Corfu to Paxos ferry: times, tickets & tips

Paxos has no airport, which is a big part of its charm. Almost everyone arrives the same way: a flight into Corfu, a short hop to the port, and an hour or so on the water with the island slowly getting bigger ahead of you. This guide covers each leg of that journey, from the arrivals hall at Corfu to the waterfront in Lakka, with the things we wish someone had told us the first time.

How to get from Corfu airport to the port

Corfu airport (CFU) sits on the edge of Corfu Town, only a few kilometres from the New Port, so the transfer is quick — around 10–15 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic through town. Taxis wait outside arrivals; agree the fare before you set off, or pre-book a transfer if you land late or have lots of luggage.

There is also a local bus to the port (line 15 at the time of writing — check before you travel), which takes around 20 minutes and costs a couple of euros. It is fine if you are travelling light, less fun with suitcases and tired children.

Do not plan a tight connection. A 10-minute taxi ride is not the same as a 10-minute connection: you still need to get off the plane, collect your bags, find the right quay and check in for the boat. We would allow at least an hour and a half between your scheduled landing and your sailing, and more in August when the airport is busy.

If you have time to spare before your boat, Corfu old town is a short walk from the port and a lovely place for lunch.

Ferry and fast-boat options

There are two ways across from Corfu Town. Fast boats (hydrofoils and catamarans) take about an hour — published times are usually around 55 minutes — and run several times a day in summer. Conventional ferries are slower, typically somewhere between an hour and a half and two hours, but they are bigger, steadier in a swell and have more room for luggage.

Several companies have run the Corfu–Paxos route in recent seasons, among them Kerkyra Lines and Ionian Blue Wave/Paxos Lines. The line-up, vessels and timings change from year to year, so treat any name you read online (including here) as a starting point and check the operator’s own site for your dates.

There is also a seasonal crossing from Lefkimmi in the south of Corfu, which is shorter on the water (around 45 minutes) but is a drive of roughly 40 km from Corfu Town — so it rarely saves time if you are coming straight from the airport. If you are driving down from elsewhere in Greece, the car ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland is the usual way to bring a vehicle to Paxos.

In spring and autumn the timetable thins out, and in rough weather the fast boats can be cancelled at short notice — so leave yourself a margin on the day you fly home.

“Leave yourself a margin on the day you fly home — in rough weather the fast boats can be cancelled at short notice.”

If a sailing is cancelled for weather, operators will usually move you to the next available crossing; on the way home, that is the reason many Paxos regulars take an early boat, or spend their last night in Corfu Town.

Buying tickets and timetables

Timetables are usually published in spring and can change through the season. In July and August, buy fast-boat tickets online a few days ahead; outside the peak weeks you can often buy them at the port kiosks on the day.

Ferry comparison sites show several operators side by side, which is handy for seeing what runs on your day. It is worth also checking the operator’s own site, which can sometimes be cheaper for the same seat. As a rough guide, recent one-way adult fares between Corfu and Paxos have been in the region of €15–40, depending on the boat and the season.

On the day, keep your e-ticket handy and aim to be at the port 30–45 minutes before departure (follow whatever your booking confirmation says). Timetables often list the island as “Paxi” or “Paxoi” rather than Paxos, so do not panic if you cannot find it at first.

We send every guest the latest timetable before arrival — and if you would rather not think about it at all, we can arrange the whole journey for you. Check rates & availability for your dates.

From Gaios to Lakka

Boats from Corfu arrive at Gaios, the island’s main harbour — usually at the new port just outside the town. From there it is about 10 km north to Lakka: roughly 25 minutes by car or taxi, along the island’s main road through the olive groves. Taxis meet most arrivals, but there are only a handful on Paxos, so pre-book one in high season.

A small local bus also links the port, Gaios, Loggos and Lakka, timed to meet some of the ferries. In July and August it runs a handful of times a day, less often outside the summer, and it is cheap — but it is not frequent, so check the timetable rather than counting on it.

If you are hiring a car or scooter on Paxos, many hire companies will meet you at the port or deliver to your accommodation — ask when you book. For what to do once you are here, see our Lakka & Paxos guide.

Travelling with children and luggage

Fast boats have limited room for big cases, and luggage usually goes in a rack near the door — keep a small bag with swimwear, snacks and anything you need for the first evening. Some operators set a luggage allowance (one suitcase per passenger is common), so check the small print if you are travelling with golf clubs, pushchairs or a lot of kit. Children usually travel at a reduced fare; check with the operator when booking.

On a windy day the crossing can be lively, so sit low and towards the middle of the boat — and keep little ones busy looking out for dolphins. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, the slower conventional ferry is usually the gentler ride.

• Pack water and snacks: kiosks at the port are handy, but there is not always much on board.
• Download your tickets and transfer details before you fly, in case your phone signal is patchy.
• Bring a light layer — the air conditioning on fast boats can be fierce, and the deck breezy.