Piraeus to Symi Ferry

Route Overview

The Piraeus to Symi ferry connection runs 3 times/week, operated by Blue Star Ferries. Schedules change between seasons — summer brings more departures, while winter timetables are thinner. Compare live schedules and prices for your dates and book your e-ticket online before you travel, especially in July and August.

Arriving in Symi

Few Greek arrivals can match Symi. As your ferry swings into the harbour of Gialos, a natural amphitheatre of ochre and terracotta neoclassical mansions rises from the water, a scene that has made this one of the most photographed ports in Greece. Most visitors come by sea from Rhodes, whose daily boats have turned Symi into a beloved day trip, while a few mainline ferries each week link the island directly with Piraeus. Stay longer and Symi rewards you: climb the Kali Strata steps to the quiet upper town of Chorio, taste the famous small Symi shrimp at a waterside taverna, trace the island's sponge-diving heritage, and sail south to the great pilgrimage monastery of Panormitis or the boat-only cove of St George's Bay.

Boats arrive right on the quay of Gialos, in the heart of the amphitheatre of mansions, with cafes, tavernas and ticket offices steps from the gangway. Daily boats run from Rhodes, making Symi one of the Aegean's favourite day trips, and a few mainline ferries each week connect the island with Piraeus. The waterfront doubles as the island's social hub, so the arrival itself feels like an event.

Frequently Asked Questions