Greece

How to get from Symi to Rhodes

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
1h
💶
From
7€
📍
Distance
38 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Symi to Rhodes: Ferry, about 1h, from €7. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Blue Star Ferries; main departure point: Symi Pier.

Distance: 38 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Symi to Rhodes

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Ferry
1h
7 €
View
🚌 Departure from Symi
📍Ferries depart from Symi's main harbour at Gialos, right on the waterfront. There is no large terminal building, so boarding is on the quay. Check your ticket for the exact berth and arrive early to find your boat easily.
🚇Gialos harbour is the heart of Symi town, so most visitors simply walk to the quay from nearby hotels and tavernas. If you stay in the upper town, Chorio, expect a walk down the steps or a short taxi ride.
⏰Departures are generally scheduled during the day and vary by season and day of the week. Check the current timetable for your date and book ahead, particularly in high season.
💸 Transport from 7€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 1h
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Symi Pier €7 2
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Practical tips

💡
Book ahead in high season

Summer sailings between Symi and Rhodes can fill up, especially on day-trip favourites. Reserve your ticket online as soon as your dates are fixed so you secure a seat and avoid being stuck on Symi.

💡
Check the departure day and time

Island links can vary by day of the week and by season. Confirm the exact sailing for your date before planning hotels or onward travel, rather than relying on last year's timetable.

💡
Know your Rhodes arrival harbour

Rhodes has more than one harbour area, so check which one your boat uses on the ticket. Arriving at the wrong quay is a common mix-up, and it affects how far you walk or ride to your hotel.

💡
Leave a buffer for connections

Wind can delay or cancel sailings in the Aegean. If you must catch a flight or an onward ferry from Rhodes, avoid the tightest connection and travel the day before when possible.

💡
Arrive early and keep your ticket handy

Get to the quay with time to spare, especially in summer when the port is busy. Keep your confirmation on your phone or printed, and check the boarding gate with the crew.

The journey experience

Getting from Symi to Rhodes is one of the simplest island hops in the Dodecanese, and the good news is that you do not need to compare coaches, trains and flights: the sea is the way to go. Symi sits just off the Turkish coast, and the ferry is the practical, direct choice for independent travellers who want to arrive in Rhodes Town without fuss.

The crossing is a short, scenic ride past rocky coastline and small bays. Boats are comfortable enough for a relaxed trip, with indoor seating and open decks for photos of Symi's pastel harbour as you leave. Services usually dock at Rhodes' Mandraki or Commercial Harbour area, close to the Old Town, so you can walk or take a short taxi to your accommodation. The page shows the up-to-date duration and fare range so you can judge at a glance.

The main worry on Greek routes is that timetables shift with the season and some links run only on certain days. Reassuringly, Symi and Rhodes are closely connected, but always check the current schedule before you plan your onward trip. In high season, book ahead so you are not left with a sold-out boat, and keep a buffer if you have a flight or another ferry the same day, since strong winds can occasionally affect sailings.

Frequently asked questions — Symi → Rhodes

Why visit Rhodes?

  • ✓ Stroll the medieval Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO site, along the cobbled Street of the Knights up to the Palace of the Grand Master
  • ✓ Climb to the Acropolis of Lindos for ruins of the Temple of Athena Lindia with views over St Paul's Bay
  • ✓ Swim and windsurf at Prasonisi, where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet on a sandy isthmus
  • ✓ Wander through the Valley of the Butterflies, a shaded forest path near Theologos where Jersey tiger moths gather in summer
  • ✓ Take a day trip to Symi, with its pastel neoclassical harbour, or relax on the beaches of Tsambika and Anthony Quinn Bay
🌙
Recommended stay
4 to 7 nights — enough for the Old Town, Lindos, beaches and a Symi day trip

When to visit Rhodes?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

May to early October — hot, dry and sunny weather, with warm sea from June to September

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😞
📍
In Rhodes — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Rhodes
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Rhodes?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🏰
Medieval Old Town of Rhodes
A UNESCO-listed walled city built by the Knights of St John. Wander the Street of the Knights and the cobbled lanes, then walk the ramparts. Arrive before 9am or after 6pm to avoid cruise-ship crowds and midday heat. Entering the old town itself is free.
🏛️
Palace of the Grand Master
This reconstructed 14th-century fortress holds Hellenistic mosaics and period furniture, with a dramatic gatehouse. Tickets cost around 10€ and a combined pass with other sites is often available. Go at opening time, usually 8am, and allow about 90 minutes. Check seasonal hours, as winter closing is earlier.
🌅
Acropolis of Rhodes at Sunset
Perched on Monte Smith, the hilltop site has a partly restored Temple of Apollo, a stadium and a small ancient theatre. The view over the city and the Aegean is superb at sunset. Entry is free and open access. Bring water, as there is no shade, and reach it by bus or taxi.
🏖️
Lindos Acropolis and Village
A whitewashed village below a hilltop acropolis with Doric columns and sea views over St Paul's Bay. Entry is about 12€. Arrive at 8am opening to beat the heat and tour buses. The climb is steep and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes. Donkey rides exist, but walking is easy enough.
🌿
Butterfly Valley Walk
A shaded gorge with streams and wooden bridges near Petaloudes, home to Jersey tiger moths in summer, roughly June to September. Entry costs around 6€. Walk quietly and never clap, as it disturbs the moths. Go in the morning for cooler air. Outside summer there are few moths, but the walk is still pleasant.
🍽️
Local Meze in Old Town
Skip the main squares and eat in the backstreets around Sokratous and the Jewish Quarter. Try pitaroudia chickpea fritters, fresh fish, and souma, the local spirit. A shared meze lunch costs about 15€ per person. Ask what is fresh that day, and book ahead for dinner in high season.
🍷
Emponas Wine Tasting
The slopes of Mount Attavyros host Rhodes' main wine region. Visit a family winery such as Emery or CAIR to taste Athiri whites and Mandilaria reds. Tastings run roughly 8 to 15€. Rent a car and designate a driver. Visit in September for the harvest atmosphere.
⛰️
Profitis Ilias and Monolithos
Drive into the pine forests of Mount Profitis Ilias for cool air and quiet trails, then continue west to Monolithos castle, perched on a 100-metre rock above the sea. Entry is free. Come for sunset, bring a jacket for the wind, and fill the tank beforehand, as stations are scarce.

How long to visit Rhodes?

4 to 7 days

Allow 4 to 5 days to cover the essentials: a day in the medieval Old Town of Rhodes (Palace of the Grand Master, Street of the Knights), a day in Lindos with its acropolis and beaches, and a day exploring the west coast and Petaloudes or Filerimos. With 7 days or more, add Prasonisi, Symi by boat and the southern villages. Rent a car for at least 2 to 3 days, as buses are limited outside Rhodes Town and Lindos, and book your stay close to the Old Town or Lindos.

Related searches

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