Karpathos is not well served by public transport. A few buses connect Pigadia with the southern beaches and villages, but schedules are limited. Renting a car or scooter in Pigadia is the practical option for exploring the south of the island. Roads are paved but narrow and winding.
The north of the island around Olympos is essentially roadless — a rough dirt track exists but most visitors take the excursion boat from Pigadia to Diafani, the small port below Olympos, and walk or take a minibus up to the village.