Getting from Aegina to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Aegina you are making your way to one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese group. The colourful neoclassical mansions stacked up the hillside above the port make for one of the most striking harbour approaches in the Greek islands.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Aegina to Symi. The most practical ferry approach is to take the Saronic ferry from Aegina to Piraeus, which takes around 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, and then board the Piraeus to Symi ferry, which runs 2 to 3 times a week and takes around 14 to 17 hours. Flying to Rhodes and taking the short local ferry to Symi is considerably faster.

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the Saronic ferry from Aegina to Piraeus, the metro to Athens Airport and flying to Rhodes takes around 1 hour in the air, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. Total travel time is around 5 to 6 hours.

Your best option

Take the Saronic ferry from Aegina to Piraeus, fly to Rhodes and take the local ferry across to Symi. It is considerably faster than the long overnight ferry from Piraeus. Give yourself at least two nights on Symi. The island reveals itself completely once the day visitors leave and the harbour becomes entirely your own.