Boat and Ferry Travel

When traveling from Piraeus to Rhodes by ferry (12-18 hours, EUR 35-EUR 90), you first make several stops, including at Patmos (6-10 hours, EUR 25-EUR 81) and Kos (10-16 hours, EUR 30-EUR 80). Bringing a car aboard can quadruple costs. Of the several ferry lines serving the Dodecanese and Blue Star Ferries have the largest boats and the most frequent service, both sailing several times a week out of Piraeus. The Athens-Dodecanese ferry schedule changes seasonally, and ferries to Patmos do not run daily out of season, so contact ferry lines, the Piraeus Port Authority, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO or EOT) in Athens, or a travel agency for details.

The easiest way to travel among the Dodecanese islands is by hydrofoil or catamaran. ANES has hydrofoils and catamarans running in summer between Symi and Rhodes and other islands, as does Dodekanisos Seaways. Times and fares are: Rhodes and Symi (50 minutes, EUR 14), Kos (2¼ hours, EUR 28), and Patmos (5 hours, EUR 43).

Contacts

ANES (Harbor front, Yialos, Symi, 85600. 22460/71444. www.anes.gr.)

Rhodes Port Authority (22410/22220.)

GTP (Greek Travel Pages—Boat/Ferry Schedules) (Yialos, Symi. www.gtp.gr.)