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A day trip from Kos to Bodrum is easy to do: the boat from Kos Town harbour takes about half an hour, and in the main season you can leave in the morning and be back on Kos in the early evening. You get roughly six to eight hours in Bodrum, enough for the castle and its underwater archaeology museum, the Mausoleum and a walk through the old bazaar. You are crossing a border, though, so bring your passport and watch the clock: from late October, Turkey is one hour ahead of Greece.
Short answer
- Ferry: From the main harbour in Kos Town to Bodrum, about 30 minutes on the fastest boats. Tilos Travel’s Sea Star Kos is timetabled at about 30 minutes; booking platforms list other boats at up to 45 minutes or more.
- Day-trip pattern: As of October 2026, Tilos Travel’s 2026 timetable has boats leaving Kos at 09:30 and 11:30 and leaving Bodrum at 15:45 and 17:45 every day until 24 October. From 25 October to 1 November the day-trip option is Kos 09:30, back from Bodrum 17:30.
- At the port: Be there at least an hour before departure, on both sides. You pass exit and entry passport control each way.
- Passport: Bring your passport; some EU nationals can use an ID card. Turkey is outside Schengen, so check your entry rules in our guide to Turkey day trips from the Greek islands.
- Time difference: Kos and Bodrum share the same clock time until 24 October 2026. From 25 October, Bodrum is one hour ahead of Kos, so a 17:30 departure from Bodrum is 16:30 Kos time.
- Money: Turkey uses the Turkish lira. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some lira cash for taxis and minibuses.
Ferries from Kos to Bodrum
Ports
On Kos, boats to Turkey leave from the main harbour in Kos Town, a short walk from the castle and Platanos Square. In Bodrum, Tilos Travel’s boat uses the Castle Port (Kale Limanı) beside Bodrum Castle, so you step off into the old town. Some operators use Bodrum Cruise Port instead, so check your ticket. For all operators and the reverse direction, see our Bodrum to Kos ferry guide.
Operators
As of 14 October 2026, Ferryscanner lists Dentur Avrasya, Exas, Lafasi and Makri Travel (the Sea Star Kos, also sold by Tilos Travel) on Kos to Bodrum, with crossings of 30 to about 45 minutes, though it lists Dentur at over an hour.
The only operator timetable we could check is Tilos Travel’s 2026 plan for the Sea Star Kos:
| Period (2026) | From Kos | From Bodrum | Day trip possible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 March – 28 May | 09:30, 17:00 | 08:15, 16:00 | Yes: Kos 09:30, back from Bodrum 16:00 |
| 29 May – 24 October | 09:30, 11:30, 16:45, 18:35 | 08:30, 10:30, 15:45, 17:45 | Yes: Kos 09:30 or 11:30, back 15:45 or 17:45 |
| 25 October – 1 November | 09:30, 17:00 | 09:15, 17:30 | Yes: Kos 09:30, back from Bodrum 17:30 |
The timetable does not say whether times are local, which matters from 25 October (see below). Ask when you book.
Winter: Last winter (5 November 2025 to 28 March 2026) the Sea Star Kos usually left Kos at 16:00 only, which suits Bodrum-based travellers rather than Kos-based ones. A morning boat from Kos ran only on Tuesdays and Sundays (09:15, back from Bodrum at 16:00). As of October 2026, the timetable for winter 2026–27 had not been published on the operator’s page.
What about Turgutreis?
Ferryhopper lists a seasonal Kos to Turgutreis route with Dentur Avrasya (about 30 minutes, April to November), but shows no times. İDO ran six trial sailings between Turgutreis D-Marin and Kos in October 2026, leaving Turgutreis at 10:15 and Kos at 18:30, which suits people staying in Bodrum rather than on Kos; a regular service is only being considered for 2027. For a day in Bodrum town, Turgutreis is the wrong end of the peninsula anyway.
Fares
As of October 2026, Ferryscanner shows one-way adult fares from Kos to Bodrum of about €25–30. Port charges are sometimes added at checkout. Check the total before you pay, and compare with a same-day return from the operator.
Before you go
How early to be at the port
Ferryscanner and Ferryhopper both advise arriving at least 60 minutes before departure, and Ferryhopper notes that Kos port gets busy in summer. Allow the full hour on both sides: Greek exit control on Kos, Turkish entry control in Bodrum, and the reverse on the way home.
