Getting from Symi to Sikinos

If you are heading to Sikinos from Symi you are making your way from one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese to one of the lesser talked about islands in the southern Cyclades, on the opposite side of the Aegean. It has a Chora perched on a ridge above the port and an atmosphere of genuine calm that sets it apart from its more visited neighbours.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Symi to Sikinos. Getting there by sea 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 overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry in reverse, arriving at Piraeus and then boarding the Piraeus to Sikinos ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 7 to 9 hours. Alternatively fly from Rhodes to Athens and then Athens to Santorini and take the short ferry from Santorini to Sikinos, which takes around 2 to 3 hours and runs several times a week in summer.

Getting there by air

Sikinos has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. 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 Santorini, followed by the short ferry to Sikinos, gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Symi to Rhodes and fly from Rhodes to Athens, then fly from Athens to Santorini and take the short ferry across to Sikinos. It is the most practical approach. Check the Santorini to Sikinos schedule before booking your flights as the 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 you can board the overnight Piraeus ferry in reverse and then board the conventional Piraeus to Sikinos ferry.