Taking the Ferry from Girne (Kyrenia) to Tasucu - Cyprus to Turkey
Posted: May 9, 2025 | Tagged: Northern Cyprus, Turkey, Border Crossings
From Girne (Kyrenia) in Northern Cyprus, I took the Akgünler Denizcilik ferry, the "VİA-MARE", to Tasucu in Turkey.
Having backpacked the Walled City of Famagusta, explored the Ancient City of Salamis and the Ghost Town of Varosha, I took a dolmus from Famagusta to Girne:
It was just a short trip. And I arrived about 1.30 pm. I had oodles of time to kill before the 11:30 pm departure. I mooched around town, took a long lunch, drank tea in a few places, parked myself in the George for 2 hours, drinking ice tea with lemon, and finished up 2 blog posts.
Kyrenia is the Greek name. Girne is the Turkish name. Making sure I have photos is an important part of being a blogger:
Girne-Tasucu-Girne is the only route between Cyprus and Turkey in operation just now. I have no details on any sailings to Mersin from either Girne nor Famagusta.
I booked via Direct Ferries.
There are 2 boats available.
The fast boat which takes 2 hours 30 minutes or the slow boat which takes 6 hours. Best check the sailing times on the official sites as the schedule changes.
I was opting for the slow night boat out of Girne, so I planned my days in Nicosia and Famagusta around that particular ferry crossing.
Arriving at the Girne Port on the north coast of Cyprus:
I booked via Direct Ferries.
There are 2 boats available.
The fast boat which takes 2 hours 30 minutes or the slow boat which takes 6 hours. Best check the sailing times on the official sites as the schedule changes.
I was opting for the slow night boat out of Girne, so I planned my days in Nicosia and Famagusta around that particular ferry crossing.
Arriving at the Girne Port on the north coast of Cyprus:
As instructed in the confirmation email, I printed off my e-Ticket. I had to be at the ferry terminal 2 hours before departure. I headed there around 7 pm, thinking it would be a nice modern port with all the mod cons, and I could relax there a bit. Well, the port is a bordello. There is a big hall with some seats, a few electrical outlets, most were broken, a small cafe and lots of Turkish men, sitting around smoking. Yes, passive smoking is still a big thing in Turkey. There is no Wi-Fi.
Proceeding through security and then immigration, it turned out I need to exchange my e-Ticket for a proper ticket, so back out of the terminal building to the ticket office to get the paper ticket:
Proceeding through security and then immigration, it turned out I need to exchange my e-Ticket for a proper ticket, so back out of the terminal building to the ticket office to get the paper ticket:
Back through the security, through immigration, I get an exit stamp from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
Then, walking through the port, trying to avoid the trucks, zero health and safety, onto the boat, up 3 flights of steps to the lounge and to my seat, B20:
11:30 pm came and went. I tried to rest. I had 4 seats just for me. I dozed off a few times. The air was stuffy, the Turkish truck drivers snored and farted. At 2:30 am we were still in port.
It was just before 3 am when we finally left.
It wasn't a comfortable experience. I opted not to take cabin as the price was a bit steep, but going economy came at a cost:
It was just before 3 am when we finally left.
It wasn't a comfortable experience. I opted not to take cabin as the price was a bit steep, but going economy came at a cost:
Nomadic Backpacker, traveller, travel blogger, looking like shit after the night boat from Girne to Tasucu (to be honest, I felt fresher after running a half marathon):
By 8 am, we had arrived. I followed the other foot passengers out, got my Turkish entry stamp and straight on to a minivan for 70 TL that took me to the bus terminal in Silifke, 10km away.
Dolmuses wait for the ferry and take passengers to the new bus terminal, 10 km away in Silifke. 10 TL, cash only:
By 9 am, I was on a bus bound for Adana.
After checking into my hotel, I got cleaned up and went backpacking. Sabanci Central Mosque in Adana, Turkey:
