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For a hop from the Turkish coast to a Greek island, May, June and September are the most balanced months: the seasonal ferry routes are running, the sea is warm enough for most people, and the peak-summer border queues are behind or ahead of you. July and August give you every route and the hottest weather, but also the meltemi wind and the longest waits. From November to March only the year-round crossings run, on fewer days a week, and Greece is one hour behind Turkey.
Short answer
- Best balance: May, June and September. Most routes run, and the official averages put daytime highs at about 24–29 °C on Rhodes and Lesvos.
- Most choice of routes: July and August, when even the short-season links to Leros, Patmos and Lemnos sailed in 2026.
- Winter (November–March): only seven routes run all year (Ayvalık–Lesvos, Çeşme–Chios, Kuşadası–Samos, Bodrum–Kos, Marmaris–Rhodes, Fethiye–Rhodes, Kaş–Kastellorizo), several only a few days a week.
- Meltemi: the summer north wind blows from about mid-May to mid-September and is strongest in the early afternoon.
- Clocks: Greece is one hour behind Turkey from 25 October 2026 to 28 March 2027 and on the same time in summer.
- 2027 timetables: none published as of mid-October 2026. The month notes below use the 2026 pattern; check our 2027 tracker before you book.
The year at a glance
Temperatures are long-term average daily highs and lows from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), as published on the WMO World Weather Information Service for the Rhodes and Mytilini (Lesvos) stations, rounded to whole degrees. The WMO page does not state the averaging period. Ferry columns describe the 2026 pattern.
| Month | Ferries from Turkey (2026 pattern) | Avg high / low: Rhodes · Mytilini | Crowds and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Year-round routes only, reduced | 15/9 · 12/7 °C | Quiet; wettest months; Greece 1 hour behind |
| February | Year-round routes only, reduced | 15/9 · 13/7 °C | Quiet; winter hours at archaeological sites |
| March | Year-round routes; Fethiye–Rhodes 4 days a week from 29 March | 17/10 · 15/8 °C | Turkish holiday 9–11 March 2027; clocks align 28 March |
| April | First seasonal routes start | 20/13 · 19/11 °C | Summer site hours on Rhodes from 1 April |
| May | Leros, Patmos and Seferihisar–Samos routes start | 24/16 · 24/15 °C | Greek Easter 2 May 2027; Turkish holiday 16–19 May 2027 |
| June | Almost every route; Kaş–Kastellorizo daily | 28/20 · 29/19 °C | Lemnos route opened 21 June 2026 |
| July | Full network, plus Akçay–Lesvos and Çanakkale–Lemnos | 31/22 · 30/22 °C | Peak season; long border queues reported in 2026 |
| August | Full network | 31/23 · 30/21 °C | Peak; meltemi cancelled Lemnos sailings for a week in 2026 |
| September | Most routes; several end on 20 or 30 September | 28/21 · 27/19 °C | Meltemi fades from mid-month |
| October | Year-round routes plus last seasonal sailings | 25/17 · 22/15 °C | Clocks change 25 October |
| November | Year-round routes only, reduced | 20/13 · 17/11 °C | Quiet; rain returns |
| December | Year-round routes only, reduced | 17/10 · 14/9 °C | Quiet; 25–26 December Greek holidays |
We could not find an official sea-temperature average that we could check, so the table uses air temperatures only. There is no WMO-listed station for Kos or Kastellorizo; Rhodes is the nearest listed one.
Month by month
January and February
Ferries: only the year-round routes run, and not every day. Tilos Travel’s 2026 timetable had Sea Star Makri crossing between Çeşme and Chios mostly on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from January to April. On Kuşadası–Samos, Meander Travel’s 2026 winter timetable has one round trip a week to Vathy from 7 November to 27 December (Saturday out, Sunday back), and nothing had been published for January–March 2027 when we checked on 28 October 2026. On Bodrum–Kos, Sea Star Kos ran through the 2025–26 winter, mostly leaving Bodrum at 09:15 and Kos at 16:00. Fethiye–Rhodes ran on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Fethiye between 15 November 2025 and 28 March 2026. For Marmaris–Rhodes, one Turkish ferry guide lists Monday, Wednesday and Saturday sailings from mid-November to the end of February. Kaş–Kastellorizo can fall to about one sailing a week.
Weather: the wettest part of the year. HNMS averages give Rhodes 15 °C by day and about 9 °C at night in January, with around 15 rain days. Mytilini on Lesvos is cooler, at 12 °C and 7 °C. Strong winds and rough seas cancel winter sailings more often, so leave a spare day before a flight.
