Bozcaada - Geyikli Ferry Guide 2026
The Bozcaada - Geyikli ferry route is the primary transport link between Bozcaada—one of the North Aegean's most prominent tourism and agricultural hubs—and the Çanakkale mainland. Operated by Gestaş Deniz Ulaşım, this line is the island's only regular vehicle and passenger connection to the outside world. Drawing heavy traffic during the summer months due to grape harvest festivals, marine tourism, and gastronomy routes, the route also serves as critical infrastructure for the islanders' logistics, healthcare, and education needs during the winter. As of 2026, vehicle quotas and mandatory online reservations mean that passengers using this route must plan their travels well in advance.
Journey Time and Distance
The maritime distance between Bozcaada Pier and Geyikli Pier is approximately 12.0 kilometers (about 6.5 nautical miles). Under normal weather conditions, this crossing takes an average of 35 minutes on car ferries carrying both vehicles and passengers. Since Bozcaada is an island, there are no road or bridge alternatives for this route. The only way to reach the island is via this 35-minute sea voyage. All heavy vehicles supplying the island from the mainland, tour buses, and passenger cars must use this maritime corridor.
Schedules and Timetables
Ferry schedules on the Bozcaada - Geyikli route change radically between the summer and winter seasons. During the winter months (November - April), there are 3 or 4 reciprocal trips a day, while in the summer season (June - September), this increases to scheduled hourly departures. On Friday evenings, weekends, and public holidays, a "fill-and-go" (ring) system is implemented, providing continuous service without waiting for the schedule. Due to GESTAŞ's summer appointment system, passengers crossing to the island with a vehicle must check the departure times in advance and register their license plates. Before making your plans, you can check the current ferry schedules here to finalize your travel itinerary.
Tickets and Fares
The ticketing system on this route operates on a "round-trip" basis from the mainland (Geyikli). The ticket fare you pay when crossing from Geyikli to the island covers the return journey; therefore, no additional ticket or fee is requested at the toll booths when returning from Bozcaada to the mainland. Standard, student, and senior (over 65) ticket categories are available for foot passengers. For vehicle crossings, different tariffs apply for motorcycles, cars, SUVs, caravans, and buses based on axle spacing and vehicle type. Island residents (those domiciled in Bozcaada) are entitled to discounted crossings with the "Adakart" system. You can purchase your tickets at the toll booths at Geyikli Pier or via the GESTAŞ mobile application. For current pricing policies and figures according to vehicle classes, please review our Ferry Prices page.
About Bozcaada Pier
Bozcaada Pier is located right in the center of the island, immediately adjacent to the eastern walls of the historical Bozcaada Castle. The moment you step off the ferry, the island's restaurants, cafes, and boutique hotels are within walking distance. The pier square is also the hub of the island's internal transportation network; minibuses heading to popular beaches like Ayazma, Habbele, and Sulubahçe, as well as the Polente Lighthouse, depart from right across the pier. During the summer months, vehicle queues for the return journey can stretch for kilometers from the pier toward the island's ring road. Therefore, on your departure day, especially on Sunday afternoons, you must join the queue in the vehicle waiting area (staging area) at the pier well before your reservation time. For foot passengers, there are indoor cafeterias and tea gardens around the pier where they can wait during windy weather.
About Geyikli Pier
Located in the town of Geyikli in Çanakkale's Ezine district, Geyikli Pier (locally known as Yükyeri Pier) is the mainland's gateway to Bozcaada. The pier area features large, paid and free open parking lots with a capacity of thousands of vehicles for passengers who prefer to cross to the island without a car. Geyikli-Bozcaada minibuses departing from the Çanakkale city center, bus terminal, and airport come directly to the passenger drop-off platforms of the pier. The pier complex houses GESTAŞ ticket booths, clean restrooms, ATMs, kiosks, and a few seafood restaurants. After leaving Geyikli Pier, the E-87 highway connection is only 3 kilometers away for passengers heading toward İzmir by car or those directing to Marmara connection routes like Yenikapı–Yalova to cross the Dardanelles Strait.
