Rhodes Transport Guide – Best Ways to Travel in Rhodes

Easy Rhodes Transport Guide: how to move around the island using taxis, buses or rental cars. Local advice, prices & safe travel tips.

Looneytravels

11/24/20256 min read

⭐ Rhodes Transport Guide 2026 – How to Get Around Rhodes Like a Local

Hi traveller — I’m Looneytravels, your friendly Rhodes local. I live here year-round, exploring every resort, every road, every hidden beach and every bus route so your holiday becomes smoother, cheaper and completely stress-free.

This Rhodes Transport Guide 2026 explains everything you need to know about moving around Rhodes:

  • taxis

  • buses

  • private transfers

  • car rental

  • parking rules

  • scooters & quad warnings

  • best choices based on your travel style

  • insider micro-tips

  • real distances, prices & times

For deeper planning, check Rhodes Travel Guide 2026, Rhodes 7-Day Itinerary, Where to Stay in Rhodes, and Where to Stay in Rhodes Without a Car.

Let’s make your Rhodes holiday easy from the moment you land.

⭐ Getting Started With Transport in Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the largest Greek islands, stretching:

  • 78 km long (north to south)

  • up to 38 km wide

  • with beaches, mountain villages, forests, hidden bays and resort strips scattered across the coastline

Because the island is large, choosing the right way to move around impacts your entire holiday.

What most first-timers misunderstand:

❌ Buses are good — but slow and full in summer
❌ You cannot drive into Rhodes Old Town or Lindos village
❌ Taxis are safe, but limited during peak hours
❌ Scooters & quads are not a safe choice
❌ Transfer services can be cheaper than taxis for long routes

And the #1 mistake:

Staying far from your beach or bus stop.

If you’re still choosing a base, read Where to Stay in Rhodes and Where to Stay in Rhodes Without a Car to avoid expensive transport mistakes.

⭐ Taxis in Rhodes – Safe, Reliable & Everywhere

Taxis are one of the easiest ways to travel around Rhodes. You’ll find taxi stands at:

  • Rhodes Airport

  • Rhodes Town (Mandraki, Old Town Gates, Elli Beach area)

  • Faliraki

  • Kolymbia

  • Lindos

  • Afandou

  • Ixia

  • Ialysos

  • Kiotari (summer station)

There is no Uber or Bolt on Rhodes.

⭐ Typical Taxi Prices in Rhodes (2026 Updated)

Airport → Rhodes Town: €27–30
Airport → Faliraki: €28–32
Airport → Kolymbia: €40–48
Airport → Lindos: €85–100
Rhodes Town → Faliraki: €19–22
Rhodes Town → Kolymbia: €25–32
Rhodes Town → Lindos: €70–85
Faliraki → Lindos: €55–65
Ixia → Rhodes Old Town: €8–12

Check Rhodes Taxi Prices – Full Guide with Prices 2025 for detailed price lists.

Distances to help you understand pricing:

Rhodes Town ↔ Lindos: 48 km
Faliraki ↔ Lindos: 35 km
Kolymbia ↔ Lindos: 25 km

⭐ How Payments Work

✔ Cash preferred
✔ Card sometimes accepted — but never rely on it
✔ Always ask: “Is card OK?” before entering
✔ Hotel taxi call fee: €2–3 surcharge
✔ Night surcharge may apply after 00:00

⭐ Local Taxi Tips From a Rhodes Resident

✔ Taxi ranks show fixed prices — no surprises
✔ July–August queues can form at taxi stations
✔ Drivers are friendly but may drive fast
✔ In Lindos, taxis cannot enter the village
✔ At the airport, taxis run 24/7 without reservation

External reference: Lonely Planet confirms taxis are widely available but busier in peak season.

⭐ Pros & Cons of Taxis

Pros
✔ Fast for short distances
✔ Always available
✔ Safe and reliable
✔ Good for families & seniors

Cons
❌ Expensive for long routes
❌ Harder to find during storms or heatwaves
❌ Drivers may decline long card payments

⭐ Private Transfers – The Most Comfortable Way to Travel in Rhodes

Private transfers offer a more relaxed experience, especially after a long flight or during peak summer crowds.

Many visitors switch to private transfers once they compare comfort vs taxi rush.

⭐ Why Private Transfers Are Better

✔ Professional, calm drivers
✔ No rushing, no aggressive driving
✔ No hidden fees
✔ Ideal for airport pickups
✔ Guaranteed space for luggage
✔ Perfect for families, seniors, couples
✔ 24/7 availability
✔ Often cheaper than taxis on long routes

⭐ Looneytravels Recommended Transfer Partner

G.E.S Travel Agency
My trusted local partner for years.
Reliable, friendly, fast — and perfect for stress-free travel.

