Book Symi to Rhodes ferries in 2026 with up to 7 daily departures March-December.
Symi to Rhodes Ferry
Symi to Rhodes — At a Glance
- Season: Ferries operate from March to December.
- Frequency: 1 to 9 ferries per day depending on the season.
- Sailing days: Daily service.
The Symi to Rhodes ferry is one of the busiest short hops in the Dodecanese. Rhodes is the natural hub for the region, and Symi – with its tiered neoclassical harbour and remarkably preserved old town – is one of its most visited neighbours. The route is served daily from March through to December, and it gets very busy indeed in summer.
In peak summer, up to 8 ferries a day connect the two islands, making this one of the most frequent ferry routes in the eastern Aegean. The shoulder months of April, May, September, and October still offer 4 to 7 sailings on most days, while November and December settle back to a single daily departure. If you are planning a day trip from Rhodes to Symi, the summer timetable makes that easy.
Monthly Schedule Overview
Here is a month-by-month overview of ferry service from Symi to Rhodes:
| Month | Available | Avg. Ferries/Day |
|---|---|---|
| January | No | – |
| February | No | – |
| March | Yes | 2.5 (1–3) |
| April | Yes | 4.6 (3–6) |
| May | Yes | 5.6 (4–7) |
| June | Yes | 7.1 (6–8) |
| July | Yes | 8.1 (7–9) |
| August | Yes | 8.2 (7–9) |
| September | Yes | 7.5 (6–9) |
| October | Yes | 5.2 (3–8) |
| November | Yes | 1.0 |
| December | Yes | 1.0 |
Tips for the Symi–Rhodes Ferry
- The bow (front) of the vessel experiences the most pitching in head-on swells; the stern tends to be smoother when seas are rough.
- Parking at major ports is available but fills quickly in summer – if leaving your car, book a parking spot in advance or arrive very early.
- If you are at a small island when a multi-day storm hits, accommodation will fill quickly as stranded passengers compete for rooms – secure yours immediately.
- If you are booking for a large group, call the operator or use their group booking form – online booking systems sometimes cap the number of tickets per transaction.
- Once you arrive in Rhodes, the medieval walled Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, with the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master as its centrepieces. Tsambika Beach on the east coast and the ancient hilltop site of Lindos are the island’s other headline attractions.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Symi to Rhodes?
Frequency ranges from 1 to 9 ferries per day, depending on the time of year. The route is busiest in July and August when you can find up to 9 sailings daily, and quietest in November and December when a single daily service operates. There is no service in January or February.
Which ferry companies operate the Symi–Rhodes route?
Multiple ferry companies operate this route. Check current schedules for the latest operators.