Famous for its rich history, stunning beaches and vibrant culture, the Greek island of Rhodes is a popular tourist destination in the Aegean Sea. Various modes of transport are available to visitors to explore the island, with the bus being one of the most convenient and affordable options. In this article we will present the buses, timetables, bus companies, bus stops and the main places in Rhodes that you can discover on your trip.
Rhodes offers two different bus services: city buses and intercity buses. The city buses run around Rhodes town while the intercity buses connect all regions and places in Rhodes. The buses to tourist destinations are often busy or overcrowded in the summer months. Villages tend to be served on an as-needed basis, so there is often only one bus service per day.
Bus companies in Rhodes
The main bus company operating Rhodes public transport is Roda KTEL (Rhodes Intercity Buses). This company offers regular connections between the various towns and tourist attractions of the island. The buses are usually well maintained, air conditioned and have comfortable seats.
The main bus station or central transport hub of Kos is at New Market near Mandraki Port outside the city walls. The regular buses work relatively well and are usually extremely punctual. Note that buses can also leave too early! New buses even have air conditioning. In addition, buses are a cheap alternative to taxis to cover longer distances.
You can find a lot of useful information about buses, timetables and ticket prices on the Rhodes official tourism website.
Bus schedules and bus times in Rhodes
Buses in Rhodes run daily, with schedules being more frequent in high season (May to October). In the off-season, schedules are more limited but still sufficient to explore the island. The exact departure times can be checked at the bus stations or on the Roda KTEL website.
Bus stops in Rhodes
The main bus station in Rhodes is located in the island’s capital, Rhodes Town, near the port and the old town. Other important bus stations are Faliraki, Lindos, Kallithea and Afandou. At these stops, passengers can buy tickets and get information about the different bus routes and timetables.
The stops are marked with a sign “Bus Stop” or “Stassi” and cannot be missed. In any case, the number is sufficient. Unfortunately, not all stations have travel times, so you should get the bus schedule or take a picture of it in the hotel or in central locations (or in advance on the Internet). If the bus doesn’t stop, it’s either a tourist bus (booked excursions or trips to/from the airport) or the bus is already overcrowded.
The buses on Rhodes always run in a north-south direction. In order to get from the east to the west coast, a change or detour via Rhodes town is necessary.
CityBus / city bus in Rhodes
In Rhodes Town, the buses are operated by DES RODA. These buses operate in Rhodes town as well as in the suburban and partly interurban areas of the west side of Rhodes island. Here you get to the website including the timetables and ticket prices.
The suburban areas approached
- Koskinou
- Faliraki
- ixia
- Filerimos
- Ialissos
- cremasti
- Pastida
- Maritsa
- paradise
Interurban regions on the west side
- damatria
- theologos
- Soroni
- dimilia
- Eleousa
- Archipoli
- Platania
- Apollona
- fanes
- Kalavarda
- Ancient Kamiros
- mantrico
- critinia
- Salakos
- embona
- Agios Isidorus
- Sianna
- monolith
Tickets cost from €1.10 for urban routes to €5.20 (about the butterflies) for far away routes. The bus to Rhodes Airport costs €2.50 and to Faliraki €2.40.
Intercity buses in Rhodes
On the eastern half of the island, the bus company KTEL is responsible for long-distance connections.
Interurban regions on the east side
- Faliraki
- Kalithies
- psinthos
- afandou
- Kolymbia
- Archagelos
- Haraki
- Malona
- Massari
- Lalathos
- Pilona
- Lindos
- pefkoi
- Lardos
- noise
- Kiotari
- Asklipio
- Gennady
- dad
- Profilia
- Istrios
- Apollokia
- Arnitha
- Lachania
- Mesanagros
- Kattavia
- Prasonisi
Ticket prices here range from €2.40 (Afantou) to €9.00 for a one-way trip. The route to Lindos costs around €5.50. Buses run approximately every 2 hours, with slightly more frequent runs at peak times. Note that these buses are also used to transport students, so they are often overcrowded. Depending on the route, there are between 1 and 12 trips a day. There are different times on Saturdays and Sundays. More information is available on the official website of the bus company.
tickets
Tickets are available from the driver upon boarding. In Rhodes town, it is advisable to buy tickets directly at the ticket counter at the bus station. All prices and travel times for all lines are also shown there.
Sightseeing bus & hop-on, hop-off bus
In Rhodes there is a double-decker bus that is used for sightseeing and offers city tours. The duration of a round is one hour and the bus runs all day. The tour starts at the famous Mandraki Harbour. A night trip is also offered on certain days.
Kos also offers a tourist train (slow train). This is a converted vehicle with a few wagons that offers a round trip. The departure point is also near Mandraki Port, at Kos Town Hall. The trip costs around 7€ for adults and goes through Rhodes town along the fortifications of the medieval town, the Temple of Apollo, the ancient stadium and the new town centre. The duration is given as around 45 minutes.
Important places and sights along the route
impressive old town, the Grand Master’s Palace and the port of Mandraki. Rhodes Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for any visitor.
Faliraki: This lively seaside resort is known for its golden sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife and water park that offers fun for all the family.
Lindos: This picturesque town, overlooked by an impressive Acropolis, is an important historical site in Rhodes. The narrow, cobbled streets and traditional white houses provide a charming setting for a stroll.
Kallithea: Known for its hot springs, this area offers a unique insight into the history and culture of Rhodes. The Kallithea Springs complex is an architectural gem and a perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural healing waters.
Afandou: Located on the east coast of Rhodes, this traditional village is known for its long sandy beach, golf course and charming atmosphere. Here visitors can experience the local culture and enjoy the delicious Greek cuisine.
Tips for bus travel in Rhodes
Buy your tickets in advance, either at the bus stops or directly from the bus driver.
Make sure you always have enough change with you for the bus driver to buy tickets.
Check departure times and schedules in advance, especially during the off-season or on public holidays.
Note that buses can be full in high season, especially on popular routes. Allow enough time to react to possible delays or missed connections.
Summary
The bus is a convenient and economical way to explore the island of Rhodes and see the various sights. The Roda KTEL buses connect the island’s most important locations, allowing visitors to discover Rhodes’ stunning beaches, charming villages and historical sites. With the information in this article, travelers can better plan their Rhodes excursions and get the most out of their time on this beautiful Greek island.