From Lindos: Rhodes Old Town and Speedboat Trip to Symi

Rhodes Old Town and Symi make a fine double act: one gives you stone lanes, medieval walls, and the Palace of the Grand Master, while the other offers a pretty harbor, colorful houses, and time by the water. This $55 day trip lets you see both without arranging separate buses and boats.

I like the hotel pickup from the Lindos area and the fact that transport is handled from start to finish. I also like the freedom to explore on my own, with no guide herding me from one sight to the next. The catch is the schedule: this is a long 12-hour day, and late pickups or traffic can leave Rhodes Old Town feeling rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Two major stops in one day: You visit Rhodes Old Town in the morning and Symi in the afternoon.
• About 80 minutes by boat each way: The crossing offers good sea views, but the boat may feel more like a fast ferry than a small speedboat.
• Independent sightseeing: There is no guided walking tour. You choose your sights, meals, beaches, and shopping.
• Time can shift: The advertised three hours at each stop may be reduced by pickup delays, traffic, or boarding arrangements.
• Hotel pickup covers a wide area: Collection points include Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and nearby resorts.
• Bring a plan for Rhodes: Three hours is enough for a taste of the Old Town, but not enough for every major sight.

What this $55 trip really gives you

At $55 per person, this is mainly a transportation bargain, not a traditional guided excursion. You pay for the coach from your hotel, the boat crossings, the driver, and free time in both destinations. Attraction tickets, meals, and drinks cost extra.

That distinction matters. You will not have a guide explaining every church, fortress, or harbor building. Instead, you get a map or basic directions for Rhodes, then make your own way around. I see that as a strength if you prefer independence, but it may disappoint you if you expect a full narrated tour.

Getting to Symi independently from the Lindos area can be awkward and expensive. This trip joins the long road transfer with the boat connection, making the price particularly good for anyone staying south of Rhodes Town. It also removes the need to arrange a taxi, find the port, and work out the return journey.

The cost does not include entry to the Palace of the Grand Master or other attractions. You should also budget for lunch or a drink in Symi, where the waterfront restaurants are an obvious part of the afternoon.

The early coach ride from Lindos

Your day begins with pickup near your hotel or at a designated point on the main road. The listed pickup area covers many resorts, including Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, and Gennadi. You are asked to wait by the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time and look for the Sebeco Tours bus.

The drive to Rhodes Old Town takes about an hour once the coach is moving. Since the bus collects from several hotels, the actual morning can take longer. This is the first place where patience helps. A late passenger can delay everyone, and some departures have lost time because the bus had to wait or return for people.

The coach itself is described as comfortable, and drivers have generally been friendly and helpful. One driver, Mr. Ivan, received special praise for being informative and considerate, though drivers can vary from day to day.

I suggest eating breakfast before pickup or carrying something with you. You have a full day ahead, and your first proper meal may not come until Symi.

Three hours in Rhodes Old Town

The morning stop gives you free time in the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Rhodes. The coach drops you near the port area, from where you make your own way into the walled city and return to the meeting point at the required time.

Rhodes Old Town is easy to enjoy without a guide. Walk through the medieval streets, browse the shops, and head toward the Palace of the Grand Master. The Castle of the Knights is another natural target. You can also reach the clocktower and the harbor area if you keep moving.

Three hours sounds generous on paper. In practice, you may have closer to two hours if the coach arrives late, the group needs to collect boat tickets, or the meeting time comes earlier than expected. Several departures have allowed only about two to two and a half hours in the Old Town.

So choose your priorities before you leave the coach:

• Visit the Palace of the Grand Master
• Walk the Street of the Knights and nearby lanes
• See the clocktower
• Browse the main shopping streets
• Walk toward the harbor

Trying to do all five properly will leave you rushing. I would choose the palace and medieval streets, then use any remaining time for the harbor. If you have visited Rhodes Old Town before, you can spend the stop on a relaxed walk and breakfast instead.

The entry fees are not included. If you want to go inside the palace, allow time to buy a ticket and walk through the rooms. If you prefer not to pay for an attraction, the streets and fortifications still provide plenty to see.

Finding the boat and collecting your ticket

The transition from Rhodes Old Town to the boat is the least intuitive part of the day. You receive instructions about where to meet, but the return ticket for Symi may need to be collected from a kiosk at the harbor. On some departures, passengers have had to queue to collect paper tickets under their names.

This is manageable, but do not treat the meeting time casually. The boat leaves on schedule. Keep your ticket and meeting instructions somewhere easy to reach, and return to the agreed point early.

The boarding process can feel informal, particularly when several groups are trying to find the correct queue. Seating may also be first come, first served, so families who want to sit together should board promptly. On some return crossings, the boat has been very full, with extra chairs placed inside and limited room to move around.

The 80-minute crossing to Symi

The trip describes the vessel as a speedboat, but you should set your expectations closer to a large fast ferry. The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way. It is not a small private boat experience with a quiet handful of passengers.

That said, the ride can be one of the day’s best parts. You get open sea views, fresh air, and a pleasant break after walking through Rhodes. On the return, the late light can be beautiful, with some departures reaching Rhodes around sunset.

Choose your seat with care. The upper deck gives you wider views, but sea spray can be heavy, especially when the boat is moving quickly. One passenger described getting very wet while sitting on top. If you want to stay dry, sit inside. If you enjoy wind and spray, the outdoor areas offer a more lively ride.

The crossing may be tiring if the sea is rough, although several departures were described as smooth. Bring a light layer even in warm weather, since the wind on the water can feel cooler than it does on land.

