Ferry from Symi (Gialos) to Nisyros (Mandraki)

Symi to Nisyros takes between about two and a half and three and a half hours, worked by Blue Star Ferries on the Blue Star Patmos and by SAOS Ferries on the Saonisos and the Stavros. All are conventional ferries rather than fast craft, so there is deck space and room to move about on what is a straightforward run west across the southern Dodecanese. Some sailings call at other islands on the way, which accounts for the longer end of the range.

Nisyros is a volcanic island and the caldera, with its steaming Stefanos crater, is what nearly everyone comes to see. Ferries dock at Mandraki, the main village on the north-west coast, a compact whitewashed place backed by cliffs, from where buses and taxis run up to the volcano. The island is small and quiet outside the middle of the day, when the Kos day-trip boats are in.

Sailings run three or four times a week across the operators, so there is reasonable choice in season. Current departures and fares are shown in the timetable below, with fares from around €10.50. Nisyros has frequent short links to Kos, which is the practical hub for flights and onward ferries.

Weekly Symi to Nisyros Ferry Schedule

What each ferry company has published for the four weeks from 13 November 2026 to 10 December 2026: the days it sails and its departure times from Symi.

Symi to Nisyros Ferry Fares

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Symi to Nisyros between 13 November 2026 and 26 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Symi to Nisyros ferry

• Symi's harbour has two separate docking points: Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans use the clock tower, while larger conventional ferries dock at the New Port, a shadeless 15-minute walk away with no shops or taxis – confirm which one applies before you set off.
• Buy or confirm ferry tickets at the Symi Tours office on the harbour front, the long-standing general agent for Dodekanisos Seaways and Blue Star Ferries, rather than assuming online booking alone will guarantee your allocated departure point.
• Don't confuse the scheduled Dodekanisos Seaways or ANES catamarans with the organised day-trip excursion boats from Rhodes, which fill the harbour around midday and typically call passengers back for a fixed afternoon return sailing.
• Check the marine weather forecast for your crossing the evening before departure; the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) publishes forecasts for all sea areas.
• Air conditioning inside Greek ferries can be set very cold, especially in summer – keep a light layer in your day bag even in hot weather.

Plan a journey

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