Getting from Alexandroupoli to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Alexandroupoli you are making your way from the far northeastern corner of Greece to one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the country. The colorful 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 Alexandroupoli to Symi. Alexandroupoli's ferry connections are limited to Samothrace, Lemnos, Agios Efstratios and Lavrio. Getting to Symi by sea means flying to Athens first and then taking the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry, which takes around 12 to 18 hours, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. The total journey by sea takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Flying from Alexandroupoli to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours.

Your best option

Fly from Alexandroupoli to Athens and then fly to Rhodes and take the local ferry across to Symi. 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.