I’m trying to do all the planning for 12 family members to Paros at the end of May and starting to feel very overwhelmed! I’m really stuck on the ferry/flight choice. I had thought ferry would be fun and relaxing but as I tried researching it I was overwhelmed with what ferry to take...let alone getting 12 people from the Athens airport to the ferry dock! Should I just get over that it is a prop plane and fly? I really do want the least stressful way with 12 tired travelers - 3 of which are children! Also, are car rentals easily accessible at the Paros airport? Thanks for any help. I really feel I bit off more than I can chew and I am a very experienced traveler! ;-(

Have you considered using a Greek travel agnxy like Fantasy Travel or Dolphin-Hellas in Arhens to help you with all these logistics? We never use travel agents but did on our first trip to Greece. it gets complicated eapecially with 12 travelers.

I've travelled between Athens and Paros many times over the years, both by flight and ferry. I don't understand why you say "Should I just get over that it is a prop plane and fly?". The "prop planes" that Aegean Airlines/Olympic Air use to fly into Paros are newer than the jets on their fleet, and safer than jets at smaller airports. Modern prop planes use turbine engines, basically jet engines with propellers.

Should you decide to use a ferry, nearly all leave either at 7:00-7:30am or around 5:30pm. The only ferry I ever use for Athens (Piraeus) to Paros these days is Blue Star, newish conventional ferries that take 4hrs to reach Paros. There are only two daily Blue Stars, one at 7:25am and another at 5:30pm, so that should eliminate your confusion. Have a look at the video for Blue Star Delos to see why I prefer their ferries: https://www.bluestarferries.com/en/a...et-videos.html

Normally you don't even have to book ferries in advance for late May, as they are only about half full during that period. An exception in 2018 is the weekend of 26-28 May, which is Greek Orthodox Pentecost, a three-day weekend when many people escape to the islands. If you are thinking of travelling to Paros on Friday 25 May or Saturday 26 May best to book in advance on the Blue Star company website https://www.bluestarferries.com/en/. Any other day during that period will be okay to buy tickets on the spot except ferries returning to Athens on the 28th.

Highspeed ferries save only an hour, cost twice as much, and are sometimes unpleasant (seasickness) in rough seas. Avoid at all costs SeaJet 2 or Superjet, two very small catamarans operated by Sea Jets Consortium. Other Sea Jets ferries, e.g. Champion Jet, are larger, as is Hellenic Seaways Highspeed 4.

The plane Aegean Airlines/Olympic Air uses to fly into Paros:
http://commercialaircraft.bombardier...echnology.html

A little more info for you:
Not sure what would be the best way to get 12 people all together from Athens Airport to the ferry docks. The X96 express bus runs every 20 or 30 minutes direct to the docks, and stops not far from where Blue Star docks. There is a taxi rank right outside arrivals at the airport, and you will need three taxis to get your large group to the docks. There may be a transfer company with a bus that could do the job, and I suppose the agencies mentioned by HappyTrvlr could help.

What to do depends partly on what time of day you arrive in Athens, though. If your flight arrives at, for example, 9am, you will be too late for the morning ferries, and won't want to hang around the docks all day for the afternoon ones. That's when a flight to Paros would be advantageous. Check https://en.aegeanair.com for flights.

As far as I know there aren't any car rental agencies at the new Paros Airport, but that could have changed since I was last there two years ago. You should be able to find an agency willing to meet you at the airport and bring you to their office in Parikia. You will need more than one car, and it will help if you can drive a stick shift. Most agencies have some automatics, though.

We have taken the plane almost every year roundtrip Athens- Paros. If I can do it, you can do. I am a nervous flier, but nothing about that plane makes me feel that way. It's a super short flight, and so much easier than a four hour ferry ride.

NOW... about transporting 12 people.... We often travel with six or eight family members, and have always used a company called PKTravel Greece, based in Athens. They will be able to help you, I'm sure with your details. And it will
be a huge relief! They provide airport pickups, guided service, etc., all over Greece. Can't recommend them enough! I will try to pull up their number in Athens and post it for you.

