How to get around Rhodes? It is one of the largest islands in Greece and the Mediterranean, stretching approximately 100km from north to south. Choosing the right means of transportation to get around Rhodes is essential to avoid wasting hours driving.
In this guide we compare all the ways to get around Rhodes, their pros and cons to help you choose the one that best suits your needs. We’ll look at how buses work in Rhodes, how to get from the airport to the city center, the available transfers and shuttles, and finally, car rentals!
How to get around Rhodes by bus
Buses in Rhodes are operated by the local public transportation company Ktel.
Ktel provides connections between the island’s main urban centers, with the hub for all bus lines being the station in the city of Rhodes (located at the northernmost point). This means that, for example, to go from Rhodes airport to the city of Lindos by bus, you first need to head north to reach the Rhodes station, then switch lines and head south again until you reach Lindos, taking about 3 hours in total.
On Ktel’s website, and in particular on this page, you’ll find all departures available from the city of Rhodes and the prices for the main destinations. The website is not particularly user-friendly as some parts are only in Greek, and it only shows schedules for the current period but not for the upcoming season.
If you don’t enjoy juggling schedules and transfers, you can use the wonderful website www.rome2rio.com, which, given a departure and destination, shows you all available transport options, including connections, the route on a map, and an estimated total cost.
Pros and cons of buses
Unfortunately, getting around Rhodes by bus can be quite costly, both in terms of time and money. It’s disappointing to say this, as I usually prefer public transport when possible.
Moreover, at least in the cooler months, most destinations are served by only one bus per day. This means two things: first, you’ll need to carefully plan your travel time and schedules to avoid getting stranded, and second, the longer the route, the more likely you are to spend half a day on a bus only to spend a few hours at your destination.
At many bus stops, there is often no schedule displayed. In the city of Rhodes, however, some stops are equipped with displays showing the next buses and arrival times.
During the summer, some routes are increased in frequency, including those between the city of Rhodes and Faliraki (the most famous area for Rhodes nightlife). Timetables are published gradually on the official website.
So, who do I recommend to use buses in Rhodes? Probably only those traveling solo for a few days in the north of the island, during the summer months, and who plan to stay in the same area or move only a few kilometers. In all other cases, it’s not worth it.
How to get from the airport to the city of Rhodes by bus?
It is possible to reach the city of Rhodes from Rhodes-Diagoras Airport (RHO) by bus, in about 35 minutes.
The bus departs right in front of the arrivals exit doors, while the final stop is the bus station in the city of Rhodes, where you can also inquire about other lines and your return trip.
One of the intermediate stops on this route is also in Yalissos, in case you are staying there. If you are staying inside the medieval city, you just need to reach the final stop (the station) and then walk 10–15 minutes to your destination.
You might also be interested in: Best places to stay in Rhodes
Where is the bus station in the city of Rhodes
The bus station is located at the blue point indicated on the map below, right between the medieval and modern cities. This station is the main connection hub not only for the lines around the city but for the entire island:
Transfer from Rhodes airport to the city
Given the complexity of getting from Rhodes airport to destinations other than the city of Rhodes by bus, if you don’t want to spend hours on a bus or don’t feel comfortable renting a car abroad, the best option for you is a shuttle or a private transfer to/from Rhodes airport. This will take you directly to your accommodation like a taxi would but usually at a lower cost. Let’s look at a few examples.
Transfer service in Rhodes: Welcome Pickups
The Welcome Pickups service is a transfer service similar to a taxi: the driver will wait for you at the arrivals area of Rhodes airport and take you directly to your accommodation or destination.
This service, available in various islands and European cities, can be convenient if you have a lot of luggage and is more cost-effective than public transport if you’re traveling with multiple people, since you can split the cost. You can check the exact price for your destination here.
Getting around Rhodes by car
The car is definitely the method I most recommend for getting around Rhodes. I know, it’s not the most eco-friendly thought, but once you arrive on the island you’ll quickly realize that a car is essential: let me explain why.
First of all, as we’ve already seen, public transport only reaches the main centers and is only a valid option for getting around the city of Rhodes. Most of the attractions and beaches on the island are therefore unreachable without your own vehicle.
If you’re a fan of two wheels you might consider renting a scooter, but from my point of view, due to the large distances (and the hot temperatures in peak months), it could be exhausting.
Finally renting a car to get around Rhodes is cheaper than in other Greek islands or European countries, thanks also to the possibility of choosing excellent local rental companies and avoiding the usual multinationals.
You can start from about €100/150 per week in low season, going up to €300 for 7–10 days in August, with full coverage included. You can pick up and return the car directly at the airport, saving on any transfer costs.
Rhodes is an island about 100km long and crossing it entirely by car from north to south (for example from the city of Rhodes to Prassonisi) takes almost 3 hours, even though the main roads are well maintained — let alone with public transport. The “Rodou-Lindou”, the island’s main highway connecting the city of Rhodes to the city of Lindos, has two lanes in each direction along almost its entire length: although it flows well, it still requires time and patience as it’s dotted with traffic lights, especially in the northern area.
Accommodation matters too…
Now that you’ve decided how to get around Rhodes, it’s time to also find the best area to stay in Rhodes! Choosing a strategic area to stay in, based on your travel expectations, is also key for getting around: if you have at least 8–10 days, I strongly recommend splitting your stay into 2 parts, a few days in the north and a few days in the central-south area, so you can easily visit the whole island without wasting too much time traveling! But I talk about all this here.
