Kos International Airport, dedicated to Hippocrates, is the beating heart of the island’s air connections with the world. We find it 25 kilometers southwest of the capital Kos Town in the characteristic village of Antimachia. It is an airport with a fascinating history and is able to offer visitors a range of services that are substantial for tourism as well as for its fortunate inhabitants.

History and development

Kos Airport was inaugurated on April 4, 1964 and we can say that it has come a long way to date. Continuously transforming up to the present day where it is able to handle the ever-increasing tourist demand, you should know that in 1974 the runway where you could land and take off was 2400 meters. In 1990 a new terminal was built to accommodate more passengers and in 1997 it was renovated and improved again to keep up with the growth of tourism. In 2017, the entire management passed to Fraport Greece (for those who don’t know, it is a German company that took over all the major Greek airports during the period in which the nation suffered a severe economic crisis and with the Troika they tried to save the state, but it depends on the point of view….) has made further infrastructural improvements covering an area of ​​24,000 square meters, thus giving the small airport of the 90s, a more modern look and with all the comforts for those who travel.

Services offered

To date, there is only one terminal but it is very functional. It is equipped with 28 check-in counters and inside there are different areas for every need. Among the various services, passengers will be able to benefit from:

Food: Various gastronomic options, including bars and restaurants such as Everest, It’s All Greek, Goody’s, Flocafe Espresso Room and Streat Food Masters, offer a variety of food and drinks.

Shopping: Duty-free shops allow travellers to purchase local and international products. Financial Services: Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available for cash withdrawals.

Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi to stay connected.

Assistance: Information desk and first aid for any need.

Flight Connections

Kos Airport is a vital hub for the island, with national and international flights. Local airlines, such as Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, Olympic Air, offer regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, ensuring continuous connections all year round even several times a week. During the tourist season, from May to October, the airport sees a significant increase in charter and scheduled flights from all over Europe. Airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, TUI and Lufthansa operate direct flights from cities such as London, Berlin, Milan and Amsterdam, facilitating the influx of tourists.

Location and Accessibility

Its location in the center of the island near the village of Antimachia, manages to perfectly serve the whole island. From any location it will be really very easy to reach the airport. From Mastichari where there is one of the ports of the island from which you can reach the island of Kalymnos and Pserimos for example it is only seven kilometers. In this regard, the airport of Kos given the position of the island is a crucial point for the entire Dodecanese Archipelago.

Impact on the Island

Without a doubt a fundamental part for the tourist activity which is in first place as a means of sustenance for the economy of its inhabitants. It manages to handle over two million passengers per year (in 2024 it reached almost three million and it is assumed that the data will increase in the years to come) contributing to a rapid development of the island as well as offering job opportunities in all sectors related to tourism such as transport or hospitality. Finally, do we want to add the fact that it allows you to discover an authentic pearl of the Aegean?

Personnel and Operations

The airport employs a significant number of people, including ground staff, security, maintenance and passenger services, check-in, air traffic control, as well as employees of shops, restaurants and car rental companies present within the airport. During the summer tourist season, the number of workers tends to increase to cope with the increase in passenger traffic and ensure a safe and competent service.

How to get to the Airport

Bus: KTEL operates regular lines connecting the airport with Kos Town and other locations such as Mastichari, Kefalos and Kardamena. The bus stop is about 50 meters from the arrivals exit, and the ticket costs about €3.50.

Taxi: Taxis are available outside the terminal and offer a convenient way to reach various destinations on the island. A ride to Kos Town costs about €35-40 depending on the area you want to reach.

Car rental: Several car rental companies operate at the airport, offering a flexible solution to explore the island. But if you want something more personal you can write to info@meraviglioseisolegreche.com as we have direct collaborations with local rental companies at competitive prices but above all with certain guarantees since we operate directly and last but not least, we speak the same language.

Despite the fact that Kos Airport is small, it is classified as the sixth busiest airport in all of Greece.