An easy guide for how to get to Symi by Ferry, schedules and prices for the Ferry to Symi and recommendations for public transportation and services. Explore the website and find all necessary details for the Ferry to Symi; Connected Routes with departures and frequency, Accommodation options with real-time Availability and helpful tips for transfer opportunities in Symi!
We have prepared a small user guide that will help passengers to get to Symi as easily and pleasantly as possible.
Find useful information on how to get to Symi by ferry, local public transportation options to reach your overnight hotel in Symi, port addresses and embarkation offices, ferry schedules and prices for Symi ferry, and real-time departures and arrivals.
- All year round there are ferries running to Symi from Rhodes and Piraeus, while from May to September there are frequent ferries from Kos, Kalymnos, and from some more Aegean islands.
Getting to Symi by ferry is the best option you have and it can be a very nice and exciting experience and especially if you are doing some island-hopping too. Greek islanders are seasoned ferry experts and they prefer to travel by ferry because of the convenience and flexibility it affords!
Cars are allowed on most ferries running to Symi, for an additional fee and children usually travel for half price!
- There is a choice of regular and High-speed catamaran ferries running frequently to Symi with stops along the way.
Give a departure port and a date and find all possible ferry to/from Symi destinations!
Notice: Each year and depending on the period, there may be more or fewer connections. The biggest shipping companies (ferry operators) announce the new ferry schedules to and from Symi by the end of December and the rest of them by January-March each year!
Public transportation services in Symi
The ports of Symi
- The main port of Symi is Gialοs. Big ferriеs arrive at Gialоs port.
- The second port is Pаnormitis, a smаll seasidе village known fоr the Mοnаstеry of Archangel Мiсhael аt thе seafrоnt.
- In thе summer months, local Catamaran ferries depart from Rhodes to Рanоrmitis port as well.
Public Bus Services on Symi
- The Symi green bus (urban) does an hourly shuttle from Gialos port to the village (Chorio) and down to Pedi Bay up to 11 o'clock at night. Flat fare 1,50 Euro (2018).
- Phone: +30 6945316248, +30 6976694999
- With “Panormitis Bus” from Symi to Panormitis. Duration 30 min. with stops on the way to take photos!
- Phone: +30 2246071311
- Terminal for both routes: Bus stop on the right-hand side of the harbour.
- Tickets are purchased on the bus.
Taxis on Symi
- Half a dozen taxis operate out of Gialos. The longest trip is from Gialos to Panormitis. Agree the price before getting in.
Taxi phones
- MR. CHARISOPOULOS THANASIS: +30 6946568731
- MR. TSAVARIS KOSTAS: +30 6945252308
- MR. PETRIDIS GIORGOS: +30 6974623492
- MR. MAKROPOULOS THODORIS: +30 6945273842
- MR. KOURDOUMPAS STAMATIS: +30 6945226348
Water Taxis in Symi
- Water taxis run frequently out of the harbour at Gialos to Agia Marina, Agia Nikolaos, Nanou and Marathounda (prices from 6,00 to 14,00 Euro) and also in the north direction to Nimborio (6,00 Euro).
- In high season there is at least one departure in every hour, from 9am onwards, with the last boat back usually at 5pm or 6pm.
Note: All above information for Symi was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice.
Schedules, prices and availability to Symi by ferry
Book your ferry tickets Symi with any ferry company that suits you better and enjoy your journey in Greece! The “Easy-Way” booking system of go-ferry.com, allows the most reliable online ferry reservations and offers cheaper, faster and better services for your ferry ticket to or from Symi.
With go-ferry.com you are able to connect online with the reservation systems of the most Greek shipping companies, to compare prices, to find information about routes and vessels, to look for alternative routes and to print instantly your Symi ferry confirmation.
Ferry timetables may change by season, so take an optical canvassing via our search engine to receive the latest cull of dates, schedules, prices and availability to Symi. With so many accommodation options to cull from, you can be sure to find the best deal for the ferry to Symi at a price that fits your budget.
Complete the under bellow fields and click on "search" to compare the prices of all operators that run to Symi by ferry!
