Blue Star Ferries ship serving Piraeus to Symi

Athens → Dodecanese

Piraeus to Symi Ferry

Plan the crossing from Piraeus to Symi, with departure-port details, Blue Star Ferries and onward travel after arrival.

from 14h 25m Up to 3 weekly Cars & passengers Cabins worth comparing

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Route guide

Piraeus to Symi ferry

Piraeus–Symi links Athens with one of the most distinctive harbour towns in the Dodecanese. Blue Star Ferries currently lists up to three routes each week and a journey from about 14 hours 25 minutes. Departures are shown from Piraeus Gate E7, while the live booking result remains the final reference for the vessel, departure time and sequence of island calls.

The route normally uses a conventional passenger-and-vehicle ferry, so it works for both foot passengers and travellers taking a car. At 14 hours 25 minutes or more, the crossing is long enough to compare reserved seating and cabin options on the assigned ship. Individual departures can call at several islands, which is why the final itinerary and arrival time shown in the booking should take priority over the published minimum journey time.

Arrival is at the celebrated harbour of Yialos, where pastel-coloured neoclassical houses rise steeply towards Horio. Current Blue Star information also connects Symi with Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Nisyros, Tilos and Kastellorizo. Those onward links make the island useful in a longer Dodecanese itinerary, but the exact calling pattern can vary, so allow realistic connection time rather than assuming every service follows the same route.

Timetables can change between seasons and weekdays. Check the live result for the exact sailing date, vessel and check-in requirement before arranging tightly timed onward plans.

If you are connecting to accommodation, another ferry or ground transport, leave a sensible margin after the scheduled arrival. Weather, port traffic and boarding operations can occasionally affect the final timing.

Travelling the other way? Read the Symi to Piraeus ferry guide.

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Ferry operator from Piraeus to Symi

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Blue Star Ferries

Long-distance Dodecanese passenger and vehicle service

Crossing time: from 14 hours 25 minutes in current Blue Star information

Blue Star Ferries publishes the Piraeus–Symi route with up to three routes each week in current destination information. The live booking result identifies the operating vessel, intermediate calls and exact arrival time for the selected departure.

Passenger and vehicle ferry service
Cabins available on conventional ships
Onward Dodecanese connections

Compare Blue Star Ferries Prices Blue Star Ferries guide

Departure and arrival ports

Piraeus and Symi ferry ports

Check the current ticket for the correct gate, terminal instructions and operator check-in deadline before travelling.

Athens / Attica

Piraeus Ferry Port

Piraeus is Greece’s largest ferry hub. For this route, current Blue Star guidance points to Gate E7; always use the final gate and boarding instructions shown on your ticket.

Metro, road and taxi access from Athens
Multiple ferry gates spread around a very large harbour
Current operator guidance: Gate E7 for this route

Dodecanese

Symi Ferry Port

Symi ferries arrive at Yialos, the island’s main harbour and the centre of most passenger arrivals. Accommodation can be within walking distance around the waterfront or higher in Horio, where road or local transport is more practical with luggage.

Main arrival: Yialos / Symi Town
Plan onward travel around Symi before arrival
Check the final arrival and local transfer details

On board

Choose comfort to match your Piraeus–Symi crossing

The Piraeus–Symi crossing is long enough for the assigned ship and accommodation category to matter. Compare cabins, reserved seats, food service and vehicle arrangements for the exact departure.

Cabins & seating

A private cabin can make a sailing of 14 hours 25 minutes or more substantially easier. Conventional Blue Star ferries also provide reserved seating and public lounges.

Food & drink

Large conventional ferries normally provide café, bar or restaurant options, but the exact outlets depend on the ship assigned to your sailing.

Vehicle travel

Passenger-and-vehicle ferries serve this route. Enter the correct vehicle category and dimensions, and book early for busy summer departures.

Pet travel

Pet accommodation and designated areas depend on the vessel. Add the pet correctly when booking and check the current documentation and onboard rules.

The assigned vessel can change. Treat the live booking result and current operator information as definitive for facilities, accessibility, vehicle carriage and pet arrangements.

Travel information

Greek domestic ferry travel: identification, boarding and practical planning

This is a domestic Greek ferry route, but passengers still need accurate booking details and accepted identification. Vehicle travellers should carry normal registration and insurance documents, while cabin passengers should confirm berth type and boarding instructions before reaching Piraeus.

Passenger identification

Use the same passenger name as your accepted identification and keep the document ready with the e-ticket.

