Tourists come to Kos mainly for a quiet contemplative holiday, since there is something to see. There are many attractions - natural and historical - on this Greek island. There are two ways to get to Kos - by ferry or by plane. And only in the second way, up to 1.5 million passengers annually arrive on the island of Kos.
Kos International Airport (code - KGS) is located near the village of Antimachia, 27 km southwest of the town of the same name and 5 km southeast of the popular resort of Mastichari. Height above sea level - 216 m. Another name is Hippocrates Airport. The choice of name is obvious: as you know, Kos is the birthplace of the famous ancient healer.
A bit of airport history
The airport on the island of Kos opened in April 1964. Initially, it specialized only in domestic flights. Since October 1980, after the reconstruction of the runway, the length of which was increased to 2400 m, the airport was able to receive international flights. The second terminal was built in 1997.
According to tourists, Kos airport resembles a medium-sized Russian
According to tourists, the Kos airport resembles an average Russian one. The only difference is that at the height of the season, a number of people can simultaneously be on its territory, almost comparable to the population of a provincial town.
Perhaps, if not for the crisis, 2 airport terminals - old and new - would have been expanded. But while the management company's plans for reconstruction and redevelopment remain mostly on paper, passengers have to be content with 3,000 sq. m. m of total area.
During the season, there are often queues at check-in counters, customs checkpoints and baggage claim points. Meanwhile, the airport of the island of Kos is the 6th in terms of passenger traffic in Greece.
Flights to Kos
It is best to search for flights to the island through metasearch engines so as not to overpay and not waste time on connecting routes.
One of the popular options is the Aviasales metasearch engine, which compares offers from over 700 airlines, offering up-to-date information on flight availability, connections, and the ability to customize a flexible filter to suit your needs.
Grekoblog has already written in more detail about this search method in articles and.
Scheme and scoreboard
Even the most demanding traveler is unlikely to need a map of the airport: it is difficult to get lost in 2 small terminals. Kos is already quite popular among Russian-speaking travelers, so it is quite possible to communicate in Russian with the staff.
In addition, both the map of the Kos airport, which is easy to find on the territory of the terminals, and the signs in English and Greek are generously equipped with the usual pictograms.
But you can get acquainted with the schedule of departure and arrival of flights to the airport of Kos on our page - the scoreboard works online:
Kos airport on the map:
Buses to the city and resorts
Buses from Kos airport to the capital of the island and to some other settlements go from a stop at the terminal. The first departs at 7.55, the last one at 19.50 (at 16.15 in the low season). In total, 10-11 flights are operated during the day on weekdays and 7 on Sunday.
Buses to the capital of the island go through the Mastichari resort, the journey takes about 45 minutes
It is worth noting that all buses to the capital of Kos go through the Mastichari resort. The fare is €3.20 (2018). Travel time is about 45 minutes. Buses stop in the city on the embankment near the fortress of the Knights of St. John and at the bus station.
At the stop, which is located on a round square near the airport, you can transfer to a bus to the city, following from other parts of Kos. From the bus station in Kos (Cleopatra street, 7) routes depart to all more or less significant settlements on the island: Mastichari, Kardamena, Pili, Marmari, etc.
The first flights depart at 7.30-9.00, the last - at 21.00-23.00. The interval of movement is 1-2 hours. The cost is up to €5 (2018).
Taxi from Kos airport
Buses are buses, but there are often situations when it makes more sense to take a taxi: not all hotels are located along regular routes, and traveling by public transport, having a bunch of suitcases on your shoulders, is not a pleasant pleasure.
To the capital of the island - the city of Kos - a taxi ride will cost about €35, and since the airport is located almost in the center of the island, a trip to any other resort will not cost much more. Luggage is usually paid separately.
In the high season on the island, there may be problems with free taxis from Kos airport, and a checkered car will either have to be ordered by phone (for a fee) or booked in advance.
The disadvantages of booking with the first available operator are obvious. Firstly, both ordering and booking may require at least a superficial knowledge, if not Greek, then at least English.
Not all hotels on Kos are located along bus routes
Secondly, in case of a late flight or a delay in the passage of passport and customs control, the taxi driver will require an additional fee for the waiting time.
You can profitably solve the problem with the car by contacting the online taxi ordering service in Greece. Moreover, since recently its interface is also available in Russian.
The main convenience of the service is that it can be used to independently calculate the fare in advance, and that the cost of the reservation will be fixed regardless of the time the plane is late or the delay in the terminal.
No language skills are required to search for a booked car either: the driver, as a rule, is waiting for passengers with a sign with their names at the exit from the baggage claim area, but detailed instructions on this matter come immediately after booking confirmation by email.
