From Lindos: Rhodes Old Town and Speedboat Trip to Symi

Two islands, one long day. This well-priced trip pairs free time in Rhodes Old Town with an afternoon on lovely Symi, making it a smart choice if you are staying in Lindos and want to see more of the Dodecanese without arranging several separate transfers. I like the easy hotel pickup and the clear handoff from coach to boat.

I also like the freedom to set your own pace. You can visit the Palace of the Grand Master, wander the medieval lanes, eat breakfast by the harbor, or simply browse the shops. On Symi, you can choose a quayside lunch, a swim, a quiet drink, or a walk through the colorful waterfront town.

The catch is the clock. Rhodes Old Town can receive only about two to three hours, depending on traffic and late pickups, while the full day may stretch beyond the advertised 12 hours. The boat is called a speedboat, but it can feel more like a fast ferry, with open seating and occasional crowding.

Key points to know before booking

• Two major sights in one day: See Rhodes Old Town in the morning and Symi in the afternoon without changing hotels or planning separate transport.
• Hotel pickup from the Lindos area: Collection is available from many hotels and meeting points around Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, and Gennadi.
• Self-guided sightseeing: You receive free time rather than a formal guided tour, so a little advance planning will help you use every minute.
• Symi is the day’s visual highlight: The harbor, colorful houses, clear water, restaurants, and small beaches make it an easy place to enjoy at your own speed.
• The boat ride needs realistic expectations: The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way and can be wet on the upper deck.
• Good value at $55: The price includes hotel transport, the coach, the boat crossings, and free time at both stops, but not meals, drinks, guides, or attraction tickets.

Why this Lindos day trip works

At $55 per person, this is mainly a transport-and-free-time outing. That is not a criticism. If you prefer to wander independently, the arrangement removes the hard parts: driving to Rhodes, finding parking, reaching the port, buying transport to Symi, and getting back to Lindos at night.

I like the combination because Rhodes Old Town and Symi feel different. Rhodes gives you fortified walls, medieval streets, major monuments, and a busy shopping area. Symi offers a smaller harbor setting, colorful houses, restaurants, sea views, and time to slow down.

The day is long because Lindos is on the southeast side of Rhodes, while Rhodes city and the port are farther north. The coach journey takes about one hour each way in the basic schedule, but pickup routes can add time. Some departures begin around 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning and return around 8:00 to 9:15 at night.

That makes this a strong choice for a first look at both places, not a relaxed, in-depth visit. You will see a lot, but you must keep an eye on the meeting times.

Morning pickup from Lindos and the southern resorts

Pickup is included from a long list of hotels and meeting points around Lindos and farther south. Locations include Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, Kalathos, and several large resorts such as Lindos Royal Resort, Lindos Grand Resort & Spa, Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa, Princess Andriana Resort & Spa, Aquagrand, and Boutique 5.

Because there are many collection points, your pickup time can vary. 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 stated pickup time, so do not treat the time as approximate.

This is especially important on routes with several hotel stops. Late pickups have reduced the time available in Rhodes for some people, and road closures have caused confusion at certain meeting points. I would confirm the exact location and be ready early, particularly if your hotel entrance is not directly on the main road.

The coach transfer itself is a useful part of the price. Drivers have generally been described as friendly and helpful, and one driver, Ivan, received special praise for being informative and kind. The driver speaks Greek, so the practical instructions are usually handled through the tour staff, written information, and clear meeting points rather than a full English commentary.

Three hours in Rhodes Old Town, with a strict clock

The coach takes you to Rhodes Old Town, where you explore independently for about three hours in the planned schedule. In practice, the usable time is often closer to two to two and a half hours, depending on traffic, pickup delays, and the timing of the boat departure.

Rhodes Old Town is a superb place for a short walk. Enter through the medieval fortifications and you can follow the Street of the Knights toward the Palace of the Grand Master. The old center also has squares, fountains, shops, harbor access, and plenty of places to stop for a quick coffee or snack.

You will not have enough time for every major sight. If the Palace of the Grand Master is your priority, go there first and check the opening arrangements before the trip. Entry tickets are not included, so budget separately for any paid attraction.

A useful map is provided, which helps you get your bearings quickly. Still, I would mark two or three priorities before leaving your hotel. A practical short route might include the Street of the Knights, the Palace area, one main square, and a quick walk toward the harbor.

Avoid spending the entire morning browsing shops if you want to see the monuments. The retail streets are easy to reach, but they can consume your limited time. You also need to return to the agreed meeting point promptly. The boat leaves on schedule, and missing it is not a small inconvenience.

The Old Town portion suits you best if you want a taste of Rhodes rather than a full historical visit. If you have already seen the city, three hours may be enough for a pleasant return walk. If this is your first visit and you care deeply about medieval architecture, you may wish the schedule gave Rhodes more time.

Finding your boat ticket at the Rhodes port

After Rhodes Old Town, you return to the port for the crossing to Symi. This is one part of the day where careful attention helps.

The boat ticket may need to be collected from a kiosk at the harbor under your name. The process has caused some confusion because the ticket collection queue and boarding queue are not always obvious. Ask the representative where to collect the paper ticket, then keep it safe for the return journey.

The handoff is not a guided tour. You are given the departure details and return ticket, but you should not expect a detailed explanation of what to see on Symi. That independence is useful if you already know what you want to do, but a little preparation makes the afternoon better.

