Rhodes: Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

The best part of this trip is the arrival: Symi’s neoclassical houses rise around the harbor in a great amphitheater of color, with their reflections trembling in the water. You get that postcard view before stepping ashore and having several hours to explore on your own.

I like the fast 80-minute crossing, which turns Symi into a practical day trip from Rhodes. I also like the choice of seating: you can watch the coast from the sundeck or escape into the air-conditioned cabin. The main drawback is boarding, which can become a pushy scramble for the best upper-deck seats.

Key points to know before booking

• The view into Symi harbor is the star attraction, with colorful houses climbing the hillsides.
• The boat takes about 80 minutes each way, though the return can run longer.
• You get several hours ashore, usually around three to five hours depending on the departure.
• Indoor air-conditioning and outdoor seating make the crossing workable in hot weather.
• There is no guided tour, so you choose between the harbor, shops, restaurants, steps, and a possible swim.
• Arrive early for upper-deck seats, and keep in mind that the outer seats can get sprayed with seawater.

Why Symi makes such a good day trip from Rhodes

Rhodes has plenty to keep you busy, but Symi offers a different picture of the Dodecanese. Instead of a large resort setting, you get a compact harbor town framed by steep hills and rows of painted houses. The trip is especially worthwhile if you want pretty scenery without arranging an overnight stay.

At around $35 per person, the boat ride is good value. You are paying for round-trip transport and free time, not a guided sightseeing program, but the cost compares well with the amount of scenery and time included. Add your own lunch and drinks, and you still have a relatively affordable full-day outing.

I would choose this trip for the freedom. You are not marched from one stop to another or tied to a guide’s commentary. You can eat beside the water, browse the small shops, walk uphill for a better view, or simply sit with a drink and watch boats come and go.

The trade-off is that Symi’s most attractive sights are concentrated around the harbor, while the island’s wider beaches and villages require extra planning. If you want a fully arranged island tour, this is not it.

Leaving Kolona Harbor and seeing Rhodes from the water

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat, and allow time to find the ticket kiosk and boarding area. One useful detail is to confirm your return arrangements before you board. You need to know the correct departure time and, where required, collect or check your return ticket at the harbor desk.

The boat gives you a fine last look at Rhodes Town. From the water, the medieval walls have a different scale and presence. You can pick out the minarets of the Old Town, the medieval clock, the Marine Gate, and the castle walls as the boat moves away.

On the left side of the departure route, watch for the 46-meter Naillac Tower, the windmills of Rhodes, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium of Rhodes. These details make the outward journey more than a simple transfer. If you enjoy taking photographs, keep your camera ready soon after departure, when the outline of the harbor and Old Town is still close.

The vessel has an enclosed, air-conditioned deck and outdoor seating. The upper deck fills quickly, so arrive early if open-air views matter to you. Inside, you get shade and cooling, which can be a blessing after a hot morning in Rhodes.

The outer seats on the open deck may receive seawater spray, especially toward the front. In summer, that can feel refreshing. If you want to stay completely dry, choose an inside seat or one away from the outer edge.

What the 80-minute crossing feels like

The boat is designed to cover the route quickly, but this is still a sea crossing, not a glassy canal ride. The water can be choppy, and the vessel may feel noisy on the return. If you are prone to motion sickness, an indoor seat in the middle of the boat may be more comfortable than the exposed front or upper deck.

There is a small onboard bar with drinks and coffee. Prices have been described as reasonable, including beer at around €4, though food and drinks are not part of the $35 fare. That gives you an easy option if you want something during the crossing, but I would still bring water for your time on Symi.

Boarding deserves a little patience. The process may feel disorderly because people hurry for the best seats, particularly on busy summer departures. This is not a reason to skip the trip, but it is a reason to arrive early, stay calm, and keep your group together.

The boat has generally been punctual, but delays are possible. One departure was reported to leave 15 to 20 minutes late without adding that time to the island visit. In practical terms, keep your return departure in mind from the moment you arrive in Symi.

Entering Symi harbor

The approach to Symi is the visual payoff. The town is built amphitheatrically around the bay, with colorful neoclassical houses stepping up the slopes. On calm days, the buildings reflect in the sea, giving you a view that is far more striking from the boat than from the waterfront.

Have your camera ready during the approach. The harbor opens gradually, and the best view changes as the boat turns toward the landing point. The houses, water, hills, and tightly packed waterfront create the kind of scene that makes the crossing feel worthwhile before you even get off.

Once ashore, you are close to restaurants, cafes, shops, and the main waterfront. This is a compact place to explore on foot, though the hills and stairways quickly make it clear that Symi is not flat.

The island is also known for its cats, which you are likely to notice around the harbor and side streets. You may enjoy this small local detail, but remember that free time passes quickly when you stop for photographs, food, and shopping.

How to spend three to five hours on Symi

The precise amount of free time depends on the sailing you book. The published schedule describes about five hours on Symi, while some departures provide closer to three or three and a half hours. That difference matters, so check the available starting time before you pay.

