From Lindos: Rhodes Old Town and Speedboat Trip to Symi

Two islands, one very long Greek day. This $55 trip makes a smart pairing of Rhodes Old Town and Symi, with hotel pickup from Lindos-area resorts, a driver, and all transport included. I like the freedom to explore both places independently, and I especially like that Symi is included without the cost and hassle of arranging separate connections.

The main tradeoff is time. Rhodes Old Town may get only about two to three hours in practice, while the full day can stretch from roughly 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 or 9 p.m. Late returns, delayed pickups, crowded boats, and a long ride are the price of seeing both islands in one outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhodes Old Town is self-guided: You receive free time rather than a walking tour, so plan your own route to the Palace of the Grand Master, Castle of the Knights, harbor, and shopping streets.
• Symi is the star for many visitors: Its colorful harbor buildings, clear water, restaurants, and relaxed waterfront make the afternoon feel very different from Rhodes.
• The speedboat is not always a small speedboat: Some crossings use a larger fast ferry, with indoor and outdoor seating. The upper deck can be very wet from sea spray.
• The day starts early and ends late: Pickup points cover Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and nearby resorts, but delays can reduce your time in Rhodes.
• You are responsible for your own schedule: Boat departures are firm. Missing the return boat can leave you stranded on Symi.
• The value is strong at $55: Hotel transport, road transfers, two boat crossings, and free time on two islands make this one of the cheaper ways to visit Symi from southern Rhodes.

Why this Lindos day trip works

This is not a guided sightseeing tour in the usual sense. It is a carefully arranged transport day with free time at both destinations. That distinction matters.

You are collected near your hotel, taken north to Rhodes, directed toward the old city, and later connected with the boat to Symi. Nobody walks you through every monument or fills the day with commentary. I see that as a benefit if you prefer to set your own pace, but it may disappoint you if you want a guide and a detailed explanation of the sights.

The appeal is simple: two very different places in one day. Rhodes Old Town gives you fortified walls, medieval streets, grand buildings, harbors, shops, and city energy. Symi offers a smaller waterfront setting, colorful houses, restaurants, swimming, and a slower afternoon.

At $55 per person, the package is hard to fault on price. A separate trip to Symi from a southern Rhodes resort would involve getting to Rhodes Town, finding the port, arranging boat tickets, and managing the return. Here, your road transport and sea crossings are bundled together.

The catch is that you pay with time and stamina. This is a 12-hour plan on paper, but some departures return after 9 p.m. One passenger reported a 13-hour day. If you are staying near Kiotari or Gennadi, the extra road time is unavoidable.

The early hotel pickup from Lindos and beyond

Pickup is available from a wide group of hotels and meeting points around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kalathos, Kiotari, and Gennadi. You are told to wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time and look for a Sebeco Tours bus.

That main-road detail is important. Some resorts do not have a bus-friendly entrance, so do not assume the vehicle will pull up at your lobby. The driver is instructed to wait no more than five minutes after the pickup time. Being ready early protects your day, and it also helps everyone reach Rhodes before the boat connection.

The bus ride to Rhodes takes about one hour under the stated schedule. It is a practical transfer rather than a scenic tour, with the vehicle collecting passengers from several locations. Most drivers appear to be friendly and helpful. One driver, Mr. Ivan, received especially warm praise for being informative and supportive.

Still, delays can happen. A late passenger or an unclear pickup point has sometimes cost people part of their free time in Rhodes. Road closures can also cause confusion. If your hotel is in a spread-out resort area, confirm the exact meeting point the evening before and keep the local contact number available.

Three hours in Rhodes Old Town, if the schedule behaves

Rhodes Old Town is a strong first stop because it gives you a concentrated taste of one of the island’s most important sights. The walled city is UNESCO-listed, and even a short visit lets you walk through stone lanes, see the medieval fortifications, reach the harbor, and browse the commercial streets.

Your free time is usually around three hours in the planned schedule. In real use, it can be closer to two hours or two and a half if the bus arrives late, if pickup takes longer, or if you need to collect boat tickets before departure. That is enough for a good walk, but not enough for a slow inspection of every major building.

I would choose your priorities before arrival. A sensible route could include:

• The Palace of the Grand Master
• The Street of the Knights and the Castle of the Knights
• A walk through the central old town streets
• The harbor and marina
• A quick drink or snack before returning to the port

Entry tickets are not included. If you want to enter the Palace of the Grand Master or another paid attraction, keep an eye on the clock. Paying for a ticket only makes sense if you are comfortable giving up some street wandering.

The supplied map is useful for getting your bearings, but you are on your own. That is why this stop suits independent visitors who like to get their bearings fast and choose what matters most. It is less suitable if you want a slow museum visit, a long lunch, and extensive shopping all in the same window.

The meeting instructions deserve close attention. You may be told to return to a specific point at a specific time, then collect your boat ticket from a port kiosk. Bring your booking details and allow time for the ticket queue. Do not wait until the last minute.

The Rhodes to Symi crossing

The boat crossing takes about 80 minutes each way. Despite the name speedboat, the boat can feel more like a fast ferry than a small private craft. One crossing may use a larger vessel, while another can feel more crowded.

There are usually indoor and outdoor seating areas. The upper or rear outdoor areas offer the best sense of speed and the clearest views, but sea spray can make you very wet. If you want to stay dry, sit inside. If you enjoy the motion and do not mind spray, the open deck is fun.

Seat choice may be informal. Families have found that seating is not always arranged, and the return boat can be particularly full. On one reported crossing, extra patio-style chairs were placed inside. That is useful to know if you are traveling with children, have limited mobility, or want to sit together.

