Kos Cruise Port Guide

The short answer

Kos is docked right in town, and most sights are a short, flat walk. The Asklepion, the ancient healing sanctuary, is about 4 km out: take the tourist train, a taxi or a bike. It is open long hours in summer and costs €15.

Getting ashoreShip docks

Distance to townTown centre is about 200 m (650 ft) from the dock (What's In Port). The Asklepion is about 3.5–4 km (2–2.5 miles) west of town.

Gateway forKos Town, Neratzia Castle, Asklepion, day boat to Bodrum (Turkey)

Walk to Kos Town, castle, Hippocrates' tree5 minutes · Free

On the chart

Where Kos lies

Antique-style chart of Greek Isles & Eastern Med with ports marked

Kos Istanbul Athens Argostoli Bodrum Chania Corfu Heraklion Itea Izmir Katakolon Kuşadası Limassol Milos Mykonos Nafplio Patmos Rhodes Santorini Sarandë Syros Thessaloniki Volos Zakynthos

Where your ship docks

Ships dock in Kos Town harbour, by the Castle of the Knights (Neratzia). The terminal mainly serves ferries and has a café.

Shuttle. Not needed. The town is at the dock.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The way	Time	Cost
Walk to Kos Town, castle, Hippocrates' tree	5 minutes	Free
Tourist train to Asklepion	Unverified	Unverified
Taxi to Asklepion	About 10 minutes (unverified)	Unverified
Bicycle to Asklepion	Unverified	Unverified

Walk to Kos Town, castle, Hippocrates' tree

Time 5 minutesCost Free

Walk off the ship toward the castle.
The Hippocrates plane tree is beside the castle entrance.

Flat and easy.

Tourist train to Asklepion

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified

Find the little train on the waterfront.
It runs Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm, on the hour (What's In Port).

Check the return times before you go.

Taxi to Asklepion

Time About 10 minutes (unverified)Cost Unverified

Taxis start from Akti Kountouriotou on the waterfront (Kos tourism site).
Phone +30 22420 23333 or +30 22420 22777.

Ask the driver to come back at a set time.

Bicycle to Asklepion

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified

Rent a bike in town.
Kos is mostly flat with many cycle lanes (What's In Port).

The last stretch climbs gently to the site.

Worth the trip

What to see

Asklepion

Ancient healing sanctuary linked to Hippocrates, on terraces with sea views.

How: Tourist train, taxi or bike, about 4 km west.
Time: 1.5 hours
Tickets: €15 full / €8 reduced. Open daily 08:00–20:00 Apr–Aug, shorter in Sep–Oct, 08:30–15:30 Nov–Mar (Hellenic Heritage).

Neratzia Castle (Castle of the Knights)

15th-century Knights of St John fortress at the harbour.

How: Walk from the ship.
Time: 45 minutes
Tickets: €5 full / €3 reduced. Open 08:30–15:30, closed Tuesdays (Hellenic Heritage).

Hippocrates' plane tree

Legend says Hippocrates taught under this tree.

How: Next to the castle entrance.
Time: 10 minutes
Tickets: Free

Kos Town old streets and harbour

Ancient ruins sit among cafés and shops.

How: Walk.
Time: 1–2 hours
Tickets: Free

A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

Off the ship early. Walk to Neratzia Castle (opens 08:30; not Tuesdays).
See Hippocrates' tree by the castle gate.
Take the tourist train or a taxi to the Asklepion (allow 2.5 hours round trip).
Lunch in town.
Stroll the harbour and old streets.
Back on board 45–60 minutes before all-aboard.

Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

Asklepion is hot and has little shade; go early.
Castle closed Tuesdays and closes at 15:30.
Tourist train fare and return times are not published online.

Do this

A day boat to Bodrum, Turkey (about 45 minutes) is possible but risky on a port day; What's In Port lists departures around 08:30 back 16:00. Check your all-aboard time.
Bring water and a hat to the Asklepion.

Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port call, since 21 July 2025): this port pays the standard rate of €5 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €3 (Apr–May and Oct), €1 (Nov–Mar). Only Santorini and Mykonos pay the higher €20/€12/€4. Your cruise line usually adds it to your bill (Keep Talking Greece, 21 Jul 2025).