Rhodes is a Greek island, so the first thing to know about trains and high-speed rail in Rhodes is that there is no railway network on the island. You will not find a train station in Rhodes Town, at Diagoras International Airport, or in resorts such as Faliraki, Lindos and Kolymbia. Greece’s rail services, including the faster InterCity and newer high-speed-style services, operate on the mainland between places such as Athens, Thessaloniki and Larissa. They are useful for travelling between major mainland cities, but they cannot take you directly to Rhodes. This can be easy to miss when planning a Greece itinerary, especially if you are used to booking one rail pass for an entire country. For Rhodes, the practical transport combination is flight or ferry to the island, followed by local buses, taxis or a hire car.
For most visitors, flying is the quickest way to reach Rhodes. Rhodes International Airport, also called Diagoras Airport, is near Paradisi on the west side of the island, roughly a short drive from Rhodes Town, although traffic and the season affect the journey. Domestic flights connect Rhodes with Athens and other Greek destinations, and international services are much more common during the summer holiday period. A flight followed by a local bus or taxi is generally far more realistic than trying to include Greek rail travel. The airport bus is the budget-friendly choice, but services may feel less convenient if you arrive late, have a pushchair, or are staying in a resort away from Rhodes Town. Taxis are simpler with luggage and children, though the cost is higher and should be confirmed before setting off. I would also allow extra time in July and August, when airport queues, road traffic and packed buses can make a short transfer feel surprisingly tiring.
The main alternative to air travel is the port in Rhodes Town, where ferries and high-speed passenger vessels connect the island with Athens’ port of Piraeus, Crete, the Dodecanese islands and other parts of Greece, depending on the route and season. This is not a train journey, and sailing times can be long, but it can work well if you are combining Rhodes with Kos, Symi, Halki or another island. Ferry schedules change and some routes run only on particular days, so check the operator’s current timetable rather than relying on an old travel forum post. The port is close to the Old Town and Mandraki area, but walking there with suitcases is not always pleasant in the heat, especially on uneven pavements. Rhodes Town buses are useful for reaching many parts of the island, with services generally centred around the city’s main bus areas, while the west coast and east coast routes may be handled by different local operators. Buses are inexpensive compared with taxis, but they can be crowded in summer and less frequent outside the main tourist season.
If you specifically want to experience Greek high-speed rail, plan it as a mainland section before or after Rhodes rather than expecting it to serve the island. A sensible route could include Athens, where you can continue by train towards northern Greece, and then take a separate flight to Rhodes. The Athens railway station is not located at the airport, so changing between air and rail requires planning and extra transfer time. This arrangement suits solo travellers and couples who enjoy building a longer itinerary, but families may find the additional airport transfers and luggage handling exhausting. On Rhodes itself, a hire car is often the most flexible option for beaches, archaeological sites and villages, although narrow roads, summer parking problems in Rhodes Old Town and unfamiliar driving conditions can add stress. For a slower day, take a bus into Rhodes Town, walk along the harbour and stop for a cold coffee near Mandraki before exploring the Old Town early in the morning, when the streets are cooler and cruise-ship crowds have not fully arrived. The honest answer is simple: Rhodes has no trains, but its airport, ferry port and bus network make the island reasonably easy to reach and explore when you choose the right combination for your trip.
Rhodes is often searched alongside Greece’s metro and urban rail systems, but the important practical fact is that Rhodes has no metro, tram, suburban railway, or train station. This is an island city rather than a large mainland transport hub, so getting around depends mainly on buses, taxis, walking, and, outside Rhodes Town, rental cars. The main urban bus operator is RODA, which serves Rhodes Town and nearby suburbs, while KTEL Rodou operates many longer-distance routes across the island. For visitors, this works reasonably well around the capital, especially between the New Town, Mandraki Harbour, the Old Town area, and districts along the east coast. It is less convenient late at night, in the quieter winter months, or when you want to visit several beaches and villages in one day. That absence of rail is worth knowing before booking a hotel based on the assumption that a Greek island capital will have a metro map or a central train station.
