Rhodes Diagoras Airport (IATA: RHO) is the main gateway for the Dodecanese and one of the busiest charter airports in Greece during summer. It sits on the north-west coast, about 14km from Rhodes Town, which makes the first leg easy. The harder part is the rest of the island: Rhodes is long, with Lindos and the southern resorts one to two hours away depending on the road and the time of day. This guide covers every way to make the trip, with approximate prices as of 2026.
Airport Overview
IATA code: RHO
Full name: Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras”
Location: Paradisi, approximately 14km south-west of Rhodes Town
Terminal: One main terminal for arrivals and departures
Operator: Fraport Greece, which runs the island’s flight information and airport services
The terminal has cafés, ATMs, shops and car hire desks in or beside arrivals. Left luggage is limited, so plan to go straight to your base. In July and August, charter flights from northern Europe arrive in waves, and the taxi rank, bus stop and rental desks all fill up at the same time. A little planning before landing saves a long wait in the heat.
Transfer Options from Rhodes Airport
Taxi
Taxis wait outside arrivals. Fares are either metered or quoted per destination, and a notice board near the rank lists common routes. Ask for the price before you set off and confirm that it includes luggage.
Approximate taxi fares (as of 2026):
- Rhodes Town and Old Town: approximately EUR 25-35
- Ixia and Ialysos: approximately EUR 20-30
- Faliraki: approximately EUR 40-50
- Kolymbia: approximately EUR 50-60
- Lindos: approximately EUR 75-95
- Pefkos and Haraki: approximately EUR 75-90
- Kiotari and Gennadi: approximately EUR 85-105
Night fares are higher, usually by around 25-30% between midnight and 05:00. Cards are not always accepted, so carry cash.
Public Bus
The public bus links the airport with Rhodes Town. It stops near the New Market bus station, which is also where the east coast and Lindos services start. The fare is approximately EUR 2-3 as of 2026.
Things to know:
- Services run roughly hourly in summer, with a thinner timetable from October to April
- There is no service late at night, so it does not suit a delayed evening arrival
- There is no direct bus to Lindos or the southern resorts. You change in Rhodes Town, which adds time and a bus station hop with luggage
The bus works well if you are staying in Rhodes Town or Ixia and arrive in daytime. For the east coast or the south, it is a slow and awkward start to a holiday.
Private Transfer
Pre-booked private transfers suit families, groups and anyone staying beyond Faliraki. The driver meets you in arrivals, helps with bags and drives you door to door. Kiwitaxi lists local operators with fixed prices, so you can compare before you fly. Welcome Pickups offers a meet-and-greet service that follows your flight, so a delay does not leave you without a ride.
Approximate private transfer prices (as of 2026):
- Rhodes Town: approximately EUR 30-40
- Faliraki: approximately EUR 40-55
- Lindos: approximately EUR 70-95
- Kiotari and Gennadi: approximately EUR 80-110
For four people, the per-head cost of a van to Lindos is often lower than the cost of a bus plus a connection, and far quicker.
Hotel Transfers
Many all-inclusive resorts on the east coast and in the south offer an airport shuttle, either free or for a fee. Ask at booking and again a week before travel. Some resorts use shared coaches that wait for several flights, which can add an hour to the journey, so check whether the transfer is private or shared.
Car Hire
Rental desks for the major brands and local firms are in or next to the terminal. A car is the best way to see Rhodes beyond the town: Lindos, the Valley of the Butterflies, Prassonisi at the southern tip and the west coast villages are all easier with your own wheels. Book ahead for July and August. See our Greece car rental guide for insurance, deposits and driving rules, or compare car hire in Greece before you travel.
Roads are good on the main coastal highway but narrow and steep inland. Parking in Rhodes Old Town is restricted, so most visitors leave the car outside the walls.
Getting to Key Destinations
To Rhodes Town and the Old Town
Approximately 14km, 20-25 minutes. Taxis and private transfers stop at the edge of the Old Town. The medieval streets are cobbled and closed to most vehicles, so you will walk the last stretch with your bags. Hotels inside the walls will give you the nearest gate to use. If you are choosing where to base yourself, our where to stay in Rhodes guide compares the areas.
To Faliraki and the East Coast
Faliraki is approximately 30 minutes by road, with Kolymbia and Afandou a little further. Buses leave from Rhodes Town, not the airport, so a taxi or private transfer is the simplest option.
To Lindos
Lindos is approximately 55km from the airport, 55-70 minutes by car. There is no direct public service from RHO. Taxis and transfers are the realistic choice. The village is largely pedestrian, so your driver will drop you at a car park on the edge. Ask your hotel how luggage reaches the village core, as vehicle access is restricted.
To the Southern Resorts
Pefkos, Haraki, Kiotari, Gennadi and Prassonisi are 60-110km away. Journey times run from about 50 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. Rhodes is a long island and these are the transfers where a private pickup or a rental car clearly beats public transport.
To the West Coast
Ialysos and Ixia are close, only 10-15 minutes. The west coast towards Kalavarda and Kameiros is a further 30-45 minutes. The bus network on this side is limited, so most visitors use taxis or a car.
Late Arrivals and Early Departures
Late flights are common in summer. After midnight the bus is not an option and taxis are fewer, so pre-book a driver for any arrival after 22:00. For departures before 07:00, arrange a private pickup the night before. Check-in queues at RHO can stretch in peak season, so aim to be at the terminal two hours before departure.
Ferries and Onward Travel
Rhodes also has a busy harbour with ferries and catamarans to Symi, Kos, Halki and other Dodecanese islands. Excursion boats leave from Mandraki harbour in Rhodes Town. If you plan a day trip to Symi, the Rhodes tours booking page shows the options. Our Rhodes island guide and getting around Rhodes cover buses, taxis and ferries once you have arrived, and the best tours in Rhodes page lists the main excursions.
Tips for Rhodes Transfers
- Choose by base, not by price: For Rhodes Town, the bus or a taxi is fine. For Lindos or Kiotari, a pre-booked transfer or rental car avoids a slow and costly chain of connections.
- Agree the fare first: If you take a taxi, confirm the price or ask the driver to use the meter before you leave the rank.
- Carry some cash: Not every taxi takes cards.
- Confirm the meeting point: Private drivers usually wait in arrivals with a name sign. Save your driver’s phone number.
- Return trip: Book the pickup back to RHO at the same time as the outbound one, particularly for early-morning flights.
Pre-book your Rhodes airport transfer for a fixed price and a driver waiting at arrivals, or use Welcome Pickups if you want flight tracking built in.
Related Guides
- Rhodes Travel Guide - Old Town, Lindos, beaches and day trips
- Getting Around Rhodes - buses, taxis, ferries and car hire
- Where to Stay in Rhodes - areas and hotel types
- Getting Around Greece - domestic flights, ferries and buses
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