It has been nearly two years since the last the ferry operated from Bodrum to Kos before closing indefinitely due to pandemic precautions. I know this because my mother and a group of his friends were on the last boat which made the trip and they even had to quarantine afterwards because of this. For those who live along the southern coast of Turkey, taking a day trip to an eastern Greek island just by for the lesson.
Ferries with trips from Bodrum to Kos, Çeşme to Chios, Fethiye to Rhodes and Ayvalık to Lesbos are all relatively quick, organized and extremely pleasant. Most, if not all, ferries have services departing in in the morning and back the same afternoon, making a day trip to Greece both doable and fun.
While the short time of four to six hours between the boats arrival and departures allow for an in-depth discovery of the islands, that’s definitely enough time for lunch, strolling around the harbor area of each city and go shopping. Of course you can stay in any of these destinations overnight and simply come back on the day of your choice.
After a brief pause in services, fortunately for us Expats down south and anyone Otherwise, who wants a quick getaway to Greece, ferry services between Turkey and Greece have officially resumed. Hopefully we can now expect increased destination options and day trips are offered in the coming months.
From Fethiye to Rhodes
the first ferry from Turkey to Greece seems like a trip that set off on Saturday February 26. While it was planned for the day before, weather the conditions necessitated a delay of one daytime. Keep in remember that during the off-months of the season, ferries must cancel their services when the weather conditions do not present safe passage. However, as in the case with last weekend travel, ferry service is usually quickly rescheduled to the earliest day storm watch will be allow.
Nevertheless, the 1 hour and 45 minute catamaran trip is scheduled to sail from Fethiye to Rhodes every Friday and Sunday at 8.30am. for Rhodes then departure for Fethiye at 5:30 p.m. cost for the trip is 50 euros ($56) for a round trip on the same day, 60 euros for a round trip on different days and 45 euros for a one-way ticket. The travel agency arranging trips from Fethiye is Tilos Travel and they also serve the route from Kuşadası to Samos starting towards the end of March. While the trip from Fethiye to Rhodes is certainly one of the longest, at nearly two-hours duration each waythe ferry trip from Kuşadası to Samos is much more digestible to just 40 minutes.
At the moment, the trip from Fethiye to Rhodes is the only route currently operating. However, comes the end of March and until April, many more additional services are expected to operate between Turkey and the Greek islands. That said, Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands and is well worth spend a few days exploring.
Cesme to Chios
On March 1, the route from Çeşme to the North Aegean Island of Chios will resume with vehicle-carry ferries take off at 2 p.m. from Çeşme with return service from Chios at 5:00 p.m. The route takes just half one hour and will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On weekends, there will even be more services with a ferry from Çeşme on Fridays, starting March 5, at 7:30 p.m., and at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Ayvalik to Lesvos
A of my personnel favorite islands to visit from turkey must be north aegean island of Lesbos, who will be reachable via car-transportation of ferries from Ayvalik. The ferry disembarks in Mytilene, and the marvelous island offers many regions and beaches impregnated in history and natural beauty to explore. It could just to be worth your time to make a visit, especially since ferry services are expected to resume sometime in next two weeks. Served by Turyol, the trip takes an hour and a half and a half but it’s good worth then check out their website for the soon-to be determined schedule of ferries between Ayvalık and Lesvos.
Bodrum to Kos
In April, connections between Bodrum and the neighboring island of the Dodecanese of Kos will resume, although the days and timing of routes are yet to be determined. Speaking with Bodrum Feribot, on told me he is probable that the 20-minute trip will be by catamaran rather than ferry for the moment. While the ferry trip from Bodrum to Kos takes around 45 minutes, it does not allow for the option of baording with a car.
Things to consider…
While in the past there have been times in which Turks were allowed to visit the Greek islands on day trips, at the moment a Schengen visa is required for Turks to set foot on Greek soil. There are also pandemic precautions in place, so it is important to be aware of the requirements prior to boarding, which currently include submission of a COVID PDF form and vaccination certificate. The travel agency you purchase a ticket can help in both obtain visas and provide updates on the latest pandemic measures in with regard to sea travel. It is forbidden to bring dairy or meat products into Turkey and such items may be confiscated at customs. Each passenger is allowed to bring in one bottle of hard alcohol and one bottle with less alcohol content like wine. Products like these can also be purchased from duty- free shops that are open on the greek port side.