For a short visit, I would keep your plan simple:

• Walk along the harbor first and take in the houses from several angles.
• Stop for lunch or a drink beside the water.
• Browse the shops and small streets close to the port.
• Save time for the steps if you want a higher view.
• Leave a comfortable margin before the boat’s stated departure.

Several hours are enough to enjoy the main waterfront at an unhurried pace. You can eat, shop, take photographs, and wander the nearby lanes without rushing. If you want to climb Kali Strata, the famous route of roughly 500 steps, plan your time and bring water. The climb gives you wider views over the harbor, but it is not a casual stroll for everyone, especially in the heat.

You can also look for a swim. The waterfront near the arrival point is not known for a large proper beach, so a beach visit requires more planning. Some people find a small swimming spot, while others use a taxi to reach a beach farther across the island. With only a few hours, a long beach outing can leave little time for Symi Town itself.

For most people, the best use of the visit is the harbor, the houses, a good meal, and perhaps a short walk uphill. If you want to see more of the island, consider staying overnight rather than trying to force a full island tour into one afternoon.

Food, shopping, and the local pace

Symi’s waterfront is lined with places to eat and drink, so you do not need a packed schedule. A lunch overlooking the bay fits the day well. Local specialties worth looking for include Symi shrimp, often served fried, and other seafood dishes.

The harbor area also has cafes and pastry shops. A coffee, cake, or milkshake can be a sensible break after walking the steps in hot weather. Prices and menus vary, so take a quick look before sitting down if you are watching your budget.

Shopping is another easy way to use your free time. The streets near the harbor have small stores, and the town feels more personal and low-key than a large shopping district. I would leave room for browsing rather than treating it as a checklist.

Do not underestimate the heat. Shade can be limited, particularly around the waterfront and on the steps. A hat, water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes will do more for your day than an ambitious plan.

The return journey to Rhodes

Return boarding is usually straightforward, but do not wander too far from the port as departure time approaches. The boat may leave promptly, and missing it would be a serious problem because your round-trip ticket is tied to the scheduled sailing.

The ride back gives you another chance to sit outside and watch the islands and sea. You may also catch changing light toward evening, and some departures have been timed well for sunset views. If the sea becomes rougher, the enclosed cabin offers a calmer and cooler place to sit.

On the return, your group may not be able to sit together if people spread out across the cabin. If staying together matters, board early and choose seats as a group. The return can also feel louder than the outward crossing, so earplugs might help if you are sensitive to engine noise.

The total day lasts about seven to eight hours, including roughly 160 minutes of boat travel. That makes it a substantial outing, but not an exhausting multi-stop excursion. You spend much of the day in one attractive town rather than racing between several sights.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This outing works best for you if you want:

• A simple way to add a Greek island to a Rhodes holiday
• Free time rather than a guided walking tour
• Waterfront food, shopping, and photographs
• A quick boat ride with indoor and outdoor seating
• A family-friendly day with an easy central destination
• The chance to walk uphill or swim without being required to do either

It is less suitable if you need a fully guided experience, want long beach time, or dislike boats that can be bumpy and noisy. It also requires some self-management. You must watch the clock, choose your own activities, and allow for the heat.

Hotel transfer may be available as an extra arrangement. Some passengers received an email the day before offering transport to the harbor, with one reported price of €6 per person for a hotel round trip. Treat that as an optional service to confirm separately, not as part of the base ticket.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi speedboat?

I would book this trip if you want to see Symi’s famous harbor without paying for an overnight stay. The combination of low cost, fast crossings, and several free hours gives you a lot for the money, especially if your priority is scenery and a relaxed waterfront visit.

Book early in the day if you want more time on the island and a better chance at an open-air seat. Arrive early, confirm the return details, carry water, and do not count on a long beach visit unless you have arranged transport.

Skip it if you want a guided explanation of the island or a full day at a sandy beach. For everyone else, Symi is one of the most rewarding short trips from Rhodes, and the boat ride itself adds views you would miss by arriving any other way.

FAQ

Where does the boat to Symi leave from?

The boat leaves from Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and check the ticket kiosk or harbor staff for the exact boarding area.

How long is the boat ride from Rhodes to Symi?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way. The return journey can sometimes take longer.

How long do I have to explore Symi?

The advertised schedule allows about five hours in Symi, but some departure times provide closer to three or three and a half hours. Check the available sailing when booking.

Is a guided tour included?

No. The ticket includes round-trip speedboat transport and free time in Symi, but no guided tour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although the boat has a bar selling refreshments. Symi also has restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops.

Does the boat have air-conditioning?

Yes. The boat has an enclosed air-conditioned area as well as outdoor seating and a sundeck.

Can I swim during the free time?

You may be able to find a swimming spot, but the harbor area does not have a large proper beach. Some beaches are farther away and may require a taxi, leaving less time for exploring the town.

Is the trip suitable for people who get seasick?

The crossing can be bumpy, and the front or outer seats may receive seawater spray. An indoor seat may be more comfortable if you are sensitive to motion.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.