I took the Akgünler Denizcilik “VİA-MARE” ferry from Girne in Cyprus to Tasucu in Turkey.
Having backpacked the Walled City of Famagusta, explored the Ancient City of Salamis and the Famagusta Ghost Town of Varosha, I took a dolmus from Famagusta to Girne:
It was just a short trip. And I arrived at about 1.30 pm. I had oodles of time to kill before the 11:30 pm departure. I mooched around town for a bit. After lunch, I parked myself in the George for 2 hours, where I finished up two 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:
Ferry Routes from Cyprus to Turkey:
The only Cyprus to Turkey Ferry in operation right now is the one operated by Akgünler Denizcilik, between Girne (Kyrenia) in Northern Cyprus and Taşucu in Turkey.
I don’t have any details on the sailings to Mersin from either Girne or Famagusta.
I booked via Direct Ferries.
There are 2 boats available.
The fast boat, which takes 2 hours and 30 minutes or the slow boat, which takes 6 hours. Best check the sailing times on the official sites as the schedule changes.
I planned my days in Nicosia and Famagusta around the night boat.
Arriving at the Girne Port on the north coast of Cyprus:
Girne (Kyrenia) Port
I headed off to the ferry terminal at around 7 pm. I was expecting the terminal to be modern with all the mod cons, where I could relax a bit. But the port was a bordello. There was a big hall with just a few seats, a small cafe and lots of Turkish men sitting around smoking. There was no Wi-Fi.
I had already printed out my e-Ticket, but it turned out that I needed to exchange my e-Ticket for a proper ticket, which I did at the ticket office.
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 managed to doze off a few times. The air was stuffy, and the seats were uncomfortable. The Turkish truck drivers snored and farted. We finally left at around 3 am.
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:
Arriving in Tasucu, Turkey
By 8 am, we had arrived:
I rode a Turkish Dolmus from just outside the port area to the new bus terminal in Silifke, 10 km away. 70 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:
Way cool method of travel here. We flew from Istanbul to Ercan in Northern Cyprus once. We took a taxi to Kyrenia once; what a lovely port city. I remember the harbor area being beautiful.
Funny story; Pegasus lost my luggage so I had to talk to people on Skype for 1 week – none of whom spoke much English LOL – to finally meet at the border in Nicosia to hand me the luggage, since Turkish citizens need a visa. The airlines employee met me at the border for a luggage drop off, like out of a spy movie.
Love these types of countries. ‘specially if i can travel overland.