Getting from Symi to Kastellorizo

If you are heading to Kastellorizo from Symi you are making your way from one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese to the easternmost point of Greece, a tiny island just off the Turkish coast in the same island group. It has a harbour of neoclassical mansions, the extraordinary Blue Cave and an atmosphere of complete tranquility.

Take the ferry

There is a ferry connection from Symi to Kastellorizo 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 Kastellorizo ferry or local boat, which runs several times a week. This keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese and avoids Athens entirely.

Getting there by air

Kastellorizo 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 Kastellorizo gives a total journey time of around 2 to 3 hours and keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese. 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 local ferry across to Kastellorizo. Both options keep the journey within the Dodecanese and avoid Athens entirely. It is one of the most natural connections in the southern Dodecanese. Give yourself at least two nights on Kastellorizo. The island is small enough to walk around in an afternoon and extraordinary enough to make you want to stay much longer. Note that Symi is car-free so no vehicles need to be considered for this connection.