Chapter 1 of 7
KTEL and RODA: the two bus systems on Rhodes
KTEL runs the intercity buses. These are the ones you want for the east coast and the south: Faliraki, Kolymbia, Tsambika, Archangelos, Charaki, Lindos, Lardos, Pefkos, Kiotari, Gennadi and all the way down to Prasonisi, plus inland villages such as Psinthos and Laerma. KTEL also runs a direct line between the airport and Faliraki.
RODA is the municipal bus company. It runs the airport bus to Rhodes Town, the city lines around town and the routes along the west coast through Ixia and Ialyssos, as well as services to places such as Butterfly Valley.
Both companies start most routes from Rhodes Town, but from their own separate stops. Before you head out, check which operator runs your route and which stop it leaves from — that one check saves most of the confusion visitors have.
Chapter 2 of 7
Rhodes bus routes: how to plan a journey
Start with where you are staying. Rhodes Town is the hub: almost every route begins or ends there, so from town you can reach most resorts without changing. If you stay in a resort on the east coast, your bus runs along the main road into town, and trips to another resort often mean going in one direction on the same line rather than changing buses.
Open the Rhodes bus timetables, pick where you start and where you're going, and you'll see which buses run, their departure times, the days they operate and the fare where one is listed. Many buses stop at villages along the way; where only the departure from the first stop is printed, you'll see that main departure, and the bus passes your stop some time after it.
Check the day you travel. Timetables differ between weekdays and weekends and change between summer and winter, and some of the smaller routes only run a few times a day. Look up your return bus at the same time as your outward one.
- Rhodes Airport ↔ Rhodes Town (RODA)
- Rhodes Town ↔ Faliraki, Kolymbia and Lindos (KTEL)
- Rhodes Town ↔ Ixia and Ialyssos (RODA)
- Rhodes Airport ↔ Faliraki (KTEL)
Chapter 3 of 7
Bus tickets: where to buy them
On KTEL buses you normally buy your ticket from the driver. The exception is the start of the route in Rhodes Town and in Lindos: there you buy your KTEL ticket at the kiosk before you board.
On RODA buses you can buy your ticket from the driver, and RODA tickets are also sold at kiosks.
Carry cash in small notes and coins. I would not count on paying by card on board, and having the right money ready keeps you from holding up a full bus in the heat.
Chapter 4 of 7
What Rhodes buses cost
Buses are cheap compared with a taxi, and the price depends on distance. On KTEL, a ticket from Rhodes Town costs €2.50 to nearby stops such as Kallithies, Afantou and Anthony Quinn/Ladiko, €4.00 to Kolymbia, Tsambika or Seven Springs, €6.00 to Lindos, €7.50 to Kiotari or Gennadi and €11.00 to Prasonisi. The KTEL airport–Faliraki bus costs €3.50.
RODA fares, including the airport bus to Rhodes Town, aren't listed yet, so ask when you buy your ticket. Fares can change, so check the current price for your route in the timetables before you travel.
Chapter 5 of 7
The airport bus
The RODA airport bus runs between Rhodes Airport and Rhodes Town and is the cheapest way into the city. It goes along the west coast, so it also serves hotels in Ialyssos and Ixia on the way. If you are staying in Faliraki, look at the KTEL line between the airport and Faliraki instead.
In summer this bus fills up with passengers and luggage as it travels along the coast, and a full bus may not stop for more people. If you land late, travel with children or carry a lot of luggage, or you are staying further south in Lindos or Kiotari, the bus is not the best plan — you would usually need to change in Rhodes Town. In those cases I would book a transfer or take a taxi instead — my Rhodes airport transfers guide explains how pickup works.
Arriving with luggage or heading south? Compare Rhodes airport transfers and get collected in arrivals instead of waiting for a bus.
Chapter 6 of 7
Practical tips from a local
- Be at the stop a few minutes early in summer; popular routes such as Lindos and Faliraki fill up.
- Always check the last bus back before you leave — missing it on a smaller route can mean an expensive taxi.
- East-coast routes run far more often than the west coast and the mountain villages.
- Keep cash ready for the ticket.
- Raise your hand clearly at roadside stops so the driver sees you.
Chapter 7 of 7
When the bus isn't the right choice
Buses are great between the main resorts and Rhodes Town, but they barely reach the hidden beaches, the mountain villages and the quieter parts of the west and south. If that is what you came for, rent a car for a day or two — it is the easiest way to see those places without spending half the day waiting at a stop.
For a single short trip at night or with luggage, a taxi is often simpler; check typical fares in the Rhodes taxi prices guide. For an overview of every option, including transfers and boats, see getting around Rhodes.
Want the beaches and villages buses don't reach? Compare Rhodes car rental for just the days you want to explore.
Frequently asked questions
Are buses in Rhodes good for tourists?
Yes, on the main routes. Between Rhodes Town, the airport and resorts such as Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos, Ixia and Ialyssos they are cheap and easy to use. For remote beaches, mountain villages and late arrivals with luggage, a car, taxi or transfer works better.
What is the difference between KTEL and RODA?
KTEL runs the intercity buses to the east coast, the south and inland villages, plus the airport–Faliraki line. RODA runs the airport bus to Rhodes Town, the city lines and the west-coast routes through Ixia and Ialyssos.
Where do I buy bus tickets in Rhodes?
KTEL tickets are bought from the driver, except in Rhodes Town and Lindos, where you buy them at the kiosk before boarding. RODA tickets can be bought from the driver or at kiosks. Carry cash.
How much is the bus from Rhodes Town to Lindos?
The KTEL fare from Rhodes Town to Lindos is €6.00 one way. Check the timetables for the current fare and departures before you travel.
Is there a bus from Rhodes Airport to Lindos?
Not directly. You normally take the airport bus to Rhodes Town and change to the KTEL bus to Lindos. With luggage, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is much easier.
Do I need a Rhodes bus map?
Not really. The bus timetables show the routes, stops and departures for both companies, which is easier than piecing together separate maps.