Passport and entry
Turkey is not in the Schengen area. British citizens can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days, and the UK government says your passport must be valid for at least 150 days after you arrive. Germany’s Foreign Office says German citizens can enter Turkey with a passport or an identity card and need no visa for stays up to 90 days within 180 days. Other nationalities should check the rules before buying a ticket. Our hub on Turkey day trips from the Greek islands covers this in more detail.
Coming back to Kos, non-EU travellers are recorded in the EU Entry/Exit System. The UK government warns this can add a few minutes per passenger at the border.
The time difference
Turkey has stayed on UTC+3 all year since 2016. Greece is on UTC+3 in summer and goes back to UTC+2 when the clocks change at 04:00 on Sunday 25 October 2026. That means:
- Until 24 October 2026: Kos and Bodrum show the same time.
- From 25 October 2026 until Greece puts its clocks forward in spring: Bodrum is one hour ahead of Kos.
This matters for the return ferry. If your ticket says 17:30 from Bodrum in Turkish time, that is 16:30 on a Greek watch. Your phone may switch time zones when it picks up a Turkish network, so check which time it shows, and ask at the Bodrum ticket office whether your return time is Turkish or Greek time.
What to do in Bodrum in a day
Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology
The Knights of St John built the castle at the start of the 15th century, and UNESCO lists it on Turkey’s tentative World Heritage list. It now houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with finds from ancient shipwrecks. It is right beside the Castle Port, so it makes sense as your first stop.
As of October 2026, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s turkishmuseums.com page gives winter hours (from 1 October) of 08:30–17:30, with the ticket office closing at 17:00, and summer hours (June to September) of 08:30–22:00. The same page also describes a daytime session until 18:50, so the information is not consistent. The entry fee could not be confirmed from an official source. Check on the day.
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
The tomb of Maussollos was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. According to UNESCO, the Knights reused its stones to build the castle, so little stands today beyond foundations and a small exhibition. As of October 2026, turkishmuseums.com lists it as open 08:30–17:30 and closed on Mondays, with admission at €3 for foreign adults. In winter the ticket office closes at 17:15.
Ancient theatre
The theatre dates from the 4th century BC and sits on the southern slope of Göktepe, the hill behind the town. Go Türkiye puts it about 750 metres from the castle and says it now seats about 3,100 people for concerts. The view down over the bay and the castle is the reason to go. No official visiting hours were found. In the heat, take a taxi up and walk down.
Marina and bazaar
Milta Bodrum Marina is on Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi; you reach it by following the waterfront from the castle. The old shopping quarter (Çarşı) is the knot of streets around Cumhuriyet Caddesi and Kale Caddesi, close to the castle. Fodor’s also mentions Hacı Molla Han, an inn built in 1771 with craft stalls in its courtyard. If you buy anything substantial, check the customs allowances for bringing goods back into Greece.
For more on the town, see our Bodrum travel guide.
Sample timeline
This plan uses the Tilos Travel summer times, valid until 24 October 2026, when both sides share the same clock time.
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | At Kos Town harbour, check in and Greek exit control |
| 09:30 | Boat leaves Kos |
| about 10:00 | Arrive at Bodrum Castle Port, Turkish entry control |
| 10:30–12:30 | Bodrum Castle and Museum of Underwater Archaeology |
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch in the old town |
| 13:30–14:30 | Mausoleum (not on Mondays) |
| 14:30–15:30 | Taxi up to the ancient theatre, walk down |
| 15:30–16:45 | Bazaar streets and marina |
| 16:45 | Back at Castle Port for check-in and exit control |
| 17:45 | Boat leaves Bodrum |
| about 18:15 | Arrive in Kos, Greek entry control |
From 25 October to 1 November 2026, only the 09:30 from Kos and the 17:30 from Bodrum work for a day trip. If the published times are local, the day looks like this:
| Step | Kos time (UTC+2) | Bodrum time (UTC+3) |
|---|---|---|
| Boat leaves Kos | 09:30 | 10:30 |
| Arrive Bodrum | about 10:00 | about 11:00 |
| Be at Bodrum port | 15:30 | 16:30 |
| Boat leaves Bodrum | 16:30 | 17:30 |
| Arrive Kos | about 17:00 | about 18:00 |
That leaves about five and a half hours, so pick the castle and one other sight.
