Symi Chat

Hi all, just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on Symi this year?

Hi Lisa, much as we would love to think we will be there in September, I can't see it happening. Would the good people of Symi actually want us to risk bringing anything to their homes? It's a while off yet and things are moving all the time, but with the rates here, I can't see travel being a priority for some time.

That was very much the debate last year, with people saying the island needed the business..?!

Hi all,

If you are well and love Symi go in 2021.

My wife, Inge, and I went there last September and had to wonderful weeks there.
We stayed there without problems apart from cancelled flights from Denmark to Rhodes - we travel independently, but in the end we succeeded.
Noone on Symi complained, but of course they would have loved to have more tourists.

We have booked flights and room on Taxiarchis for this September.

All the best,
Karl-Johan

We too managed to get there last September and had a relatively quiet but till delightful time. And we too have flights for this coming September. Nothing is of course certain - though both of us will have completed vaccination (2 shots) in the next couple of months, which must be a positive - but apart from anything else we all need something to look forward to, travellers and islanders together.

We're in the same boat as you, Jan (and may be quite literally one day!) . . . had 2 idyllic weeks on Symi last September and have booked flights for this coming September. Had our first vaccinations on Monday and should have second dose by end of April. Symi islanders need the income from tourism if their businesses are to survive but we all wish for them to stay safe and healthy too. So much can change in a few months. Let's just keep fingers tightly crossed.

Jan & JuliaB, I feel the same we visited Paxos last year, trying to break the spell of Symi. It didn't work! We too are booked for Sept and are part way through our vaccinations. Heres hoping for the best for all visitors and islanders.

Hi all. We are booked for mid August and have no clue as to whether it will go ahead. Longing to return. Looking at ferries as I usually book in March. Only Blue Star so far. Can’t remember when other timetables are released? Helen.

Hi Helen, I really hope your trip goes ahead. Look at Andy's Symi travel blog, he gives so much info on ferries, you'll never wonder again

Helen Devlin wrote:Hi all. We are booked for mid August and have no clue as to whether it will go ahead. Longing to return. Looking at ferries as I usually book in March. Only Blue Star so far. Can’t remember when other timetables are released? Helen.

Just keep an eye on the forum and watch out for Andy Ward's updates Helen as Andy will be sure to update the forum with the ferry times to and from Symi as soon as the timetables are available.

Thank you. I will keep an eye out for Andy’s info ... do I just look on here? ☀️

Hi Helen

Andy used to post here but these days tends to confine himself to his blog. Just keep checking http://www.andyward.me.uk/symiblog He updates it regularly.

Helen Devlin wrote:Thank you. I will keep an eye out for Andy’s info ... do I just look on here? ☀️

Yes,Andy usually puts a link on here and on the Facebook Symi pages if you are a member of Facebook.

We have just booked accommodation for the first two weeks of September. It will be our first visit since 2016.

I bet you can't wait! Fingers crossed for us all

Who's going to make it this year?

Hi all Symi lovers,
My wife Pam and I are booked to arrive on 8 September for 3 weeks with Olympic.
We have two hopes, one, can we get there? two, if yes will we make the new ferry time of 1830?
Arrival time from Gatwick is 1725, so will probably need a taxi if on time!!

We share your hopes of being able to get there in September! I hate to say it but making the 1830 ferry departure would be highly unlikely if not impossible. Of course we don't yet know exactly what the Greek government will be carrying out in the way of checks on arrivals from the UK. Last September we had a fairly lengthy wait to go through passport control and have our Passenger Locator Forms inspected. A number of passengers were selected for Covid tests. The journey from the airport to the port takes the best part of half an hour. Sorry not to give you a more optimistic reply but just being realistic. You'll have a wonderful time on Symi when you get there!

We got to the ferry within half an hour once during the day 2019. Think the taxi driver decided it would be his mission!. I can't imagine being that lucky again and also as JuliaB said with all the restrictions now it seems impossible. Also if your flight is delayed... Hoping to get there ourselves in Sept.

Hi again,
Thanks for your responses,Lisa B & JuliaB, my "Hope Two" was a bit tongue in cheek!
Having visited Symi many, many times since 1992 we do understand the problems with transfers.
In fact in recent years we've come to rely on Olympic to put us up on Rhodes rather than travel independantly.
Having missed out last year, we cancelled, it would be nice to assist Symi's economy on day one!

However as we've all said. lets hope we can assist the island's economy this year.