How to Get Around Antiparos by Bus (2026) — Routes, Times & Tips
Does Antiparos have a bus service?
Yes — Antiparos has a small seasonal bus service. It runs mainly in summer, connecting Antiparos Town (Chora) with the island's most popular destinations to the south: the Antiparos Cave and the beaches of Panagia, Glyfa, Apantima, Soros and Agios Georgios.
It's worth knowing up front that this isn't a large year-round KTEL network like you'll find on Paros, Naxos or Santorini. Antiparos is tiny, and its bus is a seasonal local service operated privately by Oliaros Tours. For much of the island you won't need it at all — the town and the closest beaches are an easy walk — but the bus is the budget-friendly way to reach the Cave and the beaches at the far southern end without renting a vehicle.
Who runs the Antiparos bus
The Antiparos bus is operated by Oliaros Tours, a local company based on the island, rather than by a regional KTEL bus company. It's a seasonal service that scales up in the height of summer and winds right down — often to nothing — out of season. Because it's a small local operation, exact times and frequencies are set each summer and can change, so always confirm the current timetable when you arrive (it's usually posted at the port stop, and the operator publishes updates on its social channels).
Where the Antiparos bus goes
The bus starts from the Port of Antiparos, right by the main town and opposite the Agia Marina church, and heads south along the island's main road. Two main route patterns operate:
Port → Antiparos Cave. The stalactite cave is one of the island's signature sights, set on a hillside in the south. The bus is the simplest way to reach it without your own wheels (there's still a climb of steps once you arrive).
Port → southern beaches. A beach run serving Panagia, Glyfa, Apantima, Soros and Agios Georgios — the cluster of sandy bays at the southern end of the island, around 6 km from town, with views across to the islet of Despotiko.
Routes and timings shift with the season, and some departures link the Cave and the beaches together, so you can combine a morning at the Cave with an afternoon swim.
Antiparos bus timetable and fares
Season: Primarily late May to early September, busiest and most frequent in July and August. In the shoulder months service is reduced, and in winter it's minimal or suspended.
Frequency: Expect roughly a handful of departures spread across the day in summer (late morning into the evening), with more frequent runs at the peak of the season. It is not an all-day, every-15-minutes service — plan around the posted times.
Tickets: Bought on board, in cash, directly from the driver. Fares are inexpensive — a couple of euros per ride.
Golden rule: Always check the last bus back, especially from the Cave and the southern beaches. Miss it and you're looking at a taxi or a long walk.
How to get to Antiparos from Paros
Antiparos sits just across a narrow channel from Paros, and there's no bridge — you arrive by ferry. If you're travelling without a car, the public-transport chain is straightforward:
Paros bus to Pounta. From the KTEL bus terminal beside the port in Parikia (Paros's main town), take the bus toward Pounta (Pounda). It runs roughly hourly, takes about 20 minutes, and costs around €2. Buy your ticket at the terminal kiosk. (Don't confuse this with the busy Naoussa bus — make sure you're on the Pounta service.)
Pounta–Antiparos ferry. At Pounta, the small car ferry (affectionately called the pantófla, "the slipper") shuttles across to Antiparos. It runs daily, year-round, roughly every 30 minutes (more often in peak summer), takes about 5–7 minutes, and costs only a euro or so for foot passengers. Tickets are sold on board and it carries vehicles too.
In summer there's also a direct passenger boat from Parikia straight to Antiparos town (about 30 minutes), which saves the bus-and-ferry hop if your timing lines up.
Coming from further afield, Paros is reached by ferry from Piraeus, Rafina and other Cycladic islands, or by air into Paros National Airport; from the airport it's a short taxi to Pounta for the Antiparos ferry.
Getting around Antiparos without the bus
Because the island is so compact, plenty of visitors barely use the bus at all:
On foot. Antiparos Town and the nearby Psaraliki beaches are a 10–15 minute walk from the port — easy and pleasant.
Quad, scooter, bike or car. The most popular way to explore freely, with several rental outlets near the port. Roads are quiet but can be narrow.
Taxi. There are a couple of local taxis on the island; handy for the Cave or southern beaches, especially with luggage or after the last bus.
Boat trips. Seasonal excursions from Antiparos town reach secluded southern beaches and the uninhabited archaeological island of Despotiko — a lovely way to see the coast that no bus can reach.
Antiparos bus FAQ
Does Antiparos have public buses? Yes, but it's a small seasonal service (run by Oliaros Tours), not a year-round KTEL network. It mainly operates in summer.
Can I get to the Antiparos Cave by bus? Yes. The bus from the Antiparos Town port serves the Cave in summer. Check the return times before you head up.
How much does the Antiparos bus cost? Just a couple of euros, paid in cash to the driver on board.
Do the buses run in winter? Generally no — the service is seasonal and is minimal or suspended outside the summer months. Off-season, plan to walk, drive or use a taxi.
Is the Antiparos bus run by KTEL? No. Unlike most Greek islands, the Antiparos bus is run by a local private operator (Oliaros Tours), not a regional KTEL company.
How do I get from Paros to Antiparos by public transport? Take the Paros bus from Parikia to Pounta (about 20 minutes, ~€2), then the frequent ferry across to Antiparos (about 5–7 minutes). In summer a direct boat also runs from Parikia.
Plan your trip
Travelling via Paros first? See the Paros bus routes and timetables for the Parikia–Pounta connection, and the Antiparos island page for local details. The easiest beaches are walkable from town, but for the Cave and the southern bays, the summer bus is your cheapest ride.