FERRY - PATMOS TO SYMI

[Robert]

When I booked my holiday this year I thought I had carefully checked that it was possible to get from Patmos to Symi on a Monday (31 August in our case) it now looks as if this is not possible as the Pride seems to go straight to Rhodes from Kos. Am I correct ? and any helpful tips - especially from Andy!

[STEVE]

You're correct (except that it's the Express, not the Pride). However, you can do Patmos - Symi direct on the Express the previous day, Sunday 30 Aug. We did Lipsi - Symi direct (via Patmos) about three weeks ago and whilst it looks like a long journey on paper, the various stops en route make it go quite quickly.

Steve

[Andy W]

When the timetable was first announced, the Express called southbound on Mondays in September, but not northbound. This meant that people arriving in Sunday evening and overnight in Rhodes couldn't get to Symi until Monday lunchtime, because the Panagia Skiadeni is routed via Panormitis on Monday mornings. So they swapped things over, and now the Express calls at Symi going north, but not going south. They presumably think there are many more people who need and will pay for the Rhodes-Symi fast link than want to travel Patmos-Kos-Symi on a Monday. These aren't subsidised ferries, so they're in business to make money, I'm afraid.

[Robert]

Thanks - maybe things might change as the summer goes on! Hopefully!! But otherwise we will have to come to Symi on Sunday which is a shame as theoretically it is the Patmos Festival which is why we are going. But then again with things as they are now ..... !

[Robert]

Time passes and our trip is getting near! I think we have 4 Choices
1, Leave Patmos a day early - a shame - but only 4 hours trip
2 leave Patmos as planned stay in Kalimnos or Kos on Monday night - get the Dodecanese via (Kos Tilos and Halki) to Rhodes and then the Panagia Skiadeni to Symi on Tuesday as it does a late sailing to Symi
3 Stay till Tuesday night and get the Blue Star to Symi - arriving at 8am on Weds
4 Leave on Monday as planned and go to Lindos where we have friends and had planned to end our holiday. But 5 hours to get to Rhodes does not appeal ......

anyone got any thoughts on what might be best?
Robert

[Val]

Option 2 would be my choice Robert. You get to experience the festival....... A stay on Kos or Kalymnos would add another dimension to your holiday as islands are all so different, especially when you stay overnight as opposed to call on a day trip. We always avoided Kos, thinking it would be really commercialised, but really enjoyed exploring the island earlier this year when we stayed over. Arriving on Symi in the evening is always a bit special and with this option you'll have a lovely meal (well I would) ....and be ready for all the island has to offer first thing Wednesday morning.

Lucky you! Have a great time whatever you decide.