Aliaport–Lesvos Now Daily: 25,000 Passengers in 3.5 Months

Aliaport Port in Aliağa district of İzmir carried 25,000 passengers in the first 3.5 months on its Lesvos routes, which commenced on April 10, 2026. The line initially opened in April with a weekend-only schedule; with schools closing on June 26, services were increased to 7 days a week. Faruk Altun, an official from Aliaport Port Operations Inc., stated that they aim for 50-70 thousand passengers by the end of the season.

25,000 Passengers in 3.5 Months at Aliaport: The Line's Initial Season Performance

Aliaport is the newest gateway from Turkey to the Greek islands. The figures provided by Altun indicate that the line is growing faster than expected: "Our services, which we operated only on weekends in April, became daily as of June 26 with the closing of schools and continue 7 days a week. So far, we have carried 25,000 passengers."

The port has become a popular destination not only for those traveling from Turkey to Lesvos but also for passengers traveling in the opposite direction, from various European countries to Turkey via Lesvos. The season is expected to last until October.

Aliağa–Lesvos Services Now 7 Days a Week

The line is operated by a consortium of Turyol and Jalem Tur. According to our current records, departures from Aliağa Port are at 08:00, and returns from Lesvos (Mytilini) Port are at 17:30. This schedule is valid until October 31; the winter timetable has not yet been announced.

For passengers wishing to make a day trip, there is approximately 7-8 hours to spend on the island. For current departure times and possible changes, you can follow the Aliağa–Lesvos and Lesvos–Aliağa ferry schedule pages.

Catamaran or Ferry? Two Different Journey Durations on the Same Route

The most confusing aspect of the Aliağa–Lesvos route is that services are operated by two different types of vessels. According to Altun's statement, the duration difference exceeds one hour:

Altun summarizes this difference as follows: "While the ferry's size and amenities offer a comfortable journey, the catamaran stands out for providing faster travel. Our passengers choose between these two options based on their preference for time or comfort." It is important to check which vessel you will be traveling with when purchasing your ticket, especially for passengers with connecting return journeys.

Aliaport's Advantages: Free Parking, İZBAN Shuttle, and No Port Tax

Aliaport offers three tangible advantages compared to other border gates:

• Free parking: There is a parking lot with a capacity of approximately 200 vehicles within the port area, and no fee is charged. Finding parking at busy ports like Ayvalık can be a serious problem during peak season.
• Free İZBAN shuttle: A free two-way shuttle service operates between the İZBAN station and the port for passengers arriving without a vehicle.
• No port tax: No port tax or usage fee is collected at Aliaport.

Altun also highlighted the port's direct connection to the highway and its proximity to İzmir city center. He noted that passport and security checks proceed quickly due to the high number of X-ray machines and counters in the terminal.

Car Ferries and Truck Transport on the Agenda for Next Season

Currently, the line only carries passengers; you cannot take your car to Lesvos. However, this situation does not appear to be permanent. Altun stated that during their visit to Lesvos two weeks ago with Aliağa District Governor and Mayor Serkan Acar, they met with the island's governor and mayor: "In line with the vision presented, we plan to start our infrastructure work for car ferry and truck transportation in the upcoming season."

For those wishing to travel to Lesvos with a vehicle, the only option today is the Ayvalık–Lesvos route. For details on the route, you can check our Ayvalık–Lesvos ferry guide.

Altun also mentioned Aliağa Mayor Serkan Acar's plan for the region: to add a port city integrated with a marina, yacht, and sailing club, where cruise ships dock and passenger ferries operate, alongside the bay's industrial identity.

Duty Free Opens When 30,000 Passenger Threshold is Exceeded

According to regulations, for a Duty Free store to open at a border gate, the annual passenger count must exceed 30,000. Aliaport is just below this threshold with 25,000 passengers. Altun stated that once the threshold is crossed, the duty-free area is planned to open for service towards the end of the year.

Aliağa–Lesvos Ticket Prices 2026

According to our current records, the passenger fare for the route is as follows:

Purchasing a round-trip ticket saves 25 € per adult. As prices can be updated during the season, it is advisable to check the latest fares on the Aliağa–Lesvos ferry schedule page before booking.

Other Ferry Routes to Lesvos from Turkey

Lesvos is one of the closest Greek islands to Turkey and has connections from three different points:

• Ayvalık–Lesvos: The most established route, lasting approximately 75 minutes and capable of carrying vehicles. Operated by Jalem Tur.
• Akçay–Lesvos: BADO's 90-minute passenger services. Details in our Akçay–Lesvos guide.
• Aliağa–Lesvos: The newest connection from İzmir; reaching the island in 50 minutes by catamaran.

If you wish to compare other islands accessible from Turkey, our Ferries from Turkey to the Greek Islands 2026 guide gathers all routes on a single page.

Visa and Passport for Travel to Lesvos

Lesvos is on the list of islands where visa-on-arrival is applicable for Turkish citizens. For application conditions, required documents, and fees, refer to the Greek Islands Visa-on-Arrival 2026 guide. To plan where to go on the island, our Lesvos (Mytilini) travel guide will make your job easier.

You can follow our announcements page for route changes, weather-related cancellations, and new fare announcements.