Getting There & Away: Parga

Air Travel

Major Airports & Airlines

Aktion National Airport (PVK): Near Preveza, 65 km (40 miles) south of Parga. Most convenient. Ioannina National Airport (IOA): 100 km (62 miles) northeast, fewer international connections, mainly domestic flights from Athens. Corfu International Airport (CFU): Requires a ferry transfer to Igoumenitsa, then a bus/taxi to Parga.

Seasonal Flights & Global Connections

PVK: Seasonal charter flights from May-October (Ryanair, EasyJet, TUI, Jet2, Norwegian Air). Domestic flights to Athens year-round via Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air.
CFU: Wider range of direct international flights throughout the year.
No direct trans-Atlantic flights to PVK or CFU. Connect via Athens (ATH) or major European cities.

Airport Facilities & Transfers

Aktion National Airport (PVK) is small, with car rental desks, a cafe, duty-free, and ATMs. It can get busy during peak times.

Transfer Options to Parga

From PVK: Taxi (1-1.5 hrs, €80-€100), pre-booked private transfer (similar price), or car rental from the airport.
From PVK: Limited direct public bus. Take local bus to Preveza KTEL, then connect to Parga.
From CFU: Taxi to Corfu Port, then Ferry to Igoumenitsa (1.5-2 hrs). From Igoumenitsa, take KTEL bus or taxi to Parga (45-60 min).

Seasonal Flight Pricing

International flights to PVK are highly seasonal. Prices reach their highest in July and August due to peak demand.

Pre-Booking Advice

For directness and speed from Aktion Airport (PVK), consider pre-booking a private transfer or renting a car.

Airline Resources

Dollar Flight Club and Skyscanner for flight deals and comparisons.

Land Transportation

Bus Services & Connections

KTEL is Greece's national bus service; it offers reliable and affordable intercity connections.
KTEL Preveza operates daily bus services connecting Parga to Athens (5-6 hrs), Thessaloniki (6-7 hrs), and other major Epirus towns.
The main bus stop for Parga is on the main road outside the town center, a short walk or taxi ride from most accommodations.
Schedules can be more limited outside peak tourist season. Check the latest timetables at the bus station or KTEL Preveza website.

Self-Driving & Road Conditions

Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring Parga and Epirus. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for non-EU citizens.
Main roads to Parga from Preveza or Igoumenitsa are generally well-maintained and scenic. Roads within Parga town can be narrow, steep, and cobbled.
Parking in Parga, especially in high season, can be challenging and limited in the town center. Many hotels offer private parking.
Greek drivers can sometimes be aggressive. Be aware of scooters and motorcycles.

Land Travel Resources

Train Connections

No direct train services to Parga. Nearest major train stations are in Ioannina or Athens. Buses or rental cars are the main land transport options.

Border Crossings

Parga is within Greece/Schengen Area. For arrivals from non-Schengen countries (e.g., Albania), border crossings exist at Kakavia or Konispol. Standard EU border control procedures apply.

Car Rental Resource

DiscoverCars.com for car rental options.

Sea & River Travel

Ferry Services & Cruise Ports

Parga's coastal location means sea travel plays a role in arrivals, mainly through nearby major ports rather than Parga's own small harbor.

Igoumenitsa Port as Main Gateway

Igoumenitsa Port is the main gateway for ferry services to and from Italy (Bari, Ancona, Venice, Brindisi).
These are large car ferries suitable for vehicles or foot passengers.
Igoumenitsa also connects to Corfu and Paxoi (Paxos and Antipaxos islands).

Parga Port & River Options

Parga's own port is picturesque, used mainly for local boat trips and excursions. It serves small passenger boats to nearby beaches (Valtos, Lichnos, Sarakiniko) and popular day trips to Paxos and Antipaxos islands.

River & Immigration Notes

No river transportation options for arrival or departure from Parga. The Acheron River is for recreational activities.
For arrivals from outside the Schengen Area (e.g., from Italy if non-Schengen passport holder), standard Schengen immigration procedures apply at Igoumenitsa Port.
Immigration checks are typically less stringent or non-existent for arrivals within the Schengen Area (e.g., from Corfu).

Ferry to Igoumenitsa

If traveling from Italy, plan your ferry to Igoumenitsa. From there, it is a short bus or taxi ride to Parga.

Beach Hopping Boats

Parga's port serves small boats to nearby beaches like Valtos, Lichnos, and Sarakiniko for easy access.

No River Transport

The Acheron River is for recreation, not transportation to Parga.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Airport Departure

No specific exit fees or taxes are typically paid directly by passengers at Greek airports or ports. These charges are usually included in the price of your airline or ferry ticket.

Airport PVK - Preveza Departure

Aktion National Airport is small but can be busy during peak season.
For international flights, arrive at least 2 to 2.5 hours before departure for check-in and security.
For domestic flights, 1.5 hours is generally adequate.

Ferry & Bus Departure

For departures via ferry from Igoumenitsa, arrival at the port at least 1 hour before scheduled departure for international ferries. For domestic ferries, 30-45 minutes before departure is usually sufficient for foot passengers. Vehicles need more time for boarding.

Bus KTEL Parga Station Departure

If departing by bus, arrive at the Parga bus station at least 15-20 minutes before departure.
Ensure you have your ticket and can locate your bus.
The Parga Bus Station is a simple outdoor stop with a small ticket office. Facilities are limited.

Airport & Port Facilities

PVK Aktion Airport

Offers basic facilities: cafe, small duty-free shop, restrooms. Seating can be limited during busy periods.

Igoumenitsa Port

The port terminal has waiting areas, cafes, and ticket offices.

Departure Advice

Departures from Aktion Airport (PVK) can get busy in summer. Arrive at least 2 hours before your international flight for check-in and security.

Departure Reminder

Confirm current schedules for all transport methods closer to your departure date.

Getting There & Away