Mykonos to Rhodes is a long journey between distant island groups, by a seasonal SeaJets ferry of 13 hours or more, or by flying, usually via Athens or on limited direct services, taking around 2 hours 40 minutes. This guide covers the ferry and flight options, the times, the costs and what to see in Rhodes.
Rhodes is a longer-haul connection from the Cyclades in the Mykonos travel guide, complementing the ferry guide. The sections below cover it in full.
How do you get from Mykonos to Rhodes?
You get from Mykonos to Rhodes by ferry or by flying. The seasonal direct ferry, run by SeaJets, takes around 13 hours or more, often overnight. Flying is faster at about 2 hours 40 minutes but usually connects through Athens, with limited direct flights a few times a week. There is no quick, frequent direct link.
Getting from Mykonos to Rhodes means crossing from the Cyclades to the distant Dodecanese island group in the south-east Aegean, so it is a longer journey than hopping between neighbouring Cycladic islands. There are two main options. The first is the ferry: a seasonal direct service operated by SeaJets, with around seven sailings a week in season, typically departing in the afternoon and taking around thirteen to fourteen hours or more, often running overnight, with options for airline-style seats or cabins. The second is flying, which is much faster in the air at around two hours forty minutes, but usually requires a connection through Athens, as direct flights between Mykonos and Rhodes are limited, operating only a few times a week in summer with carriers such as Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. There is no quick, frequent direct link, so this route takes planning. Choosing between the long ferry and a flight depends on your budget, schedule and preference, set out alongside the guide to the airport. The ferry and flight each have trade-offs.
Should you take the ferry or fly to Rhodes?
Fly to Rhodes for speed if you can get a direct flight or a smooth Athens connection, as flying takes about 2 hours 40 minutes in the air. Take the long overnight ferry, around 13 hours, if you prefer a scenic, cabin-equipped sea journey, want to avoid airports, or to save on a flight. Both run mainly in season.
Deciding between the ferry and flying to Rhodes depends on what you value, as each has clear trade-offs on this long route. Flying is the fastest option overall: the flight itself takes only about two hours forty minutes, but direct Mykonos to Rhodes flights are limited to a few a week in summer, so most travellers connect through Athens, which adds airport time and a layover, making the door-to-door journey several hours; still, it is usually quicker than the ferry and best if time is short. The ferry, by contrast, is a long haul of around thirteen to fourteen hours or more, typically overnight, but it appeals if you prefer a scenic sea journey, want to avoid airports and baggage limits, like the option of a private or shared cabin to sleep, or wish to save the cost of a flight; an overnight cabin crossing effectively doubles as a night’s transport. Both options run mainly in the summer season, with reduced links off-season. Weighing speed against the experience and cost points to the right choice for your trip, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos to Athens. The costs and times are worth knowing.
What do the ferry and flights cost and when do they run?
The Mykonos to Rhodes ferry costs from around 100 to 120 euros or more depending on seat or cabin, and runs about 7 times a week in season, mostly afternoon and overnight. Flights cost roughly 100 to 240 euros, with limited direct services a few times a week and more frequent connections via Athens. Both run mainly May to October.
Costs and schedules on the Mykonos to Rhodes route reflect its length and seasonal nature, so it pays to plan and book ahead. The seasonal SeaJets ferry typically costs from around 100 to 120 euros or more one way, varying with whether you choose airline-style seating, a shared cabin or a private cabin, with the overnight cabin option adding comfort for the long crossing; it runs roughly seven times a week in season, usually with afternoon departures and an overnight journey. Flights vary more in price, typically from around 100 to 240 euros depending on demand, route and how far ahead you book; direct flights operate only a few times a week in summer, while connections via Athens run more frequently but take longer and may cost more. Both the direct ferry and the direct flights run mainly in the summer season, roughly May to October, with reduced or indirect options at other times, so off-season travel usually means routing through Athens. Booking well in advance secures better fares and availability on this limited route, set out alongside the guide to when to visit. Rhodes rewards the journey.
What can you see and do in Rhodes?
In Rhodes you can explore the medieval Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO site with its Palace of the Grand Master and walls, relax on long beaches, visit the Acropolis of Lindos and its whitewashed village, and see ancient sites and the Valley of the Butterflies. Rhodes is a large, historic island blending medieval, ancient and beach appeal.
