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Six Greek islands sit close enough to the Turkish coast for a day trip: Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Rhodes and Kastellorizo. The crossings take between about 20 minutes and an hour and a half, and EU, Swiss and UK citizens can visit Turkey without a visa. The main catch is timing, because most scheduled boats are run for people based in Turkey, so morning departures from the island side are not available every day or in every season.
Short answer
- Where you can go: Lesvos to Ayvalık, Chios to Çeşme, Samos to Kuşadası (for Ephesus), Kos to Bodrum or Turgutreis, Rhodes to Marmaris or Fethiye, Kastellorizo to Kaş.
- Visa: none for EU, Swiss and UK citizens for up to 90 days in any 180, according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other nationalities should check the e-Visa rules first.
- ID card or passport: German, Dutch, Belgian, Swiss and some other nationals can enter Turkey with a national ID card. Austrians, Scandinavians and UK citizens need a passport.
- Back into Greece: non-EU travellers, including UK citizens, are logged in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on the way out and again on the way back. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not.
- Clocks: Turkey is on UTC+3 all year. From 25 October 2026 to 28 March 2027 Greece is an hour behind, which matters for your return boat.
- Tour or DIY: an organised day trip solves the timing problem and the paperwork. A plain return ferry ticket gives you more freedom where there is a suitable morning boat from the island.
Which island goes where
Crossing times come from our route guides, which list operators, fares and sources in full.
| Island | Turkish port | Approx. crossing | Season | Day-trip guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesvos (Mytilene) | Ayvalık | 45 min fast boat, 75 min car ferry | Year-round, daily in summer, three to five days a week from late October | Lesvos to Ayvalık |
| Lesvos (Mytilene) | Dikili | 30–40 min | İDO only, from 22 April 2026, some sailings still on sale in October, no published winter service | Lesvos to Ayvalık |
| Chios | Çeşme | 20–45 min fast boat, an hour or more by car ferry | Year-round, one round trip a day or less in November and December | Chios to Çeşme |
| Samos (Vathy or Pythagorio) | Kuşadası, for Ephesus | 30–75 min from Vathy, 1–1.5 h from Pythagorio | Daily from about April to October, a few sailings a week in winter | Samos to Ephesus |
| Kos | Bodrum, or Turgutreis | 20–45 min to Bodrum, about 30 min to Turgutreis | Bodrum all year, Turgutreis April to November | Kos to Bodrum |
| Rhodes | Marmaris, or Fethiye | 50–60 min to Marmaris, about 1 h 25 min to Fethiye | Both all year, daily in summer, a few days a week in winter | Rhodes to Marmaris |
| Kastellorizo | Kaş | About 20 min | Daily or near-daily roughly June to October, as little as weekly in winter | Kastellorizo to Kaş |
For the full picture from the Turkish side, see the route guides for Ayvalık–Lesvos, Dikili–Lesvos, Çeşme–Chios, Kuşadası–Samos, Bodrum–Kos, Marmaris–Rhodes and Kaş–Kastellorizo, or browse every crossing on the ferry map.
The timing problem: boats are built around Turkish day-trippers
Most of these routes run a morning boat from Turkey and an evening boat back. That suits someone staying in Bodrum, but it is the wrong way round if you are staying on Kos. A day trip from an island only works on days when there is also a morning departure from the island side.
Examples from published 2026 timetables:
- Kos to Bodrum: Tilos Travel’s 2026 timetable lists a daily 09:30 departure from Kos between 29 March and 1 November, with afternoon boats back. This is the easiest island-side day trip.
- Samos to Kuşadası: Tilos Travel listed a 09:30 departure from Samos only between 15 May and 27 September 2026. Outside that window, its boats leave Samos in the evening.
- Chios to Çeşme: Ertürk Lines’ timetable shows an 08:00 departure from Chios on most days in October 2026, but no morning departures from Chios in November or December. Tilos Travel listed morning departures from Chios between 1 May and 11 September.
- Lesvos to Ayvalık: a summer sailing from Mytilene at 08:40 was listed for Uğur Jale Lines, and BADO ran a 09:00 departure until 27 September 2026. No operator listed a morning departure from Mytilene in October.
- Lesvos to Dikili: İDO leaves Dikili at 08:00 and Mytilene at 18:30, so it does not work as a day trip from Lesvos.
- Rhodes to Fethiye: Tilos Travel listed an 08:25 departure from Rhodes between 22 May and 20 September 2026. Check the return time from Fethiye before you plan around it.
- Rhodes to Marmaris and Kastellorizo to Kaş: Ferryhopper says a day trip from Rhodes is easy to arrange, and it lists up to three crossings a day between Kastellorizo and Kaş. Morning departures from both islands vary by weekday and month; the current pattern is in our Rhodes to Marmaris and Kastellorizo to Kaş day-trip guides.
