Following our RS tour we need to get to Marmaris, Turkey, where we will catch a ferry to our next stop on the island of Rhodes. Any insights or tips on the best way to get from Kuşadası to Marmaris? Thank you!
Posted by
Connecticut
728 posts
I’m a pre planner and would want the answer before departure. I secured a ferry ticket, bus designation, and flight for my post RS Turkey tour travels. However, rest assured that your RS tour guide will have the resources to obtain this information if you don’t receive it ahead of time or if you’re uncertain about what you discover. Inquire during your first days of the tour. Although I’ve never used it the RS office might be able to help. Does your tour package indicate an opportunity for consultation?
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2559 posts
You may want to consider hiring a shuttle or taxi for part or all of the journey from Kusadasi to Marmaris and here’s why: To get from Kusadasi to Marmaris by bus, you first need to travel 30 minutes by bus from Kusadasi to the bus station in the city of Soke. From Soke’s bus station, you then take a 1-hour bus to Aydin- the city which is headquarters for Aydin province. From Aydin, you then take a 2:45 bus to get to Marmaris. The entire journey takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes but obviously that is dependent on the transfers between buses having minimal layovers at the bus stations. You might want to overnight in Marmaris to be certain you make your ferry on time. The ferry companies require that you be at the ferry terminal 60 or 90 minutes before departure time as the formalities at the ferry port take some time to process all the passengers. You have to buy your ferry ticket or present it along with your passport, visa and pay a port departure tax ( when I took a ferry from Bodrum to Kos last year, the port tax had to be paid in cash and it had to be Turkish Lira).
You could simplify and shorten the trip by hiring a
a taxi from Kusadasi to Aydin which should cost about $10-$20 for the 60-minute trip. Then, you’ll only need to catch the bus from Aydin to Marmaris.
You can check to see if bus schedules become available at www.BusBud.com or www.GetByBus.com Bus tickets for Turkey can be bought online through BusBud.com
Posted by
OP
Seattle area
67 posts
Thank you for these responses!
They cancelled all the RS travel consultations for the rest of 2023 to focus staff on tours (according to the RS website). We had hoped to book an hour with a consultant to go through all our post-tour plans, but that just wasn't an option.
I checked out the bus connections and I am not sure that would work for us. I think we would do better with a more direct route. I appreciate the insight and it was helpful to explore this option - thank you!
I ended up booking a private transport with Kusadasi Ephesus Taxi Service. They have a high rating on TripAdvisor and the gentleman was quick to respond and even called me via WhatsApp to confirm the details. I was very impressed!
Here is his website, in case anyone else would find this helpful:
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2559 posts
Good plan! Rhodes’ Old Town is absolutely amazing and one-of-a-kind. After going there in 2019 ( along with Turkey) I was compelled to return last year. If you’re into stunning beaches, Anthony Quinn Beach, named for the actor who starred in the 1964 movie “Zorba the Greek,” bought the beach in the 60’s after falling in love with Rhodes. Anthony Quinn Beach (aka “Ladiko Beach”) is near Faliraki, has a restaurant, bar, and changing rooms and can be reached by buses that leave from outside of Rhodes Old Town.
Have a great Trip!
Posted by
Connecticut
728 posts
I am very happy that you were able to secure transportation. It is especially great that the company contacted you personally. Have a wonderful trip.