Ferry travel with an infant or child can be both enjoyable and stressful. In this guide, you will find ticket fares by age group, child-friendly amenities on board, safety tips, and things to keep in mind for long journeys.
Ticket Fares by Age Group
For most ferry operators in Turkey, child tickets are priced in three categories based on age group:
- 0-6 years (Infant): Generally entitled to free travel. For İDO and BUDO, no ticket is required for infants traveling on a lap.
- 6-12 years (Child): Travel at %50 of the adult ticket price. Purchasing a child ticket is mandatory.
- Over 12 years: Adult fare applies.
Important note: Even when using the free travel right for an infant, there are operators where ticket reservation is required (such as on busy routes like the GESTAŞ Bozcaada line).
Child-Friendly Amenities on Ferries
On large ferries (especially İDO, BUDO, and large GESTAŞ vessels):
- Baby care room: Diaper changing station (available on all İDO sailings)
- Child seat: High chairs, specially designed seating areas
- Baby food heating: Can be requested from cafeteria staff
- Mother-child lounge: Dedicated quiet area on some spacious ferries
- Kids menu: Simple alternatives like sandwiches, pasta, and fruit
- Wi-Fi: Free internet for movies/games on a tablet
Safety Tips
Since the ferry is surrounded by the open sea, additional safety precautions are necessary:
- Hold hands: Do not let go of your child's hand on the open deck.
- Life-saving equipment: You can request a child-sized life jacket for children under 7 years old; provided free of charge.
- Do not climb railings: Discourage your child from climbing on railings or stairs.
- Water movements: Stay in the indoor lounge during high wave conditions.
- Loss prevention: On a crowded ferry, place a written card with your contact information in your little child's pocket (staff will contact you if they get lost).
Needs for Long Journeys
For journeys of 1 hour or more (Yenikapı-Bandırma 2.5 hours, Geyikli-Bozcaada 35 mins + waiting, Mudanya-Kadıköy 1.5 hours):
- Spare clothes: In case of food/drink spills or wind.
- Snacks: Biscuits, fruit, water (cafeteria prices are high at sea).
- Headphones: So the child does not disturb others while watching a tablet.
- Favorite toy/book: To pass the time if Wi-Fi is limited.
- Diapers/baby food: Bring an adequate spare amount; onboard supplies are limited.
- Wet wipes: For wiping hands, tables, and toys.
- Biscuits/candy: Triggers swallowing when a baby's ears pop (pressure from tunnels/direction changes).
Seasickness (Nausea) in Children
Children are more susceptible to seasickness than adults. Prevention steps:
- Feed them a light meal 30 minutes before the journey (not too full, but not hungry either).
- If possible, sit on the middle deck (swaying is felt less).
- Ensure the child focuses on the horizon; tell them not to look at a tablet for too long.
- If aged 6+, keep children's dimenhydrinate from the pharmacy handy (with a doctor's prescription if necessary).
- Getting some fresh breeze is soothing; the open deck helps.
Strollers and Child Seats
Bringing a stroller onto the ferry is free, and you can usually park it on the car deck. During the journey, your stroller must remain stationary on the upper deck (walkers are not recommended instead of belted seats due to swaying).
If you are traveling on a car ferry, you can leave your child seat in your vehicle; however, sitting inside the vehicle with your child during the journey is prohibited; you must go up to the upper deck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do infants need a ticket?
Infants aged 0-6 travel for free on most operators when sitting on a lap. However, on busy routes like the GESTAŞ Bozcaada/Gökçeada line, reservation is mandatory (a seat is reserved even if there is no fee).
At what age does a child ticket no longer apply?
For İDO, GESTAŞ, and BUDO, child tickets are valid up to 12 years of age. The adult fare applies to those over 12.
Is there a facility to heat baby food on the ferry?
Yes, you can request the cafeteria staff to heat baby food; it is free of charge. Hot water is available on every vessel.
Can I board a car ferry with a child?
Yes, but the child must travel on the upper deck, not inside the vehicle during the journey. According to car ferry rules, the vehicle deck is closed during the voyage.
What should I do if my child gets seasick?
A light meal, sitting on the middle deck, focusing on the horizon, and getting fresh air on the open deck will help. For children over 6, medication containing dimenhydrinate can be taken 30 minutes before the journey with a doctor's recommendation.
