Bodrum to Kos Ferry: Operators, Times, Tickets and Visas

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The ferry from Bodrum to Kos takes roughly 20–45 minutes depending on the boat, which makes it one of the shortest crossings from Turkey to Greece. In summer there are several sailings a day. In winter there are far fewer. A day trip is easy, but you are crossing the external Schengen border, so check your passport and visa situation before you book.

Quick answer

• Crossing time: About 20–45 minutes depending on the vessel, plus passport control at both ends. Some booking sites list longer times for slower boats.
• Season: Daily sailings through the main season (roughly April to October). Winter service is reduced to a few days a week.
• Who runs it: Booking platforms list Dentur Avrasya, Bodrum Sea Lines, Tilos Travel (Sea Star Kos), Exas, Lafasi, Makri Travel, Turyol, Turkish Sea Lines and Sky Marine. Who is running changes with the season.
• Documents: Passport. Kos is in the Schengen area, so the normal Schengen entry rules apply. If you plan to go back to Turkey, check whether your Turkish visa allows re-entry.
• Day trip: Yes. Morning departures and late-afternoon returns make a full day on Kos possible.

Sailings and operators

Bodrum has two departure points: the Bodrum Cruise Port and the smaller Castle Port next to Bodrum Castle. Dentur sails from the Castle Port. On Kos, boats arrive at the main harbour in Kos Town (Mandraki), a short walk from the castle and the old town.

As of October 2026, platforms show the first departure from Bodrum at around 08:30 and the last around 18:00, with returns from Kos mostly between 17:00 and 18:30. Times and durations differ between sources, so go by your ticket.

There is no car ferry on this route. Ferryhopper and Ferryscanner both list it as foot passengers only.

Fares

A one-way adult ticket is generally around €25–35 (October 2026, per Ferryscanner and feribotseferleri.com.tr). Same-day returns start at around €35. Open or different-day returns cost more. Port and exit charges are sometimes included and sometimes added at checkout. Prices vary by season and operator, so check the total before you pay.

From Turgutreis

If you are staying on the western side of the Bodrum peninsula, there is also a Turgutreis to Kos service. Ferryhopper lists it with Dentur, about 30 minutes, from April to November. It runs anywhere from a few days a week to daily. Trial sailings from Turgutreis D-Marin were announced for October 2026. It is not yet clear whether they will become a regular service in 2027.

Tickets and the port

Booking: Buy from the operator, from platforms such as Ferryhopper or Ferryscanner, or at the ticket offices in the port. In peak summer, book a few days ahead.

Arrive early: Be at the port at least an hour before departure. Some Turkish sources suggest 1.5 hours. The order is check-in, security scan, Turkish exit passport control, then boarding. On arrival in Kos you go through Greek (Schengen) border control.

Bring:

• Your passport, valid well beyond your return date
• Proof of any visa you need for Greece, and for re-entering Turkey
• Euros (Greece uses the euro) or a card
• Swimwear and a light layer for the open deck

Passports and visas

Leaving Turkey: You get a Turkish exit check at the port. If you entered Turkey on a single-entry e-visa, that visa is used up when you leave. To return from Kos you would need a new e-visa or a multiple-entry one. Check what your approval says. Many nationalities are visa-exempt in Turkey for up to 90 days according to the Turkish MFA; check whether yours is, and stay within that limit.

Entering Greece: Kos is part of Schengen. EU/EEA citizens can travel with a passport or ID card. Visa-exempt nationalities can enter for short stays. Others need a valid Schengen visa. The express visa scheme on Kos is only for Turkish citizens.

Entry/Exit System (EES): Since 10 April 2026, non-EU travellers have fingerprints and a photo taken the first time they cross a Schengen external border, and entries and exits are logged digitally. There is no fee and no pre-registration. Allow extra time at Kos passport control, especially on your first crossing.

What to do on Kos

• Neratzia Castle: The Knights of St John built this fortress at the harbour entrance in the 15th century and finished it in 1514. A stone bridge links it to Platanos Square. Parts of it have been closed for restoration, so check before you go.
• Hippocrates plane tree: A huge plane tree in Platanos Square. Legend says Hippocrates taught under it, but experts put the current tree at about 500 years old. A marble fountain with an Arabic inscription stands at its base.
• Asklepion: The ancient healing sanctuary sits about 4 km from Kos Town on three terraces up a hillside. Hippocrates is said to have taught here. It is an easy bike ride or a short taxi trip.
• Ancient Agora and Roman sites: In the town centre you can see the agora, the restored Roman Odeon, which hosts summer events, and Casa Romana, a Roman villa with mosaic floors.
• Cycling: Kos is mostly flat. Bike rental shops are everywhere in town, and a cycle path runs near the harbour. Lambi beach is an easy ride away.
• Therma hot springs: About 12–13 km southeast of town, past Agios Fokas. Hot mineral water runs into the sea and forms a natural pool. The path down is steep and rocky.
• Beaches: Lambi (~3 km from town), shallow and Blue Flag Tigaki (~11 km) for families, Marmari for windsurfing, and Paradise and Agios Stefanos in Kefalos Bay in the southwest. Agios Stefanos has early Christian church ruins and a view of Kastri islet.

Where to stay

For an area-by-area comparison and hotel picks, see our where to stay in Kos guide.

• Kos Town: Closest to the harbour, the castle and the restaurants. The most practical base for short stays without a car.
• Lambi and Psalidi: Beach areas just outside town, an easy cycle into the centre. Psalidi is closer to Therma.
• Tigaki and Marmari: On the north coast, with shallow beaches that suit families.
• Kefalos: At the southwest tip, near Paradise and Agios Stefanos, but far from the ferry port.

FAQ

How long is the ferry from Bodrum to Kos?

About 20–45 minutes depending on the boat. Add time for passport control on both sides.

Can I take my car or rental car?

No. Boats on the Bodrum–Kos route do not carry vehicles.

Does the ferry run in winter?

Some platforms list the route as year-round, but winter sailings are much less frequent and weather cancellations happen. Confirm with the operator if you are travelling between November and March.

Do I need a new Turkish visa to come back?

Only if your Turkish visa was single-entry, or your nationality is not visa-exempt. Visa-exempt travellers can return within their 90-day allowance.

Is a day trip worth it?

Yes. With a morning boat and a late-afternoon return, you can see the castle, the plane tree and the old town, and cycle to Lambi or the Asklepion. Therma and the Kefalos beaches are better with an overnight stay.

See all our ferry routes.

Sources

• Ferryhopper – Bodrum to Kos
• Ferryhopper – Turgutreis to Kos
• Ferryhopper – Bodrum Sea Lines
• Ferryscanner – Bodrum to Kos
• Direct Ferries – Bodrum to Kos
• Direct Ferries – Bodrum to Kos travel guide
• feribotseferleri.com.tr – Bodrum–Kos sailings
• feribotseferleri.com.tr – Bodrum–Kos ferry guide 2026
• Turkish MFA – Visa information for foreigners
• In Your Pocket – Turkey visa guide
• Greek MFA – EES takes full effect on 10 April 2026
• Municipality of Kos – Castle of the Knights
• Municipality of Kos – Therma beach
• travel.gr – Sightseeing in Kos Town
• Greeka – Kos Asklepieion
• Discover Greece – 12 best beaches on Kos