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Ferries to Greece from Turkey

We Answer Your Travel Questions for Crete

Ferries to Greek Islands - several large ferries docked in port at Mykonos

Ferries to Greece from Turkey - ferry services run from the mainland towns of Cesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kaz in Turkey to matching island ports in Chios and the Dodecanese, including Rhodos, in Greece.

Companies running ferries on these routes include Anek Lines, Bodrum Express and Miniotis Lines.

If your question is not covered in the information on this page - please ask it below.

The Dodecanese Δωδεκάνησα - this is the name for twelve islands (dodeca is the word for twelve in Greek) in the eastern Aegean, sitting off the south-west coast of Turkey. This group of islands is made up of the following 12 main islands and 150 smaller islands:

Rhodes

Kos

Patmos

Astipalea

Kalimnos

Karpathos

Kasos

Leros

Nisyros

Symi

Tilos

Kastellorizo



Rhodes Island

The Old Town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage CityThe Old Town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage site


One
of the most well-known islands in the Dodecanese is Rhodes.



No Direct Ferries

There are no direct ferries from Turkey to Crete. There are many island-hopping options outlined below. There are flight options from the main towns in Turkey such as Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara.

From the Turkish coast and northern Dodecanese, it is possible to sail to Rhodes and then take a connecting ferry to Crete. Companies running ferries on these routes include Blue Star Ferries, NEL Lines, Dodekanisos Lines, GA Lines and Anen Ferries.

From Rhodes you can sail via Karpathos to Sitia or Heraklion in Crete.

From various islands in the Dodecanese, it is possible to sail across to Santorini in the Cyclades Island group. From Santorini it is a short distance to sail to Heraklion in Crete.


Life Saver with Greek writing on it, ropes stored neatly on the ferry



Ferries to Greece from Turkey
From Ayvalik to Mytilini


The Greek island of Mitilini or Lesbos (Mytiline) is located in the north-eastern Aegean opposite the town of Ayvalik in Turkey. The ferries running from Ayvalik to Mytilene take approximately 1 and a half hours to cross. Timetables vary depending on the season. Always check before departure at the port due to prevailing weather conditions.



From Cesme to Chios

Ferries to Greece from Turkey

The Greek island of Chios sits in the north-eastern Aegean opposite the town of Cesme in Turkey. The ferry running this Chios to Cesme route is Miniotis Lines.

NEL Lines runs ferries to Samos, Kos and Rhodes from Chios.

Miniotis Lines runs ferries south to Karlovasi and Vathy on Samos, from where you can continue your ferry journey south to Kos and then to Rhodes or Santorini.



From Kusadasi to Samos

Ferries to Greece from Turkey

The Greek island of Samos is located at the northern tip of the Dodecanese, opposite the town of Kusadasi in Turkey.

There is a ferry service from Kusadasi in Turkey to Vathy port on Samos island. The journey takes about one hour and 15 minutes.

See this traveller's question and our answer about her trip from Kusadasi.




From Bodrum to Kos

The Greek island of Kos is in the centre of the Dodecanese and sits opposite the town of Bodrum in Turkey.

The Kos-Bodrum route is run by the Bodrum Express or Dodecanese Flying Dolphins and the trip takes about 45 minutes. From Kos Port there are more ferries to Greece, with two options to travel to Crete, via Santorini or via Rhodes. 

See this answer about travel from Bodrum to Crete showing options





 The sea always has the last word - ferry schedules can be disrupted by bad weather and delays experienced. If in doubt, always check with your hotel, or a booking agent down by the harbour side. 



From Kaz to Kastellorizo

The Greek island of Kastellorizo is located 125 km south-east of Rhodes in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, just 2 km from the Turkish coast and opposite the village of Kaz. The ferry on the Kaz-Kastelorizo route is the Meis Express, crossing takes approximately half an hour.

From Kastellorizo take Blue Star Ferries or Dodekanisos Seaways to Rhodes then continue on to Crete by air or by sea.