What to Do in Çanakkale (Bozcaada and Surroundings)?
Here are the tangible locations that passengers using the Bozcaada - Geyikli route can experience along the way and at their destinations:
Bozcaada Castle: Welcoming you as the ferry approaches the island, this is one of the best-preserved castles in Turkey. Bearing Venetian, Genoese, and Ottoman traces, the castle offers a panoramic view of the island when visited in the morning.
Ayazma Beach: Located 7 km from the pier in the southwest of the island, this is a famous beach with fine sand and cold waters. It can be reached in 15 minutes by minibuses departing from the pier.
Polente Lighthouse and Windmills: The westernmost tip of the island. It is the most popular spot on the island to watch the sunset. It takes about 20 minutes by car from the center; since public transport is limited, a taxi or private vehicle is required.
Alexandria Troas Ancient City: A massive Roman-era port city located near Dalyan village, just 10 km from Geyikli Pier. It can be visited before waiting in the ferry queue or on the way back.
Troy Museum and Ancient City: Located at the Tevfikiye village turnoff when coming from Çanakkale center towards Geyikli. Opened in 2018, the museum is a critical stop for understanding the region's 5000-year history.
Vehicle vs. Foot Passenger Travel
The most strategic decision to make when traveling to Bozcaada is whether to cross with a vehicle. The Bozcaada district center is completely closed to vehicle traffic during the summer months (June-September). You can only use your vehicle to go to your hotel's parking lot (if any) or to beaches outside the center. If you are planning a short visit for the day or weekend, leaving your car in the spacious parking lots at Geyikli Pier and crossing to the island on foot is much more efficient in terms of time and cost. For vehicle crossings, the round-trip ticket fare is approximately 15-20 times that of a foot passenger ticket. Furthermore, when the vehicle quota is filled via GESTAŞ's online reservation system in the summer, vehicles without tickets are not allowed to cross to the island. However, a vehicle crossing is mandatory for those who will camp for a long time, travel in caravans, or spend time in the island's remote coves.
Cancellations, Refunds, and Weather Conditions
The North Aegean Sea is completely exposed to winds, especially the "Poyraz" (Northeaster) and "Lodos" (Southwester). During the winter months and seasonal transitions, ferry cancellations are frequent on the Bozcaada - Geyikli route due to severe storms. Although ferries can generally sail in winds up to 6-7 Beaufort, voyages are suspended by the decision of the Port Authority when enclosed pier maneuvers become dangerous. For voyages canceled due to adverse weather conditions, the fees for tickets purchased online are refunded to the card without any deductions. It is recommended that you review the wind forecasts (especially the Bozcaada marine forecast report) via the General Directorate of Meteorology 24 hours before your trip. You can follow our Current Announcements page for instant voyage cancellations and additional schedule information.
Travel Tips
- Reservation Requirement: If crossing with your vehicle in the summer, you must make a vehicle reservation for your departure and return days via the GESTAŞ website or mobile app. Entry to the pier is managed by a license plate recognition system.
- Early Arrival: Even with a reservation, be present at Geyikli or Bozcaada pier at least 45 minutes before departure for ticketing and boarding procedures.
- Seasickness: Despite being a short 35-minute journey, the crossing can be bumpy in windy weather at the intersection of strait currents and Aegean waves. Sensitive passengers are advised to travel in the middle and lower passenger lounges of the ship.
- Pets: Pets are allowed in the passenger lounges provided they are in their carriers. Large breed dogs can travel on the outer deck wearing a muzzle.
- In-Vehicle Rules: For safety reasons, passengers are prohibited from remaining inside vehicles in the enclosed garage while the ferry is underway. After parking, you must proceed to the upper passenger lounges or the open deck.
- Food and Drink: Canteens selling hot/cold beverages and snacks are available in the passenger lounges of the ferries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we have compiled the technical details that passengers are most curious about regarding the Bozcaada - Geyikli route.