🗺️ Rhodes Roads: A Practical Guide to Driving, Scooter Rental, and Public Transport
To fully enjoy the diversity of Rhodes, from the cosmopolitan resort of Faliraki to the remote shores of Prasonisi, we believe it is essential to understand how to get around. The island’s road infrastructure is key to every exploration, but it presents two distinct faces.
On the one hand, the main arteries connecting major towns are generally well-maintained and fast, while the secondary roads leading to lesser-known beaches or inland villages can be narrow, winding, and demand greater caution. Navigating Rhodes means understanding the road surface conditions, knowing whether to choose a car or a scooter, and being prepared for Greek driving habits.
This comprehensive guide provides essential tips based on our travel insights for navigating the island’s road network safely and efficiently.
Table of Contents
🚗 Car, Scooter, or Bus?
Transport Comparison and Driving Rules
The most efficient way to explore Rhodes independently is undoubtedly to rent a car. A car guarantees maximum freedom to decide your daily itinerary and reach remote coves and sites. Furthermore, if booked in advance, costs are generally very reasonable.
A valid and widely used alternative is the local public transport (bus). The bus network is efficient and covers most tourist and coastal areas, with frequent stops along the main roads.
⚠️ Watch Out for Summer Heat: While buses are economical, you must consider the travel period. During peak summer heat, walking from the main road bus stop to the beach can be particularly uncomfortable and tiring under the scorching sun. A car offers air-conditioned shelter for the entire trip, right up to the parking lot.
Solution for Bus Users: We are here to provide solutions! If you choose your destination carefully, the bus is perfect. For instance, popular beaches like Tsampika Beach have a bus stop located directly near the beach entrance, meaning you don’t have the long walk often required elsewhere.
The Real Problem (See Proof Below): However, this convenience is the exception, not the rule. The problem of long, hot walks to reach isolated beaches is very real, and it is the main reason we advise renting a car. For a visual demonstration of the distances and the reality of relying on public transport for isolated spots, see our detailed example for Agathi Beach further down this article.
Rhodes vs. Mykonos: The Size Difference
Unlike islands such as Mykonos, where the bus is extremely popular (due to reduced distances and stops often directly at main beaches, like Ornos Beach), remember that Rhodes is a much larger island. In Rhodes, the greater size implies longer journeys and increased travel time, significantly reducing the freedom of exploration compared to having a car.
Driving Side and Documents
- Driving Side: In Greece, you drive on the right.
- Required Documents: EU citizens only need their standard driving license. Non-EU citizens should typically carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to their national license.
🔑 Rental Strategy Hack: Book Early with Flexibility
Although car rental costs can be reasonable, we strongly recommend booking your vehicle well in advance. This secures a low price, especially during peak season.
Crucially, ensure you select a policy that includes free cancellation up to a few days before departure. This strategy allows you to lock in the best rate while maintaining total flexibility to adjust your plans if issues arise.
We personally use and recommend Discover Cars for rentals in Rhodes due to their competitive prices and excellent cancellation policies.
Click here to check current rental prices in Rhodes directly (This is our affiliate link)
🌅 Our Perfect Day Hack: Car, Crystal Waters, and Zero Stress
To illustrate the true freedom and convenience a rental car provides, we want to share our favorite ‘perfect day’ itinerary—a combination we enjoyed twice!
Morning Paradise (Agathi Beach): We chose to start the day at Agathi Beach, which truly is a crystal-clear natural pool. The key to enjoying this paradise is arriving early before the crowds. The car allows you to wake up, have a relaxed breakfast, and still arrive early enough to secure a spot in the free parking lot right in front of the beach when it’s empty. You can enjoy the calm, empty waters in total peace.
The Practical Reality: While Agathi is stunning, it lacks facilities (no bars, no public restrooms). We don’t recommend spending a full day there because of this practical constraint. This is where the car becomes an indispensable tool: it provides an immediate escape or relocation option for emergencies, unlike relying on a distant bus stop.
Midday Transition (Tsampika Beach): As the crowds started arriving around noon (the best part of the day is truly the morning!), we easily packed up and drove just 20 minutes to nearby Tsampika Beach. Here, we found excellent, cheap seaside restaurants for lunch and enjoyed the unique coastal dune area, even having fun running down it.
