From Çeşme Ulusoy Port, there are several daily Chios ferry sailing services to and from the island. With Erturk Lines, Tilos Travel (Makri Lines), and Sunrise Tours, you can take a day trip to the island, departing in the morning and returning in the afternoon. It is advised to purchase tickets in advance, either online or from the ferry lines’ ticket offices adjacent (south) to Çeşme Castle.
This page details information on the ferry services between Çeşme and Chios. For a complete and comprehensive guide on What to Do in Chios, Getting Around, Travel Tips, Hotels, and more, see LikeCesme.com – The Island of Chios.
Çeşme-Chios Ferry – Quick Facts
- Crossing time: 20–35 minutes
- Departure: Çeşme Ulusoy Port
- Typical price: €35–€40 one way / €50–€80 return
- Passport required: Yes (Schengen / island visa rules apply)
- Best for: Day trips & short breaks (2-3 days)
Çeşme-Chios Ferry – Table of Contents
Çeşme Ulusoy Port (Çeşme International Ferry Terminal)
Çeşme Ulusoy Port – Musalla Mahallesi, Atadağ Caddesi, 35930 Çeşme/İzmir. Tel.: (0232) 712 8749.
The Çeşme Ulusoy Port, located a short distance from the town centre and Çeşme Marina, serves as the international ferry terminal for crossings to the Greek island of Chios. Despite its relatively small size, the terminal is well equipped for international departures. Facilities include passport control booths, customs inspection areas, a security screening point, ticket counters, and a compact duty-free shop offering a variety of products, including perfumes, alcohol, tobacco, and local specialities.
Seating areas are limited but sufficient for the number of passengers handled, and there are basic amenities, including restrooms and a small café-style kiosk, where travellers can purchase drinks and snacks before boarding. The port operates with a streamlined process, designed to move passengers efficiently through Turkish exit procedures.
An important detail for travellers is that the terminal does not remain open throughout the day; instead, it opens in line with the ferry schedules. Passport control, customs, and security screening are staffed only in the morning before the first departures and again in the late afternoon or early evening when ferries return or depart for Chios. This means passengers should time their arrival to match these windows, as the gates remain closed at other times.
Chios Port (Chios International Ferry Terminal)
Chios (to Çeşme) Ferry Terminal – Chios 821 00, Greece (on the far northeast corner of the quay).
On the Greek side, ferries arrive directly into the main port of Chios Town, which is both the island’s commercial harbour and the hub for international and domestic ferry services. The passenger terminal is located near the waterfront promenade, within walking distance of shops, tavernas, car rental offices, and hotels. The terminal features passport control desks for Schengen entry, customs offices, and a waiting area. The proximity to the town centre makes arrival easy for foot passengers.
Much like Çeşme, the Chios port terminal operates in coordination with the ferry schedules rather than around the clock. Passport and customs officers are present in the morning and early evening, when ferries arrive and depart, and the terminal is otherwise closed. The port infrastructure is straightforward but efficient, handling the steady seasonal traffic between Türkiye and Greece.
Çeşme – Chios Ferry Schedules
With several ferries departing in close succession, long queues outside the terminal (with no shade from the sun) can occur, especially in peak holiday seasons. Schedules can be irregular and complex, and seasonal changes and delays may occur; the following is for general guidance only; please check with the respective ferry services:
Çeşme to Chios (approx. winter schedule)
| Line & Ferry | Depart | Arrive | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilos Travel (Sea Star Samos) | 08:45*1 | 08:05 | Fr Sa Su |
| Erturk Lines (FlyingCAT)*TBC | 09:20 | 08:40 | Mo We Fr Sa Su |
| Sunrise Lines (Apostolos S)*TBC | 09:20 | 08:55 | Tu Fr Sa Su |
| Turyol (K Sevket Iyidere) | 09:20*2 | 08:50 | Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su |
| Erturk Lines (Erturk-1)*TBC | 15:00 | 14:55 | Tu |
- *1 – Daily departures at 08:45 and 17:00 from 1 May 2026.
