Kos to Turkey in a day?

ManAtHome

LOL - worth it for the culture shock (I prefer Greece as well). If it's just for the mud baths though, have a trip to Thermi (I think) instead - Kos Town and turn right.

Went over to Bodrum from Kos Town - just a walk to the harbour, up to the end (dozens of boats flog you tickets, but only a couple of ferries run over). Cost around e10 a couple of years ago, nice little cruise. bit of an I spy (or not) beach without bar tables. Quite fun for the day, but wouldn't fancy being there a week or two. You can get duty-free stuff (ciggies and branded spirits) which could cover the costs, possibly heaps of 'branded' fake clothes, handbags etc if you're into that stuff as well.

Didn't have any mossie problems in Kos Town or Bodrum.

TBeckett100

the only problems in bodrum are the leaches that sell you crap.

leoetal19

dd did turkey from kos in c an hour but soooooo wish shed hadnt-hard sell, hard sell, hard sell. she hated hated it n regrteted it
hth

davidlizard

I would not not go (if you see what I mean!) based on the extremely unlikely chance of missing the boat back! Do all the sensible things (keep an eye on the time, don't go to the other side of Turkey etc) and you will be fine!

Another suggestion for a day trip is the island of Nissiros - its a volcanic island to the south of Kos and is extremely scenic. The beaches there are not the best, but if you want to go somewhere for a day off from sunbathing, then this is an option (suggest do a google). As it is to the south of Kos, this means you should be able to pick up a boat from Kardemena itself rather than hack across to Kos Town. When I was last in Kos, you get there on a regular ferry, or also by excursion boats (the former being much cheaper)

Re the mossies - My wife got eaten alive but they did not touch me - usually because I steep myself in DDT type chemicals. That was in September.

Have a good holiday!

AuntAlice

davidlizard wrote: »

It certainly is easy to visit Turkey from Kos for a day and well worth doing.

Two issues to be aware of:

1. The ferry cost can be quite steep (compared to how much ferries between greek islands) and prices can often quoted each way rather than as return fares. Do shop around to get the best fare. I have seen them advertised as high as 80 euros return, but you can get them as low as 25 Euros return, if not lower.

2. If you arrive on a charter flight, the Greek authorities have imposed a condition that you do not spend any significant time outside Greece (day trips are fine, overnight trips are not), otherwise the return part of the charter flight ticket home is forfeited. This is enforced from time to time - when we were in Kos a few years back, a group of youngish girls went over to Turkey, got carried away and missed the boat home, slept on the beach and returned the following day, and the last we saw of them the tour rep was trying to sort something out - we did not see them on the plane. It does get enforced.

See the bottom of this link for more info: http://www.expedia.co.uk/daily/wg/P41267.asp

Is there any way around this? We are travelling to Kos in June and staying for two weeks in Tingaki (Thomas Cook) and were hoping to go over to Turkey to visit friends for a couple of nights in Turgutreis. I had no idea that there would be a problem.

TBeckett100

Bodrum Is Disgustin - Dont Bother

MrsE_2

davidlizard wrote: »

I would not not go (if you see what I mean!) based on the extremely unlikely chance of missing the boat back! Do all the sensible things (keep an eye on the time, don't go to the other side of Turkey etc) and you will be fine!

Another suggestion for a day trip is the island of Nissiros - its a volcanic island to the south of Kos and is extremely scenic. The beaches there are not the best, but if you want to go somewhere for a day off from sunbathing, then this is an option (suggest do a google). As it is to the south of Kos, this means you should be able to pick up a boat from Kardemena itself rather than hack across to Kos Town. When I was last in Kos, you get there on a regular ferry, or also by excursion boats (the former being much cheaper)

Re the mossies - My wife got eaten alive but they did not touch me - usually because I steep myself in DDT type chemicals. That was in September.

Have a good holiday!

I'm intrigued, where is "the other side" of Turkey????

AuntAlice

Originally Posted by davidlizard
It certainly is easy to visit Turkey from Kos for a day and well worth doing.

