İDO İstanbul Deniz OtobüsleriİDO, one of Turkey's leading sea transportation companies, in collaboration with BTT and BADO, subsidiaries of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, has officially launched the Akçay-Lesvos sea bus line. Thanks to this new route, Akçay has regained its international customs gate status after 27 years, becoming a significant transit point in the Aegean Sea. Throughout the season, services will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, departing from Akçay Port at 07:30 AM and arriving at Lesvos Port at 09:00 AM after an approximately 90-minute journey. Return journeys will depart from Lesvos to Akçay at 17:30.
A New Bridge from İDO to the Aegean: The Akçay-Lesvos Line
İDO, known for its innovative steps in sea transportation, continues to expand its international route network in the Aegean Sea. The Akçay-Lesvos Sea Bus Line, implemented as a result of a strong collaboration with Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality's subsidiaries Balıkesir Public Transport Inc. (BTT) and the BADO brand, commenced operations with an official ceremony. With this strategic move, İDO adds a third departure point for its Lesvos services, while Akçay reopens to sea traffic as an international customs gate after more than a quarter-century.
Akçay-Lesvos Service Times and Route Information
The Akçay-Lesvos line offers passengers a comfortable sea journey of approximately 90 minutes. Services, scheduled on specific days throughout the season, are as follows:
- Departure Days: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Departure from Akçay: 07:30 AM from Akçayport
- Arrival in Lesvos: 09:00 AM at Lesvos Port, after an approximately 1.5-hour journey
- Return from Lesvos: 17:30 PM from Lesvos Port to Akçayport
In addition to this new line, İDO's Dikili-Lesvos and Ayvalık-Lesvos routes also continue their services every day of the week throughout the season. Passengers are advised to check İDO's official channels for up-to-date schedules and ticket information when planning their travels.
Contribution to Regional Development and Tourism
The Akçay-Lesvos line not only offers a new transportation alternative between two coasts but also stands out as a strategic step that will revitalize regional tourism, enhance cultural interaction, and provide significant momentum to the local economy. Visitors arriving from Lesvos will have the opportunity to discover the natural beauty, historical richness, and unique gastronomic values of Kazdağları, Akçay, and Edremit. Similarly, passengers traveling from Turkey to Lesvos can experience the island's rich cultural heritage with a comfortable and safe sea journey.
İDO General Manager Dr. Murat Orhan emphasized the importance of the new line, stating, "We are strengthening our international transportation network in the Aegean Sea every year. The Akçay-Lesvos line is not just a new service connecting two coasts; it represents a strategic investment that supports regional tourism, trade, and cultural interaction. Thanks to the strong cooperation we have established with BTT and the BADO brand, subsidiaries of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, we are delighted to make important Aegean destinations more accessible." Dr. Orhan added that İDO would continue its growth strategy in the Aegean islands and would keep offering safe, comfortable, and fast sea transportation to passengers.