From Lindos: Rhodes Old Town and Speedboat Trip to Symi

The clever idea here is fitting Rhodes Old Town and Symi into one very full day. You get a morning look at the medieval city, then a scenic sea crossing and an afternoon beside Symi’s colorful harbor. It is a good way to see two of the Dodecanese’s best sights without arranging separate transport.

I like the hotel pickup from the Lindos area and the freedom to explore without being tied to a guide. I also like the price: at $55 per person, the coach and boat connections make this one of the least expensive practical ways to visit Symi from Lindos or Kiotari.

The tradeoff is time. This is a 12-hour day, sometimes closer to 13 hours, and late pickups or extra hotel drop-offs can reduce your time in Rhodes. The boat is also more like a large fast ferry than a private speedboat, so set your expectations accordingly.

Key points to know before booking

• Two famous islands in one day: See Rhodes Old Town in the morning and Symi in the afternoon.
• About three hours in Rhodes: Enough for the main lanes, a harbor walk, or one major sight, but not enough for a relaxed visit to everything.
• An 80-minute boat crossing: The ride offers sea views, but the open upper deck can get very wet from spray.
• Three to four hours in Symi: Plenty of time for lunch, harbor views, a swim, or a short walk.
• Independent sightseeing: There is no guided tour, so you choose how to spend your time.
• Pickup from many Lindos-area hotels: Wait on the main road 10 minutes early and look for the Sebeco Tours bus.

Why this Lindos day trip works

Rhodes and Symi offer very different experiences. Rhodes Old Town is a fortified medieval city with stone lanes, grand buildings, busy shopping streets, and the Palace of the Grand Master. Symi is smaller and slower, known for its handsome harbor, painted houses, waterfront cafés, and clear water.

Seeing both in one day gives you contrast. In Rhodes, you are on your feet, choosing between history and city life. In Symi, you can eat lunch by the water, wander along the harbor, or simply sit with a drink and enjoy the view.

That variety is the main reason I consider this trip good value. A standard visit to Symi from the Lindos area requires dealing with a long transfer to Rhodes, boat tickets, parking or taxis, and return connections. This outing bundles the coach and boat portions for $55, while leaving the actual sightseeing in your hands.

The format suits independent visitors. You receive transport, meeting instructions, and free time rather than a running commentary or a fixed walking route. If you prefer someone to explain every monument, this is not the right product. If you want to decide your own pace, it is much more appealing.

The early coach ride from Lindos

Pickup is available from a large number of hotels and meeting points around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and nearby resorts. The practical detail matters: you are asked to wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and the Sebeco Tours bus will not wait more than five minutes after pickup time.

That rule is worth taking seriously. Some pickup roads are difficult for a coach, and a main road closure has caused confusion at times. Check your exact meeting point before the morning of departure, and do not assume the bus will collect you directly at a hotel entrance unless that location is confirmed.

The drive to Rhodes takes about an hour once the route is under way, although the total morning can feel longer if the bus collects several groups. Drivers have generally been described as friendly and helpful. One driver, Ivan, received special praise for being especially informative and considerate during the transfers.

The coach is an important part of the value. From Lindos or farther south, reaching Rhodes independently can take planning and cost more than expected. Here, you can sit back, though you should allow for possible delays caused by other passengers.

Three hours inside Rhodes Old Town

The coach drops you near Rhodes Old Town, where you have free time. The stated schedule allows about three hours, but the actual sightseeing window can be closer to two or two and a half hours depending on pickup delays and the boat departure.

That is enough time for a first look. I would use it carefully rather than trying to see every corner. Walk through the medieval streets toward the Street of the Knights, then continue to the Palace of the Grand Master if you want one major historical sight.

Entry tickets are not included, so decide in advance if you want to pay for attractions. If you prefer not to spend more, the old city itself supplies plenty to see from the outside: stone arches, fortress walls, narrow lanes, small squares, shops, and views toward the harbor.

