Visa express to 10 Greek Islands for Turkish tourists

Planning a trip to the Greek islands from Turkey has never been easier, thanks to the new visa express. Find useful information about the application process, costs, validity, required documents, and ferry connections on Ferryhopper.

Iconic windmills overlooking the serene coastline of Chios in Greece

What is the visa express?

Visa express is a special visa program designed to facilitate short-term visits (1-7 days) between the Greek islands and Turkey. More specifically, this streamlined visa process simplifies travel between Turkey and 10 Greek islands from the Northeastern Aegean and Dodecanese regions.

The process is significantly faster than the standard Schengen visa application, making it an attractive option for Turkish tourists searching for a quick getaway to the Greek islands, just off the coast of Turkey's Anatolia.

Which Greek islands are included in the visa express program?

The new short-term visa program makes it easier for Turkish citizens to travel to the Northeastern Aegean and Dodecanese islands. Find below the 10 Greek Islands included in the visa express program:

• Chios
• Kos
• Lesbos (Mytilene)
• Rhodes
• Samos
• Leros
• Lemnos
• Kalymnos
• Kastellorizo
• Symi

These islands are accessible from various ports in Turkey, with frequent ferry routes making travel easy and convenient. For more information on ferry routes to these islands, read below.

Ferry trips to the Greek islands from Turkey with visa express

Here you can find some of the available ferry connections between Turkey and the Greek islands included in the visa express program:

• Çeşme - Chios ferry: there are up to 5 daily crossings between Çeşme and Chios. The journey takes about 30 minutes and tickets start at €26.    
• Bodrum - Kos ferry: with 4-5 crossings per day, the Bodrum - Kos ferry trip takes about 30 minutes with tickets from €20.  
• Ayvalik - Lesbos ferry: there are usually up to 4 daily ferries from Lesbos (Mytilene) to Ayvalik with prices at around €20. The journey lasts between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.                                            
• Fethiye - Rhodes ferry: the ferry trip between Fethiye and Rhodes takes about 2 hours with up to 2 daily connections. Ferry ticket prices start at around €45. 
• Marmaris - Rhodes ferry: the Marmaris - Rhodes ferry connection is operated 4 times per day and tickets cost around €55. The trip to Rhodes lasts about 1 hour.
• Kuşadası - Samos ferry: there are up to 2 daily connections between Kuşadası and Samos. The journey duration ranges from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours and tickets start at €30.                                        
• Bodrum - Symi ferry: the connection between Bodrum and Symi is available with 1 weekly connection. Tickets cost around €50 and the ferry trip lasts 2 hours.  
• Bodrum - Leros ferry: there is usually 1 weekly crossing to Leros from Bodrum taking about 1.5 hours with ticket prices at around €60. 

Tip: you can find all the available ferry connections to the Greek islands from Turkey and visualize your trip on our Map of Ferries. 

Leaving the coast of Bodrum behind on the ferry to the island of Kos

How to get the visa express?

Getting the visa express is a simple process. Applications can be made through various authorized travel agencies. The process involves submitting the required documents and paying the visa fee (€60). 

However, note that applications must be submitted at least 4 business days before the travel date. Once approved by Greek authorities, the visa is issued with a special stamp on the passport.

Important note: travelers with a TRNC entry stamp (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) on their passports cannot obtain a visa for Greece. 

How much does the visa express cost?

The visa express costs €60, and the application process includes passport verification, fingerprint recording, and a review of the required documents. 

For how long is the visa express valid?

The visa express is valid for 7 days and can be issued year-round. This single-entry visa allows visitors from Turkey to stay on the designated Greek islands with no need for a Schengen visa.

However, it cannot be used to travel to other countries of the Schengen area. The visa is issued with a special stamp on the passport, and visitors must remain on the islands during their stay. 

Important note: visitors cannot extend the visa express as it is strictly valid for up to 7 days. If you want to visit a Greek island or city other than the 10 islands included in the visa express program, you must obtain a Schengen visa for Greece.

Visa express to the Greek Islands: documents required

To apply for the visa express, the following documents are typically required:

• A completed visa application form
• €60 visa fee
• A valid passport (with at least six months of validity) and a copy of the passport
• Passport-sized photos
• Travel insurance covering the period of the trip
• Proof of accommodation (round-trip travel tickets and hotel reservations)
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of your stay (3-month bank statement) 
• No TRNC visa stamp in the passport

Also note that there is no visa fee for children between the ages of 0-12, but a service fee may be charged. The service fee may vary depending on the travel agency. 

It's advisable to check the specific requirements on official websites or consult with authorized travel agencies before your trip for updates or changes to the visa process.

Tip: in the case of day trips, there is no need for proof of accommodation such as hotel reservations.