About Sun Lines
Safely navigating the cool waters of the Aegean Sea since 2005, Sun Lines is an alternative ferry operator bringing a dynamic breath to maritime transport between Turkey and Greece. Established to optimally meet the increasing holidaymaker demand, especially during the summer months, the company has a service approach centered on customer satisfaction and fast transportation. Aiming to be the pleasant starting point of your holiday rather than just a means of transport, Sun Lines bridges Çeşme and Chios with years of experience.
Standing out with its summer season-focused operations, the company offers a practical, reliable, and comfortable option for those who want to make their holiday plans on the opposite shore of the Aegean. Traveling on one of the Aegean's most beautiful routes, adding the unique Greek Islands atmosphere to your holiday is much easier with Sun Lines. With its services complying with modern maritime standards, the company brings thousands of domestic and foreign tourists together with the historical and natural beauties of Chios every year.
Fleet and Vessels
The Sun Lines fleet consists of fast passenger ferries specially designed to minimize travel time while maximizing passenger comfort. Forming the backbone of its fleet, the fast catamaran-type passenger ferries named Sun Trip and Sun Star offer a safe and smooth journey experience even in the windy waters of the Aegean. Having no vehicle carrying capacity, these vessels are designed entirely for the fast and comfortable transfer of foot passengers.
For the comfort of passengers, the vessels feature ergonomic seats, air conditioning systems, and large windows. Under the luggage rules, each passenger is entitled to carry 1 standard-size suitcase and 1 additional handbag free of charge. Extra luggage exceeding these limits is subject to a nominal additional fee. The friendly staff on board is ready to assist you from the beginning to the end of your journey.
Routes Served
Sun Lines has optimized its operations entirely according to the dynamics of the summer season and serves exclusively on the Çeşme - Chios route. Crossings are carried out with an intensified schedule between May and September, when the tourism season is at its liveliest. To meet the high demand for the island during this period, crossings planned as morning departures and evening returns also provide excellent flexibility for day-trippers.
Departing from Çeşme Ulusoy Port, the ferries dock at the main port in the center of Chios in a short time. Before your trip, you can easily find the most suitable tickets for your budget by reviewing our current Ferry Prices page. For a smooth boarding process, you must be present at the pier at least 1.5 hours before the departure time to complete your check-in and passport control procedures.
Ticket Purchasing Process
Buying tickets for Sun Lines ferries is a very simple and transparent process. In accordance with international maritime rules, all purchased tickets are issued personally and cannot be transferred to another person under any circumstances. During the ticket purchase, passenger information must exactly match the information in the passport. Incorrectly declared information may result in denied entry at border gates.
There is an important rule that families with children should pay special attention to; if a child under the age of 18 is traveling with only one parent or a third party, it is a legal requirement to obtain a notarized consent letter (permission document) from the non-traveling parent(s) and present it to the border police.
Passport and Border Crossing
International border crossing rules apply to sea journeys from Turkey to Greece. All traveling passengers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months as of the travel date and a biometric photograph. Visa processes for Turkish citizens are quite flexible. For short-term tourist visits up to 15 days, the "Gate Visa" application is valid upon entry to Greece, and in this case, a pre-obtained Schengen visa is not required. However, for stays longer than 15 days, a standard Schengen visa application is mandatory.
European Union (EU) citizens can travel freely with only their chipped identity cards or passports. According to customs rules, there are certain restrictions on the products passengers can bring with them; the limit per person is set at 2 liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 50 ml of perfume. To access the most up-to-date and detailed information about visa and passport processes, we strongly recommend visiting our Passport and Visa Guide page.
Cancellations, Refunds, and Adverse Weather
Due to international regulations in maritime transport, standard cancellation and refund procedures cannot be made for purchased ferry tickets. However, Sun Lines offers an "open ticket" application to provide flexibility to its passengers. In case of a change in your travel plans, you can convert your ticket to an open ticket or change the date up to 2 days (48 hours) before the departure time.
Safety is always the top priority. Therefore, in the event that the ferry crossing is canceled by the company due to adverse weather conditions approved by official authorities (storm, strong wind, etc.) or force majeure, passengers are refunded the full ticket fare (full refund) without any deductions. In such cases, passengers are instantly informed via SMS or email.