10 Kos travel tips you need to know before you go

Are you planning a trip to the Greek island of Kos soon? Then a little preparation can go a long way. From transportation and driving to payments, internet access, and the best time to visit, there are several practical things that can make your trip much smoother. To help you get ready, I’ve gathered the most important Kos travel tips in this guide. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and can travel to this sunny Greek island fully prepared. Once you’re there, you can focus on what really matters: enjoying a relaxing and carefree holiday.

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About Kos

Kos is one of the most popular Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, located just a few kilometres from the Turkish coast. While the island is best known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed holiday atmosphere, it offers much more than just sun and sea.

You’ll find charming mountain villages, lush landscapes, impressive archaeological sites, and a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Over the centuries, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, and Italians all left their mark on the island, creating a fascinating blend of cultures and architectural styles.

Thanks to its compact size, it’s easy to travel from one side of the island to the other. This allows you to combine relaxing beach days with cultural discoveries, nature, and delicious Greek cuisine during a single holiday.

With the Kos travel tips below, you’ll be well prepared and ready to make the most of your stay on this diverse and beautiful island.

10 Kos travel tips you need to know before you go

1 – How to travel to Kos

Flying is by far the fastest and most popular way to travel to Kos. During the summer season, there are direct flights from Belgium to Kos International Airport. From Brussels Airport, Charleroi, and sometimes other regional airports, you can reach the island in approximately 3.5 hours. If you’re travelling outside the peak season, you’ll often need to connect through a city such as Athens.

If you’d like to combine your holiday with a trip around Greece, you can first fly to Athens and then take a domestic flight to Kos. The flight takes about one hour and operates year-round.

Another option is travelling by ferry. Regular ferries depart from the port of Piraeus, near Athens, and sail to Kos. While the journey takes considerably longer than flying, it’s a great choice if you’re planning to visit several Greek islands. There are also ferry connections to Kos from islands such as Rhodes, Kalymnos, Nisyros, and Patmos.

Kos is also located very close to the Turkish coast. As a result, you can easily reach the island by ferry from the Turkish resort town of Bodrum. The crossing takes less than an hour and is ideal if you want to combine a visit to Kos with a trip through Turkey.

2 – Passport, Visa and vaccinations for Kos

Fortunately, the practical requirements for travelling to Kos are quite straightforward. Kos is part of Greece and belongs to the Schengen Area. If you’re travelling from Belgium, the Netherlands, or another EU country, a valid national ID card or passport is sufficient to visit the island. No visa is required for a tourist stay.

Although an ID card is usually enough, I always recommend checking the validity of your travel documents before departure. Especially when travelling by air, it’s best to avoid any last-minute surprises.

No mandatory vaccinations are required for travel to Kos. Greece has a well-developed healthcare system and does not pose any particular health risks for travellers. However, it’s a good idea to make sure your routine vaccinations, such as tetanus, are up to date.

It’s also wise to have comprehensive travel and health insurance. This ensures you’re covered for unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, or other unforeseen situations during your holiday in Kos.

3 – How to get around on Kos?

Without a doubt, the most popular way to get around Kos is by bicycle. Along the island’s northern coast, between Kos Town, Lambi, Tigaki, and Marmari, you’ll find mostly flat roads that are perfect for cycling. If you’d like to explore the hilly interior or villages such as Zia, an e-bike is often a better option. It allows you to cover longer distances with ease while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.

Scooters, quads, and buggies are also extremely popular on Kos. They offer plenty of freedom to explore the island at your own pace and are ideal for reaching hidden beaches, mountain villages, and scenic viewpoints. Buggies, in particular, can be seen everywhere on the island.

If you’d rather not travel on two wheels, you can use the local bus network, which connects the island’s main resorts and villages. Regular bus services operate between Kos Town, Tigaki, Marmari, Mastichari, Kardamena, and Kefalos. Keep in mind, however, that timetables are generally more limited than in Belgium, and some locations can be difficult to reach without your own transportation.