You can also walk toward the retail streets and marina. This gives you a taste of modern Rhodes alongside the old fortifications, but it uses valuable time. The old city is larger than it first appears, and stopping for breakfast or a coffee can make the visit feel rushed.

A useful map is provided for Rhodes, which helps you get your bearings quickly. Still, this is not a guided walking visit. You need to watch the clock and return to the agreed meeting point exactly when instructed.

The biggest mistake would be entering a major attraction without checking the return time. The boat leaves on schedule, and missing it is not a minor inconvenience. Keep your watch visible, allow time to walk back, and treat the meeting time as firm.

Boarding the boat in Rhodes

At the port, you collect or receive your boat ticket before boarding. The process has not always been obvious, with some passengers needing to queue at a kiosk where tickets are held under their names. Listen closely to the instructions and confirm where the return ticket is issued.

Boarding can feel informal, especially when many people arrive at once. Seating is generally first come, first served, so families and groups may not be able to sit together. On a crowded return crossing, extra chairs have sometimes been placed inside, and some passengers have had to stand.

The boat itself deserves a realistic description. Although the trip is sold as a speedboat ride, some departures use a large vessel that feels more like a fast ferry. The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way, and the ride can be enjoyable even if it is not the small, sporty boat some people picture.

For the best mix of comfort and views, choose your seat with the weather in mind. The upper deck offers open views but can be very wet from sea spray. One passenger found the spray so heavy that staying inside was the better choice. If you want shade and a drier ride, sit inside or on a lower outdoor level.

The crossing is not just dead time. You get broad sea views, a cooling breeze, and, on the return journey, the chance to see the sunset. Still, anyone prone to motion sickness should consider sitting in a steadier part of the boat and bringing whatever personal remedy they normally use.

Arriving in Symi

Symi is the visual highlight for many people on this outing. The harbor is lined with colorful neoclassical houses climbing the surrounding slopes, while the waterfront has cafés, restaurants, and places to pause over lunch.

You have roughly three hours in Symi, sometimes closer to four depending on the day’s exact schedule. That is enough for a relaxed meal and a walk around the harbor, with time left for a swim or a drink by the water.

Do not expect a packed sightseeing program. Symi is valuable here because it is pleasant to look at and easy to enjoy without a plan. The town offers restaurants, shops, waterfront views, and access to a beach, but the range of formal activities is limited within the short visit.

If you want to climb toward the castle, be aware that the walk involves steps and takes time away from the harbor. A previous visitor combined lunch near the fish market with a climb, but you will need to choose between a more ambitious walk and a slower afternoon by the sea.

The information provided for Symi is lighter than for Rhodes. You receive the return departure time, but not the same level of map or sightseeing guidance. I recommend taking a photograph of the meeting point and checking the boat time before leaving the port area.

Most importantly, do not lose track of departure. The boat leaves on time, and missing it can leave you responsible for arranging your own return. The staff clearly identifies the schedule, but it remains your job to be back at the dock.

Three hours to make your own in Symi

Symi works best when you resist the urge to overplan. Start with a walk along the harbor so you can see the painted buildings from different angles. Then choose between lunch, a beach stop, a drink, or a short climb.

A quayside meal is a natural choice, though food and drinks are not included in the $55 price. Budget separately for lunch, refreshments, and any attraction tickets in Rhodes. The trip stays inexpensive only if you remember that these extras are your responsibility.

Swimming is possible at a beach in the area, and some activities such as watersports have been available at reasonable prices. The tour does not include beach equipment, activities, or a dedicated beach transfer, so ask locally about the exact options when you arrive.

The timing can feel slightly uneven. Some people prefer more time in Rhodes because its historic core has so much to see. Others find Symi the more relaxing stop and are happy with a longer afternoon there. Your ideal balance depends on whether you are mainly coming for medieval sights or for scenery and lunch by the sea.

