Getting from Symi to Telendos

If you are heading to Telendos from Symi you are making your way from one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese to a tiny car-free island sitting just 800 metres off the western coast of Kalymnos in the same island group. It has some of the finest rock climbing in the Dodecanese on the limestone cliffs above it and a waterfront of tavernas facing across the narrow channel to Kalymnos.

Take the ferry

There is a natural ferry connection from Symi to Telendos via the Dodecanese network. Getting there means taking the ferry from Symi north through the Dodecanese to Kalymnos, which takes around 3 to 5 hours via Kos and runs several times a week, and then making your way to Myrties on the western coast of Kalymnos for the local boat across to Telendos, which runs every 30 minutes throughout the day and takes around 5 minutes. This keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese without going through Athens or Piraeus.

Getting there by air

Telendos has no airport. The nearest airports are Kalymnos and Kos. 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 Kalymnos, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the local boat to Telendos, 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 north through the Dodecanese to Kalymnos and then make your way to Myrties for the local boat across to Telendos. It keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese and avoids Athens entirely. Check the schedule carefully before booking as departure days vary by season. Both Symi and Telendos are car-free so the transition feels entirely natural. Give yourself at least two nights on Telendos as the island is tranquil enough to make you want to stay considerably longer.