Rhodes to Symi ferry: companies, crossing times, prices and a day trip
Symi, the colourful island of neoclassical houses, is a short crossing from Rhodes and one of the most popular day trips from the island. Here is everything you need to know about the ferries.
- The crossing from Rhodes to Symi takes 50 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, depending on the vessel.
- In season there are 4 to 8 sailings a day, roughly 08:00 to 18:15, with fares from about €7.
- A day trip works: leave in the morning from the Rhodes Town port and return in the evening.
If you are staying on Rhodes, Symi is an easy, worthwhile day trip. Book ahead in summer, arrive at the port 30 minutes before sailing, and check there is no seamen's strike that day.
How do you get from Rhodes to Symi?
Symi has no airport, so you can only arrive by sea. Most sailings leave from the main port of Rhodes Town, next to the Old Town, and arrive at Gialos, Symi's main harbour.
Which companies sail from Rhodes to Symi?
According to Dave's Travel Pages, the regular operators are Blue Star Ferries, Dodekanisos Seaways and Sebeco Lines. In summer, smaller companies such as Sea Dreams and Saos join them. There are also organised excursion boats from Mandraki harbour, sometimes with a stop at Panormitis Monastery.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | 50 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Sailings per day (in season) | 4 to 8 |
| Sailing hours | roughly 08:00 to 18:15 |
| Price | from about €7 one way |
| Departure port | Rhodes Town main port |
| Arrival port | Gialos (Symi Town) |
Figures from Dave's Travel Pages; they may change. Check a current timetable before you travel.
How long is the crossing and how much does it cost?
Fast catamarans arrive in about 50 minutes. Larger ferries are slower, up to about 1 hour 25 minutes. Fares start at about €7 one way on the cheapest ferry, and fast vessels cost more. In summer book ahead, especially for weekends and the first morning sailing.
A day trip to Symi: how to plan it
Symi is well suited to a day trip from Rhodes:
- Leave in the morning: an 08:00 or 09:00 sailing gives you most of the day on the island.
- Gialos: the colourful harbour of pastel houses is the heart of the island. Climb the steps to Chorio, the upper town, for a view over the bay.
- Panormitis: in high season, some Dodekanisos Seaways sailings stop at Panormitis Monastery in the south of the island.
- Beaches: small boats leave Gialos for beaches such as Nos and Agios Georgios Dysalonas.
- Return: the last sailing back to Rhodes leaves at around 18:15 in season. Don't miss it.
How do you get to Symi from Israel?
There are no flights to Symi, because the island has no airport. The simple route is to fly direct to Rhodes, spend one or more nights in town, and sail to Symi in the morning. In season there are direct flights from Tel Aviv to Rhodes. For details see our guide to flights to Rhodes. If you want to sleep on Symi, book ahead: the island has few hotels, and they fill up fast in summer.
Catamaran or regular ferry: which should you choose?
The catamaran is faster and saves about half an hour, but it costs more and rocks more in a rough sea. The large ferry is slower and cheaper, and steadier on windy days. It usually also has an open deck. With small children, or if you get seasick, the large ferry is usually the more comfortable choice.
Tips for the Rhodes to Symi crossing
- Arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before sailing.
- In strong wind the sea can be rough. If you get seasick, choose a large ferry.
- Before you travel, check our strike page: a seamen's strike stops all sailings.
- Out of season (November to March) there are fewer sailings, sometimes only one or two a day.
Where else can you sail from Rhodes?
Ferries leave Rhodes for other Dodecanese islands, including Kos, Nisyros, Patmos, Leros and Kalymnos. For general information see our complete guide to ferries in Greece. If you are coming from Athens, see the ferry from Athens to Rhodes, and for everything about the island see our Rhodes guide.
FAQ
How long is the ferry from Rhodes to Symi? Between 50 minutes on a fast catamaran and about 1 hour 25 minutes on a regular ferry.
How much is the ferry from Rhodes to Symi? Fares start at about €7 one way. Fast vessels cost more.
Can you do a day trip to Symi? Yes. In season there are 4 to 8 sailings a day, so you can leave in the morning and return on an afternoon or evening sailing.
Where does the Symi ferry leave from? From the main port of Rhodes Town, next to the Old Town. Arrive 30 minutes before sailing.