Other useful features of the service are the ability to pre-order a car for your individual needs, whether it be large luggage or pre-installed child seats. Grekoblog wrote more about this useful service in the article.
Another taxi service
Not so long ago, another fairly serious service for ordering a taxi in Greece online appeared in Runet - KiwiTaxi, more specialized in delivering cars to / from the airport. And, although KiwiTaxi is younger than its predecessor, the service has already gained popularity among travelers.
It is difficult to say which of these two Internet services is better, each has its pros and cons, but we all know when there is a choice and you can compare rates, preference is for the carrier whose cost is more profitable.
Although, we must pay tribute to the younger "brother" - its design is more modern, the version is convenient and understandable for each user, and, importantly, there is Russian-language technical support. If you want to see for yourself - go to the service at this link.
Car rental at the airport
The airport of the island of Kos does not provide car rental services, but international and local companies vying with each other offer their services, as soon as tourists pass through the customs control zone.
It is not easy to choose the best option, especially at the height of the season, on the spot: both prices and the choice of available cars leave much to be desired, because already starting from May, the demand for the local car fleet begins to go off scale, staying in the “red zone” until mid-September.
And this, in turn, allows car rental companies to raise prices to a very immodest level.
Demand for renting a car on Kos during the high season is going through the roof
Another trick that Greek car rentals often resort to is not to announce all the booking conditions to the tourist at once. For example, report a limited allowable mileage or some nuances of auto insurance.
Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates. At least, this is what the locals and the myths of Ancient Greece, familiar to us from childhood, say. From above, the island reminded me of a sand castle surrounded by the sea. He blinked and beckoned with lights. And I already imagined how I would go around it on a bicycle. And in one day. But more on that later.
Colors and Facts of Kos Island
Kos is part of the so-called Dodecanese archipelago, which has 17 miniature Greek islands. With a coastline of just 112 km, the island has something to surprise you. Even in winter, flamingos fly here. And in summer the island is immersed in greenery and silvered with olives. The inhabitants of Kos boldly call themselves Greeks and are very proud that after 400 years of Turkish and then Italian "patronage" they have finally returned to their roots. The industry is not at all developed here, but olives and tourists provide local jobs almost all year round.
The capital of the same name to the island is truly a city of contrasts. A sort of mixture of Italian courtyards with oriental bazaars. A city within a village. A ten-minute walk from the port with its majestic fortress and bustling restaurants will take you to the outskirts where goats, sheep and cows graze peacefully. Other resorts of the island: Kefalos, Mastichari, Marmari, Psalidi, Agios Fokas are more created for a relaxing, beach holiday.
Short video about Kos
How to get there
There are two main ways to get to Kos: by plane or by ferry. By plane it is faster and more convenient, and by ferry you can sail along with the car. But you will not get to the island by bus or train.
By plane
The island of Kos is lucky. With an area of 290 km², he even got an international airport. Charter flights from Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries fly here from May to October 1-2 times a week. To purchase a charter, you will need to contact a travel agency. From Moscow (Vnukovo) to fly 3.5 hours, from St. Petersburg (Pulkovo) - 3 hours 17 minutes. There are no direct (not charter) flights from Moscow or St. Petersburg. When booking on your own, you will have to make a transfer in Athens. The flight to Kos from Athens takes 1 hour. The best time to fly is April/May or October. During these months, you can fly from Moscow (DME) to Kos (KGS) with a transfer in Athens for 9,000 rubles, from St. Petersburg (LED) - for 14,000 rubles. (Aegean Airlines). In the middle of the season, flight prices to Kos from both capitals grow one and a half times. You can’t avoid transfers in Düsseldorf, Munich, Athens, Thessaloniki during the low season - from October to April. You can pick up tickets on search engine sites, for example,.
A little about Kos airport. Hippocrates Airport is located in the center of the island, about 1 km from the town of Antimachia. It has only two small terminals, signs in English and Greek are accompanied by international signs, some of the staff even speak Russian. It's hard to get lost. In the summer there are queues - count your time. There is Duty Free at the airport, but the prices there are higher than in city shops.
I will talk about how it is more convenient to get from the airport to the city of Kos or resorts in the section on urban transport.
By ferry
You can fly to Athens, get to the port of Piraeus and sail to Kos by ferry. This method is longer, but in winter or when charter flights are expensive, it can help out. In addition, the ferries are comfortable and enjoy the views to your heart's content. The most convenient way to get from Athens Airport (ATH) to the port of Piraeus is by bus X96. The trip takes 90 minutes and costs 5 euros. You can get there by metro in 1 hour 20 minutes and 8 euros. On the ferry from Piraeus to Kos, you will sail for about 12 hours (with a stop at). The most economical ticket for one will cost about 40 euros. Schedule can be viewed
There are also ferry services between the Greek islands. For example, you can take a ferry in Rhodes and sail to Kos. This will take about 4 hours. However, ferries may not run every day - check in advance. All ferries land at the Port of Kos.