Rhodes is one of Greece’s largest and most historic islands, making the long journey from Mykonos worthwhile for a longer stay. Its crown jewel is the magnificent medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO-listed Old Town and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, encircled by mighty walls and home to the Palace of the Grand Master, the cobbled Street of the Knights and a maze of atmospheric lanes, shops and tavernas. The island has long, sandy and pebbly beaches along its coasts, popular resort areas, and warm, clear water. A highlight is Lindos, a beautiful whitewashed village crowned by an ancient acropolis with dramatic sea views, around an hour from Rhodes Town. Rhodes is rich in ancient and natural sights too, including the Acropolis of Rhodes, the ancient city of Kamiros, and the famous Valley of the Butterflies, a lush nature reserve. With its blend of medieval grandeur, ancient history, beaches and lively resorts, Rhodes deserves several days, so it suits a longer trip rather than a quick visit, set out alongside the guide to island hopping. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
How many days do you need in Rhodes?
You need at least 3 to 4 days in Rhodes to do it justice, and ideally a week, as it is a large, varied island. That allows time for the medieval Old Town, the beaches, Lindos and its acropolis, and ancient and natural sights. Given the long journey from Mykonos, Rhodes rewards a longer stay rather than a quick visit.
Rhodes is a large and richly varied island, so planning enough time is important, especially given the long journey from Mykonos. A day trip is not realistic from Mykonos because of the distance, so Rhodes is a destination in its own right that deserves a proper stay. As a minimum, allow three to four days: one or two to explore the magnificent medieval Old Town of Rhodes, with its walls, the Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights; a day for Lindos, the beautiful clifftop village with its ancient acropolis and bay, about an hour away; and time for the beaches and a relaxed pace. Ideally, give Rhodes a week, which lets you add the ancient sites of Kamiros and the Acropolis of Rhodes, the Valley of the Butterflies nature reserve, the inland villages and castles, more of the island’s long coastline and beaches, and perhaps a boat trip to nearby Symi. Because reaching Rhodes from Mykonos takes a long ferry or a flight via Athens, it makes most sense as part of a longer Greece itinerary or a dedicated leg of your trip, rather than a rushed add-on. Allowing several days ensures the journey is well rewarded, set out alongside the guide to island hopping. Whether it is worth it depends on your trip.
Is it worth going from Mykonos to Rhodes?
Going from Mykonos to Rhodes is worth it if you have time for a longer trip and want to combine Cycladic glamour with a large, historic Dodecanese island. The medieval Old Town, Lindos, beaches and ancient sites are superb. But given the long ferry or fly-via-Athens journey, it suits a multi-stop itinerary rather than a short holiday.
Whether the trip from Mykonos to Rhodes is worthwhile depends on your time and travel style, as the two islands are far apart and very different. On the plus side, Rhodes is one of Greece’s most rewarding islands, pairing the beautifully preserved, UNESCO-listed medieval city with ancient ruins, the stunning village of Lindos, long beaches and lush nature, offering a depth of history and variety that contrasts wonderfully with Mykonos’s compact Cycladic glamour. Combining the two gives a rich Greek trip spanning two island groups. The drawback is the journey: there is no quick, frequent direct link, so you face either a long overnight ferry of around thirteen to fourteen hours or a flight that usually connects through Athens, both taking significant time and planning. This makes the pairing best suited to a longer holiday or a multi-stop island-hopping or Greece-wide itinerary with time to spare, rather than a short break where the travel would eat into your days. If you have the time and want to see a grand, historic island alongside Mykonos, it is well worth it; if your trip is short, you may prefer a closer Cycladic island instead, set out alongside the guide to day trips. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Mykonos to Rhodes ferry take?
The seasonal direct Mykonos to Rhodes ferry, run by SeaJets, takes around 13 to 14 hours or more, typically departing in the afternoon and running overnight, with airline-style seats or cabins available. It is a long crossing between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, so many travellers fly via Athens instead to save time.
Is there a direct flight from Mykonos to Rhodes?
There are limited direct flights from Mykonos to Rhodes, operating only a few times a week in summer with carriers like Aegean Airlines and Sky Express, taking about 2 hours 40 minutes. Most travellers connect through Athens, which is more frequent but adds airport and layover time to the journey.
Is it better to fly or ferry from Mykonos to Rhodes?
Flying is faster if you can get a direct flight or a smooth Athens connection, while the long overnight ferry suits those who prefer a sea journey with a cabin, want to avoid airports, or to save on a flight. Both run mainly in the summer season, so choose by your budget and schedule.