Ferry from Kos to Symi (Gialos)

Kos to Symi is a well served southbound run with a wide spread of journey times. The Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans do it in around an hour and a half, while the conventional ferries operated by Blue Star and SAOS can take up to five and a half hours depending on the calls made along the way. Vessels on the route include the Dodekanisos Express, the Blue Star 2 and Patmos, and the Saonisos, and fares start around nine euros.

Symi's harbour is the reason most people come. Tiers of colourful Italianate mansions climb the hillsides around the bay, a legacy of the island's sponge-trading wealth, and the arrival by sea is the best view of it. The island is small and steep, with Panormitis Monastery on the south coast and a scattering of quiet swimming spots reached by road or small boat.

With around twenty six sailings a fortnight this runs most days in season, often more than once. The current timetable, journey times and fares are shown below, and it is worth checking which service you are booking given the spread between the fast and conventional options. Symi also has frequent links to Rhodes, which is the busier gateway.

Kos to Symi Ferry Fares

Weekly Kos to Symi Ferry Schedule

The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.

Hiring a car

Can you rent a car in Kos?

Yes. The ferry port sits right in Kos Town, about 2km from the centre, a 20-25 minute walk or five-minute drive, with rental desks nearby. Buses run regularly between the main towns but thin out fast once you leave them, so a car is worth it if you want to reach the Asclepion, Mount Dikeos villages or the quieter beaches. Compare prices at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Kos to Symi between 13 September 2026 and 26 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Kos to Symi ferry

• The harbour sits right beside the medieval Castle of the Knights, with ticket agencies lining the waterfront. For domestic sailings on Dodekanisos Seaways and Blue Star ferries, arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before departure to buy tickets and locate your berth.
• If you are travelling on to Kalymnos, check which port is printed on your ticket – many sailings, including the frequent local car ferries, depart from Mastichari on Kos's north-west coast, not from Kos Town harbour.
• Left-luggage lockers at Kos Town port are limited, so don't rely on finding one at short notice; pack light enough to carry your bags the short walk from the harbour into the old town yourself.
• Some operators allow seat upgrades at the port ticket desk if higher classes have not sold out – worth asking if you arrive early.
• In Symi, the neoclassical mansions in shades of ochre, terracotta, and gold rising above the harbour of Gialos form one of the most striking port scenes in the Dodecanese. St Georges Bay on the island's east coast offers some of the best swimming in the area, and the island is a short ferry ride from Rhodes.

Plan a journey

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