Renting a Car at Rhodes Airport

Last updated: 30 July 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.

Compare QEEQ, Localrent, Economybookings, AutoEurope & GetRentacar at RHO

Localrent.com

Specialises in local Greece operators that often undercut international brands at RHO

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QEEQ

Strong fleet selection at Rhodes Airport with competitive Greece rates

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Economybookings.com

Aggregates 800+ rental companies including all major brands operating at RHO

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AutoEurope

Best for premium brands and one-way drops within Europe from Rhodes

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GetRentacar.com

Marketplace of local owners and agencies with live inventory in 80 countries — check live listings at RHO

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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+.

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

Full Rhodes Car Hire Guide →

Hotels near Rhodes Airport

Landing late or returning the car before an early flight? The map below compares live hotel prices around Rhodes Airport and nearby areas — handy for the night before pickup or drop-off:

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.

Car Hire at RHO — FAQ

Do I need a credit card to rent a car at Rhodes Airport (RHO)?
Not necessarily. GetRentacar accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards with about 15% paid online and the balance to the owner. The other platforms leave the decision to the local supplier, and most of them want a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Greece?
Most suppliers set a minimum of 21 and add a young-driver surcharge below 25. GetRentacar is the exception here: its marketplace rents from age 18. QEEQ shows the young-driver fee inside the displayed total, so the price you compare is the price you pay.
Which car rental platform is cheapest at Rhodes Airport (RHO)?
No platform wins everywhere. Localrent lists local operators and is usually the price floor in Greece, with small deposits and 15–20% prepaid online. Run it against one broker on the same dates and compare the total including insurance and deposit, not the daily rate.
Is it cheaper to rent at RHO or in Rhodes?
Airport locations carry concession fees that typically add 10–15% to the base rate, so a city branch can be cheaper. Against that, off-airport pickup costs a shuttle and time, and one-way drop-offs are simpler from the airport. For short rentals the premium is often smaller than the transfer into Rhodes.

More Airport Car Hire in Greece

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