It has been nearly two years since the last the ferry operated from Bodrum to Kos before closing indefinitely due to pandemic precautions. I know this because my mother and a group of his friends were on the last boat which made the trip and they even had to quarantine afterwards because of this. For those who live along the southern coast of Turkey, taking a day trip to an eastern Greek island just by for the lesson.
Ferries with trips from Bodrum to Kos, Çeşme to Chios, Fethiye to Rhodes and Ayvalık to Lesbos are all relatively quick, organized and extremely pleasant. Most, if not all, ferries have services departing in in the morning and back the same afternoon, making a day trip to Greece both doable and fun.
While the short time of four to six hours between the boats arrival and departures allow for an in-depth discovery of the islands, that’s definitely enough time for lunch, strolling around the harbor area of each city and go shopping. Of course you can stay in any of these destinations overnight and simply come back on the day of your choice.
After a brief pause in services, fortunately for us Expats down south and anyone Otherwise, who wants a quick getaway to Greece, ferry services between Turkey and Greece have officially resumed. Hopefully we can now expect increased destination options and day trips are offered in the coming months.
From Fethiye to Rhodes
the first ferry from Turkey to Greece seems like a trip that set off on Saturday February 26. While it was planned for the day before, weather the conditions necessitated a delay of one daytime. Keep in remember that during the off-months of the season, ferries must cancel their services when the weather conditions do not present safe passage. However, as in the case with last weekend travel, ferry service is usually quickly rescheduled to the earliest day storm watch will be allow.
Nevertheless, the 1 hour and 45 minute catamaran trip is scheduled to sail from Fethiye to Rhodes every Friday and Sunday at 8.30am. for Rhodes then departure for Fethiye at 5:30 p.m. cost for the trip is 50 euros ($56) for a round trip on the same day, 60 euros for a round trip on different days and 45 euros for a one-way ticket. The travel agency arranging trips from Fethiye is Tilos Travel and they also serve the route from Kuşadası to Samos starting towards the end of March. While the trip from Fethiye to Rhodes is certainly one of the longest, at nearly two-hours duration each waythe ferry trip from Kuşadası to Samos is much more digestible to just 40 minutes.
At the moment, the trip from Fethiye to Rhodes is the only route currently operating. However, comes the end of March and until April, many more additional services are expected to operate between Turkey and the Greek islands. That said, Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands and is well worth spend a few days exploring.
Cesme to Chios
On March 1, the route from Çeşme to the North Aegean Island of Chios will resume with vehicle-carry ferries take off at 2 p.m. from Çeşme with return service from Chios at 5:00 p.m. The route takes just half one hour and will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On weekends, there will even be more services with a ferry from Çeşme on Fridays, starting March 5, at 7:30 p.m., and at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Ayvalik to Lesvos
A of my personnel favorite islands to visit from turkey must be north aegean island of Lesbos, who will be reachable via car-transportation of ferries from Ayvalik. The ferry disembarks in Mytilene, and the marvelous island offers many regions and beaches impregnated in history and natural beauty to explore. It could just to be worth your time to make a visit, especially since ferry services are expected to resume sometime in next two weeks. Served by Turyol, the trip takes an hour and a half and a half but it’s good worth then check out their website for the soon-to be determined schedule of ferries between Ayvalık and Lesvos.
Bodrum to Kos
In April, connections between Bodrum and the neighboring island of the Dodecanese of Kos will resume, although the days and timing of routes are yet to be determined. Speaking with Bodrum Feribot, on told me he is probable that the 20-minute trip will be by catamaran rather than ferry for the moment. While the ferry trip from Bodrum to Kos takes around 45 minutes, it does not allow for the option of baording with a car.
Things to consider…
While in the past there have been times in which Turks were allowed to visit the Greek islands on day trips, at the moment a Schengen visa is required for Turks to set foot on Greek soil. There are also pandemic precautions in place, so it is important to be aware of the requirements prior to boarding, which currently include submission of a COVID PDF form and vaccination certificate. The travel agency you purchase a ticket can help in both obtain visas and provide updates on the latest pandemic measures in with regard to sea travel. It is forbidden to bring dairy or meat products into Turkey and such items may be confiscated at customs. Each passenger is allowed to bring in one bottle of hard alcohol and one bottle with less alcohol content like wine. Products like these can also be purchased from duty- free shops that are open on the greek port side.