To moor to about. Kos on your own yacht can be used, which is a 10-minute walk from the port.
If Kosmarina is crowded, you can use the Old Port or the ports in Kardamena and Kefalos (Kefalos-Bay).
Clue:
Kos - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 0
Kazan 0
Samara 1
Yekaterinburg 2
Novosibirsk 4
Vladivostok 7
When is the season. When is the best time to go
The season on the island of Kos lasts from April to October. The main flow of tourists falls on the summer months. In July-August, prices for flights and accommodation rise significantly. Thanks to the more famous neighboring islands, you will not feel the crowds on Kos even in summer. In winter, mostly European pensioners come here for sedate walks along the sea. Many hotels/shops/restaurants are closing altogether.
You can get acquainted with the prices for tours to the island of Kos in the travelask section.
Kos in summer
Summer on Kos is hot. The air temperature can rise up to +45C. The weather is calm. If you are a sightseeing hunter, you should not go in the summer. In the heat, climbing the ruins or just walking around is dubious pleasure. But fans of a beach holiday will like after a sunbath, to plunge into the coolness of the Aegean Sea.
The sea is pleasant, it doesn’t look like a warm soup at all, because. does not heat up more than + 25C. Fragrant fruits on Kos are available all year round. Considering the heat, I advise you to lean on watermelons and peaches for lunch.
Kos in autumn
September and early October are truly velvet here. Water +20C, air +25C. This time seems to be created for walks, excursions, cycling trips. It's nice to spend the first part of the day on the beach, get covered with a light tan, and then go in search of adventure. Local almonds appear in shops. This is in addition to peaches, which do not disappear from the shelves.
But there is also bad news. From mid-October it may start to rain. Rain on Kos is like a flood. The whole sky is covered with black clouds, thunder rumbles, and the rain pours over the unfortunate tourists for two or three days in a row. The streets can only be walked in rubber boots to the knees. Also, it gets very cold. Tourists can only sit in bars and complain together about their fate. Although the bars may close due to bad weather. Umbrellas are sold on every corner, but the quality is so-so. Better take it from home. But after the rains, the island looks happy, and the sun warms so friendly that tourists forgive everything and continue to have fun until the end of October. November is out of season.
Kos in spring
In spring, the island blossoms. No wonder it is called the garden of the Aegean. Since February, everything that can bloom. Even cacti. And almonds and bougainvillea bloom especially exotic for the Russian eye.
For spring secluded walks around the island, you can fly in March-April. Air temperature +18C, water +17C. In addition, the first nectarines and cherries ripen. But in May there are more tourists. Obviously, and in connection with the May holidays in Russia. Like autumn, late spring in the Mediterranean is considered the velvet season. You can sunbathe beautifully and explore the whole island.
Kos in winter
In winter, you can fly to Kos for only one purpose. Live as a hermit. Look at the sea in a storm, listen to the wind. Chill and warm up with almond liqueur in the nearest cafe.
Cloudy weather from December to February. The temperature is about +10C. We have not seen snow here in winter, but there is plenty of rain. Of course, the extinct resort has its own charm, but a visit in the spring will delight you with completely different colors.
Kos - monthly weather
Clue:
Kos - monthly weather
conditional areas. Descriptions and features
Tourists choose the area of the island depending on the type of holiday. The bulk settles directly in the capital, the city of Kos, or in nearby villages. I usually look for hotels on Booking - by, you can check if there is a better price somewhere. If you prefer to rent private apartments - be like.
Kos city
The beaches here are equipped and clean. In the evening, you can walk to the city without spending money on a taxi. By the way, there is an interesting system with the beaches in the city of Kos. They belong not to hotels, but to bars. Bartenders stand at the entrance to the beach and invite vacationers to their place. Sunbeds are free, but the client always orders something: beer, ice cream, juice. However, you can make friends with the bartender: they are not averse to chatting. Then you, as a friend, can use the sunbed without ordering anything.
Kamari and Kefalos
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The Kamari resort near the city of Kefalos is also suitable for those who wish to look at Ancient Greece and lie down on the beach. It is located 43 km west of Kos. In Kefalos, it is worth visiting the ruined castle and the ancient basilica. Active travelers will also find their energy here.Kitesurfing and windsurfing equipment can be rented on the beaches of Kamari and neighboring Kollihari. An hour of renting one set of equipment costs about 25-30 euros, it is more profitable to take equipment for a day - pay about 70 euros.