Arriving at Rhodes International Airport, Diagoras, you will find the public bus stop outside the terminal area, close to the arrivals side. RODA buses connect the airport with Rhodes Town, and the journey can take roughly half an hour or longer depending on traffic and the exact stop. Services and timetables change with the season, so check the current airport and RODA information before travelling rather than relying on an old blog post. Buses are usually the budget-friendly choice, but they can feel crowded after flights arrive, and luggage space is not always generous. A taxi is simpler for families with a sleeping child, bulky suitcases, or a hotel away from the main town route, though the fare is higher and should be confirmed before departure. From Rhodes Town, the main bus area is near Averof Street and the Mandraki side of the city, not a railway station. Look for the RODA and KTEL signs, and allow extra time to find the correct platform because urban and intercity services are handled separately.
Within Rhodes Town, buses are useful for places that are tiring to reach on foot, including the airport, parts of the New Town, the Acropolis and Monte Smith area, and resorts north and south of the centre. The Old Town of Rhodes itself is best explored on foot. Its stone lanes, steps, uneven paving, and restricted vehicle access make a bus or taxi useful for reaching the edge, but not for touring inside. Mandraki Harbour and the central shopping streets are also walkable from many hotels, although the summer heat makes a mid-afternoon break sensible. I like planning sightseeing around an early start, then stopping for a cold coffee or lunch near Mandraki before continuing. Families should know that pushing a stroller through the Old Town can be hard, while solo travellers and couples may find walking faster than waiting for a short bus ride. For tickets, follow the operator’s current instructions, as payment arrangements can differ by route and season. Keep small cash available, but do not assume every service accepts the same payment method or that a ticket bought for one operator is valid on another.
For day trips, the KTEL bus network is the main public transport option from Rhodes Town to popular destinations such as Lindos and other east-coast resorts. These buses are practical for independent travellers who want to avoid driving, but they can fill quickly during July and August, and the return timetable matters more than many people expect. In Lindos, the bus leaves you near the lower village area, followed by a steep walk through crowded streets toward the Acropolis, so comfortable shoes and water are essential. RODA routes are better suited to local urban and suburban travel, while KTEL is generally the name to look for when checking intercity departures. Since there is no Rhodes metro or urban rail, visitors wanting complete flexibility may prefer a rental car, but narrow village roads, summer parking, and unfamiliar driving conditions are real drawbacks. Taxis help with short transfers, and organised excursions can remove timetable stress, though they cost more. Before setting out, check the latest operator notice, destination board, and return departure, particularly outside the high season. That small bit of planning usually makes Rhodes public transport much less frustrating.
Rhodes is easy to explore without hiring a car, but the island’s public transport is based almost entirely on buses rather than trains, trams or trolleybuses. There is no tram network in Rhodes Town and no metro serving the airport or resort areas. The main services are split between two operators: RODA, which covers Rhodes Town, the west coast and several northern and western villages, and KTEL Rhodes, which is especially useful for the east coast and destinations such as Lindos, Archangelos and Kolymbia. This division can be confusing at first, so check the operator before heading to the bus station. The routes are most useful for airport transfers, beach days, sightseeing trips and reaching towns beyond the city. They are also considerably cheaper and less stressful than driving on narrow village roads, although a packed summer bus is not always relaxing with two tired children and beach bags.
Rhodes International Airport, also known as Diagoras Airport, is connected with Rhodes Town by bus, with the stop located outside the terminal area near the arrivals exit. Services are generally more frequent during the main tourist season, while evenings and the quieter months can bring longer gaps. The journey into town is practical for travelers staying near the city centre, Mandraki Harbour or the Old Town, but it may not be the best choice if your hotel is in Faliraki, Lindos or another resort on the east coast. In that case, compare the bus connection with a taxi or a hotel transfer, particularly after a late flight. Airport buses can fill quickly around midday when several flights arrive close together. Keep small cash available, allow time for luggage, and check the destination board before boarding because not every service follows the same route. The airport is outside the city, so the ride is not a quick walk-to-hotel transfer, and a final walk over hot pavements can be tiring for young children.
