Rhodes Airport (RHO): Arrivals, Transfers & Getting to Town

Rhodes Airport at a Glance

Rhodes International Airport, officially named 'Diagoras' after a famous ancient Rhodian boxer, carries the IATA code RHO. It is the main gateway to the island, handling several million passengers annually during the April-to-October tourist season. The airport is located near the village of Paradisi, on the island's northwest coast, 14 km southwest of Rhodes Town and just 4 km from the beach resorts of Ixia and Ialyssos.

The terminal is relatively compact by international standards, with a single main hall for arrivals and departures. After passport control, you will find car hire desks from all major providers, an ATM, a small café, and the exit to the taxi rank and bus stop. There is no dedicated fast-track lane for arrivals, so during peak summer months (July and August), passport control queues for non-EU travellers can run 30-45 minutes. Factor this into your transfer timing.

Transfer Options: Bus, Taxi, and Private

You have three realistic transfer options from RHO to Rhodes Town: the public KTEL bus, an official taxi, or a pre-booked private transfer. Each suits a different type of traveller. Here is an honest comparison.

• Public Bus (KTEL) Costs approximately €2.20–€4.40 one-way. Journey time is around 40 minutes with stops en route. Services operate roughly 06:30–23:00 with intervals of 10–40 minutes depending on the time of day. The stop is directly outside the arrivals exit. Luggage space is limited — manageable with a backpack or carry-on, but awkward with large suitcases. Best for solo travellers or pairs travelling light on a tight budget.
• Official Taxi A taxi to Rhodes Town centre usually costs around €25-30 by meter (higher at night) and takes about 20 minutes. Taxis operate 24/7 from the official rank outside arrivals. In peak season (June-October), queues of 10+ minutes are common after large flight arrivals. Pay in euros; tipping 5-10% is customary but not mandatory.
• Private Transfer Starts from around €30 for a standard saloon car. Journey time matches a taxi at approximately 20 minutes, but the driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board and monitors your flight for delays. Fixed price regardless of traffic or waiting time. Must be booked in advance — at least 10 hours ahead is recommended. Platforms offering this service include Welcome Pickups, Aegean Taxi, Rodos Taxi, Ziptransfers, and Suntransfers.
• Rental Car All major hire companies have desks inside the terminal. Collecting a car on arrival adds time but gives you full island flexibility from day one. Strongly recommended for anyone planning to explore beyond the main resorts. Roads from the airport to town are straightforward and well-signed.

Taking the Bus: What to Expect

The KTEL (also referred to as RODA) bus is the cheapest way into Rhodes Town and is genuinely viable if you are travelling light. The stop is immediately outside the arrivals exit, clearly marked. Buy your ticket from the driver when boarding. The route heads northeast along the coast, passing through Ixia and Ialyssos before reaching the main KTEL bus terminal on Averof Street near the New Town in Rhodes. From there, the Old Town is a 10-15 minute walk.

The main downside is frequency and luggage. During quieter morning slots you might wait 40 minutes for a bus, and the overhead racks are not designed for large rolling suitcases. If you are staying in Ixia or Ialyssos, the bus is especially convenient since those resort areas are on the route and the journey is only around 10-15 minutes. For the Old Town or New Town, budget 40 minutes total.

Taking a Taxi: Practical Details

Taxis from RHO are metered and regulated, so fares to central Rhodes Town are usually around €25-30 depending on traffic and day/night tariff. The rank is directly outside arrivals, staffed continuously. In summer, particularly between 14:00 and 22:00 when multiple charter flights land in quick succession, the queue can be frustrating. This is the single strongest argument for pre-booking a private transfer if you are arriving in July or August.

Night-time fares (between midnight and 05:00) are typically higher under a separate tariff rate. If your flight is an early morning arrival or late-night departure, confirm the applicable rate with the driver before setting off. Most airport taxi drivers speak basic English. Tipping 5-10% is appreciated but not expected if the service is unremarkable.

Pre-Booked Private Transfers: When They Are Worth It

Private transfers cost only marginally more than a taxi for two people and significantly less per head for groups of four. The key advantage is the meet-and-greet: your driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name on a board, regardless of delays. This removes any airport stress, particularly after a long journey or with children and large luggage.

For families, couples on a honeymoon in Rhodes, or anyone arriving late at night, a private transfer is the cleanest option. Platforms worth considering include Welcome Pickups, Rodos Taxi, Aegean Taxi, Ziptransfers, and Suntransfers. Prices and vehicle types vary, so compare quotes. Book well in advance during peak season — availability on the day is not guaranteed.

Getting from the Airport to Other Parts of the Island

If your accommodation is not in Rhodes Town, your transfer logistics change considerably. Travellers heading to Lindos (50 km southeast) should budget around 50-60 minutes by taxi or private transfer, with fares typically in the €55-70 range. There is no direct bus from the airport to Lindos; you would need to take the airport bus to Rhodes Town and then transfer to a second KTEL service.

For Faliraki (around 20 km northeast of the airport), a taxi costs roughly €30-35. The resort areas of Pefkos and Lardos on the southeast coast are around 60-70 km from the airport, making a rental car the most practical choice for a week-long stay there. Prasonisi at the island's southern tip is over 90 km away — definitely hire a car if you are based that far south.

• Rhodes Town centre: ~14 km, 20 minutes by taxi, ~40 minutes by bus
• Ixia / Ialyssos (west coast resorts): ~4-8 km, 10 minutes by taxi, ~15 minutes by bus
• Faliraki: ~20 km, 25 minutes by taxi
• Lindos: ~50 km, 50-60 minutes by taxi or private transfer
• Pefkos / Lardos: ~60 km, 60-70 minutes by taxi
• Prasonisi (southern tip): ~90 km, 90+ minutes — rental car strongly recommended

Picking up a rental car at the airport is the most efficient option if your itinerary covers multiple parts of the island. All major international companies plus several reliable local operators have desks in the terminal. For full details on costs, road conditions, and driving tips, see our Rhodes car hire guide.

Seasonal Considerations and Peak Period Advice

Rhodes is one of Greece's most visited islands, and the airport reflects that. Between June and October, RHO handles a significant volume of charter traffic from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands. July and August are the most intense months: expect crowded passport halls, longer taxi queues, and occasional delays at car hire desks. If you are visiting in this window, pre-booking your transfer and your car hire is not optional — it is practical. The best time to visit Rhodes guide covers the full seasonal breakdown if you have flexibility in your travel dates.

Outside peak season, specifically May, early June, September, and October, the airport experience is notably calmer. Taxis are available without queuing, buses run on schedule, and car hire prices drop considerably. If you are arriving in November through March, note that many resort-area hotels are closed and the KTEL bus schedule is reduced. Always verify current timetables directly with KTEL before travel.