Getting from Crete to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Crete you are going to one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese. The neoclassical mansions climbing the hillside above the port in graduated tiers of ochre, terracotta and cream create a harbour approach that has no equal in the Greek islands.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Symi. The island is connected primarily to Rhodes in the Dodecanese network, with local ferries from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. The most practical approach is to take the direct ferry from Heraklion to Rhodes, which runs year-round and takes around 9 to 12 hours overnight, and then connect to Symi from Rhodes.

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Flying from Crete to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes takes around 3 hours total, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Rhodes via Athens and take the local ferry across to Symi. It is considerably faster than the overnight ferry from Crete to Rhodes and gives you the same straightforward connection from Rhodes. Give yourself at least two nights on Symi. The island transforms completely once the day visitors leave.