The Greek Islands are among the most popular holiday destinations easily reachable by ferry from Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Especially during the summer months, ferries run from various Turkish coastal towns to Greek islands such as Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Patmos, Kos, Leros, Rhodes and Kastellorizo.
So where do you catch a ferry to the Greek Islands from Turkey? Which Turkish town connects to which island?
We've put together the key ferry connections for 2026. ⛴️
You can board a ferry to the Greek Islands from ports in several coastal cities across Turkey.
The best-known connections include Ayvalık–Lesbos, Çeşme–Chios, Kuşadası–Samos, Bodrum–Kos, Marmaris–Rhodes and Kaş–Kastellorizo. Additional services may also run from other ports depending on the season.
You can reach the island of Lesbos (Midilli) by ferry from Ayvalık.
The Ayvalık–Lesbos line is one of the best-known ferry connections between Turkey and the Greek Islands. In the 2026 schedules, both conventional ferry and fast catamaran options are offered by different operators.
👉 Departure: Ayvalık
👉 Arrival: Lesbos (Midilli)
There are also ferry services to Lesbos from Dikili, a district of İzmir.
The Dikili–Lesbos line is used mainly during the summer season, and sailings are also listed for September 2026.
👉 Departure: Dikili
👉 Arrival: Lesbos (Midilli)
Services connecting İzmir itself to Lesbos may also be available. However, keep in mind that these sailings can vary by date and season.
For this reason, it's important to check the current ferry schedule for your chosen date before planning a trip departing from İzmir.
Taking the ferry from Çeşme to Chios (Sakız) is one of the most popular short sea crossings from Turkey to the Greek Islands.
The Çeşme–Chios line appears regularly in the 2026 schedules.
👉 Departure: Çeşme
👉 Arrival: Chios (Sakız)
If you're planning a quick getaway to the Greek Islands, the Çeşme–Chios route is well worth considering.
You can cross by ferry from Seferihisar, a district of İzmir, to the island of Samos (Sisam).
The Seferihisar–Samos line is included in the 2026 schedules as a seasonal service.
👉 Departure: Seferihisar
👉 Arrival: Samos (Sisam)
The Kuşadası–Samos line is another of the best-known routes from Turkey to the Greek Islands.
Ferries run from Kuşadası to the port of Vathy on Samos, and the connection is listed again for the 2026 season.
👉 Departure: Kuşadası
👉 Arrival: Samos (Sisam)
From Kuşadası, you can reach not only Samos but also the island of Patmos by ferry.
The Kuşadası–Patmos line operates as a seasonal service in the 2026 schedules.
👉 Departure: Kuşadası
👉 Arrival: Patmos
The Bodrum–Kos line is one of the most popular ferry crossings from Turkey to the Greek Islands.
Sailings from Bodrum to Kos are available at various times throughout the year, and the route is included in the 2026 schedules.
👉 Departure: Bodrum
👉 Arrival: Kos (İstanköy)
There are also ferry connections from Bodrum to the island of Leros.
Since sailing days and frequency can vary by season, be sure to check the current schedule before your trip. The Bodrum–Leros connection is listed in the 2026 schedules.
👉 Departure: Bodrum
👉 Arrival: Leros
For travelers crossing from southwestern Turkey to the Greek Islands, Marmaris–Rhodes is one of the most popular routes.
👉 Departure: Marmaris
👉 Arrival: Rhodes (Rodos)
The ferry connection to Rhodes remains among the active routes for the 2026 season.
Another way to reach Rhodes is to take the ferry from Fethiye.
👉 Departure: Fethiye
👉 Arrival: Rhodes (Rodos)
The Fethiye–Rhodes connection is also included in the 2026 schedules.
The Kaş–Kastellorizo (Meis) route is one of Turkey's closest sea connections to Greece.
👉 Departure: Kaş
👉 Arrival: Kastellorizo (Meis)
The Kaş–Kastellorizo line also appears in the 2026 sailing lists.
| From Turkey | Greek Island |
|---|---|
| 📍 Ayvalık | 🇬🇷 Lesbos |
| 📍 Dikili | 🇬🇷 Lesbos |
| 📍 İzmir | 🇬🇷 Lesbos |
| 📍 Çeşme | 🇬🇷 Chios |
| 📍 Seferihisar | 🇬🇷 Samos |
| 📍 Kuşadası | 🇬🇷 Samos |
| 📍 Kuşadası | 🇬🇷 Patmos |
| 📍 Bodrum | 🇬🇷 Kos |
| 📍 Bodrum | 🇬🇷 Leros |
| 📍 Marmaris | 🇬🇷 Rhodes |
| 📍 Fethiye | 🇬🇷 Rhodes |
| 📍 Kaş | 🇬🇷 Kastellorizo |
Turkish citizens traveling to Greece are generally subject to the Schengen visa regime. However, Greece also offers a simplified visa-on-arrival procedure for Turkish citizens visiting certain islands. According to the latest information from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these include Lesbos, Kos, Chios, Samos, Leros, Rhodes, Kastellorizo and several other islands.
Because the scope, duration and application requirements of the visa-on-arrival program may change, it's important to check the latest official information before you travel.
No. Sailing days and times for Greek Islands ferries vary depending on the island, the port, the ferry company and the season.
For example, some lines are listed year-round in the 2026 schedules, while others, such as Dikili–Lesbos, Seferihisar–Samos and Kuşadası–Patmos, operate only during certain periods.
So before buying your ticket, be sure to check:
⛴️ The sailing date
🕐 The departure time
🎫 The ticket terms
🛂 The visa requirements
🧳 The baggage and vehicle rules
Crossing by ferry from Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts to the Greek Islands is a popular travel option, especially in summer, for anyone who wants to explore a different country in a short time.
You can choose the route that best fits your travel plans, whether it's Ayvalık to Lesbos, Çeşme to Chios, Kuşadası to Samos, Bodrum to Kos, Marmaris to Rhodes or Kaş to Kastellorizo.
Just don't forget to check the latest ferry schedule and visa requirements before you set off. ⛴️🇹🇷🇬🇷
YP YAZILIM