Symi Island Speedboat Day Trip from Rhodes
- Duration7 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
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Overview
This Symi day trip from Rhodes takes you across the Aegean by modern speedboat with an air-conditioned indoor deck and an open sundeck. You sail past the Old Town walls and the windmills of Rhodes, reach the neoclassical harbour of Symi, and then have about four hours of free time to wander, shop, swim and eat at your own pace. The round-trip boat ticket is included. It is a shared group crossing with no guide on the island, ideal for couples, families and independent travellers.
Highlights
- Round-trip speedboat ticket from Rhodes to Symi included
- Sail past the Old Town walls, Marine Gate, windmills and Saint Nicholas Fortress
- Air-conditioned indoor deck plus an open sundeck
- About 4 hours of free time to explore Symi harbour and its pastel houses
- Freedom to plan your own day: climb to the upper village, shop or relax by the water
- Meet at the departure harbour in Rhodes Town, no hotel transfer needed
Full Description
Rhodes Town from the sea
The day starts at the harbour in Rhodes Town, and the first hour of any Rhodes to Symi speedboat crossing doubles as a sightseeing cruise. As the boat leaves port you see the great medieval walls of the Old Town, the minarets rising above the rooftops, the Marine Gate and the tall Naillac Tower, all built or reshaped by the Knights of St John.
Further along the shore come the windmills of Mandraki, the Saint Nicholas Fortress on its breakwater and the Aquarium of Rhodes. Sit on the sundeck for the best photos, or stay in the air-conditioned cabin on hot summer days.
The speedboat crossing to Symi
The crossing itself takes roughly an hour and twenty minutes, so it is a comfortable way to reach the island in a single day. If you are wondering how to get from Rhodes to Symi without a long ferry schedule, this fast boat is the simplest answer: you leave in the morning and are back in Rhodes before evening.
The coast of Turkey is visible for much of the trip, and the sea is usually calm in the early hours. Weather can change the timings, so keep an eye on your booking confirmation for the exact departure time.
Symi harbour and its neoclassical houses
Symi town, known as Gialos, is built like an amphitheatre around a deep bay, with pastel neoclassical mansions climbing the hillsides in yellow, ochre, pink and blue. In the 19th century the island was rich from shipbuilding and sponge diving, which explains the grand houses and the small clock tower by the water.
Many visitors ask whether Symi is worth visiting on a day trip, and the answer is yes: the harbour is compact, walkable and photogenic, and the light on the houses is at its best in the late morning, just as you arrive.
Four hours of free time on Symi
With about four hours on the island you can stroll the waterfront, browse shops selling sponges, olive oil and local sweets, and sit down for a long lunch at a harbour taverna. Active travellers can climb the Kali Strata, the famous stone staircase up to the upper village of Chorio and the hilltop castle area, where the views over the bay are the best on the island.
Things to do in Symi also include swimming at a nearby pebble beach or simply watching the boats. Spring and early autumn are the best time to visit Symi if you prefer cooler walking weather, while July and August suit swimming.
Itinerary
- Meet at the departure harbour in RhodesArrive at the departure point shown in your confirmation and board the speedboat; check-in takes a few minutes.
- Sightseeing sail along Rhodes TownPass the Old Town walls, Marine Gate, windmills and Saint Nicholas Fortress on the way out of the harbour.
- Speedboat crossing to SymiAbout 1 hour 20 minutes on the air-conditioned deck or the open sundeck.
- Free time in SymiAround 4 hours to explore the harbour, shops, Kali Strata staircase and waterfront tavernas at your own pace.
- Return crossing to RhodesBoard the speedboat at the agreed time and sail back to the same harbour in Rhodes.
What's included
- Round-trip speedboat transfer between Rhodes and Symi
- About 4 hours of free time on Symi
Not included
- Guided tour
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 5–9
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Guests who need a guided tour, as there is no guide on the island
- Travellers with limited mobility who cannot manage boarding a boat or the stone steps in Symi town
- Anyone prone to severe seasickness on rougher days
Meeting point
The trip starts at the departure harbour in Rhodes Town. Hotel pickup is not included, so please make your own way to the meeting point shown in your booking confirmation and arrive at least 30 minutes before the departure time. The boat returns to the same harbour in the evening.
Important information
- Bring a valid passport or ID card, as boat crossings can include an identity check
- Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets and steps in Symi, and bring a sun hat, sunscreen and swimwear
- Meals, snacks and beverages are not included, so bring some spending money for lunch on the island
- The boat leaves Symi at a fixed time; be back at the harbour well before it sails
- Departure times and sailings can change with sea and weather conditions
- The tour operates daily; check the booking panel for the available date and time
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Symi speedboat ticket cost?
The price depends on the date and passenger type. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children, so choose your date to see it.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet at the departure harbour in Rhodes Town, and the exact point is given in your confirmation.
How long is the Symi day trip?
The whole day takes around seven hours, including about an hour and twenty minutes each way on the speedboat and about four hours of free time on Symi.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes, families join this trip. Children and infants have their own age categories in the booking panel, and young children should stay with an adult on deck.
Is there a guide on the island?
No. You have free time to explore Symi on your own, and the round-trip boat ticket is included.
Is lunch included?
No. Meals and snacks are not included, but the harbour has plenty of tavernas and cafés.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear if you plan to swim, and your ID or passport.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if seats are available. Pick the date in the booking panel; availability is shown live.
How do I get from Rhodes to Symi in one day?
This speedboat is one of the easiest ways: you cross in the morning, spend the middle of the day on Symi and come back to Rhodes the same evening.
Is Symi worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the prettiest harbours in the Dodecanese, with colourful neoclassical houses, a good choice of tavernas and viewpoints you can reach on foot.
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