South Aegean is Greece's island paradise, encompassing the stunning Cyclades and Dodecanese archipelagos in the heart of the Mediterranean. From the iconic whitewashed clifftop villages of Santorini and the glamorous shores of Mykonos to the medieval walled city of Rhodes and the archaeological wonders of Delos, this region offers an unparalleled blend of ancient history, natural beauty, and vibrant island culture.
- Public
- KTEL buses serve main towns and tourist beaches on larger islands (Rhodes, Kos, Naxos, Paros). On Santorini and Mykonos, public buses connect main points but taxis and rented vehicles are more practical.
- Taxi
- Taxis widely available, especially at ports and airports. Fixed rates often apply on smaller islands — always confirm before getting in.
- Rental
- Car, scooter, or ATV rental is the most popular way to explore South Aegean islands independently. Available on all major islands from the port or airport.
- Walking
- Town centers — especially Mykonos Town, Rhodes Old Town, and Naxos Town — are best explored on foot. The Santorini caldera walking path is one of the region's highlights.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €10-35 depending on island, 10-30 min to town center
- Taxi Info
- Taxis available at all airports. Have airport nameplate or hotel address ready.
- Shuttle
- €5-10, shared minivan service
- Shuttle Info
- Pre-book online or through accommodation — not always available
- Bus
- €1.80-2.50, local KTEL bus service
- Bus Info
- Available at Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Kos airports
- Private
- €20-45, pre-booked transfer
- Private Info
- Recommended for families, groups, or late arrivals. Book through hotel or third-party transfer service.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
KTEL buses serve major routes on all large islands for €1.50-5 per ride. Buses converge at central bus stations in main towns.
Alternatives
Taxis, rental cars, scooters, ATVs, bicycle (excellent on flat Kos), water taxis to beaches
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €3.50 minimum fare, then €0.85-1.10/km depending on island
- Apps
- BEAT (Athens only), Local taxi apps vary by island
- App Names
- Taxi Beat, Local island taxi services
- Typical Fare
- €8-15 for typical short island journey
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Inter-island buses don't exist — ferries are the intercity transport. Long-distance ferry journeys from Piraeus to Rhodes take 12-18 hours by conventional ferry.
Shared
Shared taxis (taxi collectivo) available on some islands for airport and port runs
Flights
Domestic flights from Athens: Rhodes €50-120, Santorini €60-130, Mykonos €70-140, Kos €55-120
Private
Private car hire with driver from €80-150/day on major islands
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
The South Aegean is an archipelago of 50+ inhabited islands connected primarily by ferries. Major islands (Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, Paros, Naxos, Milos) have airports with domestic and international flights. Getting between islands means mastering the ferry network — an adventure in itself.
Airports
Diagoras International Airport
Santorini (Thira) National Airport
Mykonos Airport
Kos Hippocrates Airport
Paros National Airport
Naxos Airport
Milos Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Ferries.gr
Best app for booking all Greek ferry tickets in advance
DirectFerries
Compare ferry schedules and book inter-island routes
Aegean Airlines App
Book domestic flights with Greece's main domestic carrier
Google Maps
Works well for navigation on all Greek islands with offline download
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book ferries and fast boats well in advance for July-August — they sell out
Check ferry schedules on ferries.gr or directferries.com — times change seasonally
Meltemi winds (July-August) can cancel or delay ferries — build buffer days into your itinerary
Santorini has a cable car (€6 return) from the old port up to Fira — far better than the famous donkey ride
Rhodes Old Town is best explored on foot — parking is impossible and cars are not allowed in some areas
Kos is famously flat — renting a bicycle (€5-10/day) is the most enjoyable way to get around
On small islands, the hotel or port agent usually handles scooter/ATV rentals
Night ferries are a great option for longer distances — they save a night's accommodation
Ferry tickets can often be bought at the port on the day, but pre-booking is safer in peak season