From Kos: Independent Day Trip to Bodrum

We took an excursion to Bodrum on August 12, 2026, departing from the hotel at 8:00 AM and arriving at the port of Bodrum three hours later; it is unacceptable... two customs officers for hundreds of people is a real shame...

We were not staying very far from the port so we did not need a transfer. You are notified of the arrangements the day before via WhatsApp. They take care of everything at the kiosk the next day, you do not need to fill out anything online. Just bring your EU IDs if your country is on the list of countries mentioned in the ad. The departure was ahead of schedule and we recommend, on the return, being at the port of Bodrum 1 hour before the return time scheduled by the agency. The trip itself went well. We advise you to download the map on Google Maps offline (pedestrian, with the 6-7 places to visit in favorites). 14km on foot to do the main spots. Avoid eating at the restaurants that line the sea and if you venture there, read the bill carefully because they may add things you did not consume!!!

A long and tiring day... the lines we waited in for passport control both in Kos and in Bodrum, both on the way there and on the way back... made us forget the few hours spent in Bodrum. Honestly, I would not recommend it.

We booked online after about 2 days prior to the trip. Pre communication was good via WhatsApp, however, we did not book a transfer to the experience as our hotel was not on the drop down list. We were then pleased to be informed via WA that pick up was an option. It was our 2nd day on Kos so we paid the 22E taxi fee….. The trip was well organised and the boat was nice and comfy, crew were great and there was a bar onboard and boat was not oversold meaning everyone got a seat. The queuing started when we arrived in Kos port, although about 20 minutes (shaded) seemed ok. On arrival in Turkey it www much better organised, with more staff and took about 15 minutes to get though customs. The timing was good and we got a good 5 hours in Bodrum which was perfect. On the way back we had about a 20 minute wait in full sun to get back through customs but the worst bit was arrival back in Kos. There was one person checking bags and clearly the details of using the lovely air conditioned duty free shop in Turkey had not been communicated…..about every third person was told to go to make tax payments - whist they did this the one poor customs inspector has to go with them leaving the queue at a standstill. We were one of the first to disembark, however, I would say it took us 30 minutes to get out of g to e customs area. No transfer back had been offered so we thought we would go to the taxi rank at the harbour….after waiting in a queue for about 45 minutes, we got a taxi end were charged a full 12E for a return to our hotel. Feel like the pick up option was very overpriced at twice the going rate (we had not known this at the time) and the information given to people travelling regards taxes was limited. Thankfully this did not impact us, however, what seemed a good value trip became less so after the pick up and taxi home. Even more expensive for those caught out on tax. A simple leaflet really would have helped. For ease next time, I’d book with the hotel. 17 E more but transfers back and forth included.

A lot of customs checks at departure, upon arrival in Bodrum, and the same on the return. In the end, not much free time on site or at least not enough to see anything other than the alleys and the marina and have dinner. Bad information regarding what can be brought back from Turkey to Greece and therefore an extra tax upon arrival that the customs officer demands in cash (even though a payment terminal was present). So in the end, what was supposed to be a day in Bodrum lasted 3 hours on site. On the way back, no info from the boat, we're waiting in the wrong line... If I don't go ask for information by going up the whole line, about fifteen of us would miss the boat...

terrible experience both when entering Kos and when leaving, you have to stand in line for document verification for at least an hour

Nice trip and lovely service. At the boat things was great and staffs takes care about us very well. If u want see the view, choose places at upstairs so you can see the ocean very well!

Quite a cool trip.. -1 star due to the long waiting times upon arrival at the respective ports. The authorities in Turkey and on Kos take quite a long time. When you have to wait in the sun for 1 hour with kids, it’s not that much fun. Otherwise, 5 hours are enough to explore the harbor, the market stalls in the alleys, and enjoy a delicious meal with a view of the sea. The castle itself at the harbor can be explored for about €25. We did not do that because it was too warm. The boat trip is very well organized. You receive information via WhatsApp or email about where to check in and have a contact person. Those who arrive first get the best seats on the Boat. Cool drinks for the trip can be purchased on the ship.

There are X4 sets of queues, leaving and entering each country, but waits not too bad 20mins maximum in June. We had a walk to the Mausoleum ruins, very reasonably priced. We went on a Tuesday and so also able to visit the bazaar market which is close to the port

A short boattrip of about half an hour and we were in the port of Bodrum. The boat journey was very pleasant.