- *2 – Two daily departures at 09:20 from 1 June 2026.
Chios to Çeşme (approx. winter schedule)
| Line & Ferry | Depart | Arrive | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erturk Lines (Erturk-1)*TBC | 15:00 | 14:35 | *TBC |
| Sunrise Lines (Apostolos S) *TBC | 16:30 | 18:05 | Tu Fr Sa Su |
| Turyol (K Sevket Iyidere) | 16:30*3 | 18:00 | Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su |
| Tilos Travel (Sea Star Samos) | 16:45*4 | 18:05 | Fr Sa Su |
| Erturk Lines (Erturk-1)*TBC | 17:30*5 | 18:50 | We Fr Sa Su |
- *3 – Daily departures at 17:00 and 18:00 from 1 June 2026.
- *4 – Daily departures at 09:30 and 18:15 from 1 May 2026.
- *5 – Departs at 18:00 from 1 June 2024.
Çeşme – Chios Ferry Lines & Agents
Ertürk Lines – Erturk Lines Çeşme-Chios Tickets
Çeşme office: Musalla, 1016. Sk. No:6-7, 35930 Çeşme/İzmir – 20 metres south of the castle. info@erturk.com.tr Tel.: +90 232 712 6768. Offices also in Izmir and Chios.
*TBC As of January 2026, under its winter timetable, Erturk is operating the “Erturk-1” passenger (no cars) ferry from Çeşme Ulusoy Port to Chios Port, departing four days per week from Çeşme at 15:00, returning from Chios Port at 16:30.
As of January 2026, the single adult ticket price is €40.00, and a round-trip (same day or future date) is €50.00. Journey time, excluding passport control & customs, for the “Erturk-1” is 35 minutes.
*TBC From June 2026, Erturk will also operate for the summer season, with the Ferry Boat Erturk-1 departing Chios Port at 08:00 and Çeşme Ulusoy Port at 19:00. During the summer (from 1 June), the Erturk FlyingCAT also departs 30 minutes later from Chios Port at 18:00.
Ertürk Line Ships on the Çeşme-Chios Ferry Route
Vesselfinder Erturk-1 Status: The vessel Erturk-1 (IMO 7364194, MMSI 271015023) is a Passenger/Rollon-Rolloff cargo ship built in 1974 and currently sailing under the flag of Türkiye. Its length is 42 metres, beam 8 metres and gross tonnage 292.
Vesselfinder Erturk Status: The vessel Erturk aka flyingCAT (IMO 9153185, MMSI 271002327) is a High Speed Passenger ship built in 1997 and currently sailing under the flag of Türkiye. Its length is 35 metres, beam 10 metres.
Tilos Travel – Çeşme-Chios Ticket Website
Address: Kesikkapı Mahallesi, Ali Gaffar Okkan Caddesi, No:3B 48300 Fethiye/Muğla. Tel: +90 252 614 3434
Tilos Travel is a ferry ticketing and travel service provider focused on connections between Türkiye and nearby Greek islands — including routes such as Çeşme ↔ Chios, Kuşadası ↔ Samos, Bodrum ↔ Kos, and Fethiye ↔ Rhodes. They offer online ticket sales, customer support, and occasionally package tours that include accommodation and ferry tickets.
As of January 2026, under its winter timetable, Tilos promotes the “Sea Star Samos” (or the “Sea Star Makri”) passenger (no cars) ferries from Çeşme Ulusoy Port to Chios Port, departing Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from Çeşme at 08:45, which returns from Chios Port at 16:45. The single adult ticket price is €40.00, and roundtrip (same day or future date) €50.00. Journey time, excluding passport control & customs, for the “Sea Star Samos” is 20 minutes.
The summer schedule (from 1 May 2026) Tilos lists two daily sailings (Monday-Sunday), each way, on “Sea Star Samos”: departing Çeşme at 08:45 and 17:00, and departing Chios at 09:30 and 18:15.