Book in advance your ferry to Symi
Arrange your ferry journey in advance
It is very important that you have organized your ferry journey in advance, having arranged all the details. You don't want something to go wrong, and you can achieve perfect holidays with a great organization. In addition to hotel accommodation and air-tickets, when you book the boat tickets you know that everything is under control even before leaving home.
There are many reasons why you should arrange to book in advance your ferry ticket. Here are some of the most important:
Pay for Hotel in Symi without using it!
During the high season in Greece, and especially in July and August, it is likely that you won't find ferry tickets to popular destinations, such as Symi, if you don't book them in advance. So, don't make the mistake to book your hotel on Symi without having booked the ferry pass. The last thing you want is to get to the port and not find an available ferry!
Save time in Symi!
Although we charge a commission for acquiring ferry bookings, this allows you not only to secure your ferry tickets Symi but also to save time in Symi; besides receiving a service and attention of first.
Have a bigger choice of Ferry Tickets!
Buying in advance gives you a better chance of getting the ferry tickets, on the ferry you prefer and at the schedule you want. It does not make sense that your trip to Symi is interrupted by not finding available ferry departures, but it is possible.
Find more Ferry routes!
If you want to organize your vacations to Symi, it is wise to check all the possible routes and timelines in order to make the right combinations between Symi and other destinations as well as between the air and the ferry tickets. Online, you can have an overview of all the routes.
Get the best deal by Ferry prices!
Ferry tickets can be expensive, so it’s natural to want to get the best deal on them. It has become a regular practice for ferries to announce special rates and deep discounts for booking ferry tickets up to 3-6 months in advance.
Feeling Great having ferry ticket in your pocket!
You will feel a great feeling when having the ferry confirmation in your hands. The reservation with us will allow you to secure your ferry to Symi, you will be relieved to have the confirmation in your hands or on your smartphone!
Accommodation options on the ferry to Symi
Find out about the ferry types, choose the ideal accommodation option on the ferry to Symi and get fresh and relaxed at your destination. Comfortable armchairs, business class comfort seats, outside and inside cabins or economy deck chairs. There is a range of accommodation options to choose for a day or night ferry to or from Symi.
About Symi
Symi is a member of the Dodecanese group of islands and lies 24 nautical miles to the north east of Rhodes and 255 miles from Piraeus. Its area is 67 square kilometres (26 square miles), with many bays and headlands. Since the island is mountainous and arid, the majority of its inhabitants used to be employed in the sponge industry, shipping, fishing, shepherding and very small scale farming. Nowadays the majority are engaged in tourism, commerce and crafts, such as carpentry and boat - building. Its climate is dry, temperate and healthy, creating suitable conditions for ideal holidays.
The history of the island begins in ancient and mythological times. Its ancient names were Aigli, Metapontis and Cariki. It is postulated that its first inhabitants were the Carians and the Leleges. Symi is mentioned in The Iliad: King Nireus took part in the Trojan war with three ships. Herodotus refers to her as being a member of the Dorian Hexapolis (6 cities). From 480 B.C. Symi belonged to the Athenian League. In the Roman and Byzantine epochs her fortune was closely linked to that of Rhodes.
From 1309 the island entered upon a prosperous period with the development of shipping, commerce, the sponge trade, boat-building and other crafts. This period also saw the beginning of an increase in urban growth, the beauty of which remains intact to this day. The houses began to spread out from the castle area, and at the same time people started to abandon many of their traditional settlements. The majority of the churches were also built during this time. Turkish attacks were repulsed in 1457 and 1485. In 1522, realizing that further resistance was in vain, and attempting to preserve as much as they could, the people offered gifts to the sultan and in return were granted many special privileges. Thus they achieved freedom of religious expression and the use of their own language, with the resulting advances in education and crafts. In addition to these privileges, they won sponge fishing rights throughout all the seas of the Ottoman Empire. They supported the national war of independence and contributed funds to the Greek fleet over a number of years; not to mention financial assistance to Laskarina Bouboulina, Admiral Miaoulis, Themelis and others.
