Ferry from Rhodes (Rodos) to Symi (Gialos)

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.

Rhodes to Symi Ferry Fares

Weekly Rhodes 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

Is it worth hiring a car in Rhodes?

Worth it if you're staying more than a couple of days, since the island is large and its two bus companies (Roda in the west, KTEL in the east) don't make it easy to combine both coasts in a day. The port is a 10-minute walk from Rhodes Old Town, with paid parking nearby. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Rhodes to Symi between 5 September 2026 and 18 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Rhodes to Symi ferry

• Rhodes has two separate ferry ports: large car ferries such as Blue Star Ferries use Akandia, while Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans and small boats to Symi depart from Kolona, just outside the Old Town walls – check your ticket for the correct one.
• Akandia port is roughly a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and has no shelter, seating or toilets while you wait, so it is more comfortable to wait in town and take a taxi straight to your ferry.
• Arrive at least one hour before departure to allow time to check in, since boarding for ferries from Rhodes typically closes around 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing time.
• Winter nights on deck are cold; long crossings in January or February in the northern Aegean can feel genuinely harsh – dress warmly.
• 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

Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.