GESTAŞ Deniz UlaşımFollowing the toll hike for the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge on July 1, 2026, crossing the strait by ferry has become 445 TL more economical for car owners. In mid-July, long queues are forming at the vehicle ticket booths of the Çanakkale Ferry Terminal.
Bridge and Ferry Fare Comparison
According to the tariff announced by the General Directorate of Highways, car tolls on the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge increased from 995 TL to 1,170 TL, an increase of approximately 17.6 percent. GESTAŞ also updated its ferry tariff on July 11, 2026, but the increase for cars and motorcycles remained at 5 percent. Consequently, the price difference between the two options has widened.
| Vehicle class | 1915 Çanakkale Bridge | Çanakkale – Eceabat ferry | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 1.170 TL | 725 TL | 445 TL |
| Minibus / light commercial | 1.465 TL | 970 TL | 495 TL |
| Motorcycle | 295 TL | 185 TL | 110 TL |
The Çanakkale – Kilitbahir route is slightly more economical: 715 TL for cars and 140 TL for motorcycles. For a round-trip journey, the difference between the bridge and the ferry for a car increases to 890 TL. Pedestrian passage on the ferry is 35 TL, 18 TL for those over 65, and 9 TL for students.
Situation at the Pier
Our observation at the pier on the afternoon of July 19, 2026, showed that the queue at the vehicle booths stretched along the Kordon towards the city center. In the queue, there were vehicles with license plates from various provinces like Bursa and Adana, as well as foreign-plated cars. July–August is already the busiest period for this route; the price advantage, combined with holiday traffic, is one of the factors extending the queues.
What to Do on Busy Days?
- Choose your time: Early morning and late evening sailings are significantly calmer than daytime hours.
- Alternative route: If the queues at Çanakkale booths are long, the Lapseki – Gelibolu route is usually more fluid and operates every half hour.
- Kilitbahir option: The Çanakkale – Kilitbahir route is both cheaper and has lower vehicle density compared to Eceabat.
- Consider the time difference: Ferry crossings and waiting in queues take longer than crossing the bridge. For passengers in a hurry, the bridge remains the faster option.
For current sailing times, you can check our Çanakkale – Eceabat ferry schedules page.
Bridge tolls are based on the General Directorate of Highways' 2026 tariff, and ferry fares are based on GESTAŞ's updated tariff dated July 11, 2026. Photos were taken by us at Çanakkale Ferry Terminal on July 19, 2026.