Europe > Greece > Rhodes (RHO)
The Car or no Car advice for Rhodes can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Rhodes ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Rhodes ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Rhodes?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
📍 Getting Around Rhodes — the Reality
Rhodes is a large and varied island, not just a single resort or historic town.
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Rhodes Town is compact and walkable
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Beach resorts are spread widely along the coast
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Inland villages, ruins, and viewpoints are scattered
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Distances add up quickly once you leave the main hubs
You can function without a car in one place — but not easily across the island.
🏰 Rhodes Town: Easy Without a Car
If your stay is focused on Rhodes Old Town and the capital, a car is unnecessary.
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The medieval old town is entirely walkable
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Local buses and taxis cover nearby areas
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Parking near the historic centre is limited and awkward
For city-based sightseeing, walking and local transport work well.
🚌 Public Transport: Useful, but Linear
Rhodes has a functional bus network, especially along the coasts.
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Regular services link Rhodes Town with major resorts
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East and west coast routes are fairly reliable
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Timetables are workable in summer
However:
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Buses are slow for cross-island travel
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Rural and inland areas are poorly served
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Flexibility is limited
Public transport suits point-to-point travel, not exploration.
⛴️ Ferries Between Rhodes and Turkey
Rhodes has long-standing ferry links to Turkey, most notably to Marmaris and occasionally other nearby ports. For visitors, this is a surprisingly straightforward day trip or short onward journey.
Passport control is routine, ferries are frequent in season, and many tourists treat the crossing as a casual extension of their holiday rather than a major international border. Despite wider political tensions between Greece and Turkey, tourism flows across the Aegean remain calm and well established.
🚗 Why This Works Better Without a Rental Car
While travelling as a foot passenger is easy, taking a rental car across the border is a different matter entirely. Most Greek rental agreements do not allow vehicles to be taken into Turkey, and even where exceptions exist, extra insurance, paperwork, and fees apply.
As a result, visitors who want to include Turkey in their plans are far better off leaving the car behind and crossing by ferry on foot. This makes Rhodes a good example of where not having a car actually increases flexibility, rather than limiting it.
🚗 Where a Car Makes a Big Difference
A rental car transforms what you can see in Rhodes.
It’s especially useful for:
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Lindos and quieter times of day
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Remote beaches and coves
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Inland villages and archaeological sites
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Mixing east- and west-coast stops in one day
Driving is generally straightforward, distances are manageable, and parking is easier outside towns.
⚠️ Things to Be Aware Of
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Summer traffic around resorts can be heavy
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Roads inland are narrower and slower
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Scooters are popular but come with safety risks
A small car is usually the most practical option.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Rhodes?
No, if you’re staying put. Yes, if you want to see the island properly.
Rhodes works well without a car for resort-based or city-focused trips. But if you want freedom, quieter beaches, and a fuller sense of the island’s history and geography, renting a car is usually worth it.