In 1832 Symi unwillingly returned to Turkish control, and people reacted most strongly to this. In 1869 there was an attempt to abrogate the special privileges, while in 1875 and 1885 there were population censuses. In 1908 Symi won her second battle to preserve her privileges, resulting in a victory for the other islands as well. In 1912 Turkish dominion gave way to Italian control, which lasted until September 17th, 1943. From that date the island changed hands several times between the British and the Germans, the British taking Symi for the third time on September 25th 1944, on which day the castle and the surrounding quarter of town were blown up. On May 8th,1945 the German surrender of the Dodecanese was signed on Symi. On April lst,1947 a British Military Administration handed over to a Greek one, and on March 7th, 1948 the Dodecanese were incorporated into the Greek state.
Major Church Festivals
- Easter (variable date and not always the same as our Easter) at Panormitis and the main churches of town
- June 24th Aghios Ioannis Stafilla (St. John of the Grapes) near Pedi
- Pentecost (variable, as Easter) at Panormitis
- Aghias Triadas (The Holy Trinity) in Chorio (variable, as Easter)
- July 17th Aghia Marina (St. Marina) on the islet
- July 30th Prophitis Elias (The Prophet Elijah)
- August 6th Sotiris at Nimborio and Megalos (Big) Sotiris
- August l5th Panaghia Alithini (The Virgin Mary of Truth) on the Pedi road and Panaghia Myrtariotissa (The Virgin Mary of the Myrtles)
- August 24th Panaghia Alithini and Panaghia Ypakoi
- November 8th Archangels Michael Panormitis and Roukoniotis
Sites of Special Interest
- Symi town castle (Castro) in Chorio (the upper town)
- Temple of Poseidon at Panormitis, now the Monastery of the Archangel Michael
- The Monastery of the Archangel Michael Roukoniotis
- The Church of the Prophet Elijah
- The island of Nimos
- Mouse Castle, near the windmills in Chorio
- The island of Seskli (ancient Tevtlousai)
- Catacombs (The TwelveCaves) and Roman mosaic at Nimborio
- Archaeological and folk museum in the upper part of Chorio
- Nautical museum in Gialos (the harbour area)
- The old pharmacy in Chorio
- Pedi Bay
- Stone-built Byzantine style wine presses ( l0th to l7th centuries) and Pelasgic ruins and sacrificial stones (c. 1500 B.C..) at various sites
What to see in Symmi
Some people provide guided walks across the island, often including extensive stretches of woodland and panoramic views, not to mention many historic chapels and other sites. For the reasonably fit it is the best way of seeing and learning about the interior. Walks usually go to one of the many bays, with the return by boat; some also link on with a truck. Decent footwear and a supply of water are essential: camera, binoculars and other items as you please. Information and prices from tourist agencies and some boats.
Useful Information
Services and Facilities
Municipality of Symi: 71302
Doctor's Surgery in Gialos: 71290
Doctor's Surgery in Chorio: 71316
Chemist (Pharmacy): 71888
Dentist: 71272
Police: 71111
Port Police: 71205
Customs: 71249
Post Office: 71315
Every morning except Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Telephone Office (O.T.E.): 71212 As Post Office
Electricity Board (D.E.H.): 71338
Fuel: 72367 Every morning except Sunday from 07.30-14.30
Yachting Services
A town hall employee is available to assist with mooring, the supply of water and other services. The relevant fees are: dr. 500 for mooring. Yachts in transit may obtain fuel tax-free from the fueling station at the far southern end of the harbour.>
Electrical repair services for yachts: 72012,72013. If you have a yacht problem and need assistance please call or fax: 71857
Ice Factory: Dr. 800 per block. Every day from 08.00-11.00 and from 18.00-19.00. Sunday only in the morning
Nautical Museum: Every day except Monday from 10.00-14.00
Archaeological and Folk Museum: Every day from 10.30-15.30 except Monday
National Bank of Greece-Master Card: As Post Office
Ionian Bank - VISA: As Post Office Exchange Offices: Every day
Gymnasium: Daily gymnastic, aerobic and keep-fit classes at the Actaeon.
Olympic Airways 71689
Taxis: Symi - Chorio Dr. 400, Symi - Pedi Dr. 500
Bus: Gialos-Chorio-Pedi Dr. 200, every hour
