From Lindos: Rhodes Old Town and Speedboat Trip to Symi

Two Greek highlights, one long day. This outing gives you free time in Rhodes Old Town and a boat ride to beautiful Symi, all for $55 per person. I like the easy hotel pickup from Lindos and the chance to see two very different places without arranging separate transport. The main drawback is time: late pickups, long return transfers, or busy boat boarding can cut into your time in Rhodes.

You are not joining a guided sightseeing tour here. You are buying transport, clear meeting instructions, and several hours to explore on your own. That suits independent visitors, but you should be ready to handle your own tickets, meals, route planning, and clock watching.

Key points before you book

• Two major stops in one day: Spend the morning in UNESCO-listed Rhodes Old Town, then the afternoon on Symi.
• Hotel pickup from the Lindos area: Pickup covers many hotels and meeting points around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, and Gennadi.
• Self-guided sightseeing: You receive free time rather than a walking tour, so plan your priorities before leaving the coach.
• The boat is not always a small speedboat: Some departures use a larger, ferry-style fast boat, with seating inside and outside.
• Symi is the day’s visual highlight for many people: Its colorful harbor buildings, restaurants, clear water, and small beach areas make a strong impression.
• Expect a 12-hour day, sometimes longer: The listed schedule includes one-hour coach rides, two 80-minute boat crossings, and time at both stops.

Why this $55 day trip is good value

At $55, this is one of the more practical ways to reach Symi from the Lindos side of Rhodes. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the coach, the driver, both boat crossings, and free time in each destination. You do not have to find your way to Rhodes Town early in the morning or arrange a separate return journey at night.

The value comes mainly from the transport. A simple visit to Symi can be awkward from Lindos because you first need to reach Rhodes harbor, then find the correct boat, then return again. This package joins those pieces together. For a couple, family, or solo visitor who wants to see Symi without renting a car or piecing together buses and ferries, that convenience matters.

The tradeoff is that the day is transportation-heavy. The basic schedule allows one hour by coach from the Lindos area to Rhodes, three hours in Old Town, 80 minutes by boat to Symi, three hours on Symi, 80 minutes back, and another hour by coach. In real use, you may have closer to two or two and a half hours in Rhodes, depending on pickup delays and boat arrangements.

I would not book this expecting a relaxed island day. I would book it as a high-value sampler: two striking places, limited time, and plenty of moving around.

Early pickup from Lindos and the ride north

Pickup is offered at a wide range of hotels and roadside points, including places in Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, and Gennadi. You are asked to wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time and look for the Sebeco Tours bus. The driver will wait no longer than five minutes after the agreed pickup time, so this is not the morning for a slow breakfast.

The many pickup points make the trip useful for people staying well south of Lindos. One family staying near Kiotari reported a pickup around 7:30 in the morning and a return around the evening, while other departures began closer to 8. Exact timing depends on your location and the day’s route.

The coach ride to Rhodes is listed as one hour. The vehicle has been described as comfortable, and drivers have generally been friendly and helpful. One driver, Mr. Ivan, received special praise for being informative and supportive during the transfers.

Still, build in patience. If another passenger is late, the coach may wait or make an extra attempt to collect them. That has reduced Old Town time for some people. A road closure has also caused confusion at a pickup point, so check the exact meeting place carefully and contact the operator if the bus is not where expected.

Making the most of three hours in Rhodes Old Town

Rhodes Old Town is the first major stop, and you explore without a guide. You may receive a map or information pack, but you are responsible for choosing what to see and getting back to the meeting point.

The walled city is ideal for a short, purposeful visit. The Castle of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master are the obvious priorities. You can also walk along the main medieval streets, browse the retail lanes, and continue toward the marina if time allows.

With only two to three hours, do not try to see every corner. I would choose one major sight, then spend the rest of the visit walking the atmospheric streets. If you want to enter the Palace of the Grand Master or another attraction, remember that admission is not included. Budget both money and queue time.

A useful plan looks like this:

• Start with the main medieval streets and get your bearings.
• Visit the Palace of the Grand Master or Castle of the Knights if open and the queue is manageable.
• Leave time for a short meal, coffee, or walk toward the harbor.
• Return to the agreed meeting point early, not at the final minute.

This stop is where the schedule feels tightest. Several people found the Old Town visit just long enough for the main streets and harbor, while others wanted more time. Delays at pickup can reduce the visit to roughly two hours, which makes paid attractions harder to fit in.

There is also a practical meeting detail: you may be told to return to the same place, then collect your boat ticket from a harbor kiosk under your name. Make sure you understand exactly where to go. One group found the ticket collection process unclear and had to queue before boarding.

The boat crossing to Symi

The crossing is listed as 80 minutes each way. In actual conditions, some passengers describe it as around an hour and a half. The word speedboat can set the wrong expectation, since the vessel may be a larger fast ferry rather than a small open boat.

That is not necessarily a bad thing. Larger boats offer indoor seating, outdoor areas, shade, and room to move around. One passenger preferred standing at the back, watching the white spray from the wake. Another enjoyed the open lower deck for its shade, breeze, and sea views.

The upper deck can be wet. Sea spray has soaked people sitting outside, especially when the boat is moving quickly. Take a light cover or choose an inside seat if staying dry matters to you. If you want a good outdoor position, board promptly, but do not assume seats are assigned.

Seating can be a free-for-all, particularly for families. On one return crossing, the boat was very full, with extra patio chairs placed inside. If sitting together is important, ask the crew for help and board as soon as you are allowed.

The crossing itself adds real pleasure to the day. You get open-water views, a break from walking, and, on a late return, the chance to see the sunset from the boat. Just keep your return time visible. The boat leaves on schedule, and missing it is your responsibility.

