Following on from yesterday’s chat about preparing to visit Symi later in the year and what hotels in Rhodes we’ve used, here’s some information about the ferries from Rhodes to Symi in the summer.
There isn’t any. Not right now. That’s because the ferry companies don’t release their schedules until nearer the time. The Easter schedules need to go up first, then you may have the complete summer ones from one or two of the companies, and possibly a schedule right through to October, but that may not be online yet, and you may not see it until April. The only thing you can go by is what they are doing now and what they have done before.
So, if you’re starting to plan your summer trip, don’t panic if your flight arrival does tie in with a ferry crossing, or if you can’t see a boat advertised. Yet. It doesn’t mean there won’t be one. What you can do is keep an eye on the ferry’s online schedule and information.
Three companies are coming in and out of Symi right now, and there’s nothing to say they won’t be operating during the summer. There’s also another one that only runs in the summer (Sebeco). Here are the links to each one so you can bookmark them and call in now and then to see what’s what.
The main Piraeus to Rhodes line with stops at Symi in both directions, usually runs Rhodes to Symi on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (late afternoon or evening from Rhodes).
Aka ‘the Spanos boats’ usually leave Rhondes at 08.00 in the morning, arriving at Symi at 8.50. Days of the week…? Not sure yet.
Tbh, I’ve never used this line, but it’s been coming in and out of Symi doggedly and reliably for some time now. You’ll need to check its website for dates and times as it’s not a daily service.
For the last few years, our island ferry company has been connecting Symi to Rhodes morning and afternoon, and Rhodes to Symi twice each morning, during the summer season, when the weather is good. (It doesn’t run in high winds.)
A few notes:
All websites are available in English (look for a flag icon or the letters EN)
All bookings can be made online
If you’re traveling to Symi on the Dodekanisos Panagia, and can’t find tickets, you may need to buy a ticket from Rhodes to Panormitis, and another from Panormitis to Symi because the boat sometimes stops at Panormitis on its way, but you have to buy two tickets for one journey, and no, I don’t know why either.
The larger boats (SAOS and Blue Star) leave from Akandia harbour in Rhodes and arrive at the ‘new’ dock in Symi on the south side, beneath the road, so it’s a fair old walk into town if you have luggage. The Dodekanisos boats start at Kolona harbour in Rhodes, and stop at the clock tower, and the Sebeco leaves Rhodes from Kolona and leaves Symi from the bus stop. No, honestly, it does.
If you want to find out the latest and more reliable news about Symi travel, then keep an eye on Andy’s Symi Travel Blog where Andy puts up information about planes, trains and travel when he can. Like Symi Dream, this is an independently run blog put there as a favour to interested parties, so don’t hassle him if he doesn’t have the info you want. Head to the websites linked above and start your investigation there.
*All info above is subject to change.