In Rhodes Town, the main departure points are concentrated around Averof Street and the Mandraki area, close to the New Town, the harbour and the edge of the medieval city. RODA buses serve urban stops and routes towards places including Ialysos, Ixia and parts of the west coast, while KTEL services are the usual choice for popular eastern destinations. Timetables are displayed at stations and stops, but they can change with the season, school holidays and demand, so confirm the return journey when you arrive rather than assuming buses run late. For Lindos, an early departure is sensible in July and August. The buses can become crowded, and the midday heat makes standing at an exposed stop unpleasant. For couples and solo travelers, the network gives useful freedom without parking worries. Families may prefer an early bus, a seat near the front or a quieter off-peak departure. Bring water, especially for longer trips, and do not count on every rural stop having shade, a shop or a clear English sign.
For beach-hopping and local sightseeing, buses are affordable but not always perfectly timed. Faliraki, Kallithea, Ialysos and Lindos are popular routes, yet summer traffic can make a scheduled journey take longer than expected. Rhodes Old Town is best reached by getting off near the central city area and walking the remaining distance, since large buses do not enter the narrow medieval lanes. Wear comfortable shoes because combining a bus trip with the Old Town, Palace of the Grand Master and harbour can mean several hours on stone streets. Tickets may be sold on board or through local sales points, depending on the route, so follow the current instructions at the station and keep the ticket until you leave the bus. Trams and trolleybuses are not available in Rhodes, and there is no island-wide integrated ticket covering every operator. If you are staying for several days, ask your accommodation for the latest RODA and KTEL timetables, check the return service before setting off, and keep a taxi option in mind for the last ride back after dinner in Lindos or a late swim.
Rhodes is one of the best Greek islands for travelling by sea, but its ferry system is a little less straightforward than the wide waterfront might suggest. Most scheduled passenger ferries use Rhodes Commercial Port, split between the Kolona and Akandia areas on the eastern side of Rhodes Town. The exact berth can change, so check your ticket and the operator’s notice rather than simply walking to the first port entrance you see. Kolona is closer to the Old Town, while Akandia is farther south and can feel like a long walk with suitcases, especially in the heat. A taxi is often worth the money for families, older travellers, or anyone carrying beach gear. Local buses connect Rhodes Town with other parts of the island, but they are not always the easiest option for an early sailing. From Rhodes International Airport, allow plenty of time for the road transfer to town, particularly in July and August when traffic around the city can slow things down.
The most popular Rhodes ferry routes link the island with Symi, Chalki, Tilos, Nisyros and Kos. Symi is the classic day-trip choice, with steep hills, colourful harbour houses and a compact waterfront, but the trip can be tiring with young children because day excursions often leave little time for a relaxed lunch or swim. Chalki is calmer and easier to enjoy at a slow pace, while Tilos and Nisyros suit travellers who want more than a quick photo stop. Nisyros is known for its volcanic landscape and the village of Nikia, although getting around after arrival requires planning. Fast catamarans can shorten the journey, yet they may feel lively in rough weather and usually cost more than conventional ferries. Routes and departure frequencies change substantially between the quieter months and the summer season, so treat online timetables as useful guidance, not a guarantee. Book ahead for July, August and Greek public holidays, especially if you need a cabin, a vehicle space or a particular sailing.
For a longer island-hopping trip, ferries also connect Rhodes with Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos and other Dodecanese islands, with some services continuing towards mainland Greece and Piraeus. These journeys can take many hours, so a cabin is worth considering for overnight travel, particularly with children. Standard seats are fine for shorter crossings, but ferry lounges fill quickly and outdoor decks can be windy even on a sunny day. I keep a light jumper, water, snacks and motion-sickness medicine in an accessible bag rather than buried in luggage. The cafés onboard are convenient but not especially good value, and a simple picnic bought in Rhodes Town is often more satisfying. Travellers hoping to visit Turkey should check current sailings to Marmaris or other Turkish ports carefully, as these are seasonal and subject to passport, border and weather arrangements. Do not assume that a route operates daily just because it appeared in an older guidebook.
