How to Get to Symi: A Guide to Reaching the Island

Introduction

Symi is a beautiful island in the Dodecanese, Greece, famous for good neoclassical buildings, crystal sea and beautiful bays and harbours. This relatively still and rather unremarked place is setting in motion a combination of attractions, including its stunning nature, historical landmarks, and lively people. The beautiful sandy and calm sea coast, the historical remains, or the beauty of the multicoloured port might attract you. Nevertheless, Symi is a place that can offer calmness and excitement at the same time. However, as you are going to discover, there is much more to Symi than what meets the eye and so, before immersing yourself in what this gorgeous island offers, you’ll have to find out how to get to Symi. Let this article be your reference to the different ways of travelling and getting around this stunning Greek island.

Reaching Symi from Mainland Greece

Starting from Athens

There are several ways of getting to Symi from Athens; first, one has to fly to Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese. There are frequent flights from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) to Rhodes with a flying time of approximately an hour. After getting to Rhodes, one can take a boat to Symi. They are seen to be the best means to get to Symi from the mainland of Greece since they interconnect the two by both air and sea travel.

Direct Ferries from Piraeus

However, there exists the option of direct boat from Piraeus, which is the main seaport located in Athens. This journey is usually one more prolonged on average; it takes between 12 to 15 hours, but it provides a leisurely sail through the Aegean Sea. Ferries to Pireaus are comparatively irregular, so one has to ensure that he gets the timings of the ferry and gets the tickets booked well in advance if he is travelling during the tourist season.

Alternative Routes

If you are seeking a less typical travelling experience, you can reach Kos or Kalymnos through the neighbouring Islands. From these islands, there is a connecting ferry to Symi. As compared to the previous route, this has a little island hopping that enhances the experience of the entire trip.

Ferry Services and Schedules

Ferry Operators

Many ferry operators are serving the route to Symi, but Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways are the most commonly used. Blue Star Ferries provides bigger boats with more facilities than Dodekanisos Seaways, providing ‘catamarans’ that contain a little shorter accommodation but are quicker. Everybody gets their advantage, and everyone can select the type of travel that they want to take, whether spending hours floating in the lake or covering more distance in less time.

Schedule Tips

Services by ferry can be grouped depending on the season, where there tends to be an increase in services during the summer. It is suggested that you consult and possibly make your bookings in advance with available ferries, particularly if you are travelling during the high season. Currently, ferry operators’ websites, for instance, Ferryhopper and Direct Ferries, offer the latest schedule and booking information.

Duration and Frequency

Times taken on the sea from Rhodes to Symi may take about 1-2 hours depending on the category of ferry to be used. There is a high frequency of the services, especially during the summer period, and there are many trips in a day. In certain periods of the year, especially during the off-season, one has to be very particular with the schedules of the ferry services.

Getting to Symi from Nearby Islands

From Rhodes

Rhodes is the major entry point to Symi. It is said that the ferry from Rhodes to Symi is quite practical and, at the same time, very picturesque as it provides a beautiful view over the Aegean Sea. The ferries operate frequently and more so during the summer season, covering distances of between 50 minutes and 2 hours depending on the boat used.

From Kos and Other Islands

In case you are on another island in the Dodecanese, such as Kos, you can simply board a connecting ferry to get to Symi. These are not as frequent as the Rhodes ones, so be sure to look up the timetables before you go. If one fancies the possibility to visit these islands for a day, it may be managed, however, if one wants to be enraptured by the serenity of Symi, one ought to spend more days there.

Day Trips vs. Extended Stays

However, it is possible to visit the island on a day trip from Rhodes or other nearby islands; it is more delightful to spend the night on the island. Exploring Symi is also, similarly to Kos, best done without the pressure of heading back to another island the next morning.

Conclusion

Even if it takes some effort to get to Symi, the quietness and beautiful sceneries, the history which is present everywhere, make the island well worth the trip. Whether the visitor plans a one-day trip or a full vacation, they will not be disappointed with what Symi has to offer in one of the loveliest parts of Greece.