Clocks: Greece is on UTC+2 and Turkey on UTC+3, so the island is one hour behind. Check whether the time on your ticket is Greek or Turkish.
Island to pick: Rhodes, where the medieval Old Town is worth a visit in any weather. Note that the Palace of the Grand Master keeps winter hours (08:30–15:30, closed on Tuesdays) according to the Greek Ministry of Culture. See our Rhodes travel guide and the Marmaris and Fethiye routes.
March
Ferries: still the winter pattern for most of the month. In 2026 Fethiye–Rhodes moved to Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday sailings from 29 March.
Weather: Rhodes averages 17 °C by day and 10 °C at night; Lesvos 15 °C and 8 °C.
Holidays: the Turkish Ramazan Bayramı falls on 9–11 March 2027 (eve on 8 March), according to Diyanet’s calendar as reported by Turkish media. Turkish holidaymakers head for the islands at bayram time, so book early if your dates overlap. In Greece, Clean Monday is 15 March 2027, and 25 March is the national holiday for Independence Day.
Clocks: Greece moves its clocks forward on 28 March 2027. From then on, both sides show the same time.
Lemnos in 2027: in June 2026 AA reported that the Çanakkale–Lemnos operator plans 2027 sailings from the March holiday to Kurban Bayramı, around the Anzac commemorations. That is a plan, not a timetable.
Island to pick: Rhodes again, or Chios for a short hop from Çeşme on one of the days the boat runs. See the Chios travel guide.
April
Ferries: the first seasonal links reopen. In 2026 Aliağa–Lesvos started on 10 April and İDO’s Dikili–Lesvos on 22 April, and Fethiye–Rhodes went daily from 27 April. Ferryhopper lists Turgutreis–Kos from April to November, running from a few days a week to daily, and Kuşadası–Samos goes daily from roughly April.
Weather: about 20 °C by day on Rhodes and 19 °C on Lesvos, with fewer rain days (around 8 on Rhodes, 10 at Mytilini).
Sights: on Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Master switches to summer hours (08:00–20:00) from 1 April. Orthodox Good Friday is 30 April 2027.
Island to pick: Lesvos, now with three ports of departure to choose from. See the Lesvos travel guide, Ayvalık–Lesvos and Dikili–Lesvos.
May
Ferries: the network fills in. In 2026, İDO started Seferihisar–Samos on 1 May, Tilos Travel’s Bodrum–Leros boat ran daily from 15 May, İDO’s Turgutreis–Leros began in mid-May, and İDO’s Kuşadası–Patmos started on 26 May. Çeşme–Chios went to two crossings a day from 1 May and Bodrum–Kos to four a day from 29 May.
Weather: about 24 °C by day on both Rhodes and Lesvos, with only a handful of rain days.
Holidays: Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday is 2 May 2027 and Easter Monday (3 May) is a national holiday; 1 May is Labour Day. Two weeks later, Turkey’s Kurban Bayramı runs from 16 to 19 May 2027 (eve on 15 May). Over Kurban Bayramı 2025, a tour operator told the DHA news agency that 3,000 people crossed from Çeşme to Chios on the first day, and there were long queues on the second. Expect busy boats and border posts that week.
Meltemi: according to Britannica, the etesian wind (meltemi) dominates the Aegean from about mid-May to mid-September. It is strongest in the early afternoon and may die down at night, so morning crossings are usually the smoother ones.
Island to pick: Samos or Leros for a quieter start to the season. See the Samos travel guide and Bodrum–Leros ferry.
June
Ferries: almost everything is running. Kaş–Kastellorizo becomes daily from June, and Fethiye–Rhodes had a second daily boat from 22 May to 20 September 2026. Aliağa–Lesvos went daily from 26 June. The new Çanakkale–Lemnos route made its first trip on 21 June 2026.
Weather: about 28 °C by day on Rhodes and 29 °C on Lesvos, and practically dry.
Holidays: Orthodox Whit Monday (Holy Spirit Monday) is 21 June 2027.
Island to pick: Kastellorizo for a short, simple crossing from Kaş; it has no sandy beach and you swim off ladders in the harbour. See the Kastellorizo travel guide and Kaş–Kastellorizo ferry.
July
Ferries: the widest choice of the year. In 2026, BADO added daily sailings from Akçay to Lesvos from 17 July, and Çanakkale–Lemnos ran regularly from about mid-July, three days a week.
Weather: the hottest month with August. Average highs reach 31 °C on Rhodes, 30 °C on Lesvos and about 32 °C on Samos, with lows around 22 °C.
Crowds: in July 2026 Turkish media reported long queues at Kuşadası port, and a Posta columnist described a traveller needing more than three hours to get through Mytilene port on arrival. Allow far more time at the port than in spring, and book ferries and rooms ahead.
Island to pick: Kos for long sandy beaches; Tigaki is shallow and suits children. See the Kos travel guide and Bodrum–Kos ferry.
August
Ferries: the full summer timetable. In 2026 Tilos Travel’s Sea Star Kos made four round trips a day between Bodrum and Kos, and its Kuşadası–Samos boat two.
Weather: average highs of 31 °C on Rhodes and 30 °C on Lesvos; August is one of the two driest months at all four HNMS stations used here.
Wind: the meltemi can stop smaller and longer routes. From 28 July to 3 August 2026, outbound Çanakkale–Lemnos sailings were cancelled because of bad weather, according to an agency selling the route. On a long route, keep a spare day before your flight home.
Holidays: 15 August (Dormition of the Virgin Mary) is a Greek national holiday.
Island to pick: Lemnos, if the route runs again in 2027, or Patmos for a long day out of Kuşadası. See the Çanakkale–Lemnos and Kuşadası–Patmos pages.
September
Ferries: most routes still run, but some end. In 2026 Çanakkale–Lemnos and the second Fethiye–Rhodes boat stopped on 20 September, İDO’s Dikili–Lesvos and Turgutreis–Leros seasons ran to the end of September, and Tilos Travel’s Kuşadası–Samos went down to one sailing a day from 28 September.
Weather: still warm, at about 28 °C by day on Rhodes and 27 °C on Lesvos. The meltemi season fades out from mid-month.
Island to pick: Rhodes or Samos; both have direct boats into October. Use our island picker if you are undecided.
October
Ferries: the year-round routes plus the last seasonal sailings. In 2026 Aliağa–Lesvos ran Friday to Sunday from 12 October to 1 November, Fethiye–Rhodes was daily until 24 October, and Bodrum–Leros until 25 October. Jalem Tur’s Ayvalık–Lesvos boat went to Wednesday to Sunday from 19 October, and Tilos Travel’s Bodrum–Kos boat to two sailings a day from 25 October.
Weather: about 25 °C by day on Rhodes but 22 °C at Mytilini, with rain days creeping back up.
Clocks and holidays: Greece goes back to winter time on 25 October 2026, so day-trip return times shift. 28 October (Ochi Day) is a Greek holiday.
Island to pick: Kos or Rhodes from Bodrum and Marmaris, which keep the most sailings. Our Kos day trip from Bodrum and Rhodes day trip from Marmaris guides have the late-October timings.
November and December
Ferries: back to the winter pattern. On Ayvalık–Lesvos, Jalem Tur sails on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November and December 2026 (plus Thursday 31 December), and Turyol’s car ferry on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in November. On Çeşme–Chios, Ertürk’s timetable lists the fast boat Wednesday to Sunday in November and the car ferry Apostolos S. on Fridays to Sundays (plus Tuesday and Wednesday 3–4 and 10–11 November); in December Ertürk lists the fast boat mostly on Fridays to Sundays plus 30 and 31 December, and in 2027 on 1–3 and 8–10 January and again from 12 February, with no fast-boat sailings from 11 January to 11 February (ask Ertürk about cars on the fast boat: the timetable says “No Car”, the fare page lists vehicle fares); Apostolos S. is also listed on Fridays to Sundays in December and January, to 31 January 2027 (checked 30 October 2026), while Turyol sails in December, mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Sundays, taking cars on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until 3 January 2027 (Turyol checked 24 October, Ertürk 28 October 2026). In December the only morning boat from Chios is Apostolos S. on Fridays and Saturdays (08:00). Turgutreis–Kos is listed up to November.
Weather: Rhodes averages 20 °C by day in November and 17 °C in December; Lesvos 17 °C and 14 °C. Rain days rise to around 10–15 a month.
Holidays: 25 and 26 December are Greek national holidays.
Island to pick: Lesvos, whose main town and port, Mytilene, the Ayvalık boats reach several days a week even in winter. See where to stay in Lesvos.