Rhodes Town also has short boat trips from Mandraki Harbour, including sightseeing cruises, glass-bottom boats and seasonal excursions to nearby beaches. These are different from the island’s regular public ferries, but they can be a practical way to reach a swimming stop without hiring a car. Mandraki is pleasant for a gentle walk before departure, with cafés along the waterfront and the Old Town nearby, although excursion sellers can be persistent in the middle of the day. For a quieter break, sit in a café near the harbour early in the morning or walk towards the western side of the New Town before returning for boarding. Allow extra time at the port: queues, ticket checks and vehicle loading are not always quick. Arrive with your passport or identity documents, your booking details and a little patience, and verify the departure pier on the day. Sea travel is scenic and often the most memorable part of visiting the Dodecanese, but it works best when you accept that Greek ferry schedules can shift with weather, seasonal demand and operational changes.
Getting around Rhodes by taxi and private transfer is often the easiest choice when buses do not fit your plans. The island’s official taxis are generally white and carry a roof sign marked “TAXI”. You will find them at Rhodes International Airport, outside the port in Rhodes Town, near the main bus station and in busy resort areas such as Faliraki, Ialyssos and Lindos. Taxis can also be booked by phone or through a hotel reception, although the response time may be slower in smaller villages or late at night. At Diagoras Airport, follow the signs to the official taxi rank rather than accepting an offer from someone approaching inside the terminal. This is especially useful with tired children, heavy suitcases or a late arrival, when walking from the airport bus stop or waiting for a connection feels like unnecessary work. The ride into Rhodes Town is relatively straightforward, but traffic can build around the airport road and the city entrance during summer afternoons. Ask the driver to use the meter where applicable, confirm the destination before setting off and request a receipt if you need one for a business trip or travel insurance.
For Rhodes Airport transfers, pre-booking a private car can be worth the extra cost, particularly for families staying in Lindos, Kiotari, Gennadi or other places on the southeast coast. A reserved transfer normally means a driver is waiting with your name, help with luggage and a vehicle sized for your group. Check carefully what the quoted fare includes: airport pickup, child seats, extra luggage, a night supplement and the exact drop-off address are all worth confirming. Some low-cost offers look attractive until a large suitcase, a second child seat or a late arrival adds to the bill. A private transfer is also more practical than a standard taxi for a group arriving on a busy ferry, since the port area can be confusing when several coaches and cars are unloading together. For couples or solo travellers, a normal taxi from the rank may be perfectly adequate. Families may appreciate booking a larger vehicle, while travellers with limited mobility should say so in advance because steep kerbs, narrow old-town streets and uneven paving can make the final few metres difficult.
App-based transport deserves a little caution in Rhodes. Uber and FREENOW availability is not as consistent here as it is in Athens or Thessaloniki, and the number of drivers can change with the season. Check both apps before relying on them, and do not assume that a car will be available at the airport, in Lindos or after the last evening bus. In Greece, Uber may operate through licensed taxi services rather than the private-car model found in some countries, so the vehicle and booking process may look different from what you expect. FREENOW coverage and payment options should also be checked in the app using your actual travel dates. The main advantage is seeing an estimated fare, driver details and a digital booking record. The disadvantage is that a weak signal, a busy airport pickup area or limited local coverage can turn a simple journey into a wait. Keep the local taxi rank and your accommodation’s phone number as a backup. At peak times, especially after flights land or when Rhodes Town restaurants close, app prices and waiting times may be less appealing than arranging a taxi directly.
A taxi is most useful for short distances, late-night connections and luggage-heavy journeys, but it is not always the best way to explore the island. In Rhodes Old Town, cars cannot take you through many narrow streets, so you may still need to walk from the drop-off point to your hotel. Lindos has the same practical issue, with steep lanes and limited vehicle access near the village centre. Agree on the destination as a named hotel, square or landmark, rather than saying only “the old town,” and keep small bags within reach when leaving the car. If you are travelling with young children, ask about a suitable child seat instead of assuming one will be available. For a day trip, compare the cost of several separate taxi rides with a licensed private driver, but check how waiting time is charged and avoid unlicensed drivers offering informal tours. I find taxis particularly worthwhile after a long beach day, when everyone is sandy and hungry, or for an early airport departure before public buses are convenient. For a relaxed break after arriving in Rhodes Town, allow time for a drink or a snack around Mandraki Harbour before continuing, rather than trying to rush straight through the port traffic.