Paxos - How to get to Paxos?

Paxos is a Greek word and is used to define a set of Ionian islands. Gaios is the capital of Paxos. In this article we will explore the different options a traveller has for getting to Paxos. However let's start with an historical overview of Paxos, as well as its geographical location which can also make the journey more enjoyable and interesting.

Paxos: Background

Paxos is a small island, a short distance from the island of Corfu. Over the years Paxos has improved its transport infrastructure and educational system and now has almost 2500 inhabitants. Paxos is a small Island which is situated in the Ionian Sea. Paxos contains beaches, deep sea caves, mountains and traditional villages. Paxos is 10 KM long and 4 KM wide and it boasts 21 beaches. with three main harbours; Lakka, Loggos and Gaios.

Travelling to Paxos

Most of visitors arrive in Paxos by boat, having departed from the island of Corfu which is situated north of Paxos. Another popular route is to take a bus from Athens to Igoumenitsa (or hire a car) and then board a ferry boat to the port on Paxos. There is no airport on Paxos so visitors have to get to Paxos via boat either from Corfu or from the mainland Greece port of Igoumenitsa.

There are some particular ways of how to get to Paxos and we'll look at a few of them below:

Paxos by Plane

As mentioned above, there is no airport in Paxos, which depsite making the journey slightly more complicated does mean the island enjoys a tranquility that other islands do not. So, travellers can fly to Corfu from most European airports or from Athens aitport (it takes almost 1 hour to fly between Athens and Corfu) and then can take a ferry to Paxos. There are also sea planes in Corfu which can be an different and exciting way to get to Paxos.

On arriving in Corfu, visitors can hire a taxi to get to the "New port". Taxis are available any time of the day from Corfu airport and drivers are familiar with the "New Port", which is where ferry boats, sea taxis and hydrofoils arrive from and depart to Paxos. We recommend that you ask the taxi driver for a estimated cost of the journey before you leave the airport for peace of mind.

Paxos by Ferry

Ferry boats can carry about 150 passengers and take almost one hour from the New Port of Corfu to Paxos. When the boat reaches Gaios Port, taxis will be available for passengers. In Corfu visitors can also get local car ferries, which carry foot passengers and this is also a popular way for people to get to Paxos. Another option is to hire a private boat, which can be a unique and enjoyable part of the journey, and has the added benefit of being able to arrive at any port or even beach.

Paxos by Car

If travelers wish to drive to Greece they can take a car from the UK or other European country or alternatively hire a car once in Greece and then travel by boat from either Corfu or Igoumenitsa. For a suggested route we recommend using Google Maps.

There are many ways of travelling to Paxos and each one has its advantages. The best route for you will depend on your goals; do you want to arrive in Paxos as fast as possible? Or would you prefer to include the journey as part of the "holiday"? Either way, we wish you a safe and smoothe journey and an enjoyable stay in Paxos!