Taxis are also widely available in the island’s tourist areas. If you’re looking for maximum flexibility during your holiday, a rental car is often the most comfortable and convenient choice.

4 – Driving on Kos

If you want to explore as much of Kos as possible, renting a car is one of the best options. Although the island is relatively small, many of its beautiful beaches, mountain villages, and scenic viewpoints are spread across different areas. With a rental car, you’ll enjoy complete freedom and can plan your days entirely at your own pace.

Driving on Kos is generally very relaxed. The roads are well maintained, and distances are short. Don’t expect wide motorways or long journeys, most destinations can be reached within 30 to 40 minutes. A valid Belgian or Dutch driving licence is sufficient to rent a car, and an international driving permit is not required.

My biggest tip is to adapt your speed to the local road conditions. While official speed limits vary, you’ll rarely drive faster than 50–60 km/h on many roads. In the mountains, on winding roads, and through village centres, a slower pace is the norm. It’s also important to keep an eye out for scooters, quads, buggies, and cyclists, as you’ll encounter them everywhere on the island.

Parking is generally easy and widely available, although it can sometimes be more challenging in the centre of Kos Town during the peak summer season. If you really want to get to know the island, don’t be afraid to take the occasional side road. That’s often where you’ll discover the most beautiful beaches, hidden coves, and authentic Greek tavernas.

5 – When is the best travel time for Kos?

Kos is a destination you can visit for most of the year, but the ideal time to go depends on what you want to do during your holiday. The island enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

July and August are the most popular months to visit. During this time, you can expect long sunny days, warm sea temperatures, and daytime highs that often exceed 30°C (86°F). It’s the perfect season if your main goal is to relax on the beach or by the pool. Keep in mind, however, that this is also the busiest time of the year, with more visitors and higher accommodation prices.

Personally, I think May, June, September, and October are the best months to visit Kos. The weather is still warm and pleasant, but the heat is less intense. The beaches and main attractions are also much quieter. These months are ideal if you want to explore the island by bike, rental car, or on foot.

Spring has its own charm as well. In April, the landscape is still lush and green, with colourful wildflowers in bloom, creating a completely different atmosphere from the dry summer months. Winter, on the other hand, is very quiet. Many tourist accommodations close for the season, and rainfall is more common. For a classic sun holiday, spring, summer, and autumn are therefore the best times to visit Kos.

6 – How to book an accommodation on Kos?

Kos is a popular holiday destination, and during the summer months the best accommodations often sell out quickly. That’s why I recommend booking your stay as early as possible, especially if you’re travelling during the school holidays or have a specific hotel in mind.

The island offers accommodation for every type of traveller, from large all-inclusive beachfront resorts to charming adults-only hotels and small boutique hotels full of character. Boutique hotels, in particular, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Because they usually have only a limited number of rooms, they are often the first to be fully booked.

Personally, I always prefer staying in a small-scale hotel with a unique atmosphere and personalised service. That’s why I’ve also put together a guide to the 15 most beautiful boutique hotels on Kos, featuring some of the island’s most special places to stay.

My biggest tip? Don’t wait too long to book. Not only will you have the widest choice, but you’ll often benefit from the best prices and booking conditions as well. Use the map below to easily find the accommodations that are best located for your holiday on Kos.

7 – Paying on Kos and tipping

Like the rest of Greece, Kos uses the euro as its currency. In most hotels, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets, you can easily pay with a debit card, credit card, or your smartphone. However, I recommend carrying some cash with you at all times. Smaller tavernas, local shops, and even some attractions with lower entrance fees may only accept cash, so it’s always useful to have a few euros on hand.

In general, prices on Kos are slightly lower than in Belgium, although this naturally depends on where you stay. Tourist resorts tend to be a bit more expensive than smaller villages or local tavernas away from the busiest areas.

Tipping is not mandatory in Greece, but it is certainly appreciated. In restaurants, it’s common to round up the bill or leave a small tip if you’re happy with the service. It’s also customary to leave a small tip for taxi drivers, hotel staff, or tour guides as a gesture of appreciation.