💙 Mention “Looneytravels” for 10% OFF.

⭐ Transfer Pros & Cons

Pros
✔ Safest overall option
✔ Best for long distances
✔ Perfect for late-night arrivals
✔ If you have luggage, this is the easiest choice

Cons
❌ Must be pre-booked
❌ Slightly higher cost than taxis for short 5–7 km trips

⭐ Understanding Buses in Rhodes (Full Breakdown)

Rhodes has two separate bus systems, each covering different parts of the island:

🔵 RODA (Blue Buses) – West Coast
🟠 KTEL (Orange Buses) – East Coast

Both systems start in Rhodes Town.

Important:

Rhodes buses are very cheap, but also slow and crowded from June to September.

⭐ Blue Buses (RODA) – West Coast Routes

Covers:
Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialysos, Kremasti, Paradeisi, Theologos, Soroni, Damatria, Pastida, Eleousa, Archipoli, Dimilia, Embonas, Siana, Monolithos, Ancient Kamiros.

New 2025 route:
Airport → Kallithea → Faliraki → Kolymbia

Tickets:

  • Cash to driver

  • Kiosks in bigger towns

Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes
Issue: Skip stops when full

Useful for:

  • Ixia

  • Ialysos

  • West coast villages

  • Budget travellers

⭐ Orange Buses (KTEL) – East Coast Routes

Covers:
Rhodes Town, Faliraki, Kalithies, Afandou, Kolymbia, Archangelos, Haraki, Malona, Massari, Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, Lachania, Kattavia, Prasonisi.

Tickets:

  • Driver (cash/card)

  • Station booths (Rhodes Town & Lindos)

Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes
Issue: Lindos buses full daily in high season

External reference: Visit Greece notes buses are affordable but crowded in summer.

⭐ Pros & Cons of Buses

Pros
✔ Cheapest way to travel
✔ Good for short distances
✔ Ideal for car-free travellers staying in Faliraki, Kolymbia or Rhodes Town

Cons
❌ Slow — 2 hours to Lindos
❌ Standing room only in summer
❌ Last buses extremely full
❌ Timetables change seasonally

If you rely on buses, read Where to Stay in Rhodes Without a Car.

⭐ Car Rental in Rhodes – Best for Exploring

Renting a car is the best choice for travellers who want:

  • Hidden beaches

  • Mountain villages

  • West coast sunset spots

  • Remote monasteries

  • Scenic drives

  • Freedom without timetables

Rhodes is one of the most road-trip-friendly islands in Greece.

⭐ Why Renting a Car Helps

✔ Explore Rhodes your way
✔ Air-conditioning in summer
✔ Discover quiet beaches
✔ Perfect for families
✔ Easier for grocery runs
✔ See more in fewer days

Average drive times:
Rhodes Town → Lindos: 48 km (45–55 min)
Faliraki → Lindos: 35 km (30–40 min)
Kolymbia → Tsambika Beach: 7 km (10 min)
Pefkos → Prasonisi: 42 km (45 min)

⭐ Car Rental Prices in Rhodes 2026

Small car, per day:

April: €25–35
May: €30–40
June: €40–55
July: €55–75
August: €60–85
September: €40–55
October: €30–40

⭐ Recommended Provider – Looneytravels Local Partner

Siech Rent a Car (North Rhodes)

✔ No deposit
✔ Full insurance
✔ New cars
✔ Professional staff

Mention “Looneytravels” for a Juicy discount.

See Car Rental Rhodes for full driving rules.

⭐ Important Local Driving Warnings

❌ Avoid online 3rd-party rental websites
❌ Avoid scooters and quads
❌ Never drive inside Medieval Rhodes Old Town
❌ Never enter Lindos village center
❌ Watch for goats on mountain roads
❌ Avoid driving the west coast at sunset (glare)
❌ Park ONLY in approved lots in Lindos

External reference: Travel + Leisure confirms car rental is the ideal way to explore remote Rhodes areas.

⭐ Scooters, Quads & ATVs in Rhodes – Local Warning

This is the section almost every traveller thanks me for.

Scooter and ATV accidents are the most common tourist injuries on the island.

⭐ Why Scooters & Quads Are Dangerous in Rhodes

❌ Strong coastal winds on the west coast
❌ Slippery corners on mountain roads
❌ Heavy traffic around Faliraki & Rhodes Town
❌ Inexperienced drivers
❌ No protective clothing
❌ Cars misjudge distance

External reference: European travel insurance policies often do not cover quad accidents without special licensing.

