Is Symi expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Symi is moderately expensive for a small Greek island: a budget day is about €75 per person and a mid-range day about €150, before the ferry from Rhodes. Rooms in Gialos are limited and in demand, and harbour tavernas charge more; back streets, Pedi and bakeries are better value.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €70 | €140 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €80 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €25 | €50 |
| Local transport | €5 | €10 | €30 |
| Per person, per day | €75 | €150 | €300 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Symi day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Ferry Rhodes–Symi, one way | about €20–35 |
| Taxi boat to a beach, return | about €10–20 |
| Minibus Gialos–Chorio–Pedi | about €1–2 |
| Cheese or spinach pie from a bakery | about €2.50–4 |
| Plate of Symi shrimp | about €15–20 |
| Taverna meal with wine, per person | about €20–30 |
| Room in Gialos back streets, double | about €50–90 |
| Restored neoclassical house on the harbour, double | about €100–180 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost: about €50–90 a double in the back streets of Gialos, €80–180 in Chorio or on the harbour, and €180–350 in boutique hotels. Eating out is the second cost, especially on the harbour, where dinner with wine is about €20–30 per person. Sights are cheap (the museum and Panormitis cost a few euros), and taxi boats to the beaches are the main extra; the ferry from Rhodes is on top.
When it is cheaper
May, early June and late September to October are usually cheaper than July–August, often by roughly 20–30% for rooms. Many hotels close from November to April.
How to spend less
- Stay at least one night rather than a rushed day trip, and look in the back streets of Gialos for lower prices.
- Buy pies from the Gialos bakeries for lunch.
- Eat at Pedi or the back-street tavernas rather than on the harbour front.
- Walk to Nimborio or along the path from Pedi to Agios Nikolaos instead of taking taxi boats every day.
- Use the minibus between Gialos, Chorio and Pedi rather than the few taxis.
- Compare fast and conventional ferries from Rhodes; the slower boat is often cheaper.
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Common questions
Is Symi expensive?
Moderately: about €75 a day on a budget and about €150 mid-range, plus the ferry from Rhodes.
How much is the ferry from Rhodes to Symi?
About €20–35 one way; about 50–60 minutes by fast boat or 1h30 by conventional boat.
How much does a meal cost on Symi?
A taverna meal with wine is about €20–30 per person; bakery pies cost about €2.50–4.