The Rhodes to Symi ferry is one of the great short hops in the Dodecanese – a crossing that connects two islands with very different characters, separated by a sliver of Aegean sea. Rhodes is busy, cosmopolitan, and rich in history; Symi is intimate, unhurried, and instantly memorable. The route sails daily and usually runs year-round, though you will find a much fuller timetable once the season builds. Most crossings dock at Gialos, Symi’s main harbour beneath the town’s tiered mansions, but a handful of sailings instead call at Panormitis, on the opposite side of the island near the monastery of the same name – a separate arrival point, so it is worth checking which port your ticket names before you travel.
Summer is when the route really comes alive, with multiple daily departures giving you plenty of flexibility if you are island-hopping through the Dodecanese. Outside the main season the service eases back to roughly once a day, so it pays to plan ahead if you are travelling in the quieter months. The schedule box above and the monthly table below show the current confirmed frequency for whichever month you are travelling in.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars