Is Rhodes expensive? If you’re asking that then we can only discern that you’re considering a getaway to the diamond-shaped jewel of the Dodecanese chain. A whisker away from the Turkish coast, this is one of the most sun-blessed and historically rich isles in the country. You’ve made a good choice!
Get ready for a holiday that involves touring medieval castles built during the era of the Crusades, devouring salty seafood fresh off the BBQ grill, lazing on some of the finest beaches in the eastern Aegean, and partying the night away down the Faliraki Strip.
This guide will run through the ins and outs of what things cost in Rhodes. It offers insights into what you’ll spend on hotels, things to do, getting there in the first place, and a whole load more, all so you can prime the bank statement for the outgoings this summer.
The average cost of a holiday to Rhodes
We’d estimate that a week-long trip to Rhodes will set you back in the region of $1,007. That’s based on a week staying in midrange (three- or four-star) hotels, an average food budget for one person each day, and extra money for one night out and a couple of activities throughout your stay. Add on the average cost of a midsummer, short-haul flight from somewhere else in Europe and the weekly cost goes up to about $1,157.
Naturally, you can spend stacks and stacks more than that. There are lush hotels here that will be $250-300 a night and activities like scuba diving that can siphon off from the budget pretty quick. You can also get away with spending far less if you travel outside of the main season, pick cheaper hotels, and make the most of free activities like beaches and hikes.
Is Rhodes expensive to get to?
First thing’s first – you gotta’ get to Rhodes. Most travelers do that by hopping on one of the regular short-haul flights that jet into the island’s main and only airport: The Rhodes – Diagoras International Airport (RHO). Most of those are seasonal connections run by European-based fliers, and – here’s the good news for budget-conscious folks – loads are budget airlines…
The cheapest rates tend to be with Ryanair (who fly from Bergamo, Berlin, and Manchester to name just three) and easyJet (who come from Amsterdam, London, and Milan). There are also flag-carrying airlines like BA an Austrian Airlines connecting to their respective capitals, but they tend to cost considerably more.
Airfare to Rhodes varies A LOT. Spring and autumn trips can be as little as $20 return from somewhere like London, while peak-season arrivals and departures could be upwards of $200 roundtrip.
The other way to arrive at Rhodes is by ferry. They come in from all over the Dodecanese Islands and even from Turkey across the strait. Boats in Greece are pretty good value, but you will need to book in advance for travel in the peak summer months (June-August). Budget $30-80 for a ticket.
Is Rhodes expensive for hotels?
Rhodes is roughly in line with Greece’s other major sun, sea, and sand destinations when it comes to the cost of hotels. We’d say it fits in between Mykonos and Santorini (the priciest islands out there) and Crete and Zante (the places that tend to be a little cheaper). However, the real question here is what sort of hotel you want. From deluxe resorts with seaside villa suites to backpacker dorms, Rhodes has the lot and they each come with different price tags.
Here’s a look at some different hotels in Rhodes across the cost spectrum:
- Kolymbia Bay Art – Adults Only ($$$) – A fancy hotel for adults that has an on-site hammam and spa, along with sleek, contemporary rooms.
- Rhodian Sun Hotel ($$) – A midrange choice with a pool that’s only 600 meters from the beachfront.
- STAY Hostel Rhodes ($) – A very cool hostel that has affordable bunks and a boho style, right in the thick of the action in buzzy Rhodes Town.
Generally speaking, hotels in Rhodes can cost anything from $10 a night to $300+. That said, an average budget for a decent midrange stay on this lovely isle in the early summer is about $60-80 a night, which totals $490 for the whole week.
Is Rhodes expensive for food?
The food in Rhodes is roughly similar to the cost of chow across the rest of Greece. Mezze dishes in a traditional taverna cost anything between $4 and $8 apiece, but the seafood options – grilled octopus, taramasalta dip – are often more than that, at about $12 a plate. Here’s a look at the average cost of other popular dishes you’ll probably find yourself ordering (or at least thinking about ordering) on Rhodes…
- Greek salad (€5.90/$6.50) – A fresh mix of olives, skinned cucumber, tomatoes, capers, and feta cheese doused in oregano.
- Grilled calamari (€19.50/$21.20) – A famous Aegean dish that’s made on open coals and finished with crumbled cheese, lemon juice, and herbs.
