By Rhodes Airport Guide Editorial Team · Updated July 2026
Quick answer: Kolymbia is about 25 km up the east coast from Rhodes airport (RHO), roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car. A licensed taxi runs on the meter at about €35-50 plus small extras, and a pre-booked private transfer fixes that price and meets you in arrivals. There is no direct bus: the public route goes through Rhodes Town and turns a half-hour drive into more than two hours. For a smooth arrival, the car options win almost every time.
At a glance: Rhodes airport to Kolymbia in 2026
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (metered) | ~€35-50 + extras | 30-40 min | Landing and leaving now |
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | ~€40-60, fixed | 30-40 min | Families, night arrivals |
| Rental car | from ~€30/day | 30-40 min | Exploring the coast and Lindos |
| Bus via Rhodes Town | ~€6-9 total | 2-2.5 h with the change | Light luggage, no hurry |
How much is a taxi from Rhodes airport to Kolymbia?
Rhodes taxis charge by Greece's national meter tariff, not a fixed resort price list. For the 25 km run up to Kolymbia the meter usually lands around €35-50, plus the small legal extras: an airport pick-up fee of a couple of euros and €0.39 per large suitcase. Between midnight and 5 a.m. the whole ride bills at the higher night tariff, so a late charter costs more. There is no official fixed-fare table at Rhodes airport, so treat the meter as your reference and ask the driver for a rough figure before you set off. Our Rhodes airport taxi guide breaks the tariff down in full.
Is there a direct bus from the airport to Kolymbia?
No. The airport sits at Paradisi on the west coast, and its public buses run along that side into Rhodes Town. Kolymbia is further up the east coast, reached by buses that leave from town. So the public route is two legs: airport to Rhodes Town, change, then an east-coast bus out to Kolymbia. Each leg costs only a few euros, but with the wait and the change you should budget two to two and a half hours for what a car does in half an hour. Fine for a solo traveller with a backpack and a free afternoon. Rough after a delayed night flight with children and cases.
Pre-booked transfer or rental car: which fits your week?
Kolymbia is a quiet, family resort, and the pre-booked private transfer is its natural arrival: a price fixed at booking, a driver holding your name in arrivals, child seats on request, straight to the hotel door. Give the operator your flight number so a delay simply moves the pickup. See our private transfers guide and the east-coast resorts overview for how that works. A rental car from the airport earns its keep if Kolymbia is your base for exploring: the drive is easy, hotels throw in free parking, and day trips to Lindos, Tsambika Beach or Epta Piges (Seven Springs) cost only fuel. For a stay-put beach week, skip the car; the resort is walkable and a taxi covers the odd evening out.
What is Kolymbia like, and what's nearby?
Kolymbia is built around its landmark Eucalyptus Avenue, a dead-straight run of tall trees leading down to the sea. It is calm and low-rise, popular with families who want easy days rather than nightlife. Tsambika Beach and its hilltop monastery sit just to the south, Afandou and its golf course to the north, and Lindos is a comfortable day trip further down the coast. It makes a relaxed east-coast base once you have sorted the ride in.
Getting back to the airport from Kolymbia
Reverse the same choice, with one caution: in July and August the morning departure waves book taxis and transfer cars up early. Arrange the return the day before, through your hotel or transfer operator, rather than hunting for a car at 5 a.m. Leave at least 2.5 to 3 hours before departure. That covers the drive plus check-in and security at a busy charter airport; our departures guide has the timing math.
How far is Kolymbia from Rhodes airport?
About 25 km, roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car up the east coast. The airport is at Paradisi on the west coast; Kolymbia is past Rhodes Town and Faliraki.
How much should the taxi cost to Kolymbia?
Around €35-50 on the national meter tariff, plus an airport pick-up fee and €0.39 per large suitcase. Night rides (00:00-05:00) bill at the higher tariff throughout. There is no official fixed-fare list at Rhodes airport, so use the meter as your guide.
Can I take a bus from Rhodes airport to Kolymbia?
Not directly. Ride into Rhodes Town first, then change to an east-coast bus to Kolymbia. The buses cost a few euros each, but the full two-leg trip runs two to two and a half hours.
Do I need a rental car in Kolymbia?
Not for the resort itself, which is easy on foot. A car helps if you want to roam the east coast, the beaches or Lindos at your own pace, and hotel parking is usually free.
Related: Rhodes Airport Taxis · Resort Transfers · Rhodes Airport to Lindos · Rhodes Airport to Faliraki
