Bodrum to Kos Ferry

The Bodrum to Kos ferry is the busiest and fastest international sea link between Turkey and the Dodecanese, connecting the marina town of Bodrum with the Greek island of Kos in as little as 20 to 40 minutes by high-speed catamaran. Departures leave from the harbour beneath Bodrum Castle (St. Peter's Castle), crossing the narrow strait to the port of Kos Town, where the medieval Castle of the Knights guards the entrance. It is one of the shortest island-hopping crossings in the Aegean, which is why Kos is by far the most popular Greek-island day trip from the Turkish coast.

Operators and vessels

The route is served by several companies, with the Bodrum Ferryboat Association (Bodrum Express Lines) among the long-established operators alongside carriers such as Turyol and other local lines. Sailings are run mostly by modern high-speed catamarans; some slower conventional ferries also work the crossing and take closer to 45-60 minutes.

Season and schedule

This is a seasonal, summer-focused service. Between roughly April and October there are usually multiple daily departures, with the first boats leaving Bodrum in the morning (around 08:30-09:00) and afternoon returns that suit a full day on the island. Frequency drops sharply in winter to just a couple of sailings a week, and crossings are weather-dependent in the windy shoulder months.

Passports and the express visa

This is an international crossing of an EU external border, so a valid passport is mandatory for all travellers and passport control is carried out at both ports. Non-EU visitors should check Schengen visa rules in advance. Turkish citizens can take advantage of Greece's express visa-on-arrival scheme, which costs around 60 euros, is issued at the island port for stays of up to seven days, and covers Kos among a list of eastern Aegean islands. Arrive at the terminal 45-60 minutes before departure to clear check-in and passport formalities.