With a few hours between flights at Rhodes International Airport (RHO), you can taxi into the medieval Old Town, about 14–15 km and a 20–25 minute drive away on a clear run (longer in peak summer traffic), reach a west-coast beach on a longer stop, or simply relax airside. Even a short layover can be enough to glimpse the island's medieval capital or unwind by the sea before you fly on, just leave a comfortable buffer to re-clear security.
How long a layover do you need?
Roughly speaking, the longer your stop, the further you can stray from the terminal. Use this as a rough guide and always leave a comfortable buffer to clear security on the way back.
| Time between flights | What's realistic |
|---|---|
| Under 3 hours | Stay airside, relax, eat, shop and recheck your gate |
| 3–5 hours | A quick taxi into Rhodes Town's Old Town and back |
| 5+ hours or overnight | Add a nearby beach, or book a room, see our hotels near the airport |
Nip into the medieval Old Town
The historic centre of Rhodes Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, ringed by great stone walls. A taxi gets you there in about 20–25 minutes on a clear run, up to about 35 in peak summer traffic. Wander the cobbled Street of the Knights, see the Palace of the Grand Master, and grab a coffee or a bite before heading back. The quickest way in and out is a licensed airport taxi, the meter is running, so ask for a rough estimate before you set off.
Beaches & relaxing airside
- Beaches: with a longer stop you can reach a beach on the west coast for a swim, easiest with a pre-booked transfer or taxi that waits for you.
- Stay airside: short on time? After security you will find cafés, duty-free shops, free Wi-Fi and seating, enough to recharge without leaving the terminal.
- Keep watch on time: traffic and queues can vary, so build in a generous buffer to re-clear security before boarding.
The currency is the euro and cards are widely accepted, so you do not need much cash for a quick visit. Opening hours and taxi availability can change, and everything is quieter in winter, so confirm details locally close to your travel date.
