How to get from Rhodes to Symi by ferry
The ferry sailing from Rhodes to Symi takes between an 1 and 1.5 hours, and there are several sailings a day in season.
Ferry Snapshot: Rhodes to Symi
- 5–10 sailings per day
- Crossing time from 50 min, up to 1 h 40 min
- Earliest departure 08:00, latest 17:00
- Operated by Blue Star Ferries, Dodekanisos Seaways, SAOS Ferries and Sebeco Lines
- Tickets from €7
- Boats on this route typically have: cabins, vehicle garage, restaurant, cafe bar, shop, Wi-Fi
Rhodes to Symi September 2026 Ferry Timetable
| Departs | Days | Duration | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | 50 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Dodekanisos Express | Book |
| 08:00 | 14 Sep only | 1 h 40 min | SAOS Ferries – Stavros | Book |
| 08:30 | Daily | 1 h 25 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 09:00 | 15 Sep only | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco | Book |
| 09:00 | Daily | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco Ii | Book |
| 10:30 | Mon, Sun, until 14 Sep | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco | Book |
| 10:30 | 15 Sep only | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco Ii | Book |
| 12:00 | Mon–Sat | 1 h 25 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 12:20 | 15 Sep only | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco | Book |
| 12:20 | Daily | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco Ii | Book |
| 15:30 | Mon–Sat | 1 h 25 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 16:00 | Mon, Fri | 1 h | Blue Star Ferries – Blue Star Patmos | Book |
| 16:00 | Mon, Tue, Sun, until 15 Sep | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco Ii | Book |
| 16:30 | Sun only | 1 h 15 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 17:00 | Wed only | 1 h 10 min | Blue Star Ferries – Blue Star Patmos | Book |
Rhodes to Symi October 2026 Ferry Timetable
| Departs | Days | Duration | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Daily | 45 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Dodekanisos Express | Book |
| 08:00 | Tue, Fri, Sat, from 13 Oct | 45 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Dodekanisos Pride | Book |
| 08:30 | Mon–Sat | 1 h 25 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 08:30 | Wed, Sun | 4 h 20 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 09:00 | Daily, until 15 Oct | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco Ii | Book |
| 09:45 | Daily, from 16 Oct | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco Ii | Book |
| 10:30 | Daily, from 16 Oct | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco | Book |
| 12:00 | Mon–Sat, until 10 Oct | 1 h 25 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 12:20 | Daily, until 15 Oct | 1 h 20 min | Sebeco Lines – Sebeco Ii | Book |
| 14:00 | Mon–Sat, from 12 Oct | 1 h 25 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 15:30 | Mon–Sat, until 10 Oct | 1 h 25 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Panagia Skiadeni | Book |
| 16:00 | Mon only, until 26 Oct | 1 h 10 min | Blue Star Ferries – Blue Star Patmos | Book |
| 17:00 | Wed only, from 7 Oct | 1 h 10 min | Blue Star Ferries – Blue Star Patmos | Book |
| 18:15 | Fri only | 1 h 10 min | Blue Star Ferries – Blue Star Patmos | Book |
Rhodes to Symi November 2026 Ferry Timetable
Rhodes to Symi December 2026 Ferry Timetable
| Departs | Days | Duration | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Daily | 45 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Dodekanisos Express | Book |
Rhodes to Symi January 2027 Ferry Timetable
| Departs | Days | Duration | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 45 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Dodekanisos Express | Book |
Rhodes to Symi February 2027 Ferry Timetable
| Departs | Days | Duration | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 45 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Dodekanisos Express | Book |
Rhodes to Symi March 2027 Ferry Timetable
| Departs | Days | Duration | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 45 min | Dodekanisos Seaways – Dodekanisos Express | Book |
On this page
Rhodes Symi Ferry Route
While visiting Symi from Rhodes is a popular day trip, there are also plenty of ferries available for those who want to spend longer on this beautiful Greek island.
Additionally, ferries sail from Rhodes to Symi all the year through. Of course there are always more crossings during the tourist season in Greece, which runs from April to October.
