Day trips from Rhodes
Lindos and Kameiros are a half-day by bus; Prasonisi to the south and Symi across the water each need a full day and a different kind of plan.
- Lindos
- KTEL Rodou
- Kameiros
- RODA
- Prasonisi
- KTEL Rodou
Four directions lead out of Rhodes, but not the same way: two are short bus trips to opposite ends of the island, one is a full day in the south where the wind decides whether you swim at all, and the last is already another island, across the water.
Lindos — an acropolis with a slot, not a queue
The climb takes ten to thirty minutes up more than three hundred steps, with no shade and no railing. Donkey rides exist and are known locally as the 'Lindos taxi', but animal welfare groups have criticised the practice, so walking remains the better choice for anyone physically able. Since the 2025 reform, entry needs a booked slot, not just a ticket, €20 — turn up without one and you don't walk straight in.
Kameiros — half a day without the eastern crowds
RODA runs along the west coast to Kameiros, an ancient town flattened by two earthquakes and forgotten until 1859. Arrive after Lindos and the difference is immediate — no queue for tickets, no line for a photo. Since the 2025 reform, the ticket is bought separately from the Palace and from Lindos, €10.
Prasonisi — the southern tip, two sides, one day
A sandy tombolo at the island's southern tip joins Rhodes to a small islet; one side carries waves, the other calm water, driven by the summer meltemi blowing 20 to 30 knots — which is why this is the island's windsurfing and kitesurfing centre, not an ordinary beach. The sand strip can vanish under water outside peak season. KTEL Rodou runs a route twice a day; driving takes an hour and a half to two hours. This isn't an afternoon trip — without a full day, there's no getting there and back without rushing.
Symi — already another island
The ferry from Rhodes town's main port runs all year, more often in summer — depending on the boat, the crossing takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Symi is known for its pastel-coloured amphitheatre of a harbour, not for its beaches; anyone after a day on sand stays on Rhodes rather than crossing the water for it.
How long each one takes
Time includes the journey there and back, not just the visit itself.
What to know in advance
- Lindos, Kameiros and the Palace each sell their own ticket. The 2025 reform scrapped the combined one — don't ask for it at the counter.
- RODA and KTEL Rodou don't run the same direction. The west and east of the island are two separate networks with no overlap.
- Prasonisi isn't an afternoon trip. Ninety-two kilometres from town needs a full day, not a few hours.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Can Lindos and Kameiros be done the same day?
Technically yes, but they're served by two different companies from opposite sides of the island — it works better as two separate half-days.
Is there organised transport to Prasonisi?
Yes, KTEL Rodou runs a route twice a day; driving yourself means an hour and a half to two hours each way.
How long is the ferry to Symi?
45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the boat, from Rhodes town's main port, all year round.
Ready for Rhodes?
Where to next
Where to stay in Rhodes
→Rhodes town is the starting point for both RODA and KTEL Rodou, so it's the one base that doesn't force a…
Santorini · 247 km
→An island that is the rim of a drowned volcanic crater
How well does Rhodes suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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