Getting to Rhodes means choosing between two routes: flying into Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras” on the island’s north-west coast, or sailing into Rhodes town’s harbours by ferry. The largest of the Dodecanese islands sits in the south-eastern Aegean, well served by air from Athens, Thessaloniki and many European cities, and by sea from Piraeus and neighbouring islands. Your choice depends on where you start, your budget and how much time you have. Plan tickets and tours through My Greece Tours.
For the full picture of planning a trip to the island, see our Rhodes travel guide. The sections below cover how to get to Rhodes overall, the flights that serve the island, reaching Rhodes by ferry, getting from the airport to your hotel, and how to get around once you arrive.
How do you get to Rhodes?
You reach Rhodes either by air or by sea. Flights land at Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras” near Paradisi on the north-west coast, while ferries dock at Rhodes town’s harbours. Air is fastest from Athens or Europe; ferries suit island-hopping travellers.
The two arrival routes shape the rest of your journey. Flying is the quickest option for most visitors, with Diagoras airport handling domestic services from Athens and Thessaloniki alongside a wide range of seasonal direct flights from across Europe. This makes Rhodes one of the easier Greek islands to reach without changing at Athens, especially during the warmer travel season when European carriers add direct routes. The airport sits roughly 14 km from Rhodes town, so a short onward transfer completes the trip. Travellers heading for the eastern resorts such as Faliraki or Lindos face a longer cross-island drive, which is worth factoring in when you book accommodation and plan your arrival day around flight times.
The sea route appeals to travellers already in Greece or those combining Rhodes with other islands. Ferries connect Rhodes with Piraeus, the port of Athens, on a long crossing that is often scheduled overnight, and with several nearby Dodecanese islands. Deciding between air and sea comes down to your starting point, how much you value speed, and whether the journey itself is part of the holiday. Our guide to the best time to visit Rhodes covers seasonal route availability, and the next section covers the flights that serve the island.
What flights go to Rhodes?
Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras” (code RHO) receives domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, many seasonal direct flights from cities across Europe, and some inter-island connections. It lies near the village of Paradisi on the north-west coast, about 14 km from Rhodes town.
Domestic flights link Rhodes year-round with the Greek mainland, principally Athens and Thessaloniki, giving travellers from outside Greece a reliable connection even when direct international routes are not operating. These mainland services are the backbone of access in the quieter months. From Athens you can connect onward from almost anywhere in the world, making a one-stop journey straightforward when no direct flight to the island is available. The Athens leg is short, roughly the length of a domestic hop, so even a connecting itinerary brings you to Rhodes within a single day of travel from most of Europe.
During the main travel season the airport adds a broad network of direct flights from across Europe, allowing many visitors to fly straight to Rhodes without passing through Athens. Some inter-island flights also operate, useful for hopping between Aegean destinations by air. Because route availability shifts with the season, it is worth checking schedules well ahead when planning your dates. Our guide to building a Rhodes itinerary covers how arrival time affects your first day, and the next section covers reaching the island by ferry.
How do you reach Rhodes by ferry?
Ferries reach Rhodes town’s harbours, the main commercial port and Akandia, from Piraeus on a long crossing that is often overnight. Other services connect Rhodes with Dodecanese islands such as Kos, Symi, Kalymnos, Patmos and Leros, plus seasonal links with Crete and the Cyclades.
The crossing from Piraeus, the port of Athens, is the principal sea link to Rhodes and covers a considerable distance, so sailings are frequently scheduled overnight to use the long hours efficiently. This route suits travellers who prefer to avoid flying or who want to bring a vehicle, and an overnight passage can double as a night’s accommodation. Ferries arrive at Rhodes town, placing you close to the medieval old town and onward transport. Bringing a vehicle on the ferry is a real advantage if you plan to tour the island, sparing you a separate car hire and letting you drive off the boat straight to your base.
Shorter routes connect Rhodes with neighbouring Dodecanese islands including Kos, Symi, Kalymnos, Patmos and Leros, making the island a natural base for hopping around the archipelago. Seasonal services also link Rhodes with Crete and the Cyclades, opening up wider island-hopping itineraries during the busier months. Sea schedules vary by season and operator, so confirm sailings before committing to dates. Our guide to things to do in Rhodes covers what waits when you dock, and the next section covers getting from the airport to your hotel.