- A mixed grill (€17.00/$18.50) – Common in the more rustic mountain tavernas of Rhodes, this grill is BBQ meat served with stewed potatoes and salad.
Certain areas of Rhodes will be pricier for food than other parts of the island. Lindos is now probably the most expensive of the lot, because it’s emerged as the upscale enclave. Rhodes Town has lots of competition, so prices are a touch lower. The mountains are the cheapest of all, and so are the street eats of party-mad Faliraki.
Overall, we recommend budgeting between $40-50 a day for food on Rhodes, and perhaps a touch less if your hotel offers breakfast as part of the deal.
Is Rhodes nightlife expensive?
The nightlife in Rhodes centers around two main areas. First, there’s Rhodes Town, which has bumping tavernas and craft beer bars in its historic center. Second, there’s Faliraki, the out-and-out party mecca of the isle that is basically one big, dedicated 18-30s shindig from season opening in May to close in September.
The good news is that the nightlife in either of those is generally on the more affordable side. That is to say it’s nowhere near as costly as Mykonos or Ios, which have the added air of being jet-setter havens or chicer destinations in the midst of the sought-after Cyclades chain. Here, out in the Dodecanese, you actually get a lot of party for your buck.
Beers tend to cost anything from $3-8 a pop, with the cheapest coming during the happy hour deals that often last from 2pm to 6pm (so, quite a few hours, then!). Most clubs have free entry on the Faliraki Bar Street, and you can garner good drinks deals from the reps if you work some magic.
In total, we’d say that people who party once or twice in the week should budget something like an extra $80 to cover their evening on the town.
Is Rhodes expensive for things to do?
Given that one of the most popular things to do on this island of glinting beaches and see-through coves is to laze on the beach and swim in the Aegean, we have to say no, Rhodes really isn’t that expensive. The reason? Chilling on the sand costs zero, zilch, nada. You can do it for totally free, though you might need to set aside a couple of dollars for transport to the beach, snorkel rentals, or sunbed hire (€5-7, $5.50-7.80).
If you’re looking for more of an adventure on Rhodes, then you might need a touch more in the budget. Here are some examples of tempting activities and what they might cost…
- A basic scuba package for a single dive (€80, $87) – Rhodes is a bit of a diving mecca and has loads of accessible dive sites for both beginners and pros.
- An ATV quad rental (€20/$21.80 per day) – These hardy 4X4 bikes are an adrenaline-pumping way to explore the island’s backcountry.
- A visit to the Valley of the Butterflies (€5/$5.50) – See this butterfly-filled glen deep in the Rhodian mountains. Perfect in spring.
A budget of $15-20 a day should suffice for activities.
Tips for traveling Rhodes on a budget
Concerned about what that vacay to Rhodes is going to cost? Here are five top tips for stretching the budget on the sunny isle…
- Do free things – Rhodes is riddled with free things. History lovers can visit the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes for nothing, beach lovers can laze on the sands for free, and the mountain paths around Maritsa and other hill towns come gratis.
- Travel in shoulder seasons – We’ll stop short of saying to come in winter because lots of things are shut completely. However, the spring and autumn are still hot in Rhodes but offer way more bang for your buck when it comes to hotels and flights.
- Venture to untrodden parts of the island – Everyone wants to visit Faliraki and Rhodes Town in the peak season. Skip them and go inland to villages like Pastida, or the north-shore resorts of Theologos, where things tend to cost less.
- Book early – Because low-cost airlines offer the best deals on flights to Rhodes, you’ll often be rewarded for booking as early as you can. Seats rarely go down in price on Ryanair et al. They often go up.
- Travel as a couple – Single occupancy rooms in hotels in Rhodes often cost more than doubles or twins. Oh, and travel as a twosome means you get to share your mezze meals to boot.
Is Rhodes expensive? Our conclusion
Rhodes is one of the midrange islands of Greece when it comes to price. It’s not as expensive as some of the mainstay members of the Cyclades chain, like uber-chic Mykonos and eye-watering Santorini, for example. However, it’s also not as cheap as some of the lesser-known places in the country, like Lemnos and Thassos, or even Crete. Around $1,000 a week should be enough for a fun stay in the early summer months.