The long return to Lindos

After the afternoon in Symi, the boat returns to Rhodes, followed by the coach transfer south. The return coach ride is scheduled at about an hour, but additional drop-offs can make it longer than the morning journey.

Some departures reach Lindos-area hotels around 8 or 9 p.m., while others have arrived later. With an early pickup, this becomes a genuinely long day, not a casual half-day outing. The upside is that the return boat may include a beautiful sunset, which gives the final stretch a memorable finish.

The coach and boat connections are usually tightly linked, but delays can happen if passengers are late at pickup points. You cannot control other people, so pack water, wear comfortable shoes, and plan for a full day away from your hotel.

Families can manage the schedule if children are comfortable napping on the coach or boat. Solo visitors can also use the independent format easily, since the main task is keeping track of meeting points and times.

What the $55 price really buys

At $55, the strongest value is transport. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off in the Lindos area, a coach to Rhodes, the boat to Symi, and the return connections. Organizing those pieces alone can be awkward, especially if you are staying in Kiotari, Gennadi, or beyond Lindos.

The price does not cover a guide, meals, drinks, attraction tickets, or activities in Symi. That keeps the base cost low, but it also means your final spending depends on how you use the free time.

I would judge the price against the distance involved. You are not simply buying entry to a single attraction. You are paying for a full day of transport between southern Rhodes, Rhodes Old Town, and a separate Greek island, with the main logistical work handled for you.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a sample of both places. It is weaker for anyone who wants detailed history, a quiet boat ride, guaranteed seating, or a long, unhurried visit to Rhodes Old Town.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend it to you if:

• You are staying in Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, or Gennadi.
• You want to see Symi without arranging separate transfers.
• You enjoy exploring independently.
• You are comfortable with a 12 to 13-hour day.
• You want a low-cost combination of historic streets, sea views, and waterfront time.

I would think twice if you have limited stamina in hot weather, need a fixed seat on the boat, or want a proper guided tour. Rhodes Old Town can be tiring under the summer sun, and two hours may feel too short if you want museums and major buildings.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the historic lanes, steps, boat boarding, and time pressure may still require personal planning. Ask the operator for the exact arrangements if you need accessible assistance at either port.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your plans around Lindos are still changing, but the key decision remains whether you are happy with a long, self-directed day.

Should you book the Rhodes and Symi combination?

Book it if you want maximum coverage for a modest price and accept that neither stop will be fully explored. Symi is the main reward, while Rhodes Old Town provides a useful first taste of one of Greece’s most important fortified cities.

If Rhodes is your priority, choose a dedicated Old Town visit with more hours. If Symi is the priority, this is a practical and inexpensive choice from Lindos, even though the crossing is on a large fast boat rather than a private speedboat.

For most independent visitors based south of Rhodes, I think the combination earns its place in the holiday plan. Just arrive early, keep your boat times safe, bring sun protection and water, and stay ready for a late return.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The advertised duration is 12 hours. Actual days can sometimes run longer, with some departures returning around 8 to 9 p.m. or later because of transfer delays and multiple drop-offs.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from many hotels and meeting points around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and nearby resorts. Your confirmed pickup location is the one to follow.

How early should I wait for the bus?

Wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Look for the Sebeco Tours bus, and remember that drivers wait no longer than five minutes after the scheduled time.

Is a guide included?

No. The activity provides a driver and free time in Rhodes Old Town and Symi, but no guide. A map for Rhodes may be provided, while sightseeing in Symi is self-directed.

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

The planned stop is listed as three hours, although the usable time can be closer to two or two and a half hours if there are pickup delays or changes to the boat schedule.

How long is the boat ride to Symi?

The boat crossing takes about 80 minutes each way.

Is the boat a small speedboat?

Not always. Some departures use a larger vessel that feels more like a fast ferry. The upper deck can be exposed to heavy sea spray, while indoor and lower-level seating offers more shelter.

Are meals and attraction tickets included?

No. Food, drinks, and entry tickets are not included in the $55 price.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.