Meis Express – Ferry From Kaş To Kastellorizo

A day trip to the Greek Island of Meis (Kastellorizo), whether you’re on holiday in this part of Turkey or you live here, is an absolute essential as far as we’re concerned. And the Kaş to Meis ferry (Meis is the Turkish name for Kastellorizo) will get you there!

A 20-30 minute sail across the water from the charming coastal town of Kaş and you’re in another world.

The island of Kastellorizo is tiny. The people are Greek. The buildings are Greek. But its closest Greek island is Rhodes (70 nautical miles away).

Meis Express Ferry

And the Turkish coastline is almost within touching distance. Borders are funny things.

We’ve been going over to Meis island for years. And we’ve always used the same company to take us there because one of the original guys was recommended by a friend.

Back in the day, we would go over on his little fishing boat, bobbing over the waves. Waves that can get quite hefty when the summer surf whips up.

Today, however, you are taken to the island in around 30 minutes aboard the modern ferry, the Meis Express.

Not being much of a seafaring person, I much prefer this ferry trip. Bigger and quicker.

And you can sunbathe on the top deck in summer watching the island draw closer and closer as the ferry makes its way from one country to another.

Transfers

If you’re on holiday in Fethiye (including resorts like Çalış Beach and Ölüdeniz) or Kalkan, if you ask at the travel agencies in resort, some will arrange the full day trip for you; including your transfer to and from Kaş.

It’s one of our top day trips from Fethiye.

These days, however, we like to make things a bit more leisurely. So we tend to do the trip if we’re staying in Kaş overnight or longer.

This way, you can easily book your Kaş to Meis ferry ticket in the ticket office the day before if you haven’t already booked it online.

The ticket office is just behind the harbour in the old town. It’s very easy to spot.

However you decide to book your trip, don’t forget you will need a valid passport!

Time To Head Off

On the morning of travel, just like the Fethiye to Rhodes ferry, for example, you’ll go through passport control. However, the ferry is smaller, so there are no drastically long queues.

Both Kaş and Kastellorizo are small and low key – and passport control feels the same.

And once you’re on the Meis Express ferry, you can grab yourself a spot on the top deck. Or get a bit of shade on the lower deck.

It’s a lovely, relaxed feeling, waiting for the ferry to set sail.

Mediterranean mornings are often calm and still. So the sea, Kaş and our not-so-distant Greek island destination instil a sense of peace.

We won’t lie. There are some crossings between these two bits of land where sea conditions have meant that things can get a tad choppy.

Short Crossing

But it’s only a very short crossing. And, if you’re lucky, there are days when the sea remains flat calm.

Watch Kaş harbour and Antiphellos theatre, nestled into the hillside, disappear into the distance as you pass the Kaş peninsula.

And then cross open water towards the welcome shelter of the natural harbour of Kastellorizo.

After 30 minutes or so you suddenly arrive in the perfectly idyllic Greek harbour that is Kastellorizo – Meis.

It resembles an idyllic setting from a holiday brochure. Except this is definitely real.

Should You Stay Or Should You Go?

The Rough Guide to Greek Islands describes the island as a place that you will either want to leave after one hour or you will want to stay for at least a week.

We’re definitely in the latter category.

We have done an overnight stay in the past which was blissful. An opportunity to see harbourside life after sundown and then an early start in the morning to hike up the steps to St George Monastery; something we had wanted to do for a long time!

But we could easily settle in for a few days, here.

Whilst you’re on the island, the Meis Express (and the other Kaş Meis ferry, Meis Ferry Lines) wait for you in the harbour – the port of Kastellorizo – to take you back to Turkish shores.

No need to worry about getting back to your ferry on time.

The ferry departure time is shouted out to you as you disembark. And, as that time approaches, you can relax at one of the harbourside tavernas and enjoy some food and drink. Your ferry in sight just a short walk away.

You might want to give yourself a few extra minutes to browse the small-but-well-stocked duty free shop before you board, however.

Onward Travel

If you are not returning to Turkish shores on the Kaş-Meis ferry and you are staying around on the island longer – or you are using it as the beginning of further exploration of the Greek islands – then your next mode of transport is likely to be one of the ferries that arrives from Rhodes.

If it’s the big Blue Star Ferries ship, this is a sight in itself. Watching this huge vessel manoeuvre into this tiny harbour? Impressive!

Depending on ferry schedules, the ferry will take you onwards for your Greek island-hopping adventure to other Dodecanese islands like Rhodes, Symi and Kos where you can go on to pick up further ferry connections.

Alternatively, there’s also a direct flight to Rhodes from the island.

Yes, this tiny island has an airport!

Evening Kaş To Meis Ferry Crossing

Something a bit different – and, we think, a good idea.

During the summer months, the Meis Express also sometimes goes over from Kaş to Meis and back again in the evening.

So, if you’re in Kaş but you fancy and evening meal on a Greek island, well, why not?

Check locally with the ticket office to see if-and-when this summertime service is running. There’s usually a board outside stating the days of travel.

Kaş To Meis Ferry – Useful Info

• There are currently two ferry companies operating the Kaş to Meis ferry route. We have always used Meis Express (website here). Meis Ferry Lines is the other company.
• Both have offices opposite the harbour in the old town where you can book your ticket and give your passport details.
• Depending on sea conditions, travel times can vary. But the crossing generally takes around 30 minutes.
• In the autumn and spring months, out of high season, a reduced timetable is usually in operation.
• In high season, Meis Express sometimes offer an evening crossing on certain days so that you can spend an evening on the island.
• If you don’t intend to return to Kaş, it is possible to buy a convenient one way ferry ticket so that you can go on to book onward ferry routes to other Greek islands.
• In days gone by, Kastellorizo wasn’t an official entry and exit point from Greece. That has now changed and you will go through passport control on the island once you disembark from the Kaş to Meis ferry.

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