Getting from Symi to Spetses

If you are heading to Spetses from Symi you are making your way from one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese to a car-free island in the Saronic Gulf, on the opposite side of Greece. It has neoclassical mansions around the harbour, a strong nautical tradition and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Symi to Spetses. 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 flying from Rhodes to Athens and taking the Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Spetses, which runs up to 10 daily crossings and takes around 1.5 to 3.5 hours. Alternatively take the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry in reverse and board the Saronic ferry to Spetses directly.

Getting there by air

Spetses has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Symi to Rhodes, flying from Rhodes to Athens and then taking the Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Spetses gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 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 take the Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Spetses. Note that both Symi and Spetses are car-free so the transition feels entirely natural. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Symi to Rhodes and board the overnight Piraeus ferry in reverse, then drive to the mainland port of Kosta for the short local boat across to Spetses, leaving your car on the mainland.