4Likes
-
1
Post By eurasiaoverland
-
1
Post By eurasiaoverland
-
1
Post By Tomkat
-
1
Post By eurasiaoverland
|
5 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2024
Posts: 24
|
|
Ferry from Greece to Turkey
The sticky post for Turkey is a bit out of date, so:
Any information on the ferries from Greece to Turkey?
I've found several websites, but which ones to trust?
Looks like a 14 -18 hour trip, three times a week.
If I'm riding through Greece from North to South, does it make sense to take the ferry to Turkey, or drive back North again? If the ferry is worth it, I'll be leaving Turkey through Istanbul and up through Bulgaria/Romania.
Can I get the permits and insurance at the port in Turkey, or do I really need to go through the Northern roads?
|
5 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 945
|
|
'Greece to Turkey'. Given how spread out Greece is across various islands, it would help if you were a bit more specific on ports.
What is this 14-18 hour trip? From where to where?
Information from this year (I travelled with a car in April/May).
There are 4 car ferry routes:
Lesbos - Ayvalik
Chios - Cesme
Samos - Kusadasi
Kos - Bordum.
Of the four routes, only the top two are year round I think, and you don't state when you wish to travel.
There are no ferries from mainland Greece to Turkey.
'If the ferry is worth it'? Do you mean worth the saving in cost? Time? Or if the experience of using the ferry in itself 'worth it'?
The international ferries are not cheap, a lot more than the local ferries. Again, you don't mention where you mean by the south of Greece - if southern mainland, I think driving to Turkey would be cheaper and easier. If you are in Crete or the Dodecanese Islands, taking a ferry to Kos and on to Bordum might be cheaper - but that only works in summer.
Unlike the internal ferries, the information online on the international ferries is not very clear and for vehicle travel I think you need to book in person.
I travelled Turkey to Greece - I think you'll need to have insurance (Green card with Turkey valid) before you reach Turkey. In Bodrum cruise port for example, I didn't see an insurance agent.
EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
|
4 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2024
Posts: 24
|
|
Yes...I didn't give much information because I don't have much information.
It would probably be in June that I would like to travel. The maps show a ferry from Piraeus, Greece (mainland) to Izmir, Turkey, but I can't find information about it other than some blogs that say 3 times a week and 14-18 hours. But, I couldn't find a website for that ferry line at the time I was looking....and I don't remember what blog I found that information.
So, I'll be looking again. I thought someone here may have done it in the last few years and still have information.
|
4 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 945
|
|
You can go from Piraeus to Cesme but it will be on two ferries with different companies and different tickets, stopping over in Chios.
There is no direct ferry from Athens to Izmir, this Tripadvisor post from 11 years ago confirms the same, and the trend for ferries is almost universally a decline in routes. Plus Greece - Turkey relations are not great at present.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...on_Attica.html
The excellent website 'Turkey Travel Planner' confirms the same:
https://turkeytravelplanner.com/tran.../tk-italy.html
Note that the Rhodes - Marmaris route was not carrying cars in 2024 (I confirmed this myself earlier in the year).
To get an idea of sailings you'll need to check schedules for the specific international routes I mention in my previous post, and they are all oeprated by small local (I think usually Turkish) operators.
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
|
3 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2024
Posts: 24
|
|
Excellent information.
Thank you.
|
3 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 844
|
|
Earlier this year I did Greece (Piraeus) to Kos and Kos to Turkey (Bodrum). The two countries aren't best of friends so as far as I know there are no direct ferries, only via the islands. There is also one via Chios to Cesme.
I'd certainly recommend the Kos route, it's a lovely island to spend a week (but will be rather crowded with tourists in June) and the ferries to Bodrum are daily. However note it's a rather small boat that will only fit 2 cars so book your desired sailing date asap. There is a ticket sales kiosk at Kos port (ask at the gate). You cannot buy Turkish road insurance on arrival, in fact they will demand to see it before letting you on the boat. If you don't have a green card covering the country the guy in the ticket office can arrange it for you, but it takes a few days so allow time.
The Piraeus-Kos ferry is operated by Blue Star Ferries and is a late sailing. Get a cabin, the open seating is murder.
|
3 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 16
|
|
Mrs Trip & I are planning to go from Athens to Cesme via Chisos in late April. I came across this site that will provide green card for Turkey in advance.
https://ikamet.com/comprehensive-gui...nce-in-turkey/
|
3 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 945
|
|
That's the ferry I took in April. Just my car and a Hummer H2. I believe the ferry actually takes 4 cars.
I sailed in the opposite direction and had a terrible time convincing a knuckle-headed Turkish ticket agent that having a European-registered car, I did not need a Green Card (and in fact can't get one from our useless British insurance companies). The ticket agent at the cruise port was thankfully smarter and let me pass.
I was surprised by Kos - I thought it would be a pretty low-brow resort island but found it to be a beautiful green jewel (with stunning views from its highest point) and I loved the fascist-era Italian architecture in the capital.
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
|
2 Days Ago
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2024
Posts: 1
|
|
is it worth it to take a ferry if i haven't been on one before?
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 9 (1 Registered Users and/or Members and 8 guests)
|
Vincent Trautmann
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-14
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|