Getting from Astypalaia to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the same island group. 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 a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Symi running in summer on the wider Blue Star and Dodekanisos Seaways routes that connect Astypalaia with the southern Dodecanese. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way through Kos and Rhodes. It is the most natural sea connection and keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese without going through Athens. Alternatively take the ferry from Astypalaia to Rhodes and then the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi, which takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia 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. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Rhodes and then take the local ferry across to Symi. It keeps the journey within the Dodecanese and avoids Athens entirely. If you prefer to fly, take the flight from Astypalaia 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.