Karpathos Airport serves the island of Karpathos in the Dodecanese, among the least developed tourism-wise and most authentic in the region, approximately 15 km from Pigadia, the capital.
Karpathos is known for traditional mountain villages, including Olympos, where an archaic dialect is still spoken and traditional costumes are worn daily.
How to get to Karpathos Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to AOK
Parking near Karpathos Airport
A small parking area is located not far from the terminal.
The parking is not supervised, but rates remain reasonable.
How to get to Karpathos from AOK
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Karpathos Airport
Some car rental operators have counters in the arrivals area, essential for exploring the island.
A credit card in the driver's name is required for the deposit, along with a driver's license and passport.
Hotels near Karpathos Airport
Afiartis, a few minutes from the terminal
About 2 km from the terminal, a few minutes by car; without a rental car you need a taxi, since there's no bus between the airport and the village.
Best for: Travellers arriving late or leaving at dawn who would rather avoid the 15-17 km drive to Pigadia, or anyone with a connecting flight to Kassos.
- Just a few minutes from check-in, handy for the earliest morning flights
- Christou Pigadi and Vatha beaches are within walking distance
- Tiny village: a car is needed for dinner or evening life
- Pigadia, the port and the shops are a 20-25 minute taxi ride away
Pigadia, the main town
15-17 km from the airport, a 20-25 minute taxi ride (around 25-30 euros by day, 35-40 at night); there are no direct buses from the airport.
Best for: Travellers who want the port, restaurants and ferry connections to the nearby islands within walking distance.
- The island's only real town, with a port, shops and restaurants open all year
- Pigadia beach and the archaeological museum are a few minutes' walk from the hotels in the centre
- The ride from the airport is the longest of any area in this guide, 20-25 minutes even by taxi
- Away from the waterfront, the rest of the town holds little tourist interest
Recommended hotels
- Atlantis Hotel On Pigadia's waterfront street, a few steps from the beach and the port; a simple, central hotel, among the cheapest in the area. View availability
- Alimounda Mare Hotel 255 rooms and suites on a small cove a few minutes' walk from the port and the centre of Pigadia; the largest and newest building on the town's waterfront. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The compact terminal sees a clear increase in passengers during summer.
Those departing on flights should arrive 1.5–2 hours in advance.
Map of Karpathos Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What makes the village of Olympos in Karpathos special?
An archaic dialect is still spoken there, and many women wear traditional costumes daily: it's among the most authentic and isolated villages in Greece.
Q. Is Karpathos a crowded tourist destination?
No, it's among the least tourism-developed islands in the Dodecanese, valued precisely for this authenticity far from mass tourism.
Q. Is it worth renting a car in Karpathos?
Yes, definitely: mountain villages like Olympos are far away and the island is less served by public transport than other Greek destinations.
Q. Can Karpathos be reached with direct flights from abroad, or only from Athens?
In addition to domestic connections with Athens and Rhodes, during the summer season the airport also receives some direct charter flights from Europe, although traffic remains much lower than on nearby islands like Rhodes or Kos.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights