Getting from Chios to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. 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 Chios to Symi. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Chios to Samos and then connecting south through the Dodecanese network to Rhodes, from where the local ferry to Symi takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. Alternatively take the overnight Chios to Piraeus ferry and then fly to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry across to Symi. 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. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios 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

Fly from Chios to Athens and then 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.