If no morning boat leaves your island that day, book an organised day trip (below) or stay a night on the Turkish side.
Entry to Turkey
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists visa-free stays of up to 90 days for ordinary passport holders from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Ireland. For most of these countries it states the limit as 90 days in any 180-day period.
National ID cards. The ministry’s list of countries whose citizens may enter with a national ID card includes Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, among others. Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Finland are not on it. Norway’s arrangement for chipped ID cards ended on 31 December 2022, according to the ministry.
- Germans: the German Foreign Office confirms entry with a passport, Personalausweis or Kinderreisepass. A document that expired no more than one year ago is accepted, except a temporary ID card.
- Austrians: the Austrian automobile club ÖAMTC says a passport valid for at least six more months is required, and that the ID card is not a valid travel document for Turkey.
Passport validity. Under Turkish law, a passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the permitted stay, so 150 days for a 90-day visa exemption. The ministry also recommends six months. ID card holders from the listed countries are exempt from this rule.
UK citizens
GOV.UK says British visitors can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must have an expiry date at least 150 days after the day you arrive and at least one blank page.
When you sail back to the island you are entering the Schengen area again. GOV.UK’s rules for Greece then apply: the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Other nationalities
Check your nationality on the Turkish ministry’s visa page. If you need a visa, the official e-Visa system is at evisa.gov.tr, and the ministry says an e-Visa is valid only for tourism or commerce.
If you are in Greece on a Schengen visa, look at the number of entries on the sticker. Croatia’s foreign ministry explains that a single-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen area only once, so leaving for Turkey would use it up.
Leaving and re-entering Schengen
EES. The European Commission says the Entry/Exit System started on 12 October 2025 and became fully operational on 10 April 2026. It records non-EU short-stay travellers, with name, passport data, fingerprints and a facial image, each time they cross a Schengen external border, and it replaces passport stamping. A day trip from Kos to Bodrum is therefore one exit and one entry in the system. There is no fee and nothing to apply for in advance. The EU’s official information site for EES and ETIAS is travel-europe.europa.eu.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered in EES.
- UK citizens are covered by EES. GOV.UK adds that Greek authorities have indicated they will not collect fingerprints and photos from UK travellers, and tells you to follow the instructions of officials at the border. Allow extra time either way.
Turkish side. The German Foreign Office says passports receive a dated entry stamp when you enter Turkey.
ETIAS. The EU’s travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors is not in operation yet. An EU delegation page in 2025 gave the last quarter of 2026. A Polish government page published on 30 September 2026 says it is scheduled for 2027, without a date. You do not need ETIAS for a trip now.
Clocks: Greece vs Turkey
Turkey has stayed on UTC+3 all year since 2016. Greece uses UTC+3 in summer and UTC+2 in winter. In 2026 the Greek clocks go back on 25 October, and they go forward again on 28 March 2027.
- Summer: both sides show the same time.
- Winter: Turkey is one hour ahead. If your watch is still on Greek time in Bodrum, a 17:00 return boat will leave when your watch says 16:00.
Phones near the coast often pick up the other country’s network, so do not rely on the automatic clock. Check whether your ticket shows Turkish or Greek time, and go by the local clock at the port.
Money, phones, customs and cars
Money. Turkey’s currency is the Turkish lira. The German Foreign Office says credit cards are accepted and that some shops ask for ID, and that many Turkish banks charge a fee for withdrawals with a German Girocard. Cards, cash and exchange tips are in our money and mobile data guide.
Phones. EU roam-like-at-home rules cover Greece but not Turkey. An EU SIM can be expensive on a Turkish network, and UK plans often treat Turkey differently from the EU. Check your tariff before you sail.
Customs on the way back. Arriving in Greece by sea from Turkey, the limits are 40 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits, 4 litres of still wine, 16 litres of beer and €430 of other goods, with no meat or dairy at all (as of October 2026, per the European Commission). One carton of Turkish cigarettes is five times the allowance. Details in our customs allowances guide.
Hire cars. Only Ayvalık–Lesvos and Çeşme–Chios carry vehicles; every other route is foot passengers only. Many Greek rental companies do not allow their cars on ferries, and a car taken into Turkey needs insurance that covers Turkey. In practice, leave the car on the island. See taking a car to the Greek islands.
Organised day trip or DIY ferry ticket?
| Organised day trip | DIY return ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Boat timed for island-based visitors | Only works on days with a morning boat from your island |
| Paperwork | Operator collects passport details in advance | You give your details when booking or at the port |
| Port tax | Often included, check the listing | Sometimes included, sometimes added at checkout |
| On the Turkish side | Free time, sometimes a guide or shopping stop | Your own plan |
| Best for | Ephesus from Samos, off-season dates, families | Bodrum from Kos, Çeşme from Chios in season |
For Ephesus, a tour is often the simpler option, because the site is a road trip inland from Kuşadası port. See Ephesus from Kuşadası for doing it independently. For Bodrum, Marmaris or Çeşme, a plain ferry ticket is usually enough if the timetable fits. Some tour operators ask for written consent from the other parent if a child travels with only one parent.
