Getting from Elafonisos to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast 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

Elafonisos has no ferry connection to the wider Greek ferry network. The only ferry from Elafonisos is the short 10 minute crossing to Pounta on the southern Peloponnese, which runs every 30 minutes in summer. Getting to Symi means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and flying to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. Alternatively drive to Piraeus for 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. Elafonisos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens, around 3.5 to 4 hours by car from Pounta. Taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and flying from Athens to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi, gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, drive north to Athens and fly from Athens to Rhodes, then take the local ferry across to Symi. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. 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.