How to Get to Paxos, Greece in 2026: Ferries, Flights and Routes

Getting to Paxos requires a ferry. There is no airport on the island, and there is no bridge. The two main arrival routes are: fly to Corfu Airport (CFU) and take the 90-minute ferry south to Gaios; or travel to Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland and take the shorter one-hour crossing. A third option — arriving by private yacht — is beyond the scope of this guide, though Lakka and Gaios are among the most popular sailing destinations in the Ionian.

For a complete overview, see our Paxos Greece travel guide.

The absence of an airport is not a hardship. It is the single most important reason Paxos remains what it is: unhurried, uncommercialised, and proportionately scaled. The ferry crossing is part of the journey, and for most visitors it is a pleasant introduction to the Ionian rather than an inconvenience.

Flying into Paxos: Nearest Airports

Corfu Airport (CFU) — Primary Option

Corfu Airport (IATA: CFU) is the standard international gateway for Paxos. It is served year-round by Olympic Air and Sky Express from Athens, and by a broad range of European carriers — including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, and Jet2 from the UK, plus numerous charter and scheduled services from Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia — from April through October. The airport is approximately 40 kilometres north of the Corfu port from which the Paxos ferries depart.

From Corfu Airport to the Corfu Old Port (or the ferry departure point at Corfu's main port, depending on the operator): take a taxi (€15–20, around 20 minutes) or the local bus to Corfu Town and then a short walk or taxi to the ferry quay. Allow at least 90 minutes between landing and the ferry departure time in high season, accounting for taxi availability at the airport and any check-in time for the ferry.

Preveza/Aktio Airport (PVK) — Mainland Option

Preveza Airport serves the Epirus coast of the Greek mainland and is around 80 kilometres from Igoumenitsa port. It receives charter flights from northern Europe in summer and scheduled connections via Athens. This is a less common routing but may be relevant for travellers planning to combine Paxos with the mainland Epirus region (Parga, Ioannina, Meteora). From Preveza/Aktio to Igoumenitsa, the journey is around 90 minutes by car or bus.

Athens International Airport (ATH)

Athens is the primary hub for all Greek domestic connections. Flying Athens to Corfu (Olympic Air, Sky Express; flight time approximately 55 minutes) connects seamlessly with the Corfu–Paxos ferry. From Athens to Paxos via Corfu, allow a full day of travel. This is the standard routing for visitors arriving from non-European origins or from within Greece itself.

Corfu to Paxos: The Main Ferry Route

The Corfu to Paxos ferry is operated by two main companies: Kamelia Lines and Captain Spyros (also referenced as Paxos Lines or Paxos Ferry in various contexts). Both operate conventional passenger ferries — not high-speed hydrofoils — and the crossing takes approximately 90 minutes from the departure point at Corfu's main port (not the same as the cruise port or the Old Port; confirm the exact embarkation point when booking).

The route runs from Corfu south to Gaios, which is the main port of Paxos. Fares in 2026 run approximately €20–25 each way for a foot passenger. There is no car ferry between Corfu and Paxos on this route, which means vehicles must be left in Corfu (or you hire locally on Paxos). Ferries carry bicycles and motorcycles in addition to foot passengers.

The number of daily sailings varies significantly by season. In July and August, there are typically three to four sailings each day in each direction. In June and September, two to three sailings. In May and October, one to two. The winter schedule is minimal. Always check the current timetable directly with the operators, as schedules are set seasonally and shift year to year.

Booking the Corfu–Paxos Ferry

In May, June, September, and October, tickets can typically be purchased at the ferry company booths on the quay on the day of travel without difficulty. In July and August, this is not advisable. Peak-season ferries — particularly the popular morning departures — fill up. Book tickets in advance, either directly through the ferry company websites or through a Greek ferry booking platform such as Ferryscanner, Feryhopper, or Openseas. Your accommodation provider on Paxos can also assist with ferry bookings.

Igoumenitsa to Paxos: The Mainland Route

Igoumenitsa is the port town on the Greek mainland, approximately one hour east of Paxos by ferry. This route is faster than the Corfu crossing (approximately 60 minutes) and is useful for travellers arriving from the Albanian border, those who have come by ferry from Italy into Igoumenitsa, or those driving south from northern Greece.

Ferry operators on the Igoumenitsa–Paxos route include Ionian Ferries and seasonal operators; service frequency is lower than the Corfu route. This is a less mainstream option but significantly more convenient if your routing brings you through or near Igoumenitsa. Fares are comparable to the Corfu route.

Arriving by Ferry from Italy

Several major ferry operators — Grimaldi Lines, Anek Lines, Superfast Ferries, Minoan Lines — operate overnight and daylong crossings from Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, and Venice to Igoumenitsa. If you are driving from Italy or Western Europe, Igoumenitsa is the westernmost Greek port and the natural starting point for a road trip through Epirus and onward to Paxos by ferry. This is a particularly popular routing for French, German, and Italian visitors combining a Paxos holiday with a driving trip through Greece.

Getting Around Paxos Once You Arrive

The ferry docks at Gaios harbour. From Gaios, the island is small enough that getting around is straightforward. The main road runs north to Lakka via Loggos, passing through the island's interior. Journey time from Gaios to Lakka is under 20 minutes by car.

