Çeşme-Chios Ferry

From Çeşme Ulusoy Port, there are several daily Chios ferry sailing services to and from the island. With Erturk Lines, Makri Travel and Sunrise Tours, it is possible to take a day trip to the island, leaving 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 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.

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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.

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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
Makri Travel (Sea Star Samos)	08:45*1	08:05	Fr Sa Su
Erturk Lines (FlyingCAT)	09:20	08:40	We Fr Sa Su
Sunrise Lines (San Nicolas)	09:50	09:25	Sat Only
Sunrise Lines (San Nicolas)	18:30	18:05	Mo We Fr Sa Su

• ^*1 – Daily departures at 08:30, 10:00, and 18:00 from 1 June 2024.

Chios to Çeşme (approx. winter schedule)

Line & Ferry	Depart	Arrive	Days
Sunrise Lines (San Nicolas)	08:00	09:35	Mo We Fr Sa Su
Makri Travel (Sea Star Samos)	16:00*2	17:20	Fr Sa Su
Erturk Lines (FlyingCAT)	17:30*3	18:50	We Fr Sa Su
Sunrise Lines (San Nicolas)	16:30	18:05	Sat Only

• ^*2 – Daily departures at 09:15, 17:15, and 18:45 from 1 June 2024.
• ^*3 – Departs at 18:00 from 1 June 2024.

Erturk Lines – Erturk Lines Çeşme-Chios Tickets

Çeşme office: Musalla, 1016. Sk. No:6-7, 35930 Çeşme/İzmir – 20 metres south of the castle. [email protected] Tel.: +90 232 712 6768. Offices also in Izmir and Chios.

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As of March 2024, under its winter timetable, Erturk is operating the “Erturk FlyingCAT” passenger (no cars) ferry from Çeşme Ulusoy Port to Chios Port, departing four days per week from Çeşme at 09:20, returning from Chios Port at 18:00.

As of March 2024, 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 “Erturk FlyingCAT” catamaran is 20 minutes.

From June 2024, Erturk will also operate for the summer season, with the Ferry Boat Erturk-1 departing Chois 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.

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 Turkey. Its length is 42 metres, beam 8 metres and gross tonnage 292.

Sunrise Tours – Sunrise Tours Website (ticketing not functional)

Chios office: Leof. Egeou 10, Chios 821 00, Greece – on the harbour front. [email protected] Tel: +30 22710 41390

Vesselfinder Status: The vessel San Nicolas (IMO 8932091, MMSI 237579900) is a passenger ship built in 1980 and currently sailing under the flag of Greece. Its length is 31 metres, beam 5 metres and gross tonnage 103.

Sunrise Tours is the central agency of Greek “Sunrise Lines”, which operates daily ferry trips from Chios Port to Çeşme Ulusoy Port. It also serves as the port agency in Chios for “Blue Star Ferries”, the largest shipping company in the Aegean Sea.

As of March 2024, under its winter timetable, Sunrise Lines is operating the “San Nicolas” passenger and car ferry from Chios Port to Çeşme Ulusoy Port, departing most days (usually not Tuesdays and Thursdays, but twice on Saturdays) from Chios Port at 08:00 and Çeşme at 18:30. The additional Saturday services depart Çeşme at 09:50 and Chios Port at 16:30.

It appears that tickets are unavailable directly through Sunrise Tours but listed on ferry consolidation websites such as isferry.com. As of March 2024, the single adult ticket price through the consolidation websites is €33.00, and roundtrip (same day or future date) €42.00. Journey time, excluding passport control & customs, for the “San Nicolas” is 35 minutes.

Makri Travel – Makri Travel Çeşme-Chios Ticket Website

Address: Afstralias 26, 85100 Rhodes, Greece. [email protected] Tel: +30 694 415 6070 Tickets are also listed through the Tilos Travel website.

Vesselfinder 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.

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Makri Travel is the central agency of Greek “Sunrise Lines”, which operates daily ferry trips from Çeşme Ulusoy Port to Chios Port. It also serves as the port agency in Chios for “Blue Star Ferries”, the largest shipping company in the Aegean Sea.

As of March 2024, under its winter timetable, Sunrise Lines is operating the “Sea Star Samos” 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 16:00. 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 Rhodes” is 20 minutes.

The summer schedule (from 1 June 2024) lists three daily sailings (Monday-Sunday) each way on “Sea Star Samos” departing Çeşme at 08:30, 10:00, and 18:00, and departing Chios at 09:15, 17:15, and 18:45.

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):