Kythnos is a quiet western Cyclades island known for its thermal springs, stone villages and a long list of beaches, with the Kolona sandbar the best known. It sees far fewer visitors than Paros, and many of them are Athenians on a short break. Going from Paros to Kythnos is a move from the busy centre of the island chain to its calm western edge.
The two islands are not directly linked on any timetable we could verify. Our route data lists Blue Star Ferries and Seajets on Paros to Kythnos, but Ferryhopper has no page for the pair and our dated timetable sample has no sailing, so we have not repeated the generic time and fare in that record. If a direct boat appears on the booking page for your date, look closely at its stops and arrival time.
The simplest plan uses Piraeus, and it is easier than it sounds because you stay in the same port. Paros to Piraeus runs every day of the year, and Piraeus to Kythnos sails all year too, on Seajets high-speed boats in season and on the conventional ships of Aegean Sea Lines and Fast Ferries. Kythnos to Piraeus services vary from one to seven days a week, so check that your Kythnos sailing runs before booking the Paros leg.
For island hoppers there is a western route as well: Paros to Sifnos, the short hop to Serifos, then Serifos to Kythnos. It takes three boats but keeps you in the islands. In summer, Milos to Kythnos is another option, on a Seajets boat from June to September.
