Diagoras Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Diagoras Airport is about 13-14 km from Rhodes Town: the KTEL bus connects the airport and the New Town every 20 minutes in 30-40 minutes for 2.50-3 euros, the taxi in 20-25 minutes for 27-29 euros during the day, so for anyone staying more than one night, the town or nearby Ixia are almost always the better choice. Lindos and the villages of the south-eastern coast such as Kiotari remain a different option, not a convenient alternative: it's about 50-62 km and roughly an hour by car, with the bus requiring a change in Rhodes Town and taking over two hours. Those with a dawn flight or a short layover gain more by staying in Ixia, 10 minutes from the terminal.

Rhodes Town

City centre · KTEL bus every 20 minutes, 30-40 minutes for 2.50-3 euros, arriving behind the New Town a step from the walls; taxi 20-25 minutes for 27-29 euros during the day (higher night fare).

Best for: Travellers who want the medieval Old Town and Elli beach within walking distance, with direct buses and taxis from the airport.

Pros

Direct bus and taxi from the airport, with no need for a rental car
The Old Town walls, the harbour and Elli beach within walking distance of the New Town's hotels

Cons

The Old Town's lanes crowded with tourists during the day
An area without wide beaches: for open sea it's worth moving towards Ixia

Recommended hotels in this area

10GR Boutique Hotel & Wine Bar: In the heart of the Old Town, a 2-minute walk from the Castle and 3 from the harbour; converted from former stables, with an in-house wine bar among the most awarded in Rhodes.
Mercure Rhodes Alexia Hotel & Spa: On Orfanidou street, about 500 metres from the Old Town walls and 30 metres from the beach; 136 rooms, most with a sea view. The first Mercure to open in Greece, in 2021.

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Ixia

Airport area · About 10 km from the airport, 13 minutes by car or taxi; no direct bus, but the main road to Rhodes Town is just minutes away.

Best for: Dawn departures and short layovers, for those who want to stay close to the runway without giving up a beach and a high-level resort.

Pros

Ixia beach and the resort's pools just steps away, useful for one last swim before an afternoon flight
Rhodes Town 5 minutes by taxi, also convenient for an evening in the Old Town

Cons

A coastal strip geared to beach tourism: few independent restaurants outside the resorts
No direct bus from the airport, a taxi or car is needed

Recommended hotels in this area

Akti Imperial Deluxe Resort & Spa Dolce by Wyndham: An all-inclusive resort on Ixia beach, 13 minutes from the airport and 5 from Rhodes Town; 4 outdoor pools, eight restaurants and a spa with body treatments.

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Lindos and the south-eastern coast

Nearby town · 51 km and 50-55 minutes by car or taxi (80-85 euros) to Lindos; Kiotari, further south on the E95, is 62 km away and about an hour. The KTEL bus requires a change in Rhodes Town and takes over 2 hours of travel.

Best for: Travellers who want the Acropolis of Lindos and nearby villages such as Kiotari and accept a transfer of about an hour from the airport.

Pros

The Acropolis of Lindos and beaches such as Agios Pavlos and Kalathos reachable without returning to Rhodes Town
The E95 coastal road running directly along the whole south-eastern coast

Cons

A long transfer from the airport, not very practical for short layovers or day flights
Scarce public transport: the bus requires a change in Rhodes Town and over 2 hours of travel

Recommended hotels in this area

Aulus Lindos Rhodes, All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton: A resort on the coast at Kiotari, near Lardos, created from the renovation of the former Lindian Village; 188 rooms and suites, many with private pool or jacuzzi, four restaurants and a kids club.

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