Ferry from Symi (Gialos) to Patmos (Skala)

Symi and Patmos sit at opposite ends of the Dodecanese, and the crossing between them feels like it: this is a proper open-water passage rather than a short hop between neighbours. Symi's harbour at Yialos is one of the prettiest in the Aegean, its pastel-shaded mansions stacked in tiers around a horseshoe bay a few minutes' walk from the town centre. Patmos, at the northern end of the group, arrives quieter and starker -- the ferry docks at Skala, below the whitewashed hill-town of Chora and the fortified Monastery of St John. Whichever direction you're travelling, check the schedule box above for the latest confirmed sailing dates before you build a trip around this route.

Sailing frequency holds fairly steady through the season, with a single service most days rather than the stacked departures you'd find on routes that funnel through a major hub. Because this crossing links two smaller islands directly, boats can fill up in the height of summer -- book ahead if you have fixed dates, and see the panel above for the current frequency.

Symi to Patmos Ferry Fares

Weekly Symi to Patmos 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

Do you need a car in Patmos?

Not essential, but useful if you want to reach quieter beaches beyond Chora and Grikos at your own pace. Rental desks sit right at Skala port, and buses from the same stop run to Chora, Grikos and Kambos around six times a day, with taxis filling the gaps. Roads are well maintained and quiet, so driving is easy. Compare suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Symi to Patmos 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.
• Island-hopping itineraries that move in one direction (e.g. Athens to Rhodes via the Dodecanese) rather than back-and-forth are generally cheaper and less stressful.
• Once you arrive in Patmos, the UNESCO-protected old town of Hora and the imposing Monastery of Saint John the Theologian – built in the 11th century – dominate the hilltop above the port. The Cave of the Apocalypse, where Saint John is said to have written the Book of Revelation, is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world.

Plan a journey

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