Getting from Syros to Symi

If you are heading to Symi from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades to one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the Aegean. The colorful neoclassical mansions stacked up the hillside above the port make for one of the most striking harbour approaches in the Greek islands.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Symi. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat, and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, flying from Athens to Rhodes and then taking the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi 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 Syros to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Rhodes, then take the local ferry across to Symi. It is the most practical approach. Give yourself at least two nights on Symi. The island reveals itself completely once the day visitors leave and the harbour becomes entirely your own. Note that Symi is car-free so your vehicle would remain in Rhodes. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry and leave your car there.