Getting from Zakynthos to Symi

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

Getting there by air

Symi has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Symi taking around 1 to 1.5 hours, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Symi. No Ionian island is connected by sea to any Aegean island. Getting there by road means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and driving to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry, followed by the local ferry across to Symi. The total journey by road and sea takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

Fly from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Rhodes and 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. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry, noting that Symi is car-free so your vehicle would remain in Rhodes.