Rhodes to Symi Fast Boat Day Trip with 4 Hours Free Time

Summary

Colorful Symi harbors, quick fast boat ride & four hours free time

You’ll hop a fast boat from Rhodes and reach Symi’s colorful harbor in just over an hour. Spend four hours exploring at your own pace: taste pastries, swim, or just watch island life drift by. It’s easygoing and unhurried — but somehow over too soon.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway across the sea before I realized how different this felt from the usual slow ferries. The fast boat from Rhodes to Symi cuts through the blue so quick you barely have time to finish your coffee. The salt air was sharp and a bit cold on my face — not what I expected in June. Our guide, Giorgos, pointed out tiny islands as we passed, but honestly I was just watching the color of the water change every few minutes. By the time we docked at Symi’s harbor, those pastel buildings looked almost unreal in the midday sun.

I kept hearing church bells echo somewhere behind us while we wandered up narrow streets. There’s this bakery near the main square — you’ll smell it before you see it. We got little pastries filled with cheese (I forgot the name, but Giorgos laughed when I tried to say it). Four hours sounds like a lot but it goes fast here; we ended up sitting by the water for ages, watching locals chat and unload crates of something that smelled like herbs and lemons. Some people went swimming at a beach nearby — water looked cold but clear enough to see pebbles at the bottom.

On the way back to Rhodes I felt that kind of tired you only get after a day outside, with sea salt on your skin and too much sun on your neck. The ride was smooth again — faster than I wanted, actually. There’s something about leaving a place like Symi that makes you want to linger longer than your ticket allows. I still think about those painted houses catching late afternoon light as we pulled away.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat trip and free time in Symi

• Depart Rhodes at 10:30
• Arrive in Symi at 11:45
• Enjoy free time in Symi
• Boat leaves Symi at 15:45
• Return to Rhodes at 17:00

Top questions

How long is the boat trip from Rhodes to Symi?

The fast boat takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.

How much free time do I have on Symi island?

You have approximately 4 hours of free time on Symi island.

What time does the boat depart from Rhodes?

The departure from Rhodes is at 10:30 am.

When does the boat leave Symi for return?

The return boat leaves Symi around 15:45 (3:45 pm).

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included if you select that option during booking.

Can infants join this day trip?

Yes, infants can join and may sit on an adult's lap or use a stroller.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this trip.

Is public transportation available near departure point?

Yes, there are public transportation options nearby in Rhodes.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip fast boat tickets between Rhodes and Symi plus optional hotel pickup if you choose it during booking—everything sorted so you can just show up and enjoy your four hours exploring or relaxing on Symi island before heading back in the afternoon.