How to Get to Rhodes: Flying, Ferrying and Everything In Between

From Athens you can reach Rhodes two ways: a flight of about an hour, or a long ferry ride from the port of Piraeus that usually includes a night at sea. For a first trip, fly. Take the boat if you want the sea, a bed cabin and your car along for the ride.

How do you get to Rhodes from Athens?

Rhodes is the biggest island in the Dodecanese, far out in the southeastern Aegean, yet getting there from the mainland is simple. Direct flights leave Athens International Airport several times a day. Ferries leave from Piraeus and reach Rhodes Town the next morning, or sometimes the next afternoon.

Flying from Athens

Several airlines fly the route, including Aegean Airlines and Sky Express, and the flight takes about an hour. You land at Rhodes International Airport, one of the busiest in Greece. It sits in the northern part of the island, about 10 miles (16 km) from Rhodes Town. Flight times are posted in Greek local time. If your schedule changes, call your airline or travel agent.

Taking the ferry from Piraeus

Blue Star Ferries runs the route with conventional ferries. These are big, slow ships with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops on board. Ferries from Piraeus to Rhodes usually leave in the afternoon or at night, so for many travelers the crossing includes a night aboard. You can bring a car or motorcycle for an extra fee.

To reach the port, take Metro Line 1 from central Athens to Piraeus Station, a ride of about 20 to 30 minutes. A taxi, private transfer or rental car works too. Ferries to Rhodes leave from Gates E1, E7 and E8, so check your ticket for yours. Foot passengers should arrive at least an hour before departure. The port has free Wi-Fi, ATMs, a ticket office, parking, taxis, restrooms and accessible facilities.

Can you fly to Rhodes without going through Athens?

In summer, yes. The airport receives flights from many European cities, with direct service from London, Paris, Vienna, Munich, Brussels and others. If you're connecting through one of those hubs, you can fly straight to the island. Otherwise, Athens connects easily by plane or boat.

Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Rhodes?

Flying wins on time by a wide margin: about an hour in the air, against most of a day on the water. It often wins on price as well, since a flight can cost the same as the ferry or less.

The ferry has its own rewards. It passes many Dodecanese islands, and on an evening sailing in clear weather you may catch the sunset over the Aegean. How you feel the next morning depends on where you sleep. A cabin lets you arrive rested. A seat or deck space often doesn't.

Quick answers:

• First trip: fly. You get more time on the island.
• Traveling with a car or lots of luggage: take the ferry, which carries your car or motorcycle.
• Tight budget: compare both on your dates. A ferry seat costs far less than a cabin, but a cheap flight may beat both.

How long is the ferry to Rhodes?

Plan on 15 to 19 hours, and up to a full day on some sailings, depending on the company and the stops along the way. Ferries sail daily, usually once or twice a day in high season. Schedules shift with the season and the day of the week, and exact times appear when you book.

How do you book ferries to Rhodes?

Buy tickets online ahead of your trip, or at the ticket office in Piraeus if you'd rather do it in person. Book early. Fares change daily with availability, and booking early often means a lower price.

You'll choose between deck space, a reserved seat, and a private or shared cabin with a bed. On a crossing this long, a bed cabin is worth it for most people. Cabins are available on some ferry routes to and from Rhodes, including with Blue Star Ferries, and booking ahead is a good idea if you want one.

How do you get to Rhodes from other islands?

Mostly by ferry, and Rhodes is the hub of the Dodecanese, with boats to and from Symi, Tilos, Kos, Karpathos, Kastellorizo, Kalymnos, Leros, Nisyros and Patmos, as well as Santorini and Crete (Heraklion and Sitia).

Crossing times vary a lot. Symi is a little over an hour away. Kos takes 2 to 3 hours on the high-speed ferry, against about 7 hours and 15 minutes on a conventional one. Karpathos takes about 2.5 to 4 hours on the fast boat or 6 to 8 hours on a conventional one. High-speed boats handle these shorter hops, while the long run from Athens is left to the big conventional ships.

Turkey is close too. Boats connect Rhodes with Marmaris, Fethiye and Bodrum, so bring your passport.

How do you get from the port or airport to your hotel?

From the airport

A direct public bus runs to Rhodes Town from a stop between the old and new terminals. The ride takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. The bus doesn't go to the east-coast resorts, so ride it into town and change there. A taxi takes you straight to your door.

From the ferry port

Rhodes has several harbors, so confirm the arrival port on your ticket. Ferries from Piraeus dock at the main ferry port, the Commercial Harbour (Akandia), on the south side of town. From there it's a 20-minute walk to the Old Town walls or a 5-minute taxi ride to the center. Mandraki, the old harbor in front of the Old Town, handles excursion boats, yachts and cruise ships. The Tourist Port sits by the Old Town, within walking distance.

Onward to beaches and villages

KTEL buses leave the central bus station, on the edge of the Old Town, for almost any point on the island, with frequent service to Lindos, Faliraki and Kolymbia. Lindos is about an hour away. If you're heading out straight from the ferry, the nearest bus stop is about a third of a mile (500 meters) from the pier.

The bus network is good, but a car or scooter takes you to more of the island's hidden corners. Bring your own on the ferry or rent one on Rhodes. Greek law requires a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit.

What do Americans need to know before traveling to Rhodes?

U.S. citizens can visit Greece without a visa for up to 90 days of tourism or business. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date.

The State Department calls Greece generally safe, but petty crime is common in tourist spots. Pickpockets work public transportation, especially the metro. Thieves also break into rental cars for passports and luggage, so don't leave valuables inside.

Transportation strikes can stop ferries and flights, and demonstrations can break out with little notice. Check the news in the days before you sail or fly. Carry your passport or another photo ID at all times.