros for Pireaus around 12 noon. Blue Star Naxos and Blue Star Paros aren't catamarans, but they are faster than the normal ferries.

Schedules change several times a year, so there really isn't such a thing as a 2006 schedule.

Thank you for all the advice and information provided by the above. How does it work for picking up the tickets? Is it an electronic ticket or do I physically have to go and pick them up? Also what is the best class called? (business class or first class?)
Finally can you order directly from the ferry company or do you need to buy them through a travel agent (if through a travel agent any suggestions?)
thanks

It's much easier to walk into a travel agency to buy your tickets instead of trying to deal with the ferry companies by email or letter or fax, plus there's a possibility that by the time you get there the schedules might have changed. There's always room on the large car ferries so you'll never have trouble getting a ticket, even the same day as your departure, if you're willing to travel 'deck class' which is actually not bad on the new ships. The enclosed express catamarans have economy and business class, but the reality is that the difference is very small and 'business' is not worth the extra money for such a short ride.

ECONOMY(deck), AIRCRAFT-TYPE SEATS, and A CLASS are the three main areas of seating, and there are private cabins available as well.

http://www.bluestarferries.com/ENGLISH/defaultmain.htm

In every Greek port and island, there are agents who sell tickets. There's no need to lose sleep worrying about how to buy tickets before you get to Greece. Nobody - not even the shipowners - will know what the schedules will be in July 2006. When you are in Greece, the local agents will know what services are available and will sell you a ticket.

Got it, thanks.