Where to Go to Catch the Ferry in Symi (Map Included!)

The main town in Symi is called Gialos and it’s one of the most stunning harbours you’ll ever see. However, figuring out the ferries can be a bit confusing for first-time visitors, especially when departing.

Different vessels use different locations in the harbour, and a few of the ferries sometimes switch up their location. Here’s the best sense I could make of it, so hopefully you won’t be as stressed as I was on your departure.

TL: DR Double-check your departure location with a travel agency before you head to the port.

There are three main port locations in the harbour. The ships that serve Symi regularly have a designated dock that they usually use:

• Sebeco has its own dock right next to the bus stop in the main harbour – here’s the Google Maps location.
• Dodekanisos Seaways – Express/Pride and the Sea Dreams King Saron dock by the clock tower in the main harbour – here’s the Google Maps location.
• Panagia Skiadeni, Blue Star and SAOS usually leave from the New Port – here’s the Google Maps location.

As your departure approaches, I recommed double-checking the location with a travel agency in town like Symi Tours, just in case something necessitates a change. From what I can tell, Panagia Skiadeni and SAOS are the ones most likely to switch location between the New Port and the Clock Tower, and Sea Dreams King Saron between the Clock Tower and the Bus Station.

If you buy your ticket online (as many do these days – I usually buy my tickets on the Ferryhopper app), you can use the app to track the live location of the ferry as it comes in. But unfortunately it doesn’t tell you the precise location in the port to use (at least it didn’t at the time of writing).

The New Port/Petalo

The New Port is outside the main harbour area and is used by the larger car ferries (Blue Star, Panagia Skiadeni, SAOS). It has a shaded waiting area with seats but no other amenities. Car ferries to Athens and Rhodes leave from this port so expect canny locals to have nabbed the seats before you arrive 😂

If you have lots of luggage and/or mobility issues, you may want to avoid using the New Port as it’s a 15-minute unshaded (but flat) walk from the main part of the harbour, or organise a transfer before you arrive. There aren’t many taxis on Symi so don’t expect one to be waiting at the port.

In certain conditions, the Panagia Skiadeni and SAOS Stavros might use the Clock Tower instead. These two locations are 25 minutes from each other on foot – too far to leg it if you’re at the wrong place. This is why it’s essential to check.

Gialos Clock Tower and Bus Station

The other locations are by the Clock Tower and the Bus Station, which are on opposing sides of the bay. These are used by the smaller passenger ferries and day trip boats. They’re both very central, but there isn’t really anything to designate where to wait. You just have to loiter and then you’ll see the ferries coming. The harbour is lined with shady cafes, and if you bought your tickets on the Ferryhopper app you’ll be able to track the location of your ship whilst you sip your frappé.

Sebeco always docks at the Bus Station.

Dodekanisos Seaways vessels use the Clock Tower.

Seaways King Saron is technically a day-trip boat that is licensed for one-way passengers. When I was in Symi, I only saw it at the Clock Tower, but apparently it does use the Bus Station too. The Bus Station and Clock Tower are about 10 minutes away on foot.

Vessels

Which Ferry to Book?

Most smaller ferries connect Symi with Rhodes directly, and some of the larger car ferries link Symi with Athens and other islands in the Dodecanese island group.

Symi luckily has frequent connections throughout the day to Rhodes, and the journey is short (around 1 hour or less), so I’d just pick the time that suits you, unless you have one of the following concerns:

• Prone to seasickness? Weather looking iffy? Book Blue Star or Panagia Skiadeni
• Lots of luggage and/or mobility issues? One of the Dodekanisos Seaways or Sebeco
• The Dodekanisos Seaways ferries are the fastest, the most frequent, the most expensive, and the most prone to cancellations in rough seas.
• The big car ferries are the cheapest but not as frequent.
• The Sebeco ferries are a good middle ground and my favourite – it has great views from the top deck as you sail in, the port location is good, prices are in the middle, and there are frequent sailings throughout the day.

In Rhodes, the big car ferries often dock at Akandia Port just outside the Old Town. It’s a large port for all the big commercial ships – it’s a 15-minute walk to the entrance of the Old Town and has no amenities and no taxis waiting. Apparently there is now a free shuttle bus every 15 minutes though – more info on rhodes.gr (reduced service on Saturdays, none on Sundays). 

The smaller passenger ferries arrive at more convenient locations on both Symi and Rhodes. I’m generally a big proponent of travelling on the car ferries (especially Blue Star) as they’re more spacious, pleasant to be on, and better in rough seas, but the Symi-Rhodes crossing is so short it hardly matters.

Panormitis

Sometimes ferries from Rhodes also call at Panormitis in the south of Symi, a famous Orthodox monastery, allowing pilgrims to visit directly from Rhodes (especially on Sundays). It’s usually the Dodekanisos Pride, Panagia Skiadeni, and SAOS Stavros. If you’re visiting Panormitis from Symi, it’s probably easier to get the bus.

All of this information was correct at the time of writing, but there are frequent changes in the Greek Ferry Universe so if anything has changed please get in touch and I’ll update the page.

Read more:

How to Spend 3 Days on Symi

Is Rhodes the best spot for island-hopping day trips?

All images © The Mediterranean Traveller