Kos is a Greek island in the Dodecanese archipelago near Turkey. It’s a beautiful island, with lovely beaches. A very pleasant place to spend a few days’ vacation.
Here are our tips and practical information to help you make the most of your vacation on the island of Kos.
How do I get to Kos island?
By plane
Kos has an international airport. It’s a godsend, as the island becomes much more accessible. But it’s also the reason why part of the island has been somewhat invaded by tour operators, who offer guaranteed sun at low prices in large hotel complexes that can accommodate large numbers of travelers.
There are international flights and several daily flights to Athens. In summer, there are also flights to/from other Greek islands such as Rhodes, Crete (Heraklion) and Astypalea. Various airlines operate flights: Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, Brussels Airlines, Minoan Air…
By boat
The island of Kos is also accessible by ferry. There are daily connections with Athens (port of Piraeus), but the crossing is relatively long (between 8 and 11 hours, depending on the type of boat). There are also connections with other Dodecanese islands and Santorini.
To book your ferry tickets, we recommend the very practical website Ferry Hopper. It allows you to buy tickets online, with no hidden commissions or fees. What’s more, this site offers an easy-to-use interface, bringing together all the major ferry companies. What’s more, Ferryhopper doesn’t just offer you direct routes, but also all the indirect crossings, so you can connect all the islands in the blink of an eye.
What is the best season to visit Kos?
Unlike other Greek islands, Kos can be visited most of the year. In fact, its micro-climate means that temperatures are often 2 to 3 degrees higher than in neighboring areas. So, with its 300 days of sunshine a year, it attracts many tourists.
In our opinion, the best time to go is in spring, to enjoy the peace and quiet and the green, flower-filled countryside.
In summer, it can get very crowded. The island is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. If you’re in the mood to party, then opt for July and August. On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for a bit of relaxation, go off-season.
Finally, by September, most of the tour-operators had left the island and it was once again enjoying a certain degree of calm. What’s more, the sea is warm and you can take full advantage of the sandy beaches and clear waters.
How long do I have to stay at Kos?
We recommend that you stay at least two or three days on the island to make the most of it: visiting archaeological sites, enjoying a day’s bathing, discovering the interior, or strolling around the city.
You can even spend a week here without getting bored!
Getting around Kos Island
The island is relatively large, and distances from one point to another are considerable. The best way to discover the island is to rent a car. As the airport is a long way from Kos town, it’s a good idea to rent a car as soon as you arrive at the airport.
A word of advice: if you’re coming in high season, reserve your vehicle before you arrive on the island.
Personally, we always use the RentalCars website, which allows us to compare offers from different rental agencies in the blink of an eye, so we can get great rates.
And if you don’t want to rent a car, here’s a great cab company, which we always use ourselves.
There are also buses from the port of Kos to the Asklépiéion. There are also KTEL buses serving various points on the island.
In summer, a tourist train runs between Kos town and the Asklepieion site.
Finally, one of the special features of Kos compared with many other Greek islands is that cycle tourism is well developed here. You can rent a bike and use the many cycle paths that criss-cross the island.
Where to stay on Kos?
Looking for the best place to stay in Kos to explore the island? All our tips in the article Where to sleep in Kos: Our best addresses.
Alternatively, take a look at Booking to find hotels, apartments or villas.
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To find out more about the Dodecanese island of Kos, see also our articles:
- 10 must-sees to visit in Kos: a complete guide to what to see and do on the island
- Where to sleep in Kos?
- The most beautiful beaches in Kos
We wish you a lovely stay in Greece!
Laure M.
