I was there last September and it was pretty busy. On the day we came home there was a huge thunderstorm but when we got to the airport it was sunny again. Everyone was queueing outside and they were just letting so many people in at a time as there was no room to queue inside.

Once we were checked in and into the airport it was very busy inside as well...queues for the toilet & bar etc, no place to sit, tables in cafe not cleared.

If it is like that in early October, god knows what it is like in the height of the season. Make sure you have something to drink and perhaps take snacks with you.

Depends what day you're arriving - Wednesday is the busiest (and worst) day. They are actually spending millions on extending and updating the airport at the moment.

Arrivals is not too bad as they've already extended that area and added two extra conveyor belts. They've also got tv screens above the conveyor belts to let you know the flight number (used to be guess work!). The coach park is pretty chaotic but always plenty of reps about to direct you.

Departures has always been a nightmare if you hit a busy flight time, particularly since they've added extra baggage security. There's often queues snaking out of the door for check in and then queues to get up the stairs to passport control. There is now more seating in departures but still not enough at busy times.

On the positive side the airport shop has a great range of wine, spirits, etc at excellent prices. And of course, the airport is a very small part of your holiday.

As a guide which are the 'best' and 'worst' days to be arriving/departing? You already mentioned Wednesdays being the worst but what about other days?

hi

We arrived at 5am on a Sunday morning in august last year, very busy and hot but it can't have been that bad as we are going again this year.

This time we will be prepared with bottled water, small handheld fans, and cans of water to spray on our faces whilst waiting for our cases.

The return journey is a bit like a cattle market, as you have to queue up outside the airport but we survived, its not that bad really. At least you know what to expect and can be prepared

For direct UK flights it's normally just Wednesday and Saturday - Weds being the busier (by far!).

Thank you everyone. You have confirmed the suspicions of the experience of travelling to Greek airports for nigh on 30 years :-) It doesn't matter where, it's usually the same....and that's fine

we are traveling to rhodes on 7th september. it's our first time in Rhodes and have frequented zante for the past 6 years, and endured zante's horrendous airport. Has anybody else here who have been to rhodes, also been to zante? If so, is rhodes airport just as bad or worse??

Zante airport is most definitely the worst i`ve been to as said in earlier posts Rhodes depends on day and time of travel

yea we travel on a wednesday - judging by the time we are due to leave manchester airport, we will probably be arriving at rhodes airport at around 1 pm Greek time.

i went on a weds last year (arrived early hrs) arrivals is ok, coming home is a bit of a challenge and its small airport, not much seating area and a small cafe. everyone crammed in corridors sat on the floor , but i guess iv been spoilt in the past with huge airports like palma.
plus last yr in rhodes, i went last week july (busiest week) so possibly that led to the busy ness.
have a goood hol

Yes, Wednesday is "cattle market" day! However it is improving a little. Take your own drinks and a sandwich as airport prices are pretty horrendous. There are two bar areas where you can smoke and it's usually possible to get a seat there. Lots of room for improvement but they are working on it.

Just returned from Ixia (Jun 05)

Only Problem was airport.
Upon arrival baggage claim took 1 Hour, 3 baggage areas, it was decided to put all incoming flights in one area.

Leaving airport. Took 30 Minutes to get in airport due to their need to scan all bags before you check in, we had to queue outside waiting.

Inside they changed the gate for our departure, One confused tannoy address, but they didn't change the boards, half of the people only just made it to the gate.

No Information desk in Departures.

Additional: First Choice appalling service

Airport wasn't too bad yesterday (8th June). We got straight off bus to our check-in although I did notice people queing outside for a Thomson flight to Manchester.

As previous people have commented the airport is small and facilities are limited.

There is a large extension under construction but having said that it was like that 2 years ago and there doesn't appear to have been much progress!!

PS - We were flying Thomsonfly to Glasgow

hi anybody know price of taxi rhodes airport to kiotari for 4 adults and 1 child thanks

Lindos is 35 and Kiotari is just the other side of Pefkos so i'd say around 40 euros. Normally taxis take a maximum of 4 passengers so i suppose it depends on how small the child is and how leniant the taxi driver but you may need a couple of taxis.

Have to say that I quite like this airport (when you get inside!) Not comfortable, far from cheap but friendly compared to many others. Maybe it was the retsina but fine for me every time

We have just had our flight times changed from 5pm on sept 10th (greek time) to 1am on Sunday 11th Sept (again greek time). What is the airport like at this time? I understand from previous comments isnt as bad as Wednesdays but what can i expect at this time on a Saturday night/Sunday morning?

Thanks

Meow, I cannot tell you what the airport may be like at that time and day as we flew back last Wednesday at mid-day. However, if you do end up queuing outside the airport at least it will be in the cool of the night and not in the blazing heat of the day!

It could have been worse for us. Fortunately we arrived as our check in desk opened and therefore did not have to queue outside with the thousands that were there. There were four queues the whole length of the airport building, three on the pavement and one in the road. This would be because of the sheer volume of flights leaving between 12 and the 3.

Once inside the process was relatively quick. They now have scanners in front of the check in desks all along the departure hall.

The prices for food and drink are the same as for any airport although I did encounter a first; a sandwich that was edible! The staff were friendly and helpful and it appears that the tour company reps do a good job of directing people and ensuring the queues flow fairly smoothly.

I suppose the one good thing about Rhodes airport is that you know that if you are let inside then there is little chance of any flight delay of any significance.

Meow- Which airport are you flying from? I also am going on sept 10th from manchester thats UK time by the way. Get there at 4am rhodes time! I am staying in Kiotari.