Three hours in Symi’s harbor

Symi is the visual highlight for many people on this outing. The harbor is lined with colorful houses climbing the hillsides, and the waterfront gives you an easy place to walk, eat, and watch the boats.

You have free time here, not a guided program. That makes the stop pleasantly flexible. You can stroll beside the fish market, sit down for a Greek meal, browse the shops, or look for a place to swim. Some people use the afternoon for a drink and a quiet hour by the water, while others walk uphill for wider views.

The main limitation is that Symi is more about atmosphere than a packed list of sights. You might find the island perfect for a slow lunch and a walk, but anyone expecting a full schedule of museums, organized activities, or major monuments may run out of things to do.

A few specific ideas work well:

• Walk the harbor frontage before choosing a restaurant.
• Leave enough time for lunch rather than eating in a rush.
• Ask locally about a nearby swimming spot if you want a dip.
• Consider walking uphill for views, but watch the heat and remaining time.
• Keep your return departure firmly in mind.

The boat will not wait for late passengers. The departure time is clearly given, and missing it could leave you responsible for arranging your own return.

The three-hour stop may feel exactly right if you want lunch, photographs, and a gentle walk. Some people would prefer less time on Symi and more in Rhodes, especially if medieval buildings are their main interest. Others find Symi so attractive that the afternoon passes quickly.

The return journey to Lindos

After the return crossing to Rhodes, your coach should be waiting near the port. The drive back to Lindos takes about an hour in normal conditions, but drop-offs can take longer than the morning transfer because the bus may serve many hotels and resorts.

A day advertised as 12 hours can stretch to 13 hours or more. Some departures have left around 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning and returned near 8:00 or 9:00 at night. That is normal for a south-coast pickup, but it is worth planning around.

The ride home is a good time to rest. Families have found the coach and boat useful for naps, though younger children may still find the full day demanding.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Lindos region
• Coach transportation
• Boat transportation between Rhodes and Symi
• A driver
• Free time in Rhodes Old Town
• Free time in Symi

It does not include:

• Entry tickets
• Food
• Drinks
• A walking guide

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm the practical details for your particular hotel pickup point and the boat boarding arrangement before booking. The driver language is listed as Greek, while instructions for meeting points are provided as part of the transfer arrangements.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your plans are still moving, but the main decision is whether you are comfortable with a long, independent day.

Who will like this day trip

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you:

• Are staying in Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, or Gennadi
• Want to see Symi without arranging the transport yourself
• Prefer free time to a fixed guided tour
• Can handle a full day of coach and boat travel
• Are happy to choose only a few sights in Rhodes Old Town
• Enjoy waterfront meals, harbor walks, and scenery

It is also a good choice for families who want a simple transport package. The coach and boat provide places to rest, although boarding may not guarantee seats together.

I would hesitate if Rhodes Old Town is your main reason for booking. Two hours or so may not satisfy you, especially if you want the palace, museums, shopping streets, and harbor in one visit. In that case, spend a separate day in Rhodes City and choose another outing for Symi.

I would also think twice if you dislike group transport, fixed departure times, or long returns. This is not a leisurely private excursion. It is an efficient way to connect several places in one day, with the usual compromises.

Small details that make a big difference

Arrive at the pickup point early. The bus waits only five minutes after the scheduled pickup time, and the main road location can be confusing if local roadworks or closures change the meeting point.

Keep your phone charged, since you may need to contact the operator about a delayed coach. One delayed pickup was resolved quickly by phone, but it is better to have the booking details ready.

Carry water, sun protection, and comfortable shoes. You will walk on old stone streets in Rhodes and may climb in Symi. A swimsuit is useful if you plan to use the water, though swimming is not part of the organized program.

Finally, write down both boat departure times. The return crossing is the one you cannot afford to miss, and the harbor can become confusing when several boats load at once.

Should you book this Rhodes and Symi trip?

Yes, if you want strong value and two very different Greek settings in one day. For $55, the combination of hotel pickup, coach transfers, and two boat crossings is hard to beat from the Lindos area. Symi is the emotional high point, while Rhodes Old Town gives you a useful taste of the island’s most important historic center.

Just book it with realistic expectations. You are buying access and transport, not a carefully narrated tour. Rhodes may feel rushed, the boat may be crowded, and the day may run longer than 12 hours.

If you can accept those limits, this is an efficient and memorable way to reach Symi. If you want depth, quiet, or plenty of time in Rhodes Old Town, split the destinations across separate days.

FAQ

How long does the full excursion last?

The advertised duration is 12 hours, but the day can run to 13 hours or more because of pickup delays, traffic, and multiple hotel drop-offs.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available at many locations around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and nearby resorts. You must wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time and look for the Sebeco Tours bus.

How long is the coach ride to Rhodes Old Town?

The listed coach transfer takes about one hour.

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

The planned free-time period is three hours, but the actual time can be shorter because of late pickups, traffic, and the required meeting time for the boat.

Is Rhodes Old Town guided?

No. You explore independently. A map or basic directions may be provided, but there is no included walking guide.

Are attraction tickets included?

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

How long is the boat ride to Symi?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way.

Is the boat a small private speedboat?

The vessel may be a large fast boat rather than a small private speedboat. Outdoor seats can receive considerable sea spray, while indoor seating helps keep you dry.

How much time do I get on Symi?

The planned free-time period is three hours. You can use it for walking, lunch, shopping, relaxing, or finding a place near the water.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You pay separately for all meals and drinks in Rhodes Old Town and Symi.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Return transportation is provided to the listed pickup areas around Lindos and the southern resorts.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.