Kardamena
Food. What to try
On Kos, they believe that Greek cuisine, not Italian cuisine, rules the world. It is useless to convince - I tried, do not get involved. Nod, smack your lips, and become the favorite guest of every cafe.
There are a lot of snacks here. But the cheese fried in olive oil seemed the most unusual to me. It's called saganaki. They bring a briquette 10 by 10 cm, golden, salty and very oily. But you will never forget this taste.
Local olives are neither green nor black. They are oblong, irregular in shape and some kind of light purple or brown. Depends on lighting. I only admire them, because I do not eat. A plate of snacks usually costs 4-7 euros.
Greek salad. Without it, the kitchen cannot be described. A proper Greek salad is eaten with a fork and spoon. Just like pasta. Apparently, a spoon to draw oil with tomato juice and vinegar, which flow from vegetables to the bottom of the plate. The salad portions are large. If you are not very hungry, you can get by with them. It costs 5-8 euros depending on the level of the institution.
Fish dishes are simple, juicy and relatively expensive, despite the fact that the sea is nearby. But for some reason, their octopuses taste like rubber. Hot fish will cost 9-15 euros.
The local goulash won me over. Prepared like this: pieces of beef are stewed in a pot with feta and potatoes. They bring it hot. It smells of spices and comfort. Be sure to try. It costs about 10 euros.
Wine. Be patient until you return to Russia. Decent red wines in local stores are expensive - from 10 euros (in Moscow stores you can buy a similar wine for 6 euros). In local restaurants, you can’t approach the prices of wine at all. I tried homemade wine in several establishments - very weak.
I would recommend The Fish House Taverna at 25th Martiou St, Kos Harbor (see map). Place in the center, colorful, white with blue accents. It is located on a hill, and a terrace was made on the stairs. Sitting on the terrace is more pleasant, only there they often take pictures. No wonder, this is the most beautiful corner in the city. The food is delicious, we even got a Russian waitress. It was possible to talk about life in exile. Hot + salad cost about 15 euros.
And if you go down the stairs and turn left, then there you can go to the most popular pub on Kos. At least among the locals. The bartender on the beach assured me that they make the best cocktails in all of Kos. I don’t remember what it was called, but there are large tables in the air, and inside the room is small, with mirrors. There are a lot of people, although this is by no means a cheap place - all cocktails are from 7 €. But take a look, see where the locals rest.
Safety. What to watch out for
Kos is pretty quiet. Serious crimes are unheard of, sensational. Just beware of petty theft. Keep track of your bags, wallets, phones. It is better to take the minimum amount of money to the beach, and keep expensive jewelry, money, passport in a safe. If there is no safe in the room, put everything in a suitcase and fasten all the zippers. Even better if you get a lock on your suitcase in advance.
Outside of Kos, there is a lot of talk about Syrian refugees. In vain - they are completely harmless here. They set up a small camp in the port and live in tents. Around the refugees, a police squad is constantly on duty, so they say something in a whisper. They are really a pity, but it is more likely to be afraid of pickpockets.
Things to do
Top 3 non-tourist activities in Kos
Go to visit the Metropolitan on a bicycle
Of course, it will not work to travel around the entire island on a bicycle. I really hoped. But try to at least go outside your resort. If you move away from the port of the city of Kos at a decent distance (about 4 km) and go through the hills, you can stumble upon the house of the local metropolitan (free entry). And there are cages with parrots, and a pebble floor, and silence.
Get to know the fauna in the vicinity of the resorts
Tours and sightseeing are useful things to do. But they are very well planned. But if you just go for a walk, you can make an unexpected acquaintance. For example, with a turtle. My new friend got stuck in the fence and could not get out for so long that she even bent her shell.
Taste Kos
What does Kos taste like? It will be great if you can answer this question upon arrival. Therefore, being on the island, try everything. The Greeks are very hospitable people, in every shop they smeared me with creams, fed me with honey, butter, nuts. When the restaurant found out that I didn't drink strong drinks, they said that I hadn't tried raki. And then they brought a glass. Raki, local grape vodka, tart and bitter, burned my throat, and the Greeks smacked their lips happily. And they didn't include it in the bill.
How to move around the region
The most convenient way to get around Kos is by bus or rented car. You can also ride a bike, but you won’t go around the island in a day, and there are a lot of hills here - you’ll have to sweat. There are many sightseeing buses on the island, but this method of transportation is more expensive and ties you to a group.