I've flown with Aegean several times . . . all on "prop" planes and they are perfectly fine. In fact, since they don't fly as high there'll usually be less turbulance and a little quieter than a jet plane. Aegean is one of the best airlines in Europe so there is no reason to be concerned with a "prop" plane.

I've taken ferries to Naxos and Sifnos/Milos and also Tino with no problems. Safe, convenient and a good alternative to a flight since the ride is around 4 hours, not to bad. Less expensive also.

I haven't been to Paros so can't comment on the ferry ride but it should be pretty much the same as the other islands I've took the ferry to.

I only take a flight if an island is a long distance away. It's more cost-effective, not to mention time saving to fly rather than a 7-9 hour ferry ride.

Either a ferry or flight to Paros will be a choice you have to make depending on budget, time involved with travel and coordinating the number of people in your group.

If it was me I would take the ferry. Four hours or so isn't really that bad.

With 12 people, take the plane. I think that'll be way easier than dealing with the crowds, the luggage, etc. on the ferry. But if you do decide on the plane, make sure to book as soon as it's available. That's a very popular route!

Here's the info I promised:

For PK Travel: E-mail: [email protected] Ask for Potoula, and tell her that a long time client gave you her name.

Do you need hotel recommendations in Paros?

If so, in Naoussa, we always stay at STELIA MARE, a small boutique hotel within walking distance of the town. Lovely rooms and staff, especially the larger rooms on the top floors. If interested, send them an e-mail ASAP!!

Just outside Parikia, near a beach we're obsessed with, ( PAROSPOROS) a new spot on a bluff overlooking the Aegean:

MINOIS VILLAGE

We stayed there in July and loved it. Had a superior suite for four people ( two bathrooms, kitchen) with a terrace overlooking the sea.

You can walk to Parosporos beach from the hotel, but not much else.

The hotel is about 15 min by car from Parikia, 10 minutes from Pounta, where you can take the ferry across to Antiparos.

Any questions re: Paros, just post again!

MINOIS is about 15 minutes driving distance from Parikia.

Sorry for hurried post.... I could spend all day writing/talking about Greece, but this thing called WORK gets in the way!

One last thing: Car rental in Paros! We've always used: ParosEuropeanRentCar. They will deliver and pick up car from your hotel. Very friendly and reliable company!

Wow, you all are so Helpful! Thank You! After reading this I think we will fly. Our flights into Athens don’t really line up with the ferry times anyway. @Weadles do you think the PKTravel would help me if I’m not booking hotels through them? We are going to rent a Villa in Paros. So much easier with a crowd. Thanks again for all your help everyone!

DIY booking is very easy in Greece. Flights are easily booked on the Olympic Airlines website.

Villas large enough for 12 can be found on VRBO.com Here's an excellent one: https://www.vrbo.com/3727223ha#ratesAnchor

A private transfer company: https://polostoursparos.com/services-transfers

Rental cars are readily available. If you live outside the EU be sure to bring an International Driving Permit for each driver.

TNTraverler, if you fly, and are making your own arrangements for the villa, there is no reason to pay a travel agency to do what is easy to do yourself. A travel agent may come in handy if you have problems getting what you need, though.

The Dash 8-400 aircraft that fly to Paros hold 78 passengers, but if you are planning to use one of the popular mid-day flights, get in early with the bookings to insure you can book all 12 on one flight.

Good point from brotherleelove about the IDP, which is a legal requirement for drivers with US and other non-EU licenses. Paros has an excellent KTEL bus system, but if you are renting a villa it is likely to be outside of town where cars will be necessary.

TNTraveler,

PKTravel is a transfer/guided tours company, so they won't care at all about what arrangements you make for villas or hotels. BTW, they operate only on the mainland, not the islands.

Rental cars on Paros are readily available, but if you want automatic, and/or require a car with four doors instead of two, you should book as far ahead as possible. I say this from our own experiences on the island.

Lastly, do some thinking about where you want to base. Many villas are scattered in areas of the island that are quite dark at night, with limited lights on the roads.

Most first-time visitors base near Nauossa or Parikia. The villa mentioned above looks gorgeous, but it is at least 20 minutes drive from either of these two cities.

I don't know what's close to it since we've only visited that side of the island when we've gone to Golden Beach.

Just make sure you do some research before booking.