Getting from Symi to Samos

If you are heading to Samos from Symi you are making your way from one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese to an island in the eastern Aegean close to the Turkish coast, on the opposite side of Greece. It is green and mountainous with wine production dating back to antiquity and the UNESCO-listed Heraion sanctuary.

Take the ferry

There is a ferry connection from Symi to Samos via the Dodecanese network. Getting there means taking the ferry from Symi north through the Dodecanese to Kalymnos, and then connecting northeast to Samos on the Dodekanisos Seaways route, which runs several times a week. This keeps the journey within the broader Aegean network and avoids Athens entirely. Samos has two main ports, Vathy and Karlovassi, so check which port your ferry arrives at before booking accommodation. Alternatively fly from Rhodes to Athens and then Athens to Samos.

Getting there by air

Samos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Symi to Rhodes, flying from Rhodes to Athens and then Athens to Samos takes around 1 hour on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Symi north through the Dodecanese and connect to Samos via the Dodekanisos Seaways route. It avoids Athens entirely and keeps the journey within the Aegean network. Check the schedule carefully before booking as departure days vary by season. If you prefer to fly, take the ferry from Symi to Rhodes and fly from Rhodes to Athens then Athens to Samos. Note that Symi is car-free so if you are traveling with a car it would already be in Rhodes, from where you can board the overnight Piraeus ferry in reverse and then board the Piraeus to Samos ferry.