Ferry Services to Chios Island
Chios, the jewel of Greece, is an ancient island in the Aegean Sea renowned for its historical richness, stunning beaches, and delicious cuisine that captivate visitors. In recent years, Chios has become an essential destination for Aegean vacations, welcoming thousands of guests annually due to its easy accessibility. Therefore, it's advisable to secure your ferry ticket as soon as your plans are confirmed. Despite attracting tens of thousands of tourists during the summer months, the only transportation option between Cesme and Chios Island is the Cesme-Chios ferry.
How to Get to Chios Island?
Ferry services from Turkey to Chios Island depart exclusively from Cesme Port in Izmir. Positioned directly across from Cesme, Chios Island's geographical features are similar to those of Cesme. Due to its proximity to Izmir, ferry services to Chios Island have been uninterrupted for many years. During the summer season, ferries to Chios Island are scheduled daily with morning departures and evening returns, serving not only Turkish tourists but also foreign tourists wishing to travel from Anatolia to Greece. Since ferry schedules from Cesme to Chios Island are re-planned and announced at the beginning of each summer, you can compare and plan your journey according to the available services on your desired travel dates. Besides traveling as a passenger, you can also bring your registered vehicle to Chios Island if you have obtained the necessary documents. Driving to Chios Island with your car might even be more economical than renting one, depending on the length of your stay. If you plan to take your car to the island, it's beneficial to purchase your Cesme-Chios Island ferry ticket early, as parking spaces allocated for cars can quickly fill up, especially during high season. Although the distance between Cesme Port and Chios Island Port is approximately 15 km, factors such as weather conditions, sea conditions, and ferry weight can influence the duration of the journey, ranging from 40 minutes to 1 hour.
How to Obtain a Chios Island Gate Visa?
As of 2024, Turkish citizens traveling to Chios Island can apply for a gate visa specifically for Chios Island, reintroduced as a convenient alternative to applying for a Schengen Visa for visiting the island. This visa type is issued for the island where the application is made and allows a single entry for a period of 10 days. For detailed information about the gate visa, you can visit this link.
Places to Visit on Chios Island
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or visiting for the first time, Chios Island promises a variety of experiences. For instance, you can spend time at Chios Port, exploring nearby museums and Ottoman heritage buildings. Among the Ottoman-era sites worth seeing on Chios Island are the Mecidiye Mosque, Abdülhamid Fountain, Melek Paşa Fountain, Osmaniye Mosque, Bayraklı Mosque, Ottoman Cemetery, and Ottoman Bath. Due to settlement policies during the Ottoman period, the Turkish population on the island has always been less than 5%, so Ottoman-era structures are concentrated mainly in the old town and its surroundings. If you prefer not to spend time in the center, you can enjoy a delightful meal in the ancient villages like Mesta or visit Pyrgi nearby, renowned for its houses adorned with geometric patterns called Xysta. Named after the mastic trees that grow there, Chios Island is one of the few places in the world where mastic gum is produced, so you can purchase a tour to learn about the history of this valuable spice, once taxed by the Ottomans, right where it's produced.
