Renting a Car at Rhodes Airport
Last updated: April 2026
Rhodes Airport Diagoras (RHO) is the gateway to the Dodecanese's largest island — a UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town surrounded by stunning beaches. The compact terminal has rental desks in the arrivals area — Hertz, Avis, Sixt, and strong local operators Drive and Avance serve the island. Rhodes is 80 km long with excellent roads by Greek island standards.
🎯 Quick Tip
Rhodes' east coast road to Lindos is well-paved and scenic. The west coast road is windier and rougher. Budget your driving time accordingly — the east coast is 30% faster than the west for equivalent distances.
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Airport Pickup Tips
RHO is small — rental desks are 30 seconds from customs. Present your passport, EU license or IDP, and credit card. Greek island operators are relaxed — 5-10 minutes. Confirm your insurance covers gravel roads if planning to visit the Valley of the Butterflies or inland villages.
Rhodes roads are generally well-maintained on the east coast but deteriorate inland. Check tires, mirrors, and bumper corners. Coastal salt spray accelerates rust — check wheel arches. The RHO parking lot has good natural light. Also check the AC — Rhodes summers are 38°C+.
For detailed guidance, see our pre-drive checklist.
Explore Rhodes by Car
Rhodes combines ancient history with stunning beaches. Drive from the medieval Old Town south to Lindos and its ancient acropolis, then continue to the quieter beaches of Prassonissi at the island's southern tip.
Top drive from Rhodes: East coast road from Rhodes Town to Lindos
Getting from Rhodes Airport to the City
RHO is 16 km southwest of Rhodes Town (20 min). For Lindos, take the east coast road south (50 min). For Prasonisi (windsurfing), continue to the southern tip (80 min). For the Valley of Butterflies, head south then west (30 min). For Kamiros (ancient ruins), take the west coast road (40 min). The entire island circuit takes about 4 hours with stops.
Drive Rent a Car operates from the airport road, 500m from RHO — walk-in accessible. They include full insurance with zero excess and offer the best rates on the island for weekly bookings. Their fleet is maintained to higher standards than typical island operators.
What to Know Before Driving from RHO
Greece drives on the right. Speed limits: 90 km/h on main roads, 50 km/h in towns. Rhodes police enforce limits near popular tourist areas (Faliraki, Lindos). Island roads are shared with ATVs, scooters, and tour buses — drive cautiously. Parking in Lindos village is outside the town in designated lots (free) — the village itself is pedestrian-only.
Greece drives on the right. Rhodes has one main road circling the coast and several mountain roads crossing the interior. The road to Lindos (east coast) is the most popular drive — it's well-maintained but crowded in summer. Parking in Rhodes Old Town is prohibited — use the Mandraki Harbor car park. Download offline maps for the island's interior.
Fuel Stations Near RHO
EKO and Shell stations are on the main road between RHO and Rhodes Town. Island fuel: approximately €1.95/L (15-20% above mainland). The EKO at the airport junction is the closest. Fill up before heading to the southern tip — the only station between Lindos and Prasonisi is in Gennadi (70 km from RHO).
Local Driving Tip
Rhodes' interior mountain villages are connected by single-track roads where reversing into passing places is normal. Rental scooters are popular but dangerous — if you rent one, Greek law requires a motorcycle license category, not just a car license.