Car hire is hardly needed on Symi as the island has at least five water taxis that head out daily to the main beaches.
Car hire can be useful if you have luggage to carry but with only a few paved roads there is not really anywhere to drive to except Pedi, Nimborio and Panormitis.
Car and moped hire is available in Gialos harbour and in Pedi Bay. Off road tracks are usually poor and sometimes dangerous. There are a couple of petrol stations on the road to Pedi.
Half a dozen taxis operate out of Gialos. The longest trip is to the monastery at Panormitis - agree the price before getting in. A good time to get a taxi is when the Ferry boats are due to arrive as that is when the drivers gather in the harbour.
Water taxis run frequently out of the harbour at Gialos to Agia Marina, Agia Nikolaos, Nanou and Marathounda and also in the opposite direction to Nimborio. There are also several 'round island' day trips that start from the harbour. Small boats can be hired in the harbour as well.
Symi Bus (green) runs a reliable hourly shuttle service between Gialos, Chorio and Pedi up to 11pm. A minibus runs twice a day to Panormitis. It takes 30 minutes with stops on the way to take photos.
Symi is also just 13 kilometres north - south and nine kilometres east-west so it's walkable, although walkers should take plenty of water as there are no facilities.
Most walkers head inland to explore the pine-clad interior and the many monasteries and chapels which pepper the island. Symi has some good walking trails but many paths are little more than goat tracks and are in a ruinous state.
Wooded walks can be found in the centre and north of the island although the most populous area around Gialos is rocky and barren.
Car hire can be useful if you have luggage to carry but with only a few paved roads there is not really anywhere to drive to except Pedi, Nimborio and Panormitis.
Car and moped hire is available in Gialos harbour and in Pedi Bay. Off road tracks are usually poor and sometimes dangerous. There are a couple of petrol stations on the road to Pedi.
Half a dozen taxis operate out of Gialos. The longest trip is to the monastery at Panormitis - agree the price before getting in. A good time to get a taxi is when the Ferry boats are due to arrive as that is when the drivers gather in the harbour.
Water taxis run frequently out of the harbour at Gialos to Agia Marina, Agia Nikolaos, Nanou and Marathounda and also in the opposite direction to Nimborio. There are also several 'round island' day trips that start from the harbour. Small boats can be hired in the harbour as well.
Symi Bus (green) runs a reliable hourly shuttle service between Gialos, Chorio and Pedi up to 11pm. A minibus runs twice a day to Panormitis. It takes 30 minutes with stops on the way to take photos.
Symi is also just 13 kilometres north - south and nine kilometres east-west so it's walkable, although walkers should take plenty of water as there are no facilities.
Most walkers head inland to explore the pine-clad interior and the many monasteries and chapels which pepper the island. Symi has some good walking trails but many paths are little more than goat tracks and are in a ruinous state.
Wooded walks can be found in the centre and north of the island although the most populous area around Gialos is rocky and barren.
Taxis phone: +30 22460 31225
Bus Service: +30 22460 71311
Bus Service: +30 22460 71311