The crossing takes about 80 minutes. Some boats have been larger than the word speedboat suggests, and the seating can be informal, with people choosing seats as they board. Families may not always sit together, especially on a crowded return trip.

The upper deck gives you open views, but sea spray can soak you, particularly when the boat is moving quickly. If you want to stay dry, sit inside or on a lower outdoor level. A lower shaded area can offer a pleasant compromise, with breeze and water spray but less exposure.

The return crossing can be fuller than the outward journey. On one reported departure, extra patio chairs were placed inside, while another passenger had to stand. Arrive early for the return boat and listen carefully to the departure time.

Symi in three hours: harbor views, lunch, and a swim

Symi is the emotional high point for many people on this outing. The harbor curves around steep hillsides lined with colorful houses, giving the town a distinctive appearance from the water. The setting is photogenic before you even step ashore.

You have roughly three hours on the island, sometimes closer to four depending on the day’s timing. That sounds generous, but lunch, a waterfront stroll, and a swim can use it quickly.

The waterfront has restaurants and bars, and a quayside meal is an easy way to enjoy the setting without wasting time searching far from the port. Fish restaurants near the market have been a popular choice. Food and drinks are not included, so prices and menus are your responsibility.

If you want to swim, bring a towel and suitable clothing. A small beach can be reached for a relaxed afternoon, and the clear water provides a welcome break after walking in Rhodes. Some families have also used reasonably priced watersports facilities near the beach.

For a more active outing, walk uphill toward the castle area. The climb includes steps and takes energy in the summer heat, but it gives you a different view back toward the harbor. If you dislike steep walking, keep to the waterfront and lower streets.

Shopping is not the main reason to visit Symi. Some shops may be closed, especially outside the busiest part of the day or season. The pleasure here is the architecture, the harbor, the food, and the chance to sit beside the sea.

Three hours is enough for a first impression, but the right amount depends on your style. I would welcome a little more Rhodes time and slightly less Symi time if monuments are your priority. If you prefer lunch and swimming, the current balance may suit you well.

The return to Rhodes and the late coach home

The boat returns to Rhodes after the afternoon on Symi, often with the chance to watch the sunset from the water. This is one of the day’s nicest extras, especially when the sky is clear and you can sit outside.

At the port, the coach should be waiting for the return journey to the Lindos area. The route home can take longer than the morning transfer because of additional hotel drop-offs. Some departures have reached the final hotels after 9:00 at night, and the advertised 12-hour day can occasionally become 13 hours.

You should plan for fatigue. Rhodes Old Town involves walking on uneven streets, Symi may involve steps, and the heat can make both stops feel more demanding. Families have managed the day by using the coach and boat journeys for rest, but a nap is not guaranteed if the vehicle or boat is crowded.

The long return is the main tradeoff for staying in Lindos or farther south. You are paying $55 partly to avoid arranging the journey yourself, but you give up a relaxed evening at your hotel.

What the $55 price really buys you

The price is excellent if you compare it with arranging the same day independently. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a driver, the coach transfers, the Rhodes to Symi boat crossings, and free time in both destinations.

You still need money for meals, drinks, attraction admission, and any shopping or beach activities. There is no full guide, so you are paying for access and transport rather than commentary.

For a couple or family, the value becomes clearer. Driving and parking near Rhodes can be stressful, and getting to Symi requires careful coordination. Here, the main work is being ready on time and returning to the correct meeting point.

The price is less attractive if you want a private experience, a small boat, a detailed history lesson, or guaranteed seating together. It is also not ideal if you dislike long transport days.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. The activity is wheelchair accessible, though the practical comfort of every stop will still depend on the boat, port, and old town surfaces.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this outing if I were staying in Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, or Gennadi and wanted to reach Symi without arranging several connections. It is also a good fit for independent sightseers who enjoy maps, free time, and choosing their own lunch.

Families can make it work, especially if children handle long coach and boat journeys. The combination of transport, sea views, a historic town, restaurants, and swimming gives the day plenty of variety.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a thorough visit to Rhodes Old Town. You may feel rushed, especially if the coach leaves late or the port arrangements take time. I would also think twice if you expect a narrated guided tour or a small private speedboat.

Bring water, sun protection, comfortable shoes, swimwear, and a light layer for the boat. Keep your return ticket handy, note every meeting time, and arrive early for both boat departures.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want maximum sightseeing for a low price and accept a demanding day. Symi is beautiful, the Rhodes stop gives you a worthwhile taste of the medieval city, and hotel pickup makes the logistics simple.

Skip it if you want slow travel, extensive time inside museums, or a fully guided experience. For most people staying south of Rhodes city, though, this is a practical and well-organized way to see two memorable places in one day, with Symi likely to be the part you remember longest.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included from Lindos?

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

How long is the full experience?

The planned duration is 12 hours. Actual days can sometimes run longer, with some departures lasting about 13 hours because of pickup and drop-off times.

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

The planned free time is three hours, but the usable time can be closer to two or two and a half hours if traffic, late pickups, or port timing cause delays.

Is a guide included?

No. You explore Rhodes Old Town and Symi independently. A map is provided for Rhodes, but the activity does not include a full guided tour.

Are meals, drinks, and attraction tickets included?

No. Food, drinks, and entry tickets for attractions such as the Palace of the Grand Master are not included.

How long is the boat crossing to Symi?

The boat crossing takes about 80 minutes each way. The boat may feel more like a fast ferry than a small speedboat, and the upper deck can get wet from sea spray.