Rhodes Without a Car: Buses, Boats, Taxis and the Best Base

Plenty of people visit Rhodes without renting a car, and most of them have a great time. Some do not drive, some do not want to deal with parking in high summer, and some simply prefer to spend their holiday walking to the beach rather than sitting in traffic.

The key is to choose the right base and understand how the island’s transport works. Here is our honest guide to Rhodes without a car, from a family that has been answering guests’ transport questions in Lindos since 1989.

First, choose the right base

Where you stay matters more without a car than with one.

Rhodes Town is the easiest car-free base. It is the hub for island buses and for boats to Symi and other islands, and the Old Town, the harbour and the town beach are all walkable.

Lindos is the other excellent option. The village itself is pedestrianised, so no one drives in the lanes anyway. The main beach and Saint Paul’s Bay are both walkable, the Acropolis is right above you, and there are restaurants on every corner. A direct bus connects Lindos with Rhodes Town several times a day in season.

Isolated resort hotels on long stretches of coast, or villages in the hills, are much harder without wheels. Our guide to where to stay in Rhodes looks at every area.

How the buses work

Rhodes has two bus networks. KTEL buses serve the east coast, including Faliraki, Kolymbia, Archangelos, Lindos and villages further south. RODA runs the city buses in Rhodes Town and the routes along the west coast, including the airport.

In Rhodes Town, the main bus stops are beside the New Market, at the edge of Mandraki harbour. Buses to Lindos run several times a day in season, more often in high summer, and the trip takes around an hour and a half. Services are less frequent on Sundays and outside the summer months.

Tips for using the buses:

• Check the current timetable on the operator’s website or at the stop, as schedules change with the season.
• Buy tickets from the kiosk or on board, and carry some small change.
• Arrive early for the first and last buses of the day in summer. They fill up.

Travelling with a lot of luggage? Consider a taxi or transfer for arrival and departure days, and use the buses in between, when you are only carrying a beach bag.

Getting from the airport

Rhodes airport is on the west coast, about 15 km from Rhodes Town and about 55 km from Lindos.

• To Rhodes Town: buses run into town, and taxis take around 20 to 30 minutes.
• To Lindos: a taxi from the rank outside arrivals, or a pre-booked private transfer, takes about an hour. There is no convenient direct bus, so by public transport you would normally change in Rhodes Town. If you are staying with us, we can arrange a private airport transfer when you book, or up to 24 hours ahead.

Taxis and private drivers

Taxis are easy to find at the airport, in Rhodes Town and by the main square in Lindos, and can be called by phone. For a day out, hiring a taxi or private driver for a few hours is a good way to see the west coast or the south without renting a car, and it is much more relaxing on winding roads. Our reception regularly books day-trip drivers for guests.

Boats: the scenic way around

In the summer season, boats are one of the best ways to get about:

• Rhodes Town to Lindos: day-cruise boats sail down the east coast from Mandraki, usually with a swimming stop along the way.
• Rhodes Town to Symi: regular boats run to the neighbouring island of Symi, making a wonderful day trip.
• From Lindos: small boats run trips along the coast, and sailing charters can be arranged locally.

Organised tours and excursions

For places that are hard to reach by bus, such as Prasonisi, ancient Kamiros, the Valley of the Butterflies or the Seven Springs, an organised day tour is often the simplest answer. Many include hotel pickups from the main resorts and villages. Our list of day trips from Rhodes will give you ideas.

Scooters, quads and bicycles

Scooters, quad bikes and e-bikes are widely available to rent in the resorts. They can be a fun way to reach nearby beaches, but think carefully: roads can be narrow and winding, summer traffic is heavy on the main coast road, and the heat makes long rides tiring. Only rent if you are experienced, always wear a helmet, and check that your travel insurance covers you.

What is hard without a car

It is worth being realistic. Without a car, these are harder:

• The far south: Prasonisi, Kattavia and the empty beaches around Gennadi.
• The west coast villages and wineries: Embonas, Monolithos and the mountain roads.
• Small, remote beaches with no bus stop nearby.
• Spontaneity. You will plan your days around timetables.

If some of these matter to you, consider renting a car for just one or two days rather than the whole trip.

A car-free week from Lindos

Here is how a week without a car can look from a Lindos base:

1. Walk to the main beach and settle in.
2. Acropolis at opening time, then Saint Paul’s Bay on foot.
3. Bus to Rhodes Town for the Old Town, back in the evening.
4. Boat trip along the coast.
5. A lazy village day.
6. Taxi or driver to Tsambika and Agathi beaches.
7. One last swim, one last rooftop dinner.

Stay where you do not need a car

Lindos Comfy Suites is a family-run, 21-suite hotel on the edge of Lindos, about five minutes on foot from the main square and ten from Saint Paul’s Bay. We can arrange your airport transfer, boat tickets to Symi and day-trip drivers, so you never need to rent a car unless you want to. See our location and directions, browse the suites and book direct at comfysuitesrhodes.com.