Taxi. What features exist
Taxis on Kos are usually located at special parking lots and have "TAXI" checkers. The cars are new, with air conditioning, but moving around in them is quite expensive. For example, a trip from the airport to the city center of Kos will cost about 35-40 euros. Prices are fixed, prescribed for each resort. Bargaining is not very appropriate. Booking information can be viewed
Public transport
It is convenient to move around the city of Kos and the surrounding area by city buses. Tickets can be bought at special booths at bus stops. They will also advise you on which bus to get to the right place. The ticket costs 1.6 euros. In order to go to the baths or other resorts of the island, use the suburban buses. Long-distance trips can cost 7-8 euros. Tickets for suburban buses are bought directly from the driver. All buses depart from the Central Bus Station (Kleopatras 7) and make a stop near Neratzia Fortress.
A bus ride from the airport to Kos town will cost 3.20 euros. Stop next to the terminal exit. You will arrive in 45 minutes. The route passes through the Mastichari resort. Buses from the airport run from 7.55 to 19.50 (or until 16.15 from November to April).
Transport rental
You can rent a bike at your hotel or in the city. Rental points usually have a large parking lot that can be seen from afar. This pleasure costs about 4 euros per day. Documents and age are not important, you will not have to draw up and sign any contracts. The bike is supposed to be returned by a certain hour to where you took it. You pay in advance. Be sure to check that the bike is on the move and ask for a lock for it. The castle is usually included in the rental price.
You can rent a car at the airport and at any of the resorts. If you plan to pick up the car at the airport, it is better to book in advance so as not to waste time comparing prices. In town, look for "Rental Car" signs. The cost of renting a car per day is from 40 euros. You can pick up and book a car in advance. To draw up a contract, you must have a driving license, a passport with a visa and about 200 euros on the card. Requirements for the age and experience of the driver: age from 21 years and driving experience from 1 year. It's great if you know English - you can study the lease agreement. There are no problems with parking on the island, but they are paid. In resort centers and near attractions, parking costs from 1.50 euros per hour. Gasoline 95 costs about 1.50-2 euros per liter.
Kos Airport is located on the island of Kos with the same name. at 22 km from the town of Kos, next to the village of Antimachia.
The airport is international and receives regular and charter flights. The airport is open all year round, but peak traffic occurs in the summer.
The airport serves about 2 million people.
The airport is located 7.5 km from the town of Mastichari, 6.5 km from the town of Kardamena, 17.6 km from the town of Kefalos and 22 km from the town of Kos.
You can get to or from the airport by taxi or transfer, private car or public transport.
Bus
A regular bus runs between the airport and the cities of Kos, Kefalos, Kardamena and Mastichari.
The bus stop is located at 50 m from the terminal. Tickets can be bought directly from the driver.
Ticket price from the airport to Kos and from Kos to the airport €3.20.
The fare from the airport to the cities of Kefalos and Kardamena costs 2 euros.
Bus schedule from Kos city to the airport
Mon-Sat. - from 8.00 to 19.50
Sun. - 9.00, 13.00 and 17.00
Bus timetable from airport to Kos city
Mon-Sat. - from 7.55 to 23.00
Sun. - 7.55, 10.00, 10.30 and 16.05.
Taxi or transfer
If you do not want to use public transport or are traveling with a group of several people, it will be more profitable for you to take a taxi or a transfer.
A Russian-speaking driver will meet you at the airport with a name plate and take you anywhere on the island. The approximate fare from the airport to the city of Kos is 50 euros. You can calculate the cost of the trip and order a taxi.
This small and not the newest airport has everything you need for travelers: comfortable waiting rooms, cafes and snack bars, grocery stores, souvenir shops, press kiosks, small duty-free, rest rooms, first-aid post, ATMs, car rental.
Price calendar from Germany (BER) to Kos Island, Greece (KGS)
Select the month you are interested in to see the best deals. You can select any other waypoints instead of the default ones. If a price is not indicated for any of the months, then simply click on the magnifying glass icon under the required month, and a search will be made for current offers from many different airlines operating on the route Germany (BER) - Kos Island, Greece (airport " Kos International Airport "Hippocrates"" - KGS).Kos Island, Greece (KGS): map of popular destinations from the airport.
Kos Island International Airport has regular air links with other foreign and national airports. This map shows the most popular destinations starting from: Airport "Kos Hippocrates International Airport", located in the city of Kos island. (Greece).Hotels nearby:
We have selected hotels and other accommodation facilities that are closest to the airport: "Kos Hippocrates International Airport".If you want to find hotels and other accommodations that are closer to the center of the city of Kos, you can do it on the city page Kos o. (Greece).
4 km.