Naxos by Bus (2026): Beaches, Villages & Timetables
Naxos by Bus (2026 Guide): Beaches, Villages & Timetables
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and one of the best to explore by public transport: KTEL Naxos runs one of the most extensive island bus networks in Greece, with 14 routes and more than 90 stops. From the harbourfront station in Naxos Town (Chora) you can be on the sand at Agios Prokopios in minutes, or ride inland to marble villages, mountain valleys and the far northern tip at Apollonas.
The golden rule: buy your ticket before you board
Naxos has one quirk that catches almost every first-time visitor: you cannot pay the driver. Tickets must be bought before boarding — at the KTEL office and ticket kiosks in Naxos Town, or at mini-markets near many stops. Online tickets with a QR code through Greek Island Buses aren't activated for Naxos yet; once KTEL Naxos switches them on, you'll be able to buy on your phone before you travel. Buy your return ticket at the same time if you're heading somewhere remote; kiosks at small stops can be closed in the afternoon.
The Naxos bus network at a glance
Everything starts at the Naxos Town (Chora) bus station on the harbourfront, directly opposite the ferry quay. The network is hub-and-spoke: buses fan out west to the beaches, east into the Tragaea valley and mountain villages, and north along the coast to Apollonas.
Main Naxos bus routes
The beach line — Naxos Town → Agios Prokopios → Agia Anna → Plaka: the busiest route on the island, serving the famous west-coast beach strip. In summer it runs frequently all day. See the Naxos Town–Agia Anna route and Naxos Town–Plaka route.
Naxos Town → Mikri Vigla: the kitesurfing beach halfway down the west coast — route details.
Naxos Town → Alyko → Pyrgaki: the wilder southwest beaches and cedar forest — route details.
The mountain line — Naxos Town → Halki → Filoti → Apeiranthos: the classic inland ride through the Tragaea olive valley to the marble village of Apeiranthos — route details.
Naxos Town → Apollonas: the island's longest ride, up the north coast to the fishing village of Apollonas and its giant unfinished kouros statue — route details.
Village services: smaller routes reach Eggares, Moni, Kinidaros, Koronos, Keramoti, Moutsouna on the east coast and more — see the full Naxos timetable for all 14 routes.
Tickets and fares
Price: single fares run from €2.50 for nearby stops (the beach strip) up to around €6.20 for the longest rides such as Apollonas — the fare depends on distance.
Where to buy: KTEL office/kiosk in Naxos Town and mini-markets near many stops. Online QR tickets through Greek Island Buses aren't activated for Naxos yet.
Remember: no ticket sales on board.
Summer vs winter timetables
From roughly April to October the beach line runs constantly and the village lines several times a day; July and August add extra departures. In winter the network slims down to a school-and-villages service — the beach strip sees only a handful of buses and some routes pause entirely. Always check the current timetable rather than relying on last year's times.
Getting to and from the airport and port
Naxos airport (JNX) sits about 3 km south of town, and KTEL buses now serve it: they stop on the main road about 300 m from the terminal, where there's no shelter. In the current autumn timetable, the weekday beach buses towards Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna call there about every 30 minutes, and at weekends there's an hourly airport bus. Times change often outside summer, so check the latest timetable before you fly; with heavy luggage, a taxi is the easy option. The ferry port is right in Naxos Town, directly across from the bus station — you can step off a ferry and onto a beach bus in five minutes.
Which beaches can you reach by bus?
Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka, Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, Alyko and Pyrgaki are all on bus routes — that's most of the island's famous west coast. For the full run-down, see our guide to the top 10 Naxos beaches by bus. The remote east-coast coves and Panormos in the far south are the main spots that still need wheels of your own.
Plan your trip
Browse the complete Naxos bus timetable and check things to do on Naxos. Online QR tickets aren't activated for Naxos yet — as soon as KTEL Naxos switches them on, you'll be able to buy right here and skip the kiosk queue.