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How to get from Karpathos to Symi
There is no direct boat or flight between Karpathos and Symi; you travel via Rhodes. Fly from Karpathos to Rhodes (about 40 minutes) or take the ferry (about 5 to 6 h), then a boat from Rhodes to Symi (about 1 h to 1 h 30).
Best option: Flight. The short flight to Rhodes plus a boat to Symi can be done in a few hours, against most of a day by ferry.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Flight from Karpathos to Rhodes (Olympic Air/Aegean and Sky Express), then a boat from Rhodes to Symi | about 40 minutes flying, then 1 h to 1 h 30 by boat | flights daily or most days; Rhodes–Symi boats daily in summer | about €50–120 for the flight, plus about €15–30 for the boat | Rhodes airport is about 25 minutes from Rhodes town's Mandraki and Kolona harbours. |
| ferry Conventional ferry from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Rhodes, then a boat from Rhodes to Symi | about 5 to 6 h to Rhodes, then 1 h to 1 h 30 | a few sailings a week on the Karpathos–Rhodes leg | about €25–40 to Rhodes, plus about €15–30 to Symi | The ferry stops at Diafani and Chalki on some sailings; check current timetables. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Check which Rhodes harbour your Symi boat leaves from.
- Plan a night in Rhodes if the connections do not match.
- Symi has no airport; Rhodes is the gateway.
- Boats to Symi arrive at Gialos; some also stop at Panormitis monastery.
Common questions
Is there a direct ferry from Karpathos to Symi?
Not usually. Most travellers go via Rhodes: a conventional ferry from Karpathos to Rhodes takes about five to six hours, or a flight about forty minutes. From Rhodes, boats to Symi take about one to one and a half hours and run daily in summer. Check timetables, as summer routes change.
Can I fly from Karpathos to Symi?
No, Symi has no airport. You can fly from Karpathos to Rhodes in about forty minutes and continue by boat to Symi. Flights between Karpathos and Rhodes run daily or most days. Allow time to get from Rhodes airport to the harbour, about 25 minutes by taxi.
How long does it take from Karpathos to Symi?
With a flight to Rhodes and a well-timed boat, about four to five hours door to door. By ferry all the way, plan most of a day, and you may need a night in Rhodes if the boats do not connect. Strong winds can cancel or delay sailings.
Which harbour in Rhodes do Symi boats leave from?
Boats to Symi usually leave from Rhodes town, from Mandraki or the Kolona area of the commercial harbour, depending on the company. Check your ticket. Both are within walking distance of the old town, and taxis from the airport take about 25 minutes.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.