Both taxis and pre-booked transfers serve Rhodes Airport. The right choice depends primarily on where you are going — because on Rhodes, destination distance matters more than almost anywhere else in Greece.
Taxis at Rhodes Airport
Licensed taxis queue at the forecourt outside arrivals. During daytime hours in season, there is usually a reasonable supply. Fares to Rhodes Town are roughly regulated and run 22-30 EUR. For longer distances, taxis use the meter.
The limitation shows up clearly for southern destinations. Lindos is 50 km away over winding coastal roads. A metered taxi accumulates to 60-80 EUR for that journey, and that is during the day. Night surcharges push fares further. Destinations like Kiotari and Gennadi, 65+ km south, can reach 80-100 EUR or more by metered taxi.
Taxi availability also varies. During the day in shoulder season, waiting times are short. In peak July and August, when multiple charter flights land within an hour of each other, the taxi rank can empty out quickly. At night, cars are simply fewer.
There is no Uber or ride-hailing alternative on Rhodes.
Pre-booked transfers
A pre-booked transfer means a driver is assigned to your specific flight. They track the arrival, wait in the arrivals hall with a name sign, and the price is fixed at the time of booking. The vehicle type is chosen in advance — sedan, minivan, or larger for groups.
For south coast destinations, transfer companies set flat rates for popular routes. This creates an interesting situation: pre-booked transfers to Lindos (45-70 EUR) are often the same price or cheaper than a metered taxi (60-80 EUR), while also providing a guaranteed vehicle and a known price before you land.
The transfer premium is mainly paid for reliability and certainty. For short trips to Rhodes Town, that premium may not be worth it. For longer trips to the south, it often is — on both cost and convenience.
When the south coast changes the calculation
The key thing to understand about Rhodes is that its geography makes the taxi-vs-transfer decision more consequential than at most airports. A taxi to a city center is almost always fine on any Greek island. But a 55+ km metered taxi on a winding island road, potentially at night, for a price you cannot know in advance — that is where the uncertainty of taxis becomes tangible.
For guests heading anywhere south of Kolymbia, the case for pre-booking is strong regardless of season or time of day.
Price comparison
| Route | Taxi estimate | Transfer estimate | |---|---|---| | Airport to Rhodes Town | 22-30 EUR | 25-40 EUR | | Airport to Faliraki | 25-35 EUR | 28-38 EUR | | Airport to Kolymbia | 35-50 EUR | 35-50 EUR | | Airport to Lindos | 60-80 EUR | 45-70 EUR | | Airport to Pefkos | 65-85 EUR | 50-75 EUR | | Airport to Kiotari | 75-100 EUR | 60-85 EUR |
Note the crossover: for Rhodes Town and Faliraki, taxis are slightly cheaper. From Kolymbia southward, the prices become comparable, and for Lindos and beyond, transfers are consistently cheaper as a flat rate versus the accumulated meter.
When a taxi is the better choice
- You are heading to Rhodes Town or Ixia (short, well-regulated fare)
- You arrive during the day in a non-peak period
- You are traveling solo or as a couple with minimal luggage
- You prefer spontaneity and are comfortable with a potential short wait
When a transfer is the better choice
- You are heading to any resort south of Kolymbia — particularly Lindos, Pefkos, Kiotari, or Gennadi
- You arrive at night or on a late-night charter flight
- You are traveling with children who need a car seat
- You have a group with substantial luggage requiring a minivan
- You want a fixed price known before your flight
- You are arriving in peak season when taxi availability is unpredictable
The honest verdict
For Rhodes Town and the near north of the island, a taxi is a perfectly reasonable choice. For anything south of Faliraki — which covers the majority of popular resort destinations — a pre-booked transfer wins on price, reliability, and peace of mind. Rhodes is unusual among Greek island airports in that the transfer advantage increases with the distances most visitors actually need to travel.