Getting from Symi to Kasos

If you are heading to Kasos from Symi you are making your way from one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese to the southernmost island in the same group, to the southeast. It has a maritime history that produced some of Greece's most celebrated sea captains and an authenticity that comes from being almost entirely off the tourist circuit.

Take the ferry

There is a ferry connection from Symi to Kasos via Rhodes on the Blue Star and Dodekanisos Seaways routes. Getting there means taking the ferry from Symi to Rhodes, which takes around 50 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and runs multiple times daily, and then boarding the Rhodes to Kasos ferry, which runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 3 to 4 hours. This keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese network and avoids Athens entirely.

Getting there by air

Kasos has its own small airport with connections from Athens via Rhodes. Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Symi to Rhodes and then flying from Rhodes to Kasos gives a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours and keeps the journey within the Dodecanese entirely. Check the schedule carefully as the Kasos service runs a limited number of times per week. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Symi to Rhodes and then fly or take the ferry across to Kasos. Both options keep the journey within the Dodecanese and avoid Athens entirely. Check the schedule carefully as the Kasos service runs a limited number of times per week. Note that Symi is car-free so if you are traveling with a car it would already be in Rhodes, from where the conventional ferry takes it south to Kasos.