Makri Line Ships on the Çeşme-Chios Ferry Route
Vesselfinder Sea Star Samos Status: The vessel Sea Star Samos (IMO 9101742, MMSI 511100721) is a Passenger Ship built in 1994 (30 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Palau. Its length is 40 metres, beam 11 metres and gross tonnage 477.
Turyol – Turyol Ticketing Website
Çeşme office: Atadağ cd. 1107, sok No:45/B, 35930 Çeşme/İzmir -opposite the port entrance. Tel.: +90 232 712 1808.
Turyol operates the Çeşme–Chios ferry route with a mix of dedicated passenger and car-carrying vessels, which forms part of its wider Western Türkiye ferry network. On this route, one of the principal ferries is the Chios, which carries foot passengers and offers vehicle transport (cars, motorcycles, campers, etc.) on selected summer sailings. Vehicle pricing is available upon booking and varies by type and season.
Seasonally, Turyol adjusts the vessels used on the Çeşme–Chios route. During the summer period, services typically include the İhsan Alyanak, a fast passenger catamaran with a published crossing time of approximately 17 minutes, serving foot passengers and day-trippers. In parallel, Turyol also operates the Chios ferry during the high season, which is equipped to carry vehicles as well as passengers, making it suitable for travellers wishing to take a car or motorcycle across. In winter, when demand is lower, Turyol generally consolidates operations on the K Şevket Iyadere, a conventional passenger ferry that provides a more limited but reliable year-round connection between Çeşme and Chios.
Turyol Ships on the Çeşme-Chios Ferry Route
Vesselfinder K Şevket Iyadere Status: The vessel Kaptan Şevket Iyadere (IMO 9089176, MMSI 271010100) is a passenger ship built in 2004 and currently sailing under the flag of Türkiye. Its length is 42 metres, beam 9 metres.
Vesselfinder İhsan Alyanak Status: The vessel İhsan Alyanak (IMO 9799587, MMSI 271044637) is a passenger ship built in 2017 and currently sailing under the flag of Türkiye. Its length is 39 metres, beam 12 metres.
Vesselfinder Chios Status: The vessel Chios (IMO 7364924, MMSI 271001073) is a passenger/RO-RO ship built in 1974 and currently sailing under the flag of Türkiye.
Sunrise Lines / Tours – Sunrise Tours Website
Chios office: Leof. Egeou 10, Chios 821 00, Greece – on the harbour front. info@sunrisetours.gr Tel: +30 22710 41390
Sunrise Lines / Sunrise Tours is a long-established Greek ferry and travel agency group based in Chios, with a history of passenger ferry services between Chios and Çeşme, and serving as a local port and ticketing agent for other Aegean ferry operators. Historically, Sunrise has operated and represented vessels on this route and has played an important role in facilitating cross-Aegean travel between Greece and Türkiye. At present, detailed schedules and ticketing information for the Çeşme–Chios route are not clearly published on their official website, and services may vary by season or be offered through partner platforms rather than direct sales. The passenger ship Apostolos S, operating on the Çeşme-Chios route, is listed and ticketed through the Ertürk Lines website.
Sunrise Line Ships on the Çeşme-Chios Ferry Route
Vesselfinder Apostolos S Status: The vessel Apostolos S (IMO 8675849, MMSI 237029200) is a passenger ship built in 1997 and currently sailing under the flag of Greece. Its length is 29 metres, beam 7 metres.
Entry Requirements for Chios
Citizens of countries within the Schengen Area and certain other countries with visa-waiver agreements with the European Union can enter Greece for short stays without a visa. Otherwise, upon entry to Chios, a valid passport (not older than ten years and three months remaining) with a Schengen or gate visa validity must be available.
Under the new visa rules, Turkish citizens can now obtain a simplified, short-term visa specifically for visiting certain Greek islands, including Chios, Lesbos and Samos. This “visa express” program allows stays of up to 7 days, streamlining the process compared to a standard Schengen visa. Key requirements include advance submission of an application (often through authorised travel agencies or online platforms), providing necessary documents like a valid passport and proof of accommodation, and paying a visa fee. It’s important to note that this visa is valid only for the designated Greek islands and cannot be used for travel to other Schengen countries and that having a TRNC entry stamp in a passport can cause denial of the visa.
