Update (June 2026): The start date for the Akçay-Lesvos route has been announced! The first voyage will take place on July 17, 2026. The route will be operated by BADO - Balıkesir Deniz Otobüsleri (contact: 0850 307 8010). A special summer season schedule will be implemented; exact sailing days and departure times will be updated as they are announced by the operator. For the route's schedule page, visit Akçay-Lesvos ferry schedules.
A concrete step has been taken for the long-discussed maritime connection between Akçay, the popular holiday resort of the Gulf of Edremit, and Lesvos (Mytilini), Greece's largest island in the North Aegean. It has been reported that the ministry approvals for the Akçay-Lesvos ferry route are complete, and a test run is expected in the upcoming period. Once the route becomes operational, a brand new door will open for tourism in the Gulf of Edremit.
Below, we have compiled the operating company, the announced start date, the services to be offered, and transportation options to Lesvos.
Latest Updates on the Akçay-Lesvos Ferry Route (2026)
An important milestone has been passed for the planned tour services from Akçay Port to Lesvos. According to the information obtained, the official permission processes required to open the route are largely complete:
- Approvals from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure have been obtained,
- Necessary customs and border gate processes are progressing under the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Trade / General Directorate of Customs,
- The next stage is the test run, which will evaluate the technical and operational suitability of the route.
This process has been completed, and the first voyage of the route has been announced as July 17, 2026. The route will be operated by BADO - Balıkesir Deniz Otobüsleri; for reservations and information, you can call 0850 307 8010. A special summer season schedule will be implemented, and exact departure times and days will be updated as they are announced by the operator.
Operating Company and Services Offered
The Akçay-Lesvos route will be operated by BADO - Balıkesir Deniz Otobüsleri. The first voyage will take place on July 17, 2026; for reservations and information, you can call 0850 307 8010. The main services planned to be offered on the route include:
- Fast and safe maritime transport (passengers only)
- Door visa opportunity — Lesvos is included in the door visa program for Turkish citizens
- Car rental support
- Travel health insurance
- e-SIM (international internet) service
- Special summer season schedule
Exact sailing days and departure times will be updated on the Akçay-Lesvos schedules page and in this guide as they are announced by the operator.
Why is the Akçay-Lesvos Route Important?
Akçay, along with Altınoluk, Güre, Edremit, and Burhaniye, forms the busiest tourism corridor of the Gulf of Edremit. The region is flooded with both domestic and foreign visitors during the summer months. On the opposite shore, Lesvos is a destination well-known to Turkish tourists, famous for its olive oil, ouzo, and tranquil island life. The opening of a maritime route that will directly connect the two shores is of great importance as it will:
- Bring new dynamism to Gulf tourism,
- Provide economic contributions to local tradesmen in and around Akçay,
- Strengthen the tourism traffic between Turkey and Greece,
- Make day trips to the island possible for those vacationing in the Gulf.
Currently, the closest maritime connection from the Gulf of Edremit to the Greek islands is provided via the Ayvalık-Lesvos route; once the Akçay route opens, a direct alternative will emerge for the towns in the northern part of the gulf.
Expected Schedule Information: Duration, Distance, and Fares (Estimated)
The first voyage is on July 17, 2026. The duration and distance values below are estimated; exact sailing days, departure times, and prices will become clear when announced by the operator (BADO).
| Information | Estimated Status |
|---|---|
| Departure port | Akçay Port (Edremit, Balıkesir) |
| Arrival port | Mytilini Port, Lesvos / Greece |
| Operator | BADO - Balıkesir Deniz Otobüsleri (0850 307 8010) |
| First voyage | July 17, 2026 |
| Route type | Passenger ferry |
| Estimated travel time | Approximately 1.5–2 hours (unconfirmed) |
| Operating period | Summer season starting July 17, 2026 |
| Ticket price | To be announced by the operator (0850 307 8010) |
| Vehicle transport | None — passengers only (car rental available on the island) |
This table will be updated with actual departure times and the current price tariff once the route is officially opened.
How to Get to Lesvos Before the Services Start?
Until the Akçay route opens, the most practical way to reach Lesvos from the Gulf of Edremit is to use the existing routes via Ayvalık, just south of the gulf:
- Ayvalık-Lesvos ferry: The closest active Turkey-Greece route to the Gulf of Edremit, operating with daily services during the summer season. The crossing by fast catamaran takes about 45 minutes. Ayvalık can be reached from Akçay in a short time by road. For departure times and current prices, you can check our Ayvalık-Lesvos ferry guide.
- Aliağa-Lesvos route: Another direct connection for those coming from the direction of Izmir.
For places to visit, beaches, and the Turkish heritage of the island, you can review our detailed Lesvos travel guide.
Similarly, for another planned but not yet started route from the Enez district of Edirne to the Greek islands, you can follow our Enez-Samothrace-Thassos ferry guide.
Lesvos Island: Places to Visit
As the third largest island in Greece, Lesvos is a destination that preserves its authentic texture, away from crowded island tourism. Highlights of the island for visitors arriving via the Akçay-Lesvos route include:
- Mytilini (Lesvos city): Neoclassical mansions stretching along the port, a castle bearing Byzantine-Ottoman traces, and a lively bazaar.
- Molyvos (Mithymna): The most photogenic town on the island with its hilltop castle and stone streets.
- Petrified Forest: A UNESCO-protected geopark featuring fossilized trees that are millions of years old.
- Plomari and ouzo culture: This town in the south of the island is the center of world-famous ouzo production.
- Thermal springs: Healing hot water springs in Eftalou and Polichnitos.
- Olives and olive oil: The island is famous for its countless olive groves and traditional oil presses.
For Turkish visitors, Lesvos is a neighbor with strong cultural ties, bearing the traces of important figures from the history of the Republic.
Visa and Passport for Turkish Citizens
Lesvos is part of Greece and therefore the Schengen Area. Entry rules to the island for Turkish citizens are as follows:
- Lesvos is included in the "10 islands door visa" (express visa) program for Turkish citizens. Under this program, a door visa for up to 7 days can be obtained for short tourist visits.
- The crossing is an international maritime border; you must travel with a valid passport. ID cards are not accepted, and it is recommended that the passport be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.
- Since the scope and fees of the door visa program are updated from time to time, we recommend confirming the current conditions before traveling.
Once the route is officially opened, we will add details regarding customs and passport procedures at Akçay Port (such as how many minutes early you need to arrive) to this page.
Transportation from Akçay Port and the Gulf of Edremit
Akçay is a popular holiday resort on the northern coast of the gulf, connected to the Edremit district of Balıkesir. Together with the surrounding Altınoluk, Güre, Edremit, and Burhaniye, it forms a dense tourism region. Transportation to the area:
- By road: There are regular bus services to the Gulf of Edremit from Izmir, Çanakkale, and Balıkesir; the center of Akçay is close to these routes.
- By air: The nearest airports are Balıkesir Koca Seyit (Edremit) and Izmir Adnan Menderes.
- Port: Akçay Port is within walking distance of the town center, and it is expected to be made suitable for international passenger operations with the opening of the route.
We update this page regularly. The first voyage of the Akçay-Lesvos route will take place on July 17, 2026; as the operator BADO announces the exact schedule and ticket prices, we will share the details here and on the Akçay-Lesvos schedules page.
