Ferry from Turkey to Northern Cyprus. Full guide.

Everyone who is going to Northern Cyprus for a long stay faces a difficult choice: how to move to the country by car?

Since Cyprus is an island, there is only one way to travel by car – use a ferry from Turkey.

Ferries to Northern Cyprus

During the summer, several ferries run from Turkey to Northern Cyprus. Year-round ferry departs from the small port town of Tasucu, located between Alanya and Mersin.

There are two transport companies in the city, the ferries of one of them go to Northern Cyprus at night, the ferries of the second – during the day. Travel time takes 6-7 hours.

Night ferry Tasucu – Girne

The Akgunler Denizcilik ferry departs Tasucu for Cyprus on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 23:30, and leaves for Turkey the next day at 14:00.

Ferry tickets can be bought online on the website, or at the box office (online will be cheaper).

The cost of a ferry from Turkey to Northern Cyprus in June 2023 is 3650 TL (sedan/hatchback passenger car + driver).

Despite the fact that the approximate departure time of the ferry is 23:30, we recommend arriving at the port at least 2 hours before departure.

Port location

You have to go on the ship “Via Mare”, which can accommodate 470 passengers, 260 cars and 46 trucks. Since the ship is quite old and “worn out”, a trip on it is unlikely to seem like a romantic boat trip.

To spend time more comfortably, we advise you to book a cabin in advance (the number is limited, there are cabins for 2 and 4 people). Otherwise, you will have to huddle in the common room on uncomfortable chairs.

Inside there is a mini-buffet where you can buy tea, coffee and small snacks like nuts and chips. Don’t count on a generous Turkish breakfast, unfortunately.

Day ferry Tasucu – Girne

Those who prefer day trips to night trips should contact the transport company Fili Denizcilik. Ferries depart from Tasucu at 14:00. Tickets will cost 2800-3500 TL for a driver with a small car.

The trip and the conditions of stay on board do not differ from the competitor company, so we will not focus on this.

High-speed ferry Tasucu – Girne

There is a much faster way to get from Turkey to Cyprus – the sea bus “Flying Anka”, which runs between the countries daily in the summer.

The ferry departs from Tasucu at 15:00, and you will be in Girne in 2.5 hours. In June 2023, a ticket for one adult will cost 1287 TL, with a car – almost 5000 TL.

Ferry Mersin – Girne

The ferry trip from Mersin to Girne takes 4 hours. The ship departs Turkey in the summer on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 12:00. This option is only available to passengers without a car, the ticket price in June 2023 is 1029 TL.

Ferry Mersin – Famagusta

The TOROS ferry from Mersin to Famagusta departs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 20:00. The ticket price for one adult (+small car) is 2500 TL.

The ship can accommodate 400 passengers, 14 trucks and 25 cars. Available mini-buffet, internet and TV.

Loading on a ship

The “floor” of the vessel on which it is to be parked and, accordingly, the waiting time for loading will depend on what kind of car you have. Small cars go first, then trucks, and lastly crossovers.

After passport control, passengers can immediately go on board, the driver, after photographing and videoing the car, needs to go to passport control and car registration, after which you can call on the ferry.

Documents that you need to have with you: car registration certificate, passport, tickets.

Important to know before boarding the ferry Türkiye – Northern Cyprus

Keep in mind that when leaving Turkey, you will be asked to pay all available traffic fines, otherwise you simply will not be allowed out of the country. Download the GIB app in advance to be ready for any trouble.

Pets are only accepted in the passenger lounge in cages measuring 105 cm x 73 cm x 79 cm. If your pet’s cage does not fit into the dimensions, he will have to spend time on deck. Unfortunately, no animals are allowed in the cabins.

Arrival in Northern Cyprus

After arriving at the Girne port and waiting in line for unloading, you will need to drive to the passport control building and leave the car in the parking lot.

At the entrance to the building, you will need to buy car insurance at the kiosk (minimum number of days – 30) and pay the car import duty.

Important:

Please pay attention to the number of allowed days for the car to stay in the country. After this period, you will either need to leave the country or pay an annual car tax.

The driver and passengers then need to go through passport control, after which you go by car to the checkpoint, hand over all the documents and leave for the city.

There is left-hand traffic in Cyprus, so do not forget to change lanes, otherwise you will be unpleasantly surprised by fines for improper driving.