How do you get from Rhodes airport to your hotel?
From Rhodes airport you can take the public bus that runs along the coast, hail a taxi, use a pre-booked private transfer, or pick up a hire car. The airport sits about 14 km from Rhodes town, so onward journeys to most northern resorts are short.
The public bus is the budget choice, running along the coastal road and linking the airport with Rhodes town and nearby resorts. It is economical and frequent enough for many travellers, though you will need to manage luggage and may face a short walk at either end. Taxis wait outside the terminal and offer a direct door-to-door ride, which is convenient after a long flight or when travelling as a small group with bags. Fares to the nearer northern resorts are modest, while longer runs to the east or south coast cost more, so it is worth agreeing the approximate fare before setting off.
Pre-booked private transfers remove the uncertainty of arrival, with a driver waiting to take you straight to your accommodation, useful for families, late arrivals or hotels further from the airport. Hiring a car at the terminal combines your transfer with the freedom to explore later, letting you drive directly to your base and keep the vehicle for the rest of the trip. Our guide to where to stay in Rhodes covers which areas these routes serve, and the next section covers getting around the island once you arrive.
How do you get around Rhodes once you arrive?
Around Rhodes you can use the KTEL public bus network linking Rhodes town with resorts and villages, take taxis for direct trips, or hire a car for the most freedom. A car is best for reaching distant beaches, the west coast and inland sites at your own pace.
The KTEL public bus network is the main form of public transport on the island, connecting Rhodes town with the coastal resorts and many inland villages. It is an affordable way to cover the busier routes and reach popular destinations without driving, though services thin out in the evenings and to the more remote corners of the island, so it pays to check the return times before you set off. Taxis fill the gaps, offering quick, direct journeys when buses are infrequent or when you are travelling with luggage, and they are widely available in town and at the resorts.
For genuine independence, hiring a car is the standout choice on an island as large as Rhodes. It lets you reach quieter beaches, explore the west coast and head inland to archaeological and village sites that are awkward to visit by bus, all on your own schedule. With a car you can combine several spread-out attractions in a single day, something public transport rarely allows here. Plan your visit and tours through our Rhodes travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to fly or take the ferry to Rhodes?
It depends on where you are starting and what you want from the journey. Flying is far quicker and is usually the best choice if you are coming from outside Greece or want to maximise time on the island, with direct seasonal services from many European cities and year-round flights from Athens and Thessaloniki into Diagoras airport. The ferry suits travellers already in Greece, those who dislike flying, or anyone planning to hop between several Dodecanese islands. The crossing from Piraeus is long and often overnight, so it trades speed for a slower, scenic approach that can also save a night’s accommodation. If you want a vehicle on the island without hiring one, the ferry lets you bring your own. For most first-time visitors flying in and arranging onward transport works best, while island-hoppers and the unhurried often prefer the sea.
How far is Rhodes airport from Rhodes town?
Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras” lies on the island’s north-west coast near the village of Paradisi, roughly 14 km from Rhodes town. Because the distance is short, getting to the main town or the northern resorts after landing is straightforward. You have several options for the onward leg: the public bus runs along the coastal road and is the most economical, taxis wait outside the terminal for a direct ride, pre-booked private transfers take you straight to your accommodation, and hire-car desks at the airport let you drive yourself from the moment you arrive. The right choice depends on your budget, the size of your group, how much luggage you have and where your hotel sits. Travellers staying in the northern resorts or Rhodes town itself face only a short hop, while those heading further south or to the west coast should plan a longer onward journey.
Can you island-hop to other islands from Rhodes?
Yes. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese and a natural hub for island-hopping around the south-eastern Aegean. Regular ferry services connect Rhodes town’s harbours with neighbouring Dodecanese islands including Kos, Symi, Kalymnos, Patmos and Leros, so you can build an itinerary that strings several of them together. During the busier travel season, seasonal routes also link Rhodes with Crete to the south-west and with the Cyclades, widening the range of islands within reach by sea. Some inter-island flights operate from Diagoras airport as well, which can speed up longer hops. Because sailings and flights vary with the season and operator, it pays to check current schedules before fixing your plans, especially for the seasonal links that may not run outside the main months. Starting or ending a wider Greek island trip in Rhodes is a popular and practical way to combine destinations.