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Symi has no airport, so every arrival begins on Rhodes and continues by sea. The link between Diagoras Airport and the harbour is short, but the sailing schedule is what actually governs the day. This guide sets out the sequence, the port names and the window that matters.
Quick answer
There is no direct link: you land at Diagoras Airport, travel overland to the Port of Rhodes (Kolona or Akandia), Rhodes, 85100, Greece, then sail to Symi. Aim to reach the harbour inside the 08:00–17:00 window, when most departures are scheduled. Quays are open 00:00–23:59 daily and entry is free, but sailings are finite — a late landing usually means an overnight on Rhodes.
Symi is one of the few inhabited Dodecanese islands whose entire visitor traffic passes through another island's harbour. The airstrip that serves the archipelago sits on Rhodes, at Diagoras, on the north-west coast; Symi lies roughly forty kilometres north-west across open water, reachable only by boat. This single fact shapes every itinerary. Anyone researching how to get from Rhodes Airport to Symi is really researching two separate legs joined by a schedule, and the schedule belongs to the sea, not the runway. The first leg is short and unremarkable. Diagoras sits north of the town, and the road runs along the coast to the Port of Rhodes, where the Kolona and Akandia quays handle passenger traffic beneath the walls of the medieval Old Town. Kolona lies immediately outside Saint Paul's Gate and the Palace of the Grand Master; Akandia is the larger commercial basin further east. Travellers should confirm which quay their vessel uses before setting out, because the two are a walk apart and signage inside the mandraki area assumes local knowledge. Berths are free to enter and stay open around the clock; passage itself is bought per crossing. The second leg is where planning earns its keep. Rhodes to Symi ferry services — catamarans, conventional ferries and excursion vessels alike — cluster their departures across daylight hours, and the practical arrival window at the port is 08:00–17:00. Flights arriving late in the evening therefore land outside the sailing day. That is not a failure of connectivity so much as the rhythm of the Aegean: the Symi channel is exposed, the meltemi rises in summer afternoons, and operators schedule accordingly. August 2026 sees the busiest sailings of the year, with Gialos harbour and the Panormitis monastery route both drawing traffic. What to do with the answer is straightforward. Read a flight's landing time against the departure board, not against the map distance. If the two align, the transfer to Symi is a single morning's work, ending with the neoclassical facades rising in tiers above the harbour. If they do not, budget a night in Rhodes Town and take the first crossing. Consulting a how to get from Rhodes Airport to Symi guide before booking flights, rather than after, is what separates a smooth arrival from a stranded one — and the site's booking pages carry the live sailing options once the plan is set.
“Read a flight's landing time against the departure board, not against the map distance.”
Reaching Symi from Rhodes Airport requires a two-stage journey: transit from the airport to the Port of Rhodes, followed by a ferry connection to the island of Symi. Travelers must first transfer to the port, either at the Kolona or Akandia docks, before boarding their vessel.
Airport to Port of Rhodes via EO95
Line 5 (KTEL) from Airport to Rhodes City Center
Port City Center to Kolona or Akandia terminals
Plan to reach the Port of Rhodes between 08:00–17:00 to align with standard ferry departures. Confirm whether your specific ferry departs from the Kolona or Akandia port area, as these are located in different parts of the harbor.
This procedure takes you from the moment your plane touches down at Rhodes Airport to the moment you are seated on a Symi-bound ferry at the Port of Rhodes (Kolona or Akandia), Rhodes, 85100, Greece. Allow roughly two to three hours end to end, including baggage collection, the transfer into Rhodes Town, and the terminal check-in buffer.
Walk through the arrivals hall, collect hold luggage from the belt, and confirm nothing is missing before leaving the terminal building. The common mistake is heading straight outside with a bag still circling — once you exit the secure area, retrieving it costs you the transfer window you planned for.
Check your booked departure time and the departing quay before you arrange the transfer out of the airport. People routinely assume every Symi sailing leaves from the same berth, when the port operates two separate areas and the correct one is printed on your ticket or confirmation.
Head from the airport to the Port of Rhodes (Kolona or Akandia), Rhodes, 85100, Greece, on the northern tip of the island. Build in a buffer for traffic through Rhodes Town in high season rather than timing the trip to the minute.
Kolona sits beside the medieval Old Town walls and handles most smaller passenger craft; Akandia lies just east and handles larger vessels. Confirm which one your ticket names before you start walking, as the two are a genuine walk apart with luggage.
Aim for the 08:00–17:00 arrival window, since most ferry departures are scheduled during daylight hours for optimal connectivity. Entry to the port area is free (0 EUR); ferry tickets are purchased per trip, not as an entrance fee.
Present your ticket or booking reference at the operator's desk or gangway, hand over hold luggage if required, and board when called. Passengers often join the wrong queue at a busy quay — check the vessel name on the boarding sign, not just the destination.
The best arrival window for transit is 08:00–17:00, as most ferry departures from the Port of Rhodes are scheduled during these daylight hours. Aligning your airport arrival within this timeframe ensures optimal connectivity to Symi.
Hot and dry, average 30°C to 35°C.
Frequent ferry connections operate daily during these months.
Mild and pleasant, average 22°C to 27°C.
Reliable schedules persist with fewer crowds than summer.
Cool and variable, average 12°C to 18°C.
Departure frequency decreases significantly; check updated seasonal timetables.
Verdict: Plan your airport arrival between 08:00–17:00 during May or September for the most reliable ferry connectivity and moderate weather.
The Port of Rhodes, serving as the departure point for ferries to Symi, operates daily to accommodate maritime traffic. Please note that these hours refer to port access, as individual ferry schedules vary independently.
Access to the Port of Rhodes is free of charge. Your expenses are limited to the cost of transport from the airport to the port and the ferry ticket for your crossing to Symi.
Verdict: The total cost consists of your ground transfer fee plus the ferry ticket price, which varies by operator and booking time.
Everything you need to know about how to get from rhodes airport to symi
To reach Symi, you must first travel from Rhodes Airport (RHO) to the Port of Rhodes. From there, you can board a ferry to the island of Symi. Planning your ground transfer and ferry departure times in advance ensures a smooth journey.
There is no direct transport link, so you must arrange a transfer from the airport to the port. You can use taxis, pre-booked transfers, or the local bus service to reach the Kolona or Akandia ports. Once at the harbor, you can board your vessel to complete the trip.
Taking a taxi is often considered the most efficient way to reach the port from the airport. Taxis are available outside the terminal, and the drive typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. This allows you to reach the departure area quickly for your maritime transit.
Ferry connections are consistent, but schedules vary by day and season. It is recommended to check the departure boards at the Port of Rhodes, located at Rhodes 85100, to align your arrival window with the available sea routes.
There is an entrance fee of 0 EUR to access the port area itself. You only need to purchase ferry tickets for your specific crossing, as there are no additional entry charges for travelers.
Booking your ferry passage in advance is highly recommended, especially during the busy summer months. This guarantees your spot on the vessel and allows you to manage your travel logistics before arriving at the terminal.
The most reliable approach is to book a private transfer or taxi for the ground leg and secure your ferry tickets online. By arriving during the optimal 08:00–17:00 window, you maximize your chances of connecting with scheduled departures to the island.