Relaxing Finale & Group Harmony: After a satisfying lunch and time at Tsampika Beach, the car allowed us to quickly return to our hotel (or a nearby resort beach with sunbeds/facilities). The true advantage of the car was revealed here: While I was able to take a final relaxing dip at the hotel’s beach, the older members of our party preferred to rest immediately. This ability to quickly satisfy the different needs of every person in the group—whether it’s more beach time or immediate rest—is why the car maximizes the vacation for everyone and completely eliminates stress.
This multi-stop day sounds like a lot, but having the car transforms it into a schedule of complete relaxation and zero stress, maximizing every hour of your Rhodes experience.
To see the beauty of Agathi Beach in action and its dedicated video, check out our article: Agathi Beach Rhodes: Golden Sand Guide
🛣️ The Road Network: State Highways and Local Superroads – No Tolls
Although the island does not have true motorways, the main arteries are very navigable.
- Outside the City: Roads generally have a single lane per direction and are well maintained.
- Access to Rhodes Town: As you approach the capital, the roads widen and turn into an infrastructure with two lanes in each direction. These arteries ensure a very smooth flow of traffic and are comparable to a superroad.
Important: On the Rhodes road network, including the main multi-lane arteries, we did not encounter any tolls. All road usage is free. Note that this “superroad” does not have full motorway status; there are still ground-level intersections and traffic lights that can occasionally slow down the flow.
⛰️ Driving Inland: Secondary Roads and Caution
While coastal roads are excellent, the situation changes when you venture into the centre of the island or try to reach more secluded coves.
- Conditions: Secondary roads can be narrow, winding, and sometimes poorly lit. The road surface may have potholes or be less well-maintained, especially near small villages.
- Driving: It is essential to proceed at reduced speed and pay maximum attention, especially in the presence of animals or on blind corners. The interior offers breathtaking views but requires more careful driving than the coast.
- Vehicle: In these areas, a small or medium-sized car is preferable to a large SUV, given the limited width of the carriageways.
✈️ Airport to Lindos: Route Options (The Night Driving Warning)
Lindos is a popular choice because it often benefits from a good climate (we noticed it can be at least 2°C warmer than Rhodes City), making swimming enjoyable even in late September or October. The travel time from Rhodes City is about one hour.
To reach Lindos from Rhodes Airport, you must cross the island. While the airport is near the North, the most direct route (which your GPS will usually suggest) is the shorter route that cuts across the center of the island and then heads south. The overall drive takes less than an hour.
Once you have crossed the center, the road becomes long and straight, leading directly to your destination. The path is not entirely difficult: after crossing the interior of the island—a journey of less than half an hour—you will merge onto the main coastal road, which is generally straight and much easier to drive all the way to Lindos.
Alternative Route (The Taxi Choice): We noticed at the airport that taxis avoided the cross-island shortcut, indicating they likely prefer the longer, external coastal route via Rhodes City. This is a great alternative, especially for safety, as the coastal road is generally wider and better lit, making the journey slightly longer but potentially more comfortable for new arrivals.
The Important Caveat on the Shortcut: If you choose the cross-island shortcut and are arriving at night, be prepared. The segment cutting through the central hills is poorly lit or completely unlit in several sections. We advise caution during this portion of the trip. This segment might be uncomfortable for those who are older or less confident driving at night in unfamiliar settings, even though many cars pass through it during the tourist season.
⚠️ Driving in Heavy Rain and Flooding: A Critical Warning from Our Trip
While Rhodes is famous for its sunny weather, we feel it’s essential to share our experience regarding road conditions during the rare but intense downpours.
Our drive from Lindos towards Rhodes Town saw the rain quickly intensify, and we can confirm that the roads can flood severely and rapidly.
Contextual Insight: Drainage Systems This severe flooding is linked to the island’s infrastructure. It reflects the general setup where road drainage and sewer systems are simply not designed to handle massive volumes of water. We personally witnessed extreme flooding: water was cascading down stairwells in suburban areas like a waterfall, and huge, deep pools of water formed on main roads.
When driving in these conditions, extreme caution is advised: reduce speed significantly and avoid driving through deep pools of water.
The good news is that the weather is highly variable. We noted that the intense rain is often momentary, and conditions can improve quickly. However, this brief period of heavy rain can lead to severely flooded Rhodes roads.