⭐ Why to avoid Renting Scooters

✔ Crosswinds push you sideways
✔ Rhodes drivers are not used to scooters
✔ Heat exhaustion leads to mistakes
✔ Serious accidents every summer

If you want safety and freedom:
Rent a full-insurance car instead.
See Car Rental Rhodes.

⭐ Parking in Rhodes Town & Lindos

Parking rules confuse many visitors — here’s the clear version.

⭐ Parking in Rhodes Town

Free parking:

  • Marina area

  • Akandia Port

Paid parking:

  • Mandraki area

  • Elli Beach parking lot

  • New Town blue-zone areas

NEVER:
❌ Drive into Medieval Old Town
❌ Park near moat entrances
❌ Block narrow alleys

Best times to find parking:
Before 10:00 or after 18:00.

For exploring the area, check Rhodes Old Town Guide 2026.

⭐ Parking in Lindos

✔ Large official parking lots outside the village
✔ Shuttle bus from parking to village entrance
✔ Walking path available

NEVER:
❌ Attempt driving inside Lindos — impossible + illegal
❌ Park on residential alleys

Parking is easy until 10:30, difficult after.

See Rhodes Lindos Travel Guide 2026 for exploring the village like a local.

⭐ Choosing the Best Transport for Your Rhodes Holiday

Best for families:
Private transfers + rental car

Best for couples:
Transfer to hotel + rental car for 1–2 days

Best for solo travellers:
Buses + taxis for short trips

Best for explorers:
Rental car for entire trip

Best for budget travellers:
Buses + one rental car day

Best for non-drivers:
Faliraki, Kolymbia, Rhodes Town
(see Where to Stay in Rhodes Without a Car)

⭐ FAQ – Transport in Rhodes (2026 Long-Form SEO Edition)

Here are expanded answers to the most searched transport questions about Rhodes.

❓ Is Rhodes easy to get around without a car?

Yes — if you stay in Rhodes Town, Faliraki or Kolymbia.
Buses run frequently, taxis are everywhere, and many attractions are walkable.

If you stay in Kiotari, Gennadi or inland villages, transportation becomes more difficult.

Read Where to Stay in Rhodes Without a Car for the full breakdown.

❓ What is the best way to get from Rhodes Airport to my hotel?

For comfort → Private transfer
For quick arrival → Taxi
For budget → Bus (KTEL & RODA depending on direction)

Airport buses run to Rhodes Town, Faliraki and Kolymbia.

❓ Are buses in Rhodes reliable?

They are reliable for short distances but slow and crowded during summer.
Expect:

  • Standing on busy routes

  • Delays on Rhodes Town → Lindos

  • Full buses on return journeys in late afternoon

❓ Is driving in Rhodes safe?

Yes — if you follow local rules:

✔ Avoid scooters
✔ Avoid Old Town & Lindos centers
✔ Watch for animals on roads
✔ Drive slowly through mountain villages
✔ Use Google Maps offline

Traffic is busiest on:

  • Rhodes Town → Faliraki road

  • Rhodes Town → Airport road

❓ Should I rent a car or rely on buses?

Rent a car if:

  • You want remote beaches

  • You stay in the south

  • You want to explore villages

  • You are travelling with kids

Use buses if:

  • You stay in Rhodes Town or Faliraki

  • You mainly want beaches & simple routes

  • You’re budgeting carefully

❓ What is the best way to travel from Rhodes Town to Lindos?

Fastest → Rental car
Most relaxing → Boat trip from Mandraki
Cheapest → KTEL bus
Most comfortable → Private transfer

❓ How far is Lindos from Rhodes Town?

48 km
Bus: ~90 minutes
Car: 45–55 minutes
Taxi: €70–85

❓ Can I get to Prasonisi by bus?

Yes, but buses are infrequent.
Most travellers rent a car for this trip.

❓ Are scooters legal for tourists in Rhodes?

Yes — BUT:

  • You need correct license categories

  • Insurance often does not cover accidents

  • Locals strongly discourage renting them

❓ Is parking free in Rhodes?

Some areas yes, some no.
Free: marina, Akandia, many village car parks
Paid: Mandraki, Elli Beach, New Town blue zones

Never park in Old Town or Lindos center.

❓ How much is fuel in Rhodes?

Prices vary but expect around €1.95–€2.10 per liter (2026 estimates).
Gas stations open long hours.

⭐ Final Thoughts

I hope this Rhodes Transport Guide 2026 helps you move around the island confidently and avoid the common travel mistakes visitors make each year.

If you want deeper planning, step-by-step day plans, hidden beaches and routes only locals know, explore:

Rhodes Travel Guide 2026
Rhodes 7-Day Itinerary
Rhodes Travel Buddy

Wishing you smooth rides and unforgettable adventures around Rhodes. 🌞🚕🚌🚗🏝