Ferries to Greece
Marmaris & Fethiye to Rhodes


Hellenic Seaways bright red colours against the deep blue of the Med

The Greek island of Rhodes (Rodos) sits at the south of the Dodecanese cluster in the eastern Aegean sea, opposite the port of Marmaris in Turkey.

The Marmaris-Rhodes route is served by regular ferries and express water taxis and the trip takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

The Fethiye-Rhodes route is served by regular ferries with duration of journey being 1 hour and 45 minutes.

From Turkey the ferries to Greece run very frequently and more frequently in summer.




Ferries to Greece
From Rhodes to Crete

Ferries to Greece - to get from the Dodecanese to Crete, from the south of the Dodecanese, ferries leave Rhodos for Crete via Halki, Karpathos and Kasos with LANE Lines or GA Ferries. 

The ferry journey from Rhodes to Crete takes you to the islands of Chalki, Karpathos. It is possible to island hop between Rhodes and these islands on the way to Crete.

See the map below showing the route of the ferry from Rhodes to Diafani Port on Karpathos, then Karpathos Port on Karpathos, then Kassos, then Sitia and Heraklion on Crete. The total duration of the crossing from Rhodes to Crete is 13-14 hours. It is best to get a cabin or even better to fly.

The other option is to fly, the flight takes only 1 hour.

Map of Crete and Karpathos to Rhodes - ferry routes




Question & Answer - Crete Travel Q&A

Other Travel Questions

Do you have a travel question that is not about ferries?

Q&A Crete travel questions - take a look here - we have lots of information for travellers on our travel pages, including accommodation, sight seeing, trip planning, Q&A and stories pages.

For more information about getting around in Crete, including local ferries, take a look here

For specific questions and answers about travelling to Crete from the Dodecanese or Turkey - see below.


Do you have a Question About Ferries to Crete?

Ask about how to get ferries from Turkey to Crete...or Rhodes to Crete...or the Dodecanese to Crete

What Other Visitors Have Asked

Click below to see questions and answers from other visitors to this page...

Kos to Santorini Ferry 
Thanks for the tip on ferry from Bodrum to Kos @9.30am. We are leaving Bodrum in Turkey on the 5th Sept. What time does the first ferry leave for Thira …

to-kriti-by-ferry 
Hello, We would like to book a feery on the 17th or 18th from Rhodes to Sitia or Heraklion. But no way to have an information about the schedules and …

Bodrum to Crete 
Hello Is it possible to get a fast/ express ferry from Bodrum to Crete? I will be departing Bodrum in 13 July. Thank you Bodrum to Kos to …

With Autocamper on the Ferry 
I am confused regarding ferries that can accommodate an autocamper vehicle. When I want to book it is always a car or a seat I can book. I wanted to …

How To Get to Karpathos 
I am planing a trip to Crete island in August and would like to go to Karpathos as well. Are there any other ways to pass to this island except ferry …

Bodrum to Crete by Ferry 
Can I get a ferry boat from Bodrum, Turkey directly to Heraklion, Crete in September 2014? Getting from Kos to Crete by Ferry Hi Jay, No, there …

Best Way to Crete from the West Coast of Turkey  
My husband and I are from New Zealand and we are planning 4 to 5 days in Crete next August. We have a week planned in Istanbul and we then plan to head …

From Cappadocia to Crete 
What is the quickest, cheapest way to get from Cappadocia, Turkey, to Crete? I looked at flights, and they are each at least $500 and 14 hours with …

How to Get to the Greek Islands from Turkey 
Hi! Attempting to build an itinerary for a family of five for a three week trip to Turkey and Greek Islands. Our ideal trip is Istanbul, region of …

Crete Ferries - from Santorini & to Fethiye 
Hello, my fiance and I will would like to go to Crete after a few days in Santorini. Can you please advise the best way to get to Crete from Santorini? …

Ferries from Rhodes to Crete 
Is there a direct ferry from Rhodes or Adana or another port in Turkey to Crete in Oct? How much would it cost? Getting from Turkey to Crete …

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