Getting Around Paros: KTEL Buses (Parikia & Naoussa Hubs), Water Taxis and Car Rental

Because Paros has a gentle, oval topography encircled by a smooth 60-kilometre paved ring road (with a shortcut road slicing straight across the middle from Parikia to Naoussa in 15 minutes), getting around the island by public bus, wooden water taxi or a compact rental car is effortless.

1. How the KTEL Paros Bus Network Works (Buy Tickets at the Kiosk First)

KTEL Paros operates modern coaches from two main hubs: the Central Bus Terminal at Parikia Port (100m right of the ferry pier) and the Naoussa Bus Station (right by the little bridge at the entrance to Naoussa). (Important rule: buy your standard fare, standard fare paper ticket at the terminal kiosk or vending machine before boarding, as buying from the driver on board costs slightly more):

• The Parikia ↔ Naoussa Shuttle (Every 20 to 30 Mins before dawn to before dawn): takes just 15 to 20 minutes, allowing you to stay in Parikia and dine in Naoussa (or vice versa) without a taxi.
• From Parikia to Pounda Ferry Port (For Antiparos): runs every 30 to 60 minutes in 15 minutes, dropping you right on the ferry ramp for the 7-minute boat to Antiparos.
• The Mountain & East Coast Line (Parikia / Naoussa → Lefkes → Prodromos → Marpissa → Piso Livadi → Golden Beach → Drios): lets you hike the Byzantine Road from Lefkes to Prodromos and catch the bus on to Golden Beach.
• From Parikia to Aliki & Faragas (Southern Route): covers Butterfly Valley and the calm southern bays.

2. The Two Wooden Water-Taxi Networks (In Naoussa Bay & Parikia Bay)

Skip the road altogether and sail across the bay on traditional wooden kaiki boats (May to October, in the late morning to in the early evening):

• From Naoussa Old Port Pier: boats depart every 20 to 30 minutes across Naoussa Bay to Kolymbithres Beach (10 mins), Monastiri / Paros Park (15 mins) and Lageri / Santa Maria.
• From Parikia Windmill Pier: small boats shuttle across Parikia Bay in 8 minutes to the quiet, wind-sheltered sandy coves of Krios and Marcello Beach.