Rhodes Airport (RHO): What to Know Before You Land

Rhodes has a single airport, Diagoras (RHO), named for Diagoras of Rhodes, a celebrated boxer of the ancient world. It's a small regional airport that handles a very big summer crowd, and once you're through arrivals, Rhodes Town is a short bus, taxi or rental-car ride away.

Where is Rhodes Airport, and what is it like?

The airport sits on the island's west side near the village of Paradisi, about 9 miles (15 km) southwest of Rhodes Town. Small as it is, it ranks fourth in Greece for passenger traffic. In summer dozens of airlines fly in on scheduled and charter flights, from Aegean and Sky Express to British Airways, Lufthansa, Ryanair and Wizz Air.

There is one terminal, made up of two buildings joined by a corridor. The older building on the left serves both arrivals and departures, while the newer one on the right is used for departures. There are no jet bridges, so a bus carries you between the concourse and your plane.

Both buildings are being renovated, a project expected to run for the next few years and scheduled mostly for the quieter winter months. The toilets and air conditioning have already been modernized. In peak season the terminal gets crowded, and check-in and security lines can run long.

What can you do inside the terminal?

More than you might expect. Cafes and restaurants are spread across both the landside and airside, though none is confirmed to stay open around the clock.

ATMs are on both sides of security, and currency exchange is landside in arrivals. Luggage carts and luggage wrapping are available, and luggage storage is in the baggage claim area. There's a medical centre but no pharmacy, so pack any medicine you'll need.

Free WiFi covers the terminals: select the Fraport-Free network and open your browser to reach the welcome page. Charging points are on pillars near the landside entrances, with both USB ports and standard European sockets.

Two lounges, Skyserv and Filoxenia, share the second floor of the Intra Schengen departures hall, past security. Filoxenia serves food and drinks, including alcohol, and you can pay at the door.

Lifts, ramps and accessible toilets are in place. If you need special assistance, request it through your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before your flight, then head to the airline's check-in counters or a designated assistance point on arrival.

How do you get from Rhodes Airport to Rhodes Town?

By bus

Municipal public buses run daily between the airport and Rhodes Town. The stop is between the old and new terminal buildings, buses leave every 20 to 40 minutes or so, and the ride takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. The route ends at the west-side bus terminal on Averof Street.

By taxi

Blue and white cabs line up at the rank just outside the Arrivals Hall, and taxis are available at any hour. The trip to the city center takes about 20 to 30 minutes. A cab can be a comfortable pick when the weather is hot or the buses fill up. To lock in a fixed price and skip the queue at busy hours, pre-book a transfer.

By rental car

The rental desks of Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, Avance and Auto Holidays are on the ground level, right after you collect your bags and walk out of arrivals. Booking ahead is usually the smart move. The drive to Rhodes Town takes about 20 minutes, give or take traffic.

How do you reach the beach resorts and villages?

The airport bus doesn't go to the east-coast resorts, so ride it into Rhodes Town and change there. The island has two bus operators, the municipal buses and KTEL, and each runs its own station in town.

KTEL covers the east coast, with buses to Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos and stops in between, seven days a week. Lindos is about an hour from town, and in summer the last buses back can leave in the early evening, so check the timetable before you settle in for sunset. The municipal buses serve Ialysos, Ixia and Kremasti several times an hour on weekdays, and they also run a line to Faliraki along Kallithea Avenue.

Without a car, look up your hotel's nearest bus stop and the timetable for the trips you have in mind before you book. If your room is on a pedestrian lane, allow extra time for the final stretch with your luggage.

Should you rent a car on Rhodes?

If you plan to explore beyond the town, yes. The bus network is good, but a car or scooter takes you to beaches and villages on your own schedule, with no timetables to chase. With the desks steps from baggage claim, you can be on the road soon after you land.

How early should you get to Rhodes Airport for your flight?

Plan on about 3 hours before an international flight and about 2 hours before a domestic or Schengen one. That buffer is handy in summer. The terminal operates day and night in season, though hours can be reduced in winter. Departure boards show Greek local time, and any schedule change has to go through whoever sold you the ticket.

If you're driving in, Fast Car Park has a short-term section about 98 feet (30 meters) from the terminals and a long-term section that is also a short walk away. Both run around the clock under camera surveillance, and hourly rates drop the longer you stay.

Can you sleep at Rhodes Airport?

You can, though it won't be cozy. Seating is hard metal benches, the lights stay bright, mosquitoes can be a nuisance, and there are no dedicated rest areas or cots. A travel mat, an eye mask and insect repellent make the night far easier. If you'd like a real bed, the budget guesthouse Casa di Pino is about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) from the terminal, and the mid-range Valentino Hotel (1.6 miles / 1.6 miles (2.6 km)) and the mid-range Oros Hotel (2.1 miles / 2.1 miles (3.4 km)) are a short drive away.