Kos to Bodrum Ferry: Our Boat From Greece to Turkey & Day Trip Advice

Did you know if you’re heading to Kos you’ll be just a quick ferry ride from Bodrum Turkey? One of the most popular activities is to hop on a boat across the Aegean Sea to this famous Turkish seaside town. Here’s everything you need to know about the crossing based on our own experience. So whether you’re taking a Kos to Bodrum day trip or staying in Turkey, we got you covered!

Pin For Later ↓

Kos to Bodrum Ferry 

From the main port of Kos, there are several ferry companies making the journey. Most leave the island in the morning and come back in the late afternoon. If you’re not taking this adventure with a tour company you’ll want to buy the tickets directly from the ferry stands in Kos port. 

The location for getting on the boat is different than where the domestic Greek ferries arrive. Make sure to go to the international port that is just for this exact Kos to Bodrum route. 

One thing to note is that it is the same price for a one-way ticket as a round trip. This route is 99% for travelers who are making a Kos to Bodrum day trip so the price is set whether you get on the return ferry or not. This clearly didn’t work in our favor since we chose to stay in Turkey for 2 weeks, but it is what it is!

If you are traveling in the peak summer months be sure to buy your tickets in advance. You can book the round trip ferry ticket online and collect them at the ferry terminal before boarding. There is also an add-on option if you are not staying close to the ferry port and want to include a round-trip transfer. 

Kos to Bodrum Day Trip Tour

One way to do the trip from Kos to Bodrum is by taking an official tour. Your guide will meet you on Kos and take the ferry with you to Bodrum. This is a fantastic option if you want to see all the sights in Bodrum Turkey with a tour guide. It’s also a great way to get the most out of your time if you’re only going for one day.

There are even smaller tour groups that go on sailing boats. You won’t spend nearly as much time in Bodrum this way as it makes other stops. However, it’s a fun idea for travelers who prefer to see the islands and Bodrum in a more intimate setting. 

You can find tours like these being offered around the port of Kos. Still, know that the small or private tours will cost you a lot more than making the visit to Bodrum on your own.

→ Turquoise Coast in Turkey: 12 Best Tips For Visiting the Turkish Riviera

Do You Need a Visa to Go From Kos to Bodrum?

At the time of our visit, you did not need to apply for a normal visa to take a Kos to Bodrum day trip. Keep in mind this is what we were told as USA passport holders so it may vary depending on your home country. 

Turkey offers one day visa-free travel for the purpose of cruise ships and trips from Greece to Turkey. When we got to Turkey everyone still had their passports scanned and return tickets confirmed.

Missing your ferry back is a massive no-no because then you are essentially in the country illegally which is something you don’t want to mess with! Double-check these regulations before your travel as they can change quite frequently.

Our Kos to Bodrum Ferry Adventure

As we mentioned earlier, the majority of travelers using this ferry are making a Kos to Bodrum day trip. Yet, we actually decided to stay in Turkey! After spending some time in Bodrum we had two weeks to travel down the famous Turquoise Coast.

This was an amazing trip and highly recommend it to anyone visiting this region. Nevertheless, a day trip is still worth it if you only have one day! If you do plan to travel to Turkey one way like we did there are some things to know first. 

Turkey Visa: Most likely you need a visa to enter Turkey. While this may not be true depending on your home country we did need one. We got it three days in advance and paid 50 Euros each for an electronic visa using the official website. While it said it could take up to 48 hours we got them almost instantly. 

Check In: When you check-in and get your tickets the company will confirm that you are traveling one way and you have a visa. They made a mark on our ticket to show that we were staying in Turkey so we would receive an exit stamp from Greece. 

Arrival in Bodrum: Upon arriving in Turkey there was some confusion as to why we didn’t have a return ticket. Thankfully someone spoke English and was able to explain that we had our visas and were staying in the country.

Duration of Stay: Our visa was good for 90 days within 180 even though we only were staying for 2 weeks. This is very similar to the Schengen area rules if it sounds confusing to you.

