Getting from Astakos to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central 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 Astakos to Symi. Astakos ferry connections are limited to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Getting to Symi means driving from Astakos to Athens, which takes around 3.5 hours, and then flying to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Astakos has no airport either. Driving from Astakos to Athens and flying to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Astakos to Athens, fly to Rhodes and take the local ferry across to Symi. It is the most practical approach. 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.