Ferry from Trabzon (TK) to Sochi (RUS)

[Ricardo Lugris]

It seems to be quite difficult to know about the ferry schedule from Trabzon in Turkey to Sochi in Russia. I am planning a trip around the Black Sea and would appreciate any info about this particular ferry schedule.

[Andysr6]

Hi, i used this ferry in 2009 and it seemed to run every 2nd day, it was a very basic ship and we had to sleep on the floor which was fine. Andy

[asilindean]

Hi,
I'm also planing for a Black Sea Tour for this summer starting in Bucharest on 1st of July.
The info below are quotes what I found from various topics on this site and other sources:

1.The price from Sochi was 8000 rubles for the bike and 4900 for a bunk in a cabin. You could pay 3900 rubles for a seat instead of a bunk in a cabin. So that’s about 200 EUR for the ferry and 120 EUR for the rider. ... EUR 320 all up. postscript ... there is no ferry timetable for the Trabzon -Sochi Ferry ... they go when they go. I got there 48 hours before the next departure. There was one other bike on the boat ... an American couple, Mike and Irene ... they rode into Sochi just a few hours before departure, by total co-incidence. (Colebatch)
2. Website: http://www.morport-sochi.ru/lines/ I used the ferry in July this year and it cost me about £240 for motorbike and rider ( 1 way)
it is a RORO, there were lorries on board
Turkey customs were a bit long and boring, i had a Green Card which sped things up, about 3 hours mainly outside in 40 degree heat.
Safe, yes
No bingo but free meal
Very Very basic
only sails every other day
if you are looking for accommodation in Sochi try out near the airport along the coast
Andy B
3. Sochi ferry schedules, you can find them here They also have a helpful information desk:
Phone: +7 8622 609-603 Fax: +7 8622 609-609 E-mail: info@morport-sochi.ru
Commercial Sea Port of Sochi
The ticket office is outside the main gate of the port facility Trabzon isn't easy to navigate however. Bring US$ the cost of a meal is $8USD, coke is $2USD, There are 3 ships, one leaves every 2 days to one day depending on Sochi customs. The cost varies from $200USD to $250USD. Cabins are mandatory and shared between 3-4 people depending on load. George's ship the Princess Victoria cost $200, 2 years ago Alan used it and it cost $240.

4. Some warnings: Luggage on your bike is NOT secure if in soft luggage, bring it to your room, mine was picked over on the dock in Trabzon AND Sochi as well as being in the hold. There is scant entertainment on the boat, TV is rubbish repeats so bring books. The free water cooler on the pricess victoria (you'll need it) is left front next to the kitchen. Bikes and cars load last after cargo, it can take a very long time for cargo to arrive. The boat is stunningly hot in the cabins, the showers are disgusting, the upper deck has open plan pullman seats you have to get a cabin but use the seats instead it is much cooler and quieter .Food/drink is V expensive on board and demands US$. The ferry trip takes 10 hours, the loading of the ships takes 10-12 hours, and the docking can take a long time as I spent a very long time on the boat in total, 10 hours loading tomatoes, 10 hours travelling and 16 hours waiting to be allowed to dock. Then I was denied entry until they tested my medical kit for illicit drugs meaning another day spent on the boat. Take the sunday/Monday boats as if you arrive on a Saturday/Sunday docking time takes longer and the insurance agent will take a very long time to get to you (it took 10 hours). I also was arrested on arrival after my medical kit was to be checked out (denied entry had to stay on the boat) The customs guy in Sochi is called the beast, he gave me 12 days on my customs docket, I annoyed him he gave me 8 days instead after annoying him. You can extend this somewhere in Sochi I have no idea where as I extended mine in Rostov en danu (fairly easy to find if you stay in the rostov hotel they will give you directions). The sochi hotel in view of the port hates bikers. Say hi to the bald Georgian captain called George, tell him Leon in 2009 made it to Vladivostok.

Hope this helps. If you want we can keep contact and share info for this trip,
Have a safe ride,
Adrian

[Ricardo Lugris]

Guys, thanks a lot for the information. Everything helps!!!

[Ricardo Lugris]

Adrian, thanks for the time in giving me the info. If you want to share info on the Black Sea Trip, i will be leaving Paris on the 13th May, going to Greece and Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Russia and Ukraine, coming back to France through Romenia, Hungary and Austria. 23 days, 9000 km. My mail: rilugris@hotmail.com, Cheers, Ricardo

[Mehmet Zeki Avar]

Beşyıldız,A Turkish company has 12 ferry boats running between Trabzon and Sochi.(22. winter olympic games will be organised in Sochi in 2014.and Trabzon is now the export port of fruits and vegetables to Russia.)It takes 13 hours but speed ferry boats for passengers also available which will get you there in 4,5 hours.6 other Turkish companies have ferries running between Trabzon and Sochi.

According to what our friends say: prices are getting cheaper as there is a big
competition between Turkish and Russian companies.Customs formalities are
faster as both governments have completed the investments including computerised systems.

Speed Ferry company contact information.
In Trabzon:
Telephone : +90 +90(462)321 24 10,+90(462)321 40 20
Fax : +90 +90(462)322 31 93,+90(462)322 31 93
Email Address : info@acakirvap.com.tr,yusuf.cakiracakirvap@com.tr

In Sochi:
Sochi Olympia Line Tlf: 00 7 86 22 609 865
e-mail: fastferry@rambler.ru

Sochi Trabzon every Tuesday,Thursday,Saturday. at 14,00.
Trabzon Sochi every Monday,wednesday,friday at 14,00.
Timetables may have some changes according to seasons.

NAME OF THE FERRY........MV HERMES (RUS BANDIRALI)
DISTANCE.TRABZON-SOCHI...155 DENİZ MİLİ(SEA MILES)
SPEED....GEMİ SÜRATİ.....37,5 DENİZ MİLİ/SAAT
TIME.....................4,5 SAAT
PASSENGER CAPACİTY...YOLCU KAPASİTSEİ..:187
PRICE...ÜCRET............70 USD (TEK YÖN)(1 WAY)

Best wishes.

[asilindean]

@ istanbul bisiklet motosiklet

Thanks for the update

[Ricardo Lugris]

Thanks a lot for the good information!!!