Refined Vehicle Tip: Given the flooding risk, if you are traveling during a period when rain is possible, we highly recommend choosing a rental car that is slightly higher off the ground (better than a very low-riding compact or ‘mini’ car). This extra clearance provides a significant safety buffer during those brief, intense deluges. All main roads are, however, properly paved.
Visual Proof: For a visual demonstration of the flooded conditions we encountered on the road to Rhodes
Watch the video directly on this page, or click here for viewing on YouTube (ideal for mobile users): https://youtu.be/SwAn824nmic.
If unexpected rain impacts your travel plans, you don’t need to worry about being stuck! Check out our guide for indoor activities:
Rhodes Rainy Day Activities: Indoor Guide
🅿️ Parking on Rhodes Roads: Knowing Where to Pay (and Where Not To)
Parking is one of the most critical aspects of driving, especially in the most crowded or historic areas. Based on our experience, there is a clear distinction to be made between the main destinations:
1. Lindos: Paid Parking Across Multiple Levels
Vehicle access to the true pedestrian heart (the main square and the ancient paths) of Lindos is strictly prohibited. However, parking is not restricted to just the single “large lot at the top.”
We found parking available in different paid zones.
The Cost: Practically all these available lots are paid for, often managed by a person at a kiosk. Crucially, payment is required upon arrival, and you must display the paid ticket in your vehicle. Based on our October 2025 observation, expect to pay around €7 for a car and €4 for a scooter for the entire day.
Lindos is built on several levels, and we found parking available in different paid zones:
- Upper Lots: These are the main lots for visitors, including the large upper zone.
- Lower/Beach Lots: It is also possible to find parking near the beach level and along the service roads that descend and ascend the terraced structure of the village.
Viability of the Central Square: The area near the central square is primarily dedicated to public services and transport. This zone is typically reserved for disabled parking slots, and it is where the bus stop and the taxi stand are located. General tourist parking is funneled away from this hub.
The key takeaway remains: Practically all these available lots are paid, often managed by a person at a kiosk who will direct you to a specific parking spot.
2. Rhodes Town: Paid Zones with Varied Systems (ZTL)
In Rhodes Town, too, most central parking is paid. Access to the Old Town (Medieval City) is strictly limited or prohibited (ZTL – Limited Traffic Zone). We must warn you: finding an available parking spot near the ancient walls can be extremely difficult, especially during peak season.
This parking challenge is compounded if it’s raining, as you naturally want to park as close as possible to minimize walking under the elements. If the weather is good, you can certainly park a little further away and enjoy a pleasant walk towards the Old Town, which is always beautiful.
Practical Parking Strategy: To be safe and avoid driving in circles, we advise you to take the first spot that seems reasonably convenient and safe—even if it’s not the absolute closest. This is particularly true if the weather is uncertain.
To help you navigate the parking landscape and find good spots—especially when conditions are less than ideal—we advise you to consult our article, which includes strategic parking locations for the city:
Rhodes Rainy Day Activities: Indoor Guide
3. Beaches and Coastal Spots: Mostly Free!
This is excellent news for beach-hopping tourists! We found that parking at almost all beach locations is free. This is a huge financial and logistical benefit, allowing you to park and stay all day, or move easily from one beach to the next without having to worry about accumulating multiple parking fees.
🛥️ Freedom from Driving: The Water Taxi (Vlicha to Rhodes City)
For visitors staying in the Lindos area (e.g., at the resorts near Paralia Vlicha, where we saw the timetable), the Water Taxi service offers a highly convenient solution to two major driving problems: avoiding the Lindos parking chaos and skipping the long road drive into Rhodes City.
Total Driving Independence: This long-distance service is excellent for those less inclined to drive, such as older members of the group. It provides them with total travel independence, allowing them to visit Rhodes City without relying on the main group’s car, navigating traffic, or facing the challenges of city parking and the ZTL. This was a major convenience for the older people in our group.
The Scenic Route: The Water Taxi offers a beautiful boat trip, making the journey part of the destination.
Important Notes:
- This service typically runs from the Lindos area to Rhodes City and back on a fixed schedule, providing a great day excursion.
- As indicated on the sign (photographed in October 2025), advance booking is usually required.
- Check the departure pier at Vlicha for current schedules and prices.
