Ferries and Boats in Turkey

Sea transportation within Turkey is very limited due to state support to road transportation only.

The ferry Istanbul-Izmir that departed once a week on Fridays from Istanbul offers nice views of the Turkish coast. It was leisurely a voyage but slow, almost 18 hours. Istanbul-Cesme and Bodrum ferry has entered service in 2007 during summer season.
There are ferries between Turkey and Greece, Italy, Ukraine.

Ferry service between Turkish coastal cities and Greek Islands

The ferries run during tourist season, from late spring to early autumn. Departure ports are Ayvalik, Cesme, Bodrum , Kusadasi, Marmaris. The service from Ayvalik to Midilli (Lesvos) is sporadic.

Ferry schedules change frequently. The routes and approximate duration of travel are as follows:

Cesme-Chios (one hour), Kusadasi-Samos (two hours), Bodrum-Kos (one hour), Bodrum- Rhodes (two hours), Marmaris-Rhodes (one hour). These are the major lines that operate regularly. In addition, Fethiye-Rhodes, Foca-Lesvos, Datca-Simi could be possible routes. For yacht cruises between Greek islands see Greek cabin charters.

Turkey-Italy ferry crossing

There is one ferry crossing to Europe from Turkey, which is a regular service since decades, Ancona-Cesme line. It takes approximately two days. Another line is Cesme Brindisi ferry which takes about a day and a half.

Turkey-Ukraine

Ferries from Istanbul to Odessa run once a week.