Getting from Donoussa to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Donoussa you are making your way from one of the Small Cyclades 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 Donoussa to Symi. Getting there means taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus, which runs around 3 to 6 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours, and then flying to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. Alternatively board the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry and then cross to Symi by local ferry.

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Donoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi, gives a total journey time of around 12 to 14 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Rhodes, then take the local ferry across to Symi. Check the Donoussa to Piraeus departure days before planning as the service runs a limited number of times per week. 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.