Boarding the Kos to Bodrum Ferry 

While the trip is advertised as a 20-minute crossing that certainly doesn’t account for the entire process. We were told to be at the ferry terminal 40 minutes before departure to get our tickets and pass through immigration. 

There is a small waiting area on the Kos side for all the travelers visiting Turkey with different companies. It can be a little confusing because some boats are able to board immediately while others you have to wait. It looked like they boarded the smaller boats first before our larger vessel.

Arriving in Bodrum Turkey! 

While the crossing was set for 9:30am our boat took off closer to 10am after everyone boarded. The actual ride from Kos to Bodrum felt quick and did take 20 minutes.

Our best tip is to try and be the first off the boat. You need to go through customs on the Turkish side and if you’re not one of the first ferries arriving the line can be quite long. 

All said and done, we showed up at the ferry terminal in Kos at 9am and actually entered Turkey through immigration just before 11am. This is not to say it’s not worth it to take the Kos to Bodrum day trip. Just wanted to let you know what you’re in for!

One Day Bodrum Itinerary

We would find out that it doesn’t matter if you have one day or several in Bodrum. There is so much to see and do right in the center of the city! Bodrum is so unique and makes for a great afternoon of exploring. 

Castle & Museum: Just across the street from where the ferry docks are the Bodrum Castle and Underwater Museum. Experiencing the castle first is a great way to have a deeper understanding of the area while also getting some epic views of Bodrum. You’ll be able to see the beautiful coastline and mountains from the tower walls. 

Bodrum Boat Walk: One of the most fun things to do is to walk along the massive Bodrum harbor. There are literally thousands of boats that fill the waters of the port. If you get to the end there is a small shopping gallery and an upscale coffee shop. If you are looking for a quick pick-me-up, the Creperie has a rooftop seating area that is super unique. Here you’ll have a view over the marina with the castle in the distance. 

Shopping in the Bodrum Market: Hundreds of shops fill the pedestrian-only walking market in the central part of the city. Our hotel owner would warn us that most of the designer clothes and accessories were fake but it’s still fun to take a stroll through. There are also some great doner kebab restaurants and pubs in the covered outdoor market, too.

Beach Time: Once you make your way through the market you will come to the main town beach. This section of Bodrum has cafes, restaurants, and beach bars. Spend the rest of the time you have in the beach chair overlooking the ocean with an ice-cold drink in hand. 

→ Bodrum Turkey: Complete Travel Guide & 6 Things You Can’t Miss

Have any questions about making the trip from Kos to Bodrum? How about any tips from your own visit? Let us know in the comments below! 

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

 Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! 

___________________________

More Turkey Tips

• Beginners Guide to Food in Turkey: 25 Delicious Dishes & Drinks to Try
• 10 Best Things to do in Fethiye Turkey on Your First Visit
• Kaputas Beach Guide: How to Visit the Best Beach in Turkey
• Fethiye Tuesday Market: What to Eat, Shopping, & More Fun!
• Kas Turkey: Why It’s the Best Town on the Turkish Riviera
• Oludeniz Beach Turkey: 9 Fun Things to Know Before You Go!

___________________________

Greece Travel Planning

 Information: Explore all our articles on Greece and the many different islands we cover such as Rhodes, Karpathos, Crete & Milos!

 For island hopping use FerriesinGreece to compare different routes, prices, and companies. The fast ferries like Sea Jets will cost more but often takes half the time of slower ferries like Blue Star.

 Flights: We always check Skyscanner and Kayak to search for cheap flights. That’s how we got from Athens to Santorini for under $50 USD!

 Accommodation: Always compare multiple sites to get the best deal. We search both Booking.com and Agoda! Also,  Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

 Rental Car: You can book a rental car for as little as $20 a day in Greece! We use Discover Cars to explore the larger islands with a vehicle.

 Tours: Go to Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities in Santorini. You can find everything from group sailing tours to private catamaran cruises. Go wine tasting around the island, horseback riding down the beach, or even jump on an ATV tour!

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without insurance. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

 Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!

*We receive a commission for purchases made through links in this post. This allows us to continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! Also, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.