Symi harbor and three hours on the island

Symi is the strongest reason to take this trip. The harbor is lined with colorful houses and restaurants, creating a very different mood from the stone defenses and narrow lanes of Rhodes. Several people compared the architecture to villages around Lake Como, with steep steps, character-filled buildings, and a striking waterfront setting.

Three hours is enough for a meal and a walk around the harbor. You can sit at a quayside restaurant, browse the waterfront, and look for a place to swim or relax. One useful find was a beach area where a cold drink and a swim made a pleasant break from sightseeing. Water sports have also been described as reasonably priced and suitable for children.

The island is not packed with scheduled activities in this format. Its appeal is mostly visual and atmospheric. You might spend your time eating, walking, taking photographs, sitting by the water, or climbing steps toward higher views. A visit to the castle area is possible if you are prepared for a steep walk and keep an eye on the return boat.

Some visitors actually found three to four hours longer than needed, especially when shops were closed. Others wished they had more time in Rhodes instead. This is a matter of taste. If you want lunch, a swim, and an easy wander, Symi’s allotted time works well. If you prefer museums and historic buildings, you may want the extra time in Rhodes.

The lack of information about Symi is a weakness. You are given meeting times and return tickets, but not always much guidance on what to see or how to use the island’s limited hours. I would decide before arrival whether your priority is lunch, the harbor, swimming, shopping, or the castle steps.

The return trip and the long ride back to Lindos

The return boat brings you back to Rhodes, where the coach should be waiting near the port. The boat ride can be one of the most memorable parts of the day, especially around sunset, but the return transfer may take longer than the morning trip.

The route back to Lindos can include multiple hotel drop-offs. Some people arrived around 8 p.m., while others did not reach their hotel until after 9. One reported a return ride of more than an hour and a half because of the number of drop-offs.

This is the cost of hotel service across such a wide area. The convenience is excellent, but the final hour can feel long after a full day in the heat. Bring water, keep a snack for the ride, and expect children to nap on the coach or boat if needed.

The full schedule is advertised as 12 hours, but a 13-hour day is possible. If you have dinner reservations, an evening show, or an early night planned, leave plenty of room.

What is included, and what you pay extra for

The included package is straightforward:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Lindos service area
• Coach transfers
• Driver
• Boat transportation between Rhodes and Symi
• Free time in Rhodes Old Town
• Free time on Symi

Food, drinks, attraction tickets, and a guide are not included. The Greek-speaking driver handles transport, not guided sightseeing. That keeps the price down, but it also means you need to research the Palace of the Grand Master, castle area, restaurants, and meeting points yourself.

For value, the strongest part is the combined transport. The weakest part is the limited time created by the long route. If you want a guided history lesson or a slow meal on Symi, this is not the right format. If you want to cover two destinations in a single day for a modest price, it works well.

The booking terms also make planning easier: cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm how the coach, harbor, and boat boarding will work for your specific needs.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to:

• People staying in Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, or Gennadi
• First-time visitors who want a quick taste of Rhodes Old Town and Symi
• Families who value hotel pickup and simple transport
• Independent visitors who prefer free time over a guided group walk
• Anyone looking for a lower-cost way to reach Symi from southern Rhodes

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long coach rides, or fixed departure times. It is also less suitable if your main aim is a thorough visit to Rhodes Old Town. You will see the main streets and perhaps one major sight, but you will not cover everything.

The trip works best when you accept its rhythm: coach, walk, boat, lunch, boat, coach. Pack light, wear comfortable shoes, carry sun protection and water, and keep every departure time in your phone.

Should you book the Rhodes and Symi day trip?

Book it if you want excellent transport value and two very different Greek settings in one ambitious day. Symi is the highlight, with its handsome harbor, colorful houses, restaurants, and chances to swim or simply sit by the water. Rhodes Old Town adds medieval streets, fortifications, and the option to visit the Palace of the Grand Master.

Skip it if you need a slow, carefully guided experience. The Old Town and Symi portions are self-guided, time can shrink because of late pickups, and the return to Lindos may stretch beyond 12 hours.

For most independent visitors based around Lindos, I think the $55 price is fair. Go with realistic expectations, return to every meeting point early, and treat the day as a well-organized sampler rather than a full exploration of either destination.

FAQ

How much does the Rhodes and Symi day trip cost?

The price is $55 per person.

How long does the excursion last?

The advertised duration is 12 hours. Actual days can sometimes run longer, with some departures lasting about 13 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for many hotels and meeting points around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, and Gennadi.

How long is the coach ride to Rhodes Old Town?

The listed coach journey takes about one hour each way.

How much free time do I get in Rhodes Old Town?

The planned free time is three hours, although delays and transfer arrangements can reduce the actual time to around two or two and a half hours.

Is Rhodes Old Town guided?

No. You explore Rhodes Old Town independently. A map or information pack may be provided, but a guided walking tour is not included.

Are attraction tickets included?

No. Entry tickets to attractions such as the Palace of the Grand Master are not included.

How long is the boat trip to Symi?

The crossing is listed as 80 minutes each way. Actual crossing times can feel closer to an hour and a half.

Is the boat a small speedboat?

Not always. Some departures use a larger fast boat with indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor passengers may experience sea spray.

How much time do I get on Symi?

The planned free time is three hours, although some departures provide around four hours depending on the day’s schedule.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You pay separately for meals, drinks, and any other purchases on Rhodes or Symi.

What language does the driver speak?

The driver is Greek-speaking. The experience does not include a dedicated guide.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I do if I want to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Do I need to arrive early for pickup?

Yes. You should wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. The driver will wait no longer than five minutes after the scheduled time.