Ferry from Türkiye: Routes, Passenger and Vehicle Documents

This page covers arriving in North Cyprus by ferry from mainland Türkiye: the routes that operate, what identity documents foot passengers need, and the paperwork required to bring a vehicle across — including the mandatory insurance you arrange on arrival and the basics of temporary vehicle import. Full entry and visa rules by nationality are covered in the Entry and Visa guide; the complete vehicle import framework (age limits, right-hand-drive requirement, settler exemptions) is in Car Import or Buy Locally; insurance coverage and pricing detail sit in a dedicated car insurance guide.

Note for readers arriving by air: this page is specifically about the sea crossing from Türkiye. If you're flying in, see Getting to and from Ercan Airport instead.

Routes

Taşucu–Kyrenia (main route)

The principal Türkiye–North Cyprus ferry corridor, served by two operators: Akgünler Denizcilik and Filo Denizcilik. Two vessel types run this route:

• Fast ferry (sea bus): Catamaran-type vessel, daytime sailing, roughly 2.5 hours. Carries vehicles, but with a vehicle height restriction.
• Overnight ferry: Roughly 5–6 hours, night sailing. No vehicle height restriction, which is why travellers with campervans or tall vehicles favour this option.

Sailing frequency varies by season (more frequent in summer, reduced in winter); confirm exact days and times with the operator before booking.

Anamur–Kyrenia (seasonal)

Operated by Akgünler Denizcilik since 2024, this is the shortest sea route between Türkiye and North Cyprus at roughly 1.5 hours. It departs from the Anamur Ferry and Seaplane Terminal. The schedule runs seasonally (broadly around the summer season); vehicles are carried. Confirm the current season window with the operator.

Mersin–Famagusta

Operated by Akgünler Denizcilik with the Marin vessel, this route is mainly cargo and RoRo traffic (trucks, vehicle exports); the crossing departs in the evening and takes roughly 10 hours. Filo Denizcilik also offers a passenger service on this route, but passenger capacity and frequency are limited. If you're considering this route as a passenger, confirm ticket availability with the operator before planning around it.

Passenger documents by nationality

Requirements depend on your nationality — confirm your specific case against the Entry and Visa guide before you travel. In general: most nationalities receive their entry visa on arrival at the port, and a passport is the standard document (Turkish citizens can also enter with a national ID card). A handful of nationalities must obtain a visa from a TRNC representation abroad before travelling — this cannot be resolved at the port, so check the entry and visa guide early, before you book.

Bringing a vehicle: required documents

If you're driving onto the ferry, carry:

• A physical, printed driving licence. The version integrated with Turkey's e-Devlet chip-ID system is not accepted in North Cyprus — North Cyprus police have no access to Turkey's e-Devlet system to verify it. Bring the printed licence itself. For how long your licence stays valid and when conversion becomes mandatory, see Driving Licences.
• The vehicle's original registration document.
• If you are not the registered owner: a notarised power of attorney that explicitly authorises taking the vehicle abroad. If the power of attorney was issued in a country other than Türkiye, it also needs approval from a TRNC consulate.

Whether an additional customs document (sometimes referred to as a Green Card or carnet) is required specifically for this sea crossing is not settled across sources — confirm with customs or the ferry operator before travelling with a vehicle.

Mandatory insurance on arrival

Turkish-issued traffic insurance is not valid in North Cyprus. On arrival you need to arrange a separate North Cyprus traffic insurance policy:

• Minimum term: 1 month; students, military personnel and civil servants need a minimum of 3 months.
• The policy can be arranged in the customs area at the port of entry.

For coverage details and pricing, see the dedicated Car Insurance guide.

Temporary import: the basics

Three rules apply if you're bringing your own car in temporarily:

• Duration: you can use the vehicle for up to 30 days, within the term of your tourist visa.
• Age limit: the vehicle must be no more than 5 years old, counting from its original registration date to the date it arrives at a North Cyprus port.
• Steering side: vehicles imported into North Cyprus must generally be right-hand drive — this applies to temporary import as well.

For the full rule set, including the settler exemption and age-limit exceptions, see Car Import or Buy Locally.

Contact

• Akgünler Denizcilik — Head office: Taşucu, Mersin; call centre +90 392 444 4364; Taşucu ticket office +90 324 741 41 80; Mersin ticket office +90 324 326 29 99 / 26 28; akgunlerbilet.com
• Filo Denizcilik — Kyrenia tourist harbour office +90 392 815 65 01 (08:00–24:00); filodenizcilik.net

Phone numbers, sailing times and fares change; confirm current details directly with the operator.