Other Greek Island Ferries
Alternate routes to the Greek Islands in the summer are to Lesbos via İzmir or to Samos via Seferihisar.
Chios Onward Ferries
Direct Ferries provides an online booking service for 38 ports on the Aegean Islands with approximately 150 routes, including Çeşme – Chios with Turyol and Makri Travel. On their site, you can also book from Chios to Athens (Piraeus ) and Chios to Lebos (Mytilene) on Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. Other bookable routes have ferries to the Cyclades Islands and Dodecanese Islands, and ports include Agios Kirikos, Evdilos, Fournoi, Karlovassi, Kavala, Leros, Limnos (Myrina), Mykonos, Mytilene, Oinousses, Patmos, Piraeus, Psara, Syros, Thessaloniki, Vathi. In Chios, there is an average of 50 ferries per week.
Typical weekly sailing from Chios (bookable on Direct Ferries as of February 2025):
- Agios Kirikos (1)
- Athens-Piraeus (8)
- Çeşme (14)
- Evdilos (1)
- Fournoi (1)
- Karlovassi (1)
- Kavala (3)
- Leros (2)
- Limnos-Myrina (4)
- Mykonos (2)
- Mytilene (11)
- Oinousses (2)
- Patmos (2)
- Psara (2)
- Syros (2)
- Thessaloniki (1)
- Vathi (3)
Getting Around Chios
Once you’ve arrived on Chios, the best way to explore this large and diverse island is to rent a car. From medieval villages and pristine beaches to mastic groves and historic monasteries, Chios is vast, and its highlights are spread far beyond the port and main towns, making a car essential even for a day trip. Public transport is limited, and taxis are impractical for longer routes.
Car hire is frequently sold out on the day, especially on weekends and public holidays, so booking in advance is strongly recommended. Below, you’ll find a quick link to DiscoverCar, where you can secure a rental early and often at very competitive rates. Note, unless arriving or departing by flight, choose cars only from Chios Port or Chios Downtown, not Chios Airport (JKH):
Çesme-Chios Ferry FAQ
Can I do a day trip to Chios from Çeşme?
Yes. Several ferry services allow same-day return trips, making Chios a popular day-trip destination from Çeşme.
What can I do in Chios Town if I’m visiting for the day?
Chios Town is compact and easy to explore on foot from the ferry terminal. Highlights include the medieval Chios Castle, the Archaeological Museum, a relaxed walk along the waterfront promenade, and time to enjoy Greek food and cafés by the harbour. Visitors often combine this with shopping in the town centre’s back streets, where local products, mastic-based items, and small boutiques are concentrated.
Is Chios worth staying for two days or longer?
Yes. With more time, visitors can explore well beyond Chios Town, including the medieval villages of Pyrgi and Mesta, the Nea Moni Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), mastic villages in southern Chios, and a variety of beaches and mountain settlements. For this, hiring a car is strongly recommended, as public transport is limited and many of the island’s highlights are spread out.
Is there duty-free shopping at the ferry terminals?
Yes. The Çeşme Ulusoy Passenger Terminal has a well-stocked duty-free shop, offering a wide range of perfumes, alcohol, tobacco, and selected local products, making it convenient to shop before departure. When returning from Chios, there is also duty-free shopping on the Greek side, though it is more limited. It typically includes spirits such as ouzo and other traditional Greek drinks, along with a smaller selection of goods.
Where is the Çeşme ferry port located?
The Çeşme Ulusoy Port is located close to the town centre, Çeşme Marina, and Çeşme Castle. If you are staying in or near central Çeşme and travelling with light luggage, the terminal is within a comfortable walk, so most visitors do not need to use taxis or private transfers.
Where can I find more information about the island of Chios?
For a comprehensive guide covering what to do in Chios, accommodation, transport, travel tips, and island highlights, see the dedicated Chios content on LikeCesme.com, which provides practical, independent information for both short visits and longer stays.