Getting around Bodrum
- Walking: The castle, the bazaar streets and the waterfront are all close to the Castle Port. The Mausoleum is within walking distance in the town. The theatre is about 750 metres from the castle but uphill.
- Taxi: Useful for the theatre or if you arrive at the Cruise Port. Confirm the fare or that the meter is running before you set off.
- Dolmuş: According to Pegasus’s beach guide, dolmuş minibuses run from the town centre to most main beaches in summer; Gümbet is about 3 km away, Bitez about 7 km. Pay in cash. On a day trip, a beach means skipping the museums.
Money
The Turkish lira is the only legal currency. Some tourist businesses take euros, but Revolut’s currency guide warns they often add a markup. Germany’s Foreign Office says credit cards are widely accepted. Carry some lira for the dolmuş, many taxis and small purchases, and when a terminal or ATM offers to charge you in euros or pounds, choose lira. See also our money and mobile data guide.
Organised tour or do it yourself
Doing it yourself is usually cheapest and lets you choose your boats. It suits anyone staying in Kos Town or able to get to the harbour easily.
An organised trip handles the tickets and, with some products, hotel transfers and a guide, which helps if you are staying out of town. Read the passport conditions on each listing: one says children need their own ID and a consent letter if not travelling with both parents, and the other excludes some nationalities.
From Kos: Bodrum Day Trip by Ferry with Transfer
Return ferry, hotel pickup from listed points (many in Tigaki) and a guided visit to the Mausoleum and the castle, then free time in Bodrum.
Check price & availabilityFrom Kos: Independent Day Trip to Bodrum
Return boat ticket with about five hours of free time in Bodrum; you meet at the port in Kos Town. Suits people who want the paperwork handled but no guide.
Check price & availabilityIf you would rather spend a night, see where to stay in Bodrum. For your base on the island, see where to stay in Kos.
FAQ
How long is the ferry from Kos to Bodrum?
About 30 minutes on the Sea Star Kos, according to Tilos Travel. Booking platforms list some boats at 45 minutes or more. Add an hour at the port on each side for check-in and passport control.
What time is the last boat back to Kos?
Under Tilos Travel’s 2026 timetable, the last boat from Bodrum leaves at 17:45 until 24 October and at 17:30 from 25 October to 1 November. Other operators have their own times, so check your ticket.
Is Bodrum ahead of Kos?
Only in the cooler months. Both use UTC+3 until 24 October 2026. From 25 October Greece moves to UTC+2, so Bodrum is one hour ahead until Greece changes its clocks again in spring.
Do I need a visa for a day trip to Bodrum?
British and German citizens do not need a visa for short stays, according to their governments. Other nationalities should check. See our Turkey day trips hub.
Timetables, prices and entry rules change; check the official source before you travel.
Sources
- Tilos Travel – Aegean islands sailing plan 2025–2026 (Bodrum–Kos) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryscanner – Kos to Bodrum (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Turgutreis to Kos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Yeni Bakış – Six days of trial sailings on Bodrum–Kos, 30 September 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- timeanddate.com – Time zone in Turkey (accessed Oct 2026)
- timeanddate.com – Turkey stays on permanent UTC+3 (accessed Oct 2026)
- timeanddate.com – Clock changes in Greece 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greek City Times – Clocks go back on 25 October 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK – Turkey entry requirements (accessed Oct 2026)
- Auswärtiges Amt – Türkei: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (accessed Oct 2026)
- turkishmuseums.com – Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology (accessed Oct 2026)
- turkishmuseums.com – Bodrum Mausoleum (accessed Oct 2026)
- UNESCO – The Bodrum Castle (Tentative List) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Go Türkiye – Bodrum Ancient Theatre (accessed Oct 2026)
- Evendo – Milta Bodrum Marina (accessed Oct 2026)
- Fodor’s – Shopping in Bodrum (accessed Oct 2026)
- Pegasus – Guide to Bodrum’s beaches (accessed Oct 2026)
- Revolut – Can you use the euro in Turkey? (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide – From Kos: Bodrum Day Trip by Ferry with Transfer (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide – From Kos: Independent Day Trip to Bodrum (accessed Oct 2026)