Two issues to be aware of:

1. The ferry cost can be quite steep (compared to how much ferries between greek islands) and prices can often quoted each way rather than as return fares. Do shop around to get the best fare. I have seen them advertised as high as 80 euros return, but you can get them as low as 25 Euros return, if not lower.

2. If you arrive on a charter flight, the Greek authorities have imposed a condition that you do not spend any significant time outside Greece (day trips are fine, overnight trips are not), otherwise the return part of the charter flight ticket home is forfeited. This is enforced from time to time - when we were in Kos a few years back, a group of youngish girls went over to Turkey, got carried away and missed the boat home, slept on the beach and returned the following day, and the last we saw of them the tour rep was trying to sort something out - we did not see them on the plane. It does get enforced.

See the bottom of this link for more info: http://www.expedia.co.uk/daily/wg/P41267.asp

AuntAlice wrote: »

Is there any way around this? We are travelling to Kos in June and staying for two weeks in Tingaki (Thomas Cook) and were hoping to go over to Turkey to visit friends for a couple of nights in Turgutreis. I had no idea that there would be a problem.

Bumping this up.........

Any help please anyone?

davidlizard

MrsE wrote: »

I'm intrigued, where is "the other side" of Turkey????

I was exaggerating! What I was trying to say was don't go miles away from where the boat needs to be caught. Stay within an easy Dolmus ride eg a mile or three away!

All I know regarding this rule is that it was mentioned ages ago on a package tour we did (to Rhodes) ages ago, and some girls got caught out a couple of years later. I have seen it mentioned in a book (https://www.greekislandhopping.com) - it is written in bold font as if they want to make a point.

First choice have it in their terms and conditions, which can be accessed from their website (see the Visas Turkey section). Cannot see anything on the Thomas Cook site - is there anything in the brochure?
https://www.firstchoice.co.uk/flights/popups/bwpop.cfm?page=common_gemini&view=termsandconditions

Some other links - cannot vouch for accuracy or how up to date they are:
http://www.hoteltravel.com/greece/guides/transport.htm
http://www.cordialhouse.com/istanbul_guide_1.php
http://www.topuniversities.com/news/article/study_abroad_in_greece/

The rough guide also mentions the rule, but say people have been OK, and themselves appear uncertain.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fJ3gVGqB1uQC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=greece+charter+flight+turkey+invalidated&source=web&ots=gIhQ50_Zva&sig=wRFc-0lbhmm2ZHhdSsRZkuY3340&hl=en

I would seek clarification from your travel agent and make them do something to earn their crust! (and post here what they say!)

AuntAlice

davidlizard wrote: »

I was exaggerating! What I was trying to say was don't go miles away from where the boat needs to be caught. Stay within an easy Dolmus ride eg a mile or three away!

All I know regarding this rule is that it was mentioned ages ago on a package tour we did (to Rhodes) ages ago, and some girls got caught out a couple of years later. I have seen it mentioned in a book (www.greekislandhopping.com) - it is written in bold font as if they want to make a point.

First choice have it in their terms and conditions, which can be accessed from their website (see the Visas Turkey section). Cannot see anything on the Thomas Cook site - is there anything in the brochure?
https://www.firstchoice.co.uk/flights/popups/bwpop.cfm?page=common_gemini&view=termsandconditions

Some other links - cannot vouch for accuracy or how up to date they are:
http://www.hoteltravel.com/greece/guides/transport.htm
http://www.cordialhouse.com/istanbul_guide_1.php
http://www.topuniversities.com/news/article/study_abroad_in_greece/

The rough guide also mentions the rule, but say people have been OK, and themselves appear uncertain.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fJ3gVGqB1uQC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=greece+charter+flight+turkey+invalidated&source=web&ots=gIhQ50_Zva&sig=wRFc-0lbhmm2ZHhdSsRZkuY3340&hl=en

I would seek clarification from your travel agent and make them do something to earn their crust! (and post here what they say!)

Thanks for your help, I'll have a good read of your links later. I've e mailed Thomas Cook and will post their reply. I don't want to end up paying for our flight home, if there is a risk we will just visit them for a day in Turgutreis.