Vehicle details

Enter accurate vehicle dimensions and carry normal registration and insurance documents when travelling with a car or motorcycle.

Long-route boarding

Allow time to find the correct gate, load vehicles if applicable and settle into the assigned seat or cabin before departure.

Blue Star Ferries ship and travel to Symi

After arriving in Symi

Symi opens directly onto Yialos and Horio

The ferry arrives in the heart of Yialos, making the first transfer unusually simple if you are staying around the harbour. Horio rises above the waterfront and can be reached by road, steps or local transport.

Yialos Horio Pedi Rhodes Kos

For island hopping, current Blue Star connections include Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Nisyros, Tilos and Kastellorizo.

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Alternative ferry routes

Compare departure port, sailing length, vessel type and onward travel before choosing your itinerary.

Piraeus → RhodesCompare the main southern Dodecanese gateway.View route Piraeus → KosCompare another major Dodecanese crossing.View route Piraeus → NisyrosCompare a quieter volcanic-island route.View route

Common planning questions

Piraeus to Symi ferry FAQs

How long is the Piraeus to Symi ferry?

From 14 hours 25 minutes. Exact journey times can vary with the vessel, intermediate calls, weather and sailing date.

Which ferry company operates Piraeus to Symi?

Blue Star Ferries publishes the Piraeus–Symi route. The live booking result identifies the exact vessel, departure time and calling pattern for your selected date.

Can I take a car?

Yes on the conventional passenger-and-vehicle ferries normally used for this route. Enter the correct vehicle category and dimensions, and book early when demand is high.

Can I travel as a foot passenger?

Yes. Foot passengers are accepted on the normal passenger services. Check the selected vessel, departure gate and operator instructions before travel.

Are cabins available?

Cabins are available on conventional Blue Star ferries, subject to the ship assigned to your departure. They are particularly useful on a crossing of 14 hours 25 minutes or longer.

Can I take a pet?

Pet travel is subject to the operator’s current rules and the facilities on the selected vessel. Add the pet correctly when booking and check current documentation requirements.

How early should I arrive?

Follow the check-in time on your booking and allow extra time to reach the correct Piraeus gate. Current Blue Star information points to Gate E7 for this route.

Does the timetable change by season?

Yes. Current Blue Star destination information shows up to three routes each week, but sailing days, times, intermediate calls and vessel assignments can change by season and operating conditions.

Travelling in the other direction?

Symi to Piraeus ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.

Departing from Piraeus

Use the terminal or pier named on your Blue Star Ferries confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Piraeus by train or bus, allow for the transfer from the station to the harbour and for luggage handling.

Metro, road and taxi access from Athens
Multiple ferry gates spread around a very large harbour
Current operator guidance: Gate E7 for this route

Piraeus destination and port guide

Arriving in Symi

Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Symi. Leave time to unload before a timed collection, train or island bus. If the ferry arrives late in the day, check the final public-transport departure or arrange a transfer in advance.

Main arrival: Yialos / Symi Town
Plan onward travel around Symi before arrival
Check the final arrival and local transfer details

Symi destination and port guide

Including this crossing in a trip from the UK

Allow for the overland journey to Piraeus before choosing the ferry. A separately booked flight, train or earlier crossing may not protect you if you miss check-in. Use local times on both sides and check entry rules for each country on your full itinerary. Travel within Europe is not automatically free of document checks.

Read the UK ferry documents guide

Planning the wider journey in Greece

Greek island ferries are normally an onward stage after reaching Greece by air or by road and an Adriatic crossing. Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio are separate Athens-area ports, and an airport connection needs time for travel and ferry check-in.

Planning advice for the journey from Britain

Passengers, vehicles and the fare

Select the correct passenger category before comparing Piraeus to Symi fares. A passenger-only boat cannot take a car, and a vehicle ferry may still have limited bicycle or foot-passenger availability. The travel modes shown in the facts panel should be checked against the specific sailing.

For a vehicle booking, give the full height and length including a roof box, rear rack or trailer. Where accommodation is offered, check whether a cabin or seat is required and whether meals are included. Request mobility assistance and any pet space before completing the booking, because these can have separate capacity limits.

Prices depend on the date, passenger mix, vehicle and ticket conditions. Compare the complete return cost and the amendment or cancellation terms. No fixed fare on this guide should replace a dated quote.

Car and motorhome planning · Travelling without a car · Taking a pet

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