Organised tours
From Kos: Bodrum Day Trip by Ferry with Transfer
Return ferry with hotel pickup from listed points on Kos; the listing accepts a passport or ID card where Turkey allows it.
Check price & availabilityFrom Kos: Independent Day Trip to Bodrum
Boat ticket and travel paperwork with about five hours of free time in Bodrum; no guide.
Check price & availabilityRhodes: Marmaris Day Trip by High-Speed Boat
Return fast boat from Rhodes Town with free time in Marmaris and an optional shopping tour; the listing includes the international port tax.
Check price & availabilityFull Day Ephesus and Kusadasi Tour including Bus Transfer
Early boat from Pythagorio with hotel transfer, a guided tour of Ephesus and entrance fees included.
Check price & availabilityFAQ
Can I visit Turkey on a day trip from a Greek island without a visa?
Yes, if you are an EU, Swiss or UK citizen. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists visa-free stays of up to 90 days for these nationalities. Other nationalities should check the ministry’s list and the e-Visa rules.
Can Germans go to Turkey with just a Personalausweis?
Yes. The German Foreign Office and the Turkish ministry both confirm it. Dutch, Belgian and Swiss citizens can also use their ID cards. Austrians, Scandinavians and UK citizens need a passport.
Which island is easiest for a day trip to Turkey?
Kos. Tilos Travel’s 2026 timetable has a daily morning boat from Kos to Bodrum from late March to early November, and the crossing takes under an hour.
Will I get a passport stamp?
Turkey stamps passports on entry. On the Greek side, EES has replaced stamping for non-EU travellers since 10 April 2026. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered in EES.
Can I see Ephesus on a day trip from Samos?
Yes, but it is a long day. Ephesus is inland from Kuşadası, so you need a road transfer on top of the ferry. Organised tours from Samos include the transfer and the site entry.
See also which Greek island to choose and the ferry season calendar.
Timetables, prices and entry rules change; check the official source before you travel.
Sources
- Republic of Türkiye MFA – Visa information for foreigners (accessed Oct 2026)
- Republic of Türkiye MFA – Countries whose citizens can enter Türkiye with national ID cards (accessed Oct 2026)
- Republic of Türkiye MFA – Passport validity requirements (accessed Oct 2026)
- Republic of Türkiye e-Visa (accessed Oct 2026)
- Auswärtiges Amt – Türkei: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (as of 14 Oct 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- ÖAMTC – Travel information for Turkey (as of 14 Oct 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK – Turkey entry requirements (accessed Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK – Greece entry requirements (accessed Oct 2026)
- Hellenic MFA – EES takes full effect on 10 April 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- European Commission – Entry/Exit System (accessed Oct 2026)
- Cyprus Business News – Commission: which travellers are exempt from EES (28 Jul 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- EU Delegation to the USA – Travelling to Europe (ETIAS) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Government of Poland – Introduction of ETIAS in 2027 (30 Sep 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – Visa FAQ (accessed Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia – Time in Turkey (accessed Oct 2026)
- timeanddate.com – Clock changes in Athens (accessed Oct 2026)
- Tilos Travel – 2025–2026 Aegean islands sailing plan (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ertürk Lines – Çeşme–Chios timetable (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr – Mytilene–Ayvalık sailings (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr – Ayvalık–Mytilene guide 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- e-Yaşam Rehberi – İDO Dikili–Mytilene timetable (Turkish) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryscanner – Çeşme to Chios (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Samos to Kuşadası (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Bodrum to Kos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Turgutreis to Kos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Rhodes to Marmaris (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Fethiye to Rhodes (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Kastellorizo to Kaş (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryhopper – Kaş to Kastellorizo (accessed Oct 2026)
- Yeşil Marmaris Lines – Marmaris–Rhodes ferry ticket (accessed Oct 2026)
- European Commission, Your Europe – Alcohol and tobacco allowances (accessed Oct 2026)
- European Commission, Your Europe – Taking animal products, food or plants with you (accessed Oct 2026)
- European Commission – Roaming policy (accessed Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK – Using your mobile in EU and EEA countries (accessed Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK – Vehicle insurance when driving abroad (accessed Oct 2026)
- Dave’s Travel Pages – Renting a car in Greece (updated July 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ertürk Lines – General rules (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide – From Kos: Bodrum Day Trip by Ferry with Transfer (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide – Rhodes: Marmaris Day Trip by High-Speed Boat (accessed Oct 2026)