The crossing itself is part of the attraction. You get a long stretch of sea, changing views, and a welcome break after walking around Rhodes. On the return, the boat may coincide with sunset, which can be one of the best moments of the day.

Pack a light layer, water, sunscreen, and something to protect electronics from spray. Keep your return time visible. The boat leaves on schedule, and missing it is not a minor inconvenience.

Three hours in Symi, with a beautiful harbor as your base

Symi is the afternoon highlight for many people. The port area presents a compact scene of colorful houses rising around the water, waterfront restaurants, bars, small shops, and boats. The setting feels gentler and more intimate than Rhodes Old Town.

You receive free time rather than a guided walk. There is no formal sightseeing program, so you decide how to use the afternoon. You can stroll along the waterfront, stop for lunch, browse, sit with a drink, or look for a place to swim.

Some people climb the steps toward the upper part of town and the castle area. Others stay near the harbor and simply enjoy the views. A beach and water activities are available in the area, although the amount of time and your exact access will depend on the day’s schedule.

Three hours is enough for a pleasant introduction. It is not enough for a slow island exploration far beyond the port. The island can also be quiet at certain times, with shops closed outside the main activity periods. If shopping is your priority, do not assume every store will be open.

I would plan on eating in Symi rather than trying to carry a full meal through the day. A quayside lunch is an easy way to enjoy the setting, but food and drinks are not included, so budget separately. You might also prefer a quick snack if you want more time to walk.

The lack of information about Symi is the clearest weakness of the arrangement. You are given useful instructions for transport, but not much guidance on what to see and do once you arrive. A little advance planning helps. Mark the harbor, identify a possible lunch area, and decide whether you want a swim or a walk before the clock starts.

The return trip and the long ride south

The boat returns to Rhodes after your afternoon on Symi. The bus is then waiting for the road journey back toward Lindos and the southern resorts.

This final stretch can be longer than the morning transfer because of multiple hotel drop-offs. A return ride of more than 90 minutes has been reported, even when the outward journey felt much shorter. If you are staying near Kiotari or Gennadi, expect to be among the last passengers off.

The day may feel tiring by this point. You have walked on hard streets, sat in the sun, traveled by boat, and managed several meeting times. Families have made it work, especially when children can sleep on the bus or boat, but it is not a relaxed half-day outing.

On the positive side, the return transport removes the worry of finding your own way back after dark. That matters when you are staying well south of Rhodes Town. The driver and port staff handle the basic connections, while you focus on being in the right place at the right time.

What the $55 price really includes

The $55 cost covers hotel pickup and drop-off in the Lindos area, the coach transfers, the driver, the boat journeys, and free time in Rhodes Old Town and Symi. It does not cover attraction tickets, food, drinks, or a guide.

That is excellent value if you want transportation more than instruction. The boat crossings alone are a major part of the day, and arranging the same combination independently could be awkward from a southern resort.

The value is less clear if you mainly want to explore Rhodes Old Town in depth. You can reach Rhodes by other means and spend a full day there, rather than dividing your time between two destinations. Likewise, if you have already seen Rhodes Old Town, the trip becomes more attractive because Symi receives the larger share of your sightseeing attention.

Bring extra money for lunch, drinks, and any paid attractions. A small bag with water, sun protection, comfortable shoes, a swimsuit, and a phone charger will serve you well. A waterproof pouch is sensible for the outdoor boat seating.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors staying in Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, or Gennadi who want to see more of Rhodes without organizing separate transport. It suits independent people who are happy with maps, meeting points, and self-guided wandering.

It is also a good choice for families who want a memorable boat ride and a change of scenery. The coach and boat provide natural rest periods, though the length of the day should be taken seriously.

You may want another plan if you dislike strict schedules, crowded transport, or early starts. It is also a poor fit if your main goal is a long museum visit in Rhodes or a quiet, unhurried day on Symi. The experience gives you a taste of both, not a full exploration of either.

Wheelchair access is stated as available, but the boat, port, and old-town surfaces can still make the day demanding. Confirm the practical details before booking if you need specific assistance.

Should you book this Rhodes and Symi trip?

Book it if you want the cheapest straightforward route from Lindos to Symi, with Rhodes Old Town added for good measure. The strongest parts are the price, hotel transport, clear connections, friendly staff, and the chance to watch the sea and possibly sunset from the return boat.

Go in with realistic expectations. You are not getting a fully guided tour, three leisurely hours in each destination, or a small private speedboat. You are getting a long transport day with two rewarding stops and enough free time to sample both.

For most people staying in southern Rhodes, I think the combination is worth the effort. Just arrive early, protect your Rhodes time, collect the correct boat ticket, stay alert for the return departure, and expect to get back tired but pleased.

FAQ

How long does the trip last?

The advertised duration is 12 hours. Actual days can be longer, with some returns taking about 13 hours because of pickup and hotel drop-off times.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from many hotels and meeting points around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kalathos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and nearby areas. You should wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time and look for the Sebeco Tours bus.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Lindos area are included in the price.

How much free time is available in Rhodes Old Town?

The planned schedule allows about three hours. In practice, the time can be closer to two or two and a half hours if there are pickup delays or other schedule changes.

How long is the boat trip to Symi?

Each boat crossing takes about 80 minutes.

Is the boat a small private speedboat?

Not always. The vessel can be a larger fast ferry with indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor areas may receive heavy sea spray, so sit inside if you want to stay dry.

Are food, drinks, and attraction tickets included?

No. You pay separately for food, drinks, and entry tickets to places such as the Palace of the Grand Master.

Is there a guide?

No dedicated sightseeing guide is included. You receive free time to explore Rhodes Old Town and Symi independently, with transport instructions and assistance from the driver and port staff.