Pertek - Elazığ Ferry Guide 2026 (Return)
The Pertek - Elazığ ferry is the return route of the car ferry line that crosses the Keban Dam Lake from Tunceli's Pertek district to the Elazığ side. The first ferry departs at 06:00 from the Pertek pier; sailings continue every 30 minutes until late at night, and the approximately 3-kilometer crossing takes 10-15 minutes. This route is the shortest way to reach Elazığ, Elazığ Airport, and westbound highways from Tunceli and its surroundings.
Departure Times from Pertek (2026)
- First departure: 06:00 (municipal ferry)
- Daytime schedule: Departures every 30 minutes, with the municipal ferry on the hour and private ferries (Tunceliler and Pertek-1) on the half-hour.
- Evening: Sailings become less frequent after 21:00; there are departures at 22:00 and 23:00.
- Night: The municipal ferry makes additional runs at 02:00 and 04:00; 24/7 immediate service is provided for ambulances and emergencies.
The early morning sailings are scheduled for those wishing to catch buses and flights departing from Elazığ. On busy days (especially Sunday evenings and returning from holidays), vehicle queues may form at the pier; for schedule changes, you can call the municipal ferry line at 0534 968 22 20. The departure times and route guide from Elazığ to Pertek are on a separate page.
Fares (2026)
Fares are charged per vehicle and paid at the pier; there are no online tickets. The current tariff is: car 150 TL, minibus 180 TL, pickup truck 200 TL, truck 600 TL.
Getting to Elazığ Airport from Tunceli by Ferry
The shortest route from the Tunceli city center to Elazığ Airport goes via the Pertek ferry: it is about 55 km by road from Tunceli to Pertek, followed by a 10-15 minute lake crossing, and then about 35-40 km from the Elazığ side to the airport. The total journey takes under 2 hours under normal conditions; without the ferry, the same trip via Kovancılar takes over 3 hours. It is recommended to allow extra time before your flight by factoring in the ferry frequency (30 minutes) and potential pier congestion.
Pertek Castle on the Lake
The ferry passes close to Pertek Castle, which has become an island in the middle of the dam lake. Bearing Urartian traces, the castle was situated on a rock along the banks of the Murat River before the Keban Dam impounded water in 1974; today, it is one of Tunceli's most famous landmarks and is best viewed from the ferry deck.
Piers and Connections
The Pertek Ferry Pier is located just south of the district center. From the Elazığ Ferry Pier on the opposite shore, the Elazığ city center is about 25 km away; the pier road connects to the D260/D885 highways heading toward Malatya, Diyarbakır, and Bingöl. Since Elazığ - Pertek minibuses cross via the ferry, foot passengers can also use the route without transferring.
What to Know About the Route
The route has operated continuously for over 50 years since the Keban Dam flooded the old highway in 1974, and is run by ferries from the Pertek Municipality and private operators. Once the Pertek Bridge, currently under construction by the General Directorate of Highways, is completed, the two shores will be connected by an uninterrupted road; until then, the ferry remains Tunceli's gateway to the south.