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Kos (İstanköy) Adası, Kos Town — Yunanistan Adaları · 15 active ferry routes
Located in Kos Town, the island's capital, Mandraki Port serves as the northern terminal for the Bodrum-Kos fast ferry route. It is within walking distance of the Tree of Hippocrates and Antimachia Castle.
Kos (Mandraki) Port is the main maritime gateway to Kos, one of the closest islands to the Turkish coast in Greece's Dodecanese group. Situated right in the center of Kos Town, the island's capital, this historic port hosts both commercial ferry services and tourist cruises. A center of maritime activity since antiquity, Mandraki is today a busy transit hub that perfectly blends historical charm with modern ferry infrastructure.
Just outside the port, passengers are welcomed by the massive 2,500-year-old plane tree where Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, is believed to have taught his students. Additionally, the Castle of the Knights (built in the 14th century by the Knights of St. John) showcases the island's rich history with its magnificent structure guarding the port entrance. Thanks to its proximity to the Bodrum Peninsula, it is one of the most popular and accessible routes for tourists wishing to cross from Turkey to the Greek islands.
Kos (Mandraki) Port is located at the northeastern tip of the island, at coordinates 36.8930° N latitude and 27.2880° E longitude. The port is just a few minutes' walk from Plateia Eleftherias (Eleftherias Square), the heart of Kos Town, and the Ancient Roman Agora. This central location allows disembarking passengers to reach the city center, hotels, restaurants, and car rental offices directly without needing any additional transportation.
Mandraki Port features deep-water piers for large cruise ships as well as dedicated docks used by fast catamarans and small sea buses. To manage the increased passenger traffic during the summer months, the port area includes expanded customs and passport control facilities. The port's surroundings are lined with wide, palm-fringed promenades, bicycle paths, and traditional Greek tavernas.
The vast majority of services to Kos (Mandraki) Port consist of routes departing from Turkey. Ferries departing specifically from the Bodrum district of Muğla feed the busiest route to this port. The distance between Bodrum and Kos is approximately 25 kilometers, and the journey takes between 30 and 45 minutes via fast catamarans. During the summer season, numerous daily reciprocal sailings provide great convenience for both day-trippers and long-term vacationers.
To learn about other alternative routes from the Turkish coast to the Aegean and to plan island-hopping trips, you can review our Greek Islands page. There are also regular domestic Greek ferry services from Kos to other Dodecanese islands such as Rhodes, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, and Symi. If you wish to enrich your journey with different routes, you can check out our Kuşadası–Samos Guide, one of the popular northern routes. For current ticket prices and campaign details, please visit our Ferry Prices page.
By Sea: The most practical and common way to reach the island is by sea. In addition to direct services from Turkish ports like Bodrum, Turgutreis, and Didim, large passenger ferries departing from the port of Athens (Piraeus) also regularly dock at Mandraki Port.
By Air: Kos International Airport (KGS - Hippocrates) is located in the Antimachia region, approximately 24 kilometers from the island's center. It receives direct charter flights from many major European cities, especially during the summer months. Year-round scheduled domestic flights operate from Athens and Thessaloniki.
Land and Local Transportation: The island's relatively flat geography has made cycling extremely popular. Kos Town boasts an extensive network of bicycle paths. Local public buses, known as KTEL, are used for transportation to other parts of the island (Tigaki, Marmari, Kefalos). The bus terminal is within walking distance of Mandraki Port. Additionally, there are 24/7 taxi stands and car rental agencies right outside the port.
The Kos (Mandraki) Port passenger terminal is designed to provide essential pre- and post-travel services. Inside the terminal building, there are ticket sales and check-in counters, passport control checkpoints, and customs inspection areas. The waiting lounges feature seating areas, clean restrooms, and small kiosks offering basic snacks.
Just outside the port, there are cafes and restaurants that passengers can easily reach with their luggage. A duty-free shop is located in the port's customs area, serving passengers who wish to purchase perfumes, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages on their return journey. ATMs and currency exchange offices around the port ensure quick access to cash.
Kos offers a wide range of tourist attractions, from ancient ruins and medieval castles to traditional villages and long sandy beaches. The main places you can explore the moment you step off the port include:
Kos (Mandraki) Port holds the status of an international border crossing, and specific customs and passport rules apply to passengers arriving from Turkey. To ensure a smooth crossing, legal procedures must be carefully followed.
Visa and Passport Rules: All traveling passengers must have passports valid for at least 6 months from their date of travel. Passports must also include a biometric photo. European Union citizens can enter the island using their chipped ID cards or passports.
There are two different visa procedures for Turkish citizens. If staying on the island for more than 15 days, obtaining a Schengen visa from Greek Consulates prior to travel is mandatory. However, for tourist visits of up to 15 days, travelers can take advantage of the "Gate Visa" facility implemented by the Greek government. Passengers traveling with a Gate Visa must submit the required documents to their agency a few days before their trip. The Gate Visa application eliminates the need for a Schengen visa, offering a fast-track entry option. For a detailed document list and application steps regarding the process, you can review our Passport and Visa Guide page.
Tickets, Luggage, and Check-in Procedures: Ferry tickets are issued personally and cannot be transferred to another individual. In accordance with international maritime regulations, ticket cancellations are not permitted. However, for tickets with open status, a date change can be requested at least 2 days before the departure time. If sailings are canceled due to adverse weather conditions, passengers are entitled to a full refund.
To ensure customs procedures and passport controls are completed on time, passengers must be present at the port at least 1.5 hours before the departure time. As a baggage allowance, each passenger is permitted to carry 1 standard suitcase and 1 handbag free of charge. Extra luggage is subject to a fee. According to Kos Port customs rules, the per-person limit for entry and exit is 2 liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 50 ml of perfume. Furthermore, if children under 18 are traveling with a single parent, it is a legal requirement to present a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent.
Ferry crossings between Bodrum and Kos (Mandraki) Port generally take between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the type of vessel used (fast catamaran or car ferry).
Yes, Turkish citizens must have a valid Schengen visa or a Gate Visa, which allows stays of up to 15 days, to enter Kos. Green passport holders are exempt from the visa requirement.
Due to international regulations, ticket cancellations and refunds are not permitted. However, if you have an open ticket, you can change the date at least 2 days before the departure. Full refunds are only issued if the sailing is canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
For children under 18 to travel abroad with a single parent, the non-traveling parent must provide a notarized letter of consent. Without this document, passage through passport control is not permitted.