How to get from Bodrum to Kos
Bodrum and Kos face each other across a narrow strait, and ferries and fast boats cross in about 20–45 minutes. Boats run daily in summer and less often in winter. It is an international crossing, so bring your passport and allow time for passport control.
Best option: Ferry. The short boat crossing is the only direct link, taking under an hour between the two harbours.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ferry Ferries and fast boats from Bodrum port to Kos town harbour (several ferry companies) | about 20–45 min on the water, plus check-in and passport control | several a day in summer, fewer in winter | about €20–40 one way | Arrive about an hour early for border formalities. Check current timetables, especially off season. |
| flight No direct flight; connections go via Istanbul and Athens | most of a day | expensive | Not practical for this short crossing. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Bring your passport; you leave Turkey and enter the Schengen area at Kos.
- Check whether you need a Schengen visa to enter Greece, or a Turkish visa or e-visa to return to Bodrum.
- Book summer boats a day or two ahead, especially the evening return.
- Kos town harbour is right in the centre, a short walk from the old town and the castle.
Common questions
How long is the ferry from Bodrum to Kos?
About 20–45 minutes on the water, depending on the boat. Allow extra time for check-in and passport control on both sides, so plan on one and a half to two hours from arriving at Bodrum port to walking into Kos town. Boats run several times a day in summer and less often in winter; check current timetables.
Do I need a visa to go from Bodrum to Kos?
Kos is in Greece and part of the Schengen area, so the normal Schengen entry rules apply to your nationality. Many visitors staying in Turkey need a Schengen visa for Kos, and to return to Turkey you need valid Turkish entry rights. Check both requirements before you buy your ticket; boat companies will refuse boarding without the right documents.
Can I do a day trip from Bodrum to Kos?
Yes. Morning departures from Bodrum and an evening return give you several hours in Kos town, enough for the castle, the old town and the harbour. In winter the timetable is thinner, so check that a same-day return exists. Remember border formalities take time on both legs.
Can I take a car from Bodrum to Kos?
Some ferries on the route can carry vehicles, but taking a hire car across the border is usually not permitted, and the paperwork for a private car is considerable. Most visitors cross on foot and hire a car, scooter or bicycle on Kos, which is flat and compact.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.