My wife and I will be on the Best of Turkey tour in April 2024. Rather than fly to Istanbul and back to the US we are considering going to Crete or Rhodes by ferry if that is possible. We realize that we can ferry to Samos from Izmir, but once on Samos are there ferries available to get us to Crete or Rhodes? What kind of experience has anyone had with ferries or would it be better to try and fly to Crete or Rhodes? We appreciate your comments. Thank you.
Posted by
Oregon
230 posts
These two islands are in different island groups than Samos. April is before the ferry system gears up for tourists. So, most ferries will be set up for local travel within their island groups and may only have once a week service. If ferry connections are available, it can be at least 12 hours of traveling.
To fly, Izmir to Heraklion, Crete, is as little as 3 hours transferring through Athens. Izmir to Rhodes is 5-1/2 hours transferring through Athens. Samos would have similar flights through Athens, in addition to the ferry and taxi to Samos airport. Your tour gives you a free ride to the Izmir airport in the morning of your last day.
Another option if you want a ferry ride, is to bus to Fethiye, Türkiye, and ferry to Rhodes.
Edited to add: Expedia currently lists connecting flights as cheap as $68 Izmir to Rhodes in April.
Posted by
OP
Florida
7 posts
Very helpful. Thank you.