My advice? Think of tipping as a kind gesture rather than an obligation. Leaving a few extra euros for good service is always appreciated on Kos.

8 – Wi-Fi and 5G on Kos

In most parts of Kos, you’ll have a reliable mobile signal and good internet coverage. In Kos Town, the popular beach resorts, and most tourist areas, you can usually expect 4G or 5G coverage. Wi-Fi is also widely available and has become standard in almost all hotels, restaurants, cafés, and beach bars.

There are, however, a few things to keep in mind. In more remote parts of the island, mountainous areas, or some secluded bays, the signal may be weaker. During my own trip, I also noticed that the connection wasn’t equally stable everywhere, depending on both the provider and your location.

One important tip: pay close attention when you’re near the Turkish coast. In some places, such as Therma Beach on the eastern side of the island, your phone may automatically switch to a Turkish mobile network. Since Turkey is not part of the European Union, these networks are not covered by EU roaming regulations. Without realising it, you could end up with unexpected roaming charges. It’s therefore a good idea to check which network your phone is connected to from time to time, or disable automatic network selection when you’re close to the coast.

My tip? Download important maps, tickets, and reservations before you set off. That way, you won’t be completely dependent on an internet connection and can avoid unpleasant surprises along the way.

9 – Local specialties you shouldn’t miss on Kos

A trip to Kos wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the island’s local cuisine. Greek gastronomy is all about fresh ingredients, simple recipes, and long, relaxed meals shared with family and friends. Kos also has several regional specialties that you won’t easily find elsewhere in Greece.

One of the island’s best-known local products is Possa, a traditional cheese that is aged in wine sediment, giving it a distinctive flavour. Another specialty unique to Kos is Katimeria, thin pieces of fried pastry that are typically served with honey and cinnamon, making them a delicious sweet snack or dessert.

Of course, you’ll also find Greek classics on almost every menu, including fresh tzatziki, souvlaki, moussaka, stuffed vine leaves, and grilled fish. Thanks to the island’s coastal location, octopus, calamari, and other fresh seafood are also widely available.

Kos is also well known for its honey. Especially in the mountainous area around Zia, you’ll find locally produced honey made from the island’s wild herbs and flowers. Wine lovers are equally well catered for. Grapes have been cultivated on Kos for thousands of years, and several local wineries still produce excellent wines that you can taste during a visit.

Whenever possible, skip the tourist restaurants along the busiest promenades and choose a traditional Greek taverna instead. That’s where you’ll often discover the island’s most authentic flavours.

10 – Discover the rich history of Kos

Kos may be best known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back holiday atmosphere, but the island also has a fascinating history. Thanks to its strategic location between Greece and Asia Minor, Kos has been shaped by many different civilizations over the centuries. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to the Byzantines, Ottomans, and Italians, each left a lasting mark on the island.

One of the island’s most important historical sites is the Asklepieion of Kos, one of the most significant healing centres of the ancient world. It is closely associated with Hippocrates, who was born on Kos and is widely regarded as the father of modern medicine. In Kos Town, history is everywhere you look, with Roman archaeological remains, a medieval castle built by the Knights of Saint John, and elegant buildings dating back to the Italian period.

But the history of Kos extends far beyond its most famous landmarks. Across the island, you’ll discover ancient chapels, abandoned settlements, and traditional villages where time seems to have stood still. Places such as Zia, Antimachia, and the abandoned village of Palio Pyli offer a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past.

So, while you’re on Kos, make sure to venture beyond the beaches and explore the island’s interior. That’s often where you’ll find its most authentic places and uncover the stories that have shaped Kos throughout the centuries.

Still wondering if Kos is the right holiday destination for you? Trust me, this Greek island has so much more to offer than just sun, sea, and sandy beaches. You’ll discover charming villages, a rich history, stunning beaches, breathtaking viewpoints, and delicious Greek cuisine. Best of all, Kos is large enough to keep exploring, yet compact enough to experience many of its highlights in a single trip. I hope these Kos travel tips help you prepare for your holiday and make the most of your time on this beautiful Greek island.