Island in South Aegean, Greece
Kos
Dodecanese island for flat cycling, long beaches and a lively Kos Town and Kardamena party scene, with an airport and easy Bodrum link. Crowded in July–August and busy with package tourists.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,140–3,150Comfortable, one person · €1,900–2,800Details
- Value for money30/100Better value than 29% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 32°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is treated but heavily mineralised; locals and visitors drink bottled.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBicycleWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are widely accepted.Details
Where to stay in Kos
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Kos Town | First stay: ferries, castle, bike paths, restaurants, nightlife |
| Kardamena | Party resort with bars and beach clubs |
| Tigaki | Windy sandy beach, calm base near Kos Town |
| Kefalos | Quieter southwest end, big beaches, windsurfing |
Apps that work in Kos
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No reliable ride-hailing app; use taxi ranks or phone. Fixed fare lists exist for common routes.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are widely accepted. Keep cash for buses, small tavernas, beach sunbeds and kiosks. ATMs are in Kos Town and the resorts.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Kos solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.