Organised day trips
If you are staying in a resort and only want a day on an island, a tour with hotel pickup solves the early start. Most run in the main season; check the dates offered before you plan a winter trip. Buying a ferry ticket yourself is usually cheaper if you are staying near the port.
Bodrum: Roundtrip Ferry to Kos with Hotel Pickup
Return ferry with optional hotel transfer in Bodrum and a host at the port; free time on Kos without a guide.
Check price & availability
From Marmaris to Rhodes Same-Day Return Tour
Hotel pickup in Marmaris, return ferry and about five hours of free time on Rhodes.
Check price & availabilityPlanning tips
- Check the season calendar: our ferry season calendar shows every route month by month, and the ferry map lists sources for each.
- Flights: many UK routes to the coast and islands are summer-only; see flights from the UK.
- Budget: fares change by season; the trip cost calculator uses fares as of October 2026.
Trip toolkit
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FAQ
What is the best month to visit the Greek islands from Turkey?
May, June or September for most people. In 2026 most routes were running then, average highs on Rhodes and Lesvos were in the mid to upper 20s, and the July peak queues were avoided.
Can I take a ferry from Turkey to the Greek islands in winter?
Yes, on seven year-round routes, but on fewer days a week: Ayvalık–Lesvos, Çeşme–Chios, Kuşadası–Samos, Bodrum–Kos, Marmaris–Rhodes, Fethiye–Rhodes and Kaş–Kastellorizo. Kaş–Kastellorizo can drop to about one sailing a week.
When is the meltemi wind?
From about mid-May to mid-September, according to Britannica. It peaks in the early afternoon, so a morning crossing is usually calmer.
Is there a time difference between Turkey and the Greek islands?
Only in winter. From 25 October 2026 to 28 March 2027 Greece is one hour behind Turkey; in summer the clocks match.
Are the 2027 ferry timetables out?
Only a few. As of 24 October 2026 Turyol has published summer 2027 timetables for Ayvalik–Lesvos and Çeşme–Chios (no fares yet); no seasonal route has a 2027 start date. Route by route: when the 2027 ferry season starts. We add new timetables to the 2027 tracker as operators publish them.
When are the Turkish holidays in 2027?
Ramazan Bayramı is 9–11 March and Kurban Bayramı 16–19 May 2027, according to Diyanet’s calendar as reported by Turkish media. Island ferries are busy on those days.
Timetables, prices and entry rules change; check the official source before you travel.
Sources
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Rhodes (HNMS climate data) (accessed Oct 2026)
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Mytilini (HNMS climate data) (accessed Oct 2026)
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Samos (HNMS climate data) (accessed Oct 2026)
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Chios (HNMS climate data) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Britannica: Etesian wind (accessed Oct 2026)
- timeanddate.com: Clock changes in Greece (accessed Oct 2026)
- timeanddate.com: Time zone in Turkey (accessed Oct 2026)
- timeanddate.com: Holidays in Greece 2027 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Milli Gazete: 2027 Ramadan and Kurban Bayramı dates per Diyanet (10 Oct 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- CNN Türk: 2027 public and religious holidays (28 Jul 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Haberler.com / DHA: Kurban Bayramı demand for the Greek islands (7 Jun 2025) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Tilos Travel: 2025–2026 Aegean islands sailing plan (accessed Oct 2026)
- Tilos Travel: Fethiye–Rhodes timetable 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Jalem Tur: Sailing times (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ertürk Lines: Çeşme–Chios timetable (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr: Ayvalık–Mytilene sailings 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr: Aliağa–Mytilene (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr: Marmaris–Rhodes 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr: Çanakkale–Lemnos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr: Çanakkale–Lemnos cancellation for bad weather (Jul 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Capital: İDO’s new Aegean season, 10 routes (18 Mar 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Medyascope: Akçay–Mytilene sailings begin (8 Jul 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Milliyet / AA: Çanakkale–Lemnos sailings begin (21 Jun 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Neos Kosmos: New ferry link for Lemnos and Çanakkale (26 Jun 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper: Turgutreis to Kos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper: Seferihisar to Samos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper: Kuşadası to Samos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper: Kaş to Kastellorizo (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greek Ministry of Culture: Palace of the Grand Master (accessed Oct 2026)
- Posta: “Kapıda vize kapıda çile olmamalı” (26 Jul 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ensonhaber: Long queue at Kuşadası port (2 Jul 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide: Bodrum, Roundtrip Ferry to Kos with Hotel Pickup (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide: From Marmaris to Rhodes Same-Day Return Tour (accessed Oct 2026)
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