What to expect when visiting Rhodes
Rhodes is a Greek fairytale island off the southern coast of Anatolia, Turkey. As the capital of the Dodecanese group of islands, Rhodes boasts of such a colourful history. War-torn walls and towers, stone-paved roads, a beautifully preserved medieval castle — everywhere you look will take you back in time!
Summer can be very busy on this so-called Knights’ Island surrounded by pristine waters and charming beaches. We recommend exploring the Old Town early in the morning to skip the crowd of tourists visiting Rhodes.
2 ways to get from Athens to Rhodes
There are two ways to travel the distance of 610 km (379 miles) from Athens to Rhodes: by flight (2h20m) and ferry (16 hours). The journey takes between 2h20m - 16h and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €55.50 ($65) for the flight.Athens to Rhodes by Flight
When travelling from Athens to Rhodes, there’s really no better option than flying. It’s fast, cheap, and convenient, a much better choice than taking a 16-hour ferry.
We highly recommend that you book a flight as early as you can to secure the cheapest rates possible!
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Athens City Centre to Athens Airport by Train
Athens Airport is located 35 km southeast of Athens city centre.
There are 3 possible ways you can complete this leg of the journey: a 40-minute train for €10 ($11), a 1-hour bus for €6.50 ($7), or a 35-minute taxi with rates from €66 ($72).
We recommend taking the train for the shortest travel time. Head to the nearest Metro Line 3 Station so that you can skip the usual traffic going to the airport. Trains run from 05:40-23:30 with a 30-minute interval.
Step 2: Athens to Rhodes by Flight
Olympic, Sky Express, Volotea, and Hahn Air fly from Athens to Rhodes daily.
Travel time takes just 1 hour, and ticket prices range from €43 ($47.50) to €63 ($69).
Again, it’s best to book your flight months in advance to score the lowest airfares.
Flights arrive at Rhodes – Diagoras International Airport.
Step 3: Rhodes Airport to Rhodes City Centre
To get to Rhodes city centre, you’ll have to travel 20 km northeast from Rhodes Airport. You can take either a 25-minute taxi or a 40-minute bus.
The taxi is a quick and easy way to reach your hotel. You’ll have to pay around €25 ($27.50) for the ride, but we think you’ll be grateful for the time and stress you get to save with this option!
A bus ride only costs €2.50 ($2.70). However, the travel time is double than that of a taxi ride because the bus makes too many stops along the way. If you don’t mind all these stops, then you can find the buses near door 1 of the airport terminal. Just turn left and walk around 300m.
Buses park at Averof Street in Rhodes city centre.
Athens to Rhodes by Ferry
An alternative to taking the flight is a ferry ride from Athens to Rhodes.
We honestly don’t think the ferry offers any advantage when it comes to speed and value. However, if you’re looking for 15.5 hours of quiet time on the sea, then this is the best choice for you!
Step 1: Athens City Centre to Piraeus Port by Train
To travel by ferry from Athens to Rhodes, you’ll first have to travel 15 km southwest to Piraeus Port. We recommend taking the train because it is cheap and convenient.
From Athens city centre, take a Metro green line (Line 1) train from either Monastiraki or Omonia station. Get off at Piraeus Station, and walk a few minutes across the street to the port.
Travel time is around 30 minutes, and the train ticket costs €1.50 ($1.60).
Step 2: Piraeus to Rhodes by Ferry
There is always at least one ferry sailing from Piraeus to Rhodes whatever season it is.
Keep in mind, however, that the travel time takes 15.5 hours. The ferry makes a stop on some islands along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. Whether this travel time is worth it or not depends on how you plan to spend your time on the ferry.
If you’re planning to get away from the world for a while and be lulled to sleep by the waves, then this option is definitely worth considering!
Ferry rates start from €65.50 ($72). Although it’s more expensive than a flight, all ferries are overnight, so you can also think of it as saving a night on accommodation.
Below are the ferry schedules from May to October. If you’re travelling outside those months, it’s best to check with your hotel for the latest departure times.
Ferry options from Athens to Rhodes
Tickets are available at the port or you can book them via the Blue Star Ferries website.
Tickets are also available on our preferred booking platform, BookAway. However, for this route, tickets are more expensive at €84 ($92).
Ferries arrive at Rhodes Port in the city centre, which is just 500m north of the Medieval City.
Frequently Asked Questions about Athens to Rhodes
What is the distance from Athens to Rhodes?
The distance from Athens to Rhodes is 610 km (379 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Athens to Rhodes?
The fastest way to get from Athens to Rhodes is by flight and takes 2h20m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Athens to Rhodes?
The cheapest way to get from Athens to Rhodes is by flight with ticket costs starting from €55.50 ($65).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Athens to Rhodes. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
