Ferries to the Dodecanese

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

The Dodecanese are Greece's easternmost island chain, strung along the coast of Turkey from Rhodes in the south to Patmos in the north. Getting between them is half the fun: the islands are served by a mix of large overnight ferries, smaller inter-island boats and, for those heading between Greece and Turkey, a network of short day-boat crossings that makes a multi-country island hop entirely feasible.

The main operators: Blue Star and Dodekanisos Seaways

Two names dominate Dodecanese ferry travel, and it is worth understanding what each does best before you start planning.

Blue Star Ferries

Blue Star Ferries (part of the Attica Group) runs large ro-pax ships that connect Athens (Piraeus) with Rhodes, Kos and the islands between them. These are the big inter-island ships — comfortable, with restaurant, bar, cabins and seating areas — and they follow a roughly north-south route calling at a string of islands: Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Symi, Rhodes and others, sometimes with additional calls at Nisyros, Tilos or Halki depending on the schedule and season.

The Piraeus to Rhodes sailing takes approximately 14–17 hours depending on the route taken and which islands the ship calls at en route. An overnight sailing from Piraeus is the standard approach, with a good proportion of travellers taking a cabin for the journey. Advance booking is strongly recommended in summer, particularly for cabins and car spaces.

Dodekanisos Seaways

Dodekanisos Seaways operates the local inter-island network that Blue Star's large ships do not reach. Their smaller, faster catamarans connect the main islands (Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos) with smaller destinations like Symi, Halki, Nisyros, Lipsi and Agathonisi. These boats are generally foot-passenger only or with very limited vehicle capacity — they are the right choice for island-hopping without a car.

Journey times on the Dodekanisos Seaways network are shorter than on the big Blue Star ships, but the catamarans can be cancelled in rough weather, which is more of a factor here in the Aegean than in some more sheltered island groups. Build flexibility into your plans.

Key routes in the Dodecanese

Piraeus to Rhodes

The main trunk route connects Athens' main port of Piraeus with Rhodes, calling at several islands along the way. Blue Star departures from Piraeus are typically in the evening, arriving in Rhodes the following morning — a classic ferry-as-accommodation approach. Confirm which islands your specific sailing calls at when booking, as routes vary by day of the week and by season.

Kos to Rhodes and between the islands

Kos is roughly in the middle of the chain and acts as a secondary hub. Blue Star ships call at Kos on the Piraeus–Rhodes run; Dodekanisos Seaways boats radiate out to smaller islands from both Kos and Rhodes. If you are exploring the southern Dodecanese, Rhodes and Kos are your base points. If the northern Dodecanese (Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos) are the priority, you can join or leave the chain from Piraeus or take a smaller inter-island boat south.

Symi, Halki, Nisyros and the smaller islands

Symi — a steeply tiered island of neoclassical mansions just 40 minutes by fast boat from Rhodes — is one of the Dodecanese's most striking destinations and easily done as a day trip or short stay. Nisyros, a volcanic island with a caldera you can walk into, is reachable from Kos. Halki, tiny and peaceful, is served from Rhodes. These are the sort of islands that reward a slow-travel approach; the Dodekanisos Seaways timetable is your guide to stitching them together.

Day boats to Turkey: Kos–Bodrum and Rhodes–Marmaris

One of the most distinctive features of Dodecanese travel is how close Turkey is. Several crossings run daily in season between the Greek islands and the Turkish coast, making a multi-day or even same-day excursion across the border straightforward.

Rhodes to Marmaris

The crossing from Rhodes to Marmaris takes roughly 50–60 minutes on the fast catamaran, though there is also a slower conventional ferry option. Day trips are popular, but plenty of travellers use this as a one-way crossing to continue into Turkey or to return from Turkey into Greece.

Kos to Bodrum

Bodrum is visible from the harbour at Kos — the distance is tiny, and the crossing takes around 20–25 minutes on the fast ferry. Both day trips and one-way crossings are available. This is probably the easiest land-to-land ferry crossing in the whole Eastern Mediterranean.

Taking a car in the Dodecanese

Blue Star Ferries carries vehicles on the main trunk route, so it is possible to take your car from Piraeus all the way to Rhodes or Kos. Once you have a car in Rhodes, you can explore the island independently — it is large enough that a car genuinely adds value. Smaller islands are best explored on foot, by hired scooter, or by local bus.

For the inter-island Dodekanisos Seaways services, most sailings are passenger-only or have very limited vehicle space. If taking a car between smaller islands is important to your plans, check availability carefully when booking.

The Viamo guide to taking a car on a ferry covers vehicle ferry logistics in more detail, including check-in times and what to bring.

When to go and how to book

Ferry services are most extensive from April to October, with peak frequency in July and August. The shoulder seasons (April, May and September–October) often offer better fares, lower temperatures and thinner crowds, while still providing reasonable ferry connections.

Blue Star Ferries has its own booking system and can be booked months in advance. Dodekanisos Seaways is also bookable in advance, though smaller inter-island routes sometimes have more fluid availability. For a broader overview of how to navigate Greek ferry booking, the Viamo guide to booking ferries explained is worth reading first.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Rhodes by ferry?

The main connection is an overnight sailing from Piraeus (Athens' main port) with Blue Star Ferries, taking roughly 14–17 hours. Blue Star calls at several Dodecanese islands en route. Advance booking is recommended in summer, especially for cabins and vehicle spaces.

Can I island-hop through the Dodecanese without going back to Athens?

Yes. Blue Star Ferries connects the islands along the chain, and Dodekanisos Seaways' smaller boats cover the gaps to smaller islands. You can work your way north from Rhodes or south from Patmos, picking up connections along the way, without returning to Piraeus in between.

How long is the ferry from Kos to Bodrum?

The fast catamaran crossing from Kos to Bodrum takes around 20–25 minutes. Day trips and one-way crossings are both available, but you must meet Turkish entry requirements — check these before booking.

Are the smaller Dodecanese ferries reliable?

Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans are generally reliable in summer, but smaller fast ferries are more susceptible to cancellation in strong winds or rough seas than large conventional ships. Always have a buffer day in your schedule if you have a flight to catch.