Hire Cars and Scooters

Several hire companies operate from Gaios — look for rental outfits directly on the harbour quay as you step off the ferry. A small car costs approximately €50–80 per day in season; scooters run €25–35 per day. No international licence is required for drivers with a full EU or UK licence. Vehicles with more than 50cc engines require the appropriate category on your licence. Supply is limited in August — arrange hire before you arrive, ideally through your accommodation or by calling ahead. A scooter at €25/day is sufficient to cover the entire island; the roads are narrow and winding but entirely manageable on a 125cc.

Taxis

A small number of taxis operate on the island. They are practical for ferry transfers or for reaching a remote villa on arrival, but must be pre-booked rather than flagged down. There is no taxi rank and no ride-hailing app. Your accommodation can arrange this; do so before you need it rather than attempting to find a taxi on the quay.

Local Bus

A bus service connects Gaios, Loggos, and Lakka with several daily trips. It is primarily used by islanders and runs on a schedule that does not always align with tourist convenience. There is no printed timetable widely available to visitors; ask at your accommodation for current departure times. For genuine flexibility, a hire vehicle is necessary. The bus is an option for a one-way journey if you are walking the island's trails and want transport back, but should not be relied upon as your primary mode of transport.

Step-by-Step: Getting to Paxos from the UK

For most UK visitors, the route breaks down into three stages:

1. Fly to Corfu (CFU). Flights from major UK airports — Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol — operate throughout the summer season (late April to late October) with easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2, and charter operators. Flight time is approximately 3–3.5 hours. Book as early as possible for July and August departures; fares more than double as the season approaches. Shoulder month (June, September) flights from UK airports start from around £80–140 return.
2. Transfer to Corfu port. From Corfu Airport, take a taxi to the main Corfu port (not the cruise terminal or the Old Port — specify the ferry departure point when you book). The journey takes 15–25 minutes depending on traffic and costs €15–20. Allow at least 90 minutes between landing and your ferry departure time in high season to account for passport control, baggage, and the taxi journey.
3. Take the ferry to Gaios. Kamelia Lines operates the crossing (90 minutes). The standard morning departure is around 9:00am. Book your tickets online at kamelialines.gr in advance for July and August — do not rely on buying on the day for peak sailings. The ferry lands at Gaios harbour, which is the starting point for all activity on the island.

Total travel time from a UK airport to Gaios harbour: approximately 5 to 7 hours door to door, depending on flight timing, airport, and ferry connection. An early morning UK departure connects to the Corfu 9am ferry with time to spare.

Ferry Booking Tips

• Kamelia Lines (kamelialines.gr) is the primary operator on the Corfu–Paxos route. Their website accepts online bookings and is the most reliable method for securing tickets in peak season. Print or download your ticket before you leave for the ferry — internet connectivity at the Corfu port is not always reliable.
• Book early for July and August. The morning sailings — particularly the 9:00am Corfu departure — fill up weeks in advance in high season. Once you have confirmed your flights, book the ferry immediately. Missing your sailing at peak season means waiting several hours for the next available service.
• Check the embarkation point carefully. The Corfu–Paxos ferry departs from Corfu's main port, which is separate from the cruise port and the Old Port in Corfu Town. Confirm the exact quay location when you book. Taxis from the airport will know it, but it is worth specifying "the Kamelia Lines ferry to Paxos" rather than just "the port".
• Return tickets. Book your return sailing at the same time as your outward journey, particularly for July and August. The afternoon sailings back to Corfu also fill up. Your accommodation on Paxos can help if you need to change your return date once on the island.
• Alternative booking platforms. If Kamelia Lines' own site is sold out or difficult to use, try Ferryscanner (ferryscanner.com), Feribot, or Openseas — these aggregate ferry operators and occasionally show availability when direct booking appears full.

Corfu to Paxos by Taxi Boat

Some visitors choose to hire a private water taxi from Corfu directly to Paxos rather than taking the scheduled ferry. This is a faster, more direct, and considerably more expensive option — expect to pay several hundred euros for the crossing. It is worthwhile for those with specific arrival time constraints or those travelling in groups where the cost can be shared, but for most visitors the scheduled ferry is entirely satisfactory.

Planning Your Journey in 2026

The single most important logistical decision for getting to Paxos in summer is when to book the ferry. In June and September, same-day booking is usually fine. In July and August, treat the Corfu–Paxos ferry like a flight and book your seat as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. Missing a ferry at peak season can mean a wait of several hours for the next available departure, which affects the start of your holiday and potentially your accommodation arrival time.

The Corfu–Paxos route is not long and not rough — the Ionian in summer is generally calm — but if you are susceptible to motion sickness, the 90-minute crossing on a conventional ferry is worth medicating for in advance. The vessel typically travels through open sea for part of the crossing before entering the more sheltered waters near Paxos.

Summary: Getting to Paxos in 2026

• From the UK/Europe: Fly to Corfu (CFU) → taxi to Corfu port → 90-minute ferry to Gaios. Total travel from a UK airport: approximately 5–7 hours door to door.
• From Athens: Fly Athens to Corfu (55 min) → ferry to Paxos. Or take the overnight ferry from Patras to Igoumenitsa and cross from there.
• From Italy by car: Ferry from Ancona/Bari/Venice to Igoumenitsa → 60-minute ferry to Paxos.
• Key booking rule: Book the Corfu–Paxos ferry in advance for any July or August travel. In June and September, same-week booking is usually sufficient.
• Car hire: Pre-book in Gaios for July/August; stock runs out. Scooters €25–35/day, small cars €50–80/day.