Ferry from Rhodes (Rodos) to Diafani (Karpathos)

Rhodes to Diafani is a southbound crossing of around three and a half hours, run by Blue Star Ferries with the Blue Star Chios. It is a conventional car ferry on the long route down towards Karpathos, Kasos and Crete, and Diafani is the first Karpathos call. The service is worth booking ahead in season given how few sailings there are.

Diafani is a small fishing village on the northeast coast of Karpathos and one of the sleepiest ports in the Dodecanese. Its main function for travellers is as the way up to Olympos, the mountain village above it, which is known for its preserved traditional dress, dialect and windmills. The harbour itself is tiny and backed by pine-covered hills, and small boats also run down the coast to Karpathos Town.

There are only a couple of sailings a week here, so dates need checking rather than assuming. Current departures and fares are listed in the table below. Olympos is reached from Diafani by mountain road or on foot along the coastal trail, and the road connection south to Karpathos Town is a long, winding drive.

Weekly Rhodes to Diafani Ferry Schedule

What each ferry company has published for the four weeks from 13 November 2026 to 10 December 2026: the days it sails and its departure times from Rhodes.

Rhodes to Diafani Ferry Fares

Hiring a car

Is it worth hiring a car in Rhodes?

Worth it if you're staying more than a couple of days, since the island is large and its two bus companies (Roda in the west, KTEL in the east) don't make it easy to combine both coasts in a day. The port is a 10-minute walk from Rhodes Old Town, with paid parking nearby. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Rhodes to Diafani between 13 November 2026 and 26 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Rhodes to Diafani ferry

• Rhodes has two separate ferry ports: large car ferries such as Blue Star Ferries use Akandia, while Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans and small boats to Symi depart from Kolona, just outside the Old Town walls – check your ticket for the correct one.
• Akandia port is roughly a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and has no shelter, seating or toilets while you wait, so it is more comfortable to wait in town and take a taxi straight to your ferry.
• Arrive at least one hour before departure to allow time to check in, since boarding for ferries from Rhodes typically closes around 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing time.
• Check the marine weather forecast for your crossing the evening before departure; the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) publishes forecasts for all sea areas.
• Children's fares typically apply up to a certain age; above that they are charged the adult rate – enter accurate dates of birth when booking.

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