- Must visit
Acropolis Museum
Modern museum presenting Acropolis finds in bright galleries, including sculptures and the Parthenon Gallery with city views.
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Symi to Athens is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Symi to Athens will cost around £68 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £57.
On Sun 01 Nov, we found 2 ferries from Symi to Athens, including 2 direct services.
On Sun 01 Nov the direct ferries cover the 396 km distance in an average of 16 h 20 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 16 h 20 m .
The slowest ferries will take 16 h 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

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Ferries from Symi to Athens run on average 1 times per day, taking around 16h 2m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £57 if you book in advance.
There are 1 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 00:20, the last at 23:30. The fastest ferry covers the 213 nautical miles (396 km) distance in 14h 10m. Ferries from Symi to Athens are available to foot passengers.

Distance 213 nautical miles (396 km) |
Average sailing duration 16h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price £57 |
Ferries per day 1 |
Direct ferries Available |
Fastest ferry 14h 10m |
First ferry 0:20 |
Last ferry 23:30 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 28 days |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Symi to Athens.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 16:40 | Arrival time 09:00 | Duration 16h20 | Sailing Days thu, fri, sat, sun |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 16:30 | Arrival time 08:20 | Duration 15h50 | Sailing Days wed |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 15:30 | Arrival time 07:20 | Duration 15h50 | Sailing Days mon, tue, wed |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 14:30 | Arrival time 07:40 | Duration 17h10 | Sailing Days mon, tue |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 17:40 | Arrival time 10:00 | Duration 16h20 | Sailing Days thu, fri, sat, sun |
The table below shows live departures for Symi to Athens ferries for today, Friday 30 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 16:40 Symi | 16h20 | 9:00 Athens | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 17:40 Symi | 16h20 | 10:00 Athens | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Athens — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Athens trip today.
Modern museum presenting Acropolis finds in bright galleries, including sculptures and the Parthenon Gallery with city views.
Major collection of Greek antiquities, from prehistoric treasures to classical sculpture. A core stop for understanding ancient Greece.
Private museum with Cycladic figurines, ancient Greek art and elegant displays in a refined central setting.
Historic old quarter beneath the Acropolis, with neoclassical streets, steps, churches and easy access to key archaeological sites.
Lively flea market district with lanes, antique shops, street life and a strong local character near the ancient centre.
Wooded hilltop park with walking paths, city panoramas and a classic viewpoint towards the Acropolis and the Aegean light.
A layered bake of aubergine, minced meat and béchamel. It is a beloved Greek home-style classic found in tavernas across Athens.
A flaky pie of spinach, herbs and feta in crisp filo pastry. It is a staple snack and bakery favourite in Athens.
Chargrilled pork pieces, usually served on skewers or in pita. It is one of Athens' most popular quick meals and taverna staples.
Well-known seafood restaurant in Piraeus, popular for fresh fish, fried calamari and classic meze in a bustling port-side setting.
Long-running Plaka taverna serving grilled meats, meze and Greek standards with a traditional atmosphere and live music at times.
Popular grill house famed for succulent souvlaki and skewers, offering a casual local experience near the city centre.
Moderate for Europe: tavernas and public transport are good value, but central hotels and peak-season dining cost more than in many Balkan cities.
Service is usually included, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated. Round up in cafés and taxis; no large tip is expected.
Official public transport app
Piraeus Station -> Monastiraki, Athens
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Symi to Athens by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Athens, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Symi to Athens ferries use the Symi to Port of Piraeus port pair. Use this guide to compare Symi and Athens ports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like port facilities and services.
Symi is 3 km from Symi city centre. Check local transport options before travel.
Port of Piraeus has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Kebab & Curry Indian Restaurant (0.3km), To Steki tou Ilia (0.5km), Rouan Thai (0.7km)
Free WiFi. ATMs are available in passenger terminals.
Ticket office support is available at Port of Piraeus.
Available at Port of Piraeus: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Port of Piraeus.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need