To check the latest ferry schedule and book a ferry ticket online for the Rhodes Symi route take a look at: Ferryscanner
Blue Star Ferries
Of the ferry companies that operate the route Rhodes Symi, Blue Star are probably the cheapest. They also offer a year through crossing, and publish their timetables well in advance.
This is ideal for tourists who like to plan their itinerary in advance. Some of the other ferry operators offering a boat trip between the Greek islands of Rhodes and Symi only publish their schedules a few weeks before - or sometimes not at all!
I've previously taken the Blue Star Ferries crossing to Symi from Rhodes, and loved the fact that it's a big ship. The big ferries are much better if you're affected by motion sickness!
Blue Star Ferries don't sail everyday though, so you'll need to check the departures are good for the time you want to visit. Also, their ferries often visit more Dodecanese islands - getting to know their schedule is a good way to plan a Dodecanese island hopping trip!
Check out timings for the routes and fares at: Ferryscanner
Other Rhodes to Symi ferry companies
During the summer, other services are offered by Dodecanese Seaways, Sea Dreams Cruises, Saos Ferries, and Sebeco. Not all of these ferries will be able to take a vehicle, so if you are traveling by car, make sure you choose the right one!
Dodekanisos Seaways may stop at the Panormitis Port as well as the main port during the high season. Make sure you get off at the right stop! Most people will want to disembark at Symi town port (Gialos).
Symi Day Trip
You may be able to put together your own day trip to Symi from Rhodes by sailing out early in the morning on one ferry company, and returning on a later ferry with a different ferry company. It really depends on the time of year you want to travel.
The benefits of organizing your own Symi day trip, are that you'll have more free times to explore Symi town, take the bus to Panormitis Monastery, and eat where you want.
You can also book a Rhodes Symi day trip online with organized tours. Here's a few examples. Prices differ as they offer slightly different things:
Symi Island Travel Tips
A few travel tips for visiting the island of Symi by ferry:
- Ferries leave from the main port of Rhodes, at Rhodes Town. Aim to be at the port at least a half an hour before departure. Keep in mind that traffic in Rhodes can be busy in the summer months, so allow time for delays.
- Using Welcome you can pre-book taxis to drop take you to the port. Alternatively, ask your hotel to organize one for you.
- Booking is the best places to start looking for accommodation in Symi. There are plenty of places to stay in Gialos which is the name of the main port town. I've stayed at Nikos and Eva Studios which was perfect for my needs!
- Ferryscanner is a good place to look for ferry schedules and to book tickets online.
- If you're looking for a quiet beach, check out my Symi Beach Guide.
- Also read: Greek islands near Rhodes
Symi Ferry FAQ
Readers who want to travel from Rhodes to Symi by ferry often ask questions similar to:
How do you get to Symi island?
Ferry companies offer daily crossings from Rhodes to Symi all year round. The journey takes between 1 and 1.5 hours, depending on the vessel. There are also several companies that offer day trips from Rhodes to Symi.
Can you fly to Symi?
Unfortunately, there is no airport on Symi. The only way to get to the island is by ferry. The nearest airport is on Rhodes island.
What islands can you get to by ferry from Rhodes?
There are a number of Greek islands that can be reached by ferry from Rhodes. These include Symi, Kos, Nisyros, Patmos, Leros, and Kalymnos.
How many days do you need in Symi?
Depending on what you want to do while in Symi, you will need at least one day. If you want to explore the town and its surroundings, swim in the clear waters, and take a bus to the Panormitis Monastery, two or three days would be better.
You might also want to read:
What time should I be at the harbour in Rhodes for the boat to Symi?
Half an hour before the departure time is about right. Being there early saves you hunting for the correct quay in a rush.
Dave is a UK travel writer living in Athens since 2015. With 20 years of firsthand travel experience and over 80,000 km of bicycle touring across six continents, he's been blogging at Dave's Travel Pages since 2005. Every guide is based on places he's actually been.
Get inside tips written by a local expert — island hopping itineraries, ferry know-how and hidden corners of Greece, straight to your inbox.
Subscribe to the newsletter