🏖️ Beach Access Roads: The Unpaved Exception (Agathi Example)
While we found that most roads leading to organized and popular beaches are well-paved, you should be prepared for exceptions when visiting truly isolated coves or beaches with no services.
Agathi Beach is a perfect example of this. The road to the beach is mostly paved, but the final stretch is unpaved (dirt road). Based on our trip, this short, unpaved section was wide and did not have major potholes, making it easily manageable.
Why the Rental Car is Essential Here: This single photo perfectly illustrates why choosing a rental car is crucial over public transport. We noticed people walking down to the beach; these were likely visitors who took the bus to the main highway, as there is no local bus stop serving Agathi directly. This means a long, hot walk in summer time to and from the beach.
Conversely, at the bottom of that unpaved road, there was a huge, empty parking lot accessible only by car. If you have a rental vehicle, you drive directly to the beach and park stress-free.
This situation confirms our earlier advice: choosing a slightly higher-clearance car can be beneficial not only for the sudden floods but also for navigating these short, unpaved stretches to reach the most beautiful, isolated beaches.
🚨 Speed Cameras and Controls: Respecting the Limits
On the main Rhodes roads, there is no overly aggressive or rigid speed control. However, it is essential not to underestimate the rules:
- Speed limits are clearly signed (generally 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km or 90 km/h outside.
- Signs indicating “speed detection” are also present on certain stretches.
The recommendation is always the same: drive cautiously and scrupulously respect the posted speed limits.
🍇 The Wine Route: Tourist Propaganda vs. Scenic Drive
While discussing the main Rhodes roads, one particular route stood out, though perhaps not for the reasons one might expect: the so-called Wine Route.
We frequently traveled between the Lindos area and Rhodes Town, and near Lindos, we encountered a roundabout clearly signposted with directions for the ‘Wine Route.’ Having read about the island’s wine regions, we were quite enthusiastic about having stumbled upon this route by chance. Although it wasn’t in our planned itinerary, we decided to follow the signs for a short distance.
Surprisingly, the drive itself offered nothing particularly scenic or remarkable. The oddity continued when we encountered parts of this same signed route coming back from the remote Prasonisi area , and again, near the airport on the opposite side of the island.
While Rhodes undoubtedly boasts excellent wineries and places for genuine tasting experiences, the proliferation of these road signs suggesting a singular, well-defined “Wine Route” felt more like tourist propaganda than a properly planned or structurally scenic driving itinerary. It’s a reminder that even the most promising road signs on the island might lead to a practical road, but not necessarily a visually breathtaking journey.
💡 Practical Tip: If your true interest lies in visiting the wineries and exploring the genuine wine regions of Rhodes, you should bypass these general signposts. Instead, set your GPS directly for the villages of Embonas and Sianna, which are known as the heart of the island’s viticulture.
🍷 From Roads to Table: Exploring Rhodes’ Authentic Flavors
If the mention of wine regions like Embonas and Sianna piqued your interest, remember that the driving experience is just the gateway to Rhodes’ rich culinary scene. Whether you’re navigating the main roads after a full day of tasting or driving the secondary routes to find an authentic seaside tavern, understanding the Rhodes roads leads directly to the island’s best local experiences.
For a comprehensive guide to the island’s autumn harvest season, authentic local dining, and hidden culinary gems, check out our dedicated food guide:
Rhodes Food Guide: Harvest, Food, and Authentic Experiences
📍 The Last Mile: Access to Prasonisi and Remote Points
As highlighted, a private vehicle (car or scooter) is the most reliable way for complete island exploration. This is particularly true for the most isolated destinations, such as the far south.
The famous beach of Prasonisi (Prassonissi), the meeting point of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas and a windsurfing paradise, is the perfect example of why independent mobility is crucial in Rhodes.
The location is reachable only via the main coastal road that runs the entire length of the island. Line buses in these remote areas have very reduced (if not absent) frequencies. To reach this splendid, isolated spot easily, you have two main options:
- Private Vehicle (Car/Scooter): Offers freedom of time and stops, allowing you to manage long travel times independently.
- Organized Tour: If you prefer to avoid long-distance driving, you can opt for excursions or organized tours that provide direct transport by coach or minibus. These tours eliminate the stress of driving but require adherence to fixed schedules.
For more details on the destination and how to prepare for the trip to the far south, check out our dedicated article: