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Kos: where to stay and how to get there from Ireland

A guide to Kos for Irish families and couples: direct summer flights, the best months to go, and which part of the island suits you.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

Why go

Kos is a long, narrow Greek island in the Dodecanese, close to the Turkish coast. Most of its resorts sit on sandy beaches, and distances between them are short.

It works for families who want a beach and a pool, and for couples who want old ruins, good tavernas and a quieter pace. Kos Town has a harbour, a castle and a busy evening strip. Ferries also link Kos with nearby islands and with Bodrum in Turkey.

Getting there from Ireland

Ryanair flies direct from Dublin to Kos in summer. TUI Airways flies from Belfast International, also in summer. Cork, Shannon, Knock and Kerry have no direct flights.

The flight from Dublin takes about 4 hours 25 minutes. Belfast is about 4 hours 30 minutes.

Kos Airport is near Antimachia, about 24 km from Kos Town. A public bus links the airport with Kos Town, Mastichari, Kardamena and Kefalos. Metered taxis wait outside the terminal around the clock.

Summer routes usually stop at the end of October. Check the airline’s schedule before you plan anything outside the main season.

When to go

Average daily highs on Kos, from a local weather station:

  • April and May: 20°C to 25°C. Good for walking and sightseeing. The sea is still cool at 17°C to 19°C.
  • June to August: 28°C to 31°C. Peak season, with the warmest sea at 22°C to 25°C.
  • September and October: 29°C falling to 26°C. The sea stays at 23°C to 24°C, which is warmer than in June.
  • November to March: 14°C to 21°C. Many hotels close and there are no direct flights.

For most people, late May, June and September give the best balance of heat, sea temperature and price.

Air temperatures come from the Kos climate table on Wikipedia. Sea temperatures come from Weather2Travel.

Where to stay

  • Kos Town: the best base for couples who want restaurants, the harbour and ferries on the doorstep.
  • Tigaki and Marmari: north coast villages with long sandy beaches, a calmer choice for families.
  • Kardamena: a south coast village with lots of bars and late nights, popular with younger groups.
  • Kefalos: the quieter west end, with big beaches and a slower pace.

Good for

  • Families who want sandy beaches and a straightforward island to get around.
  • Couples who like a mix of beach days and history.
  • Island hopping, with ferries to other Dodecanese islands and to Bodrum.

Late deal tip

Compare the Dublin flight on its own with a hotel booked separately. Ryanair runs fewer flights a week to Kos than to the big Spanish airports. When the flight is cheap, the hotel is often where you can save, so check a few resorts before you commit.

Sources

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