Rhodes Day Trip from Marmaris: Ferry Times, 2026 Prices and Practical Tips

On a clear day, the outline of Rhodes is visible from the tip of the Bozburun peninsula. It is that close: the fast catamaran crosses in about an hour, and by mid-morning you can be walking through the medieval gates of one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe.

Living here, I have helped plenty of visitors plan this trip, and the advice never changes. The sea part is easy. What eats into your day is check-in, passport control at both ends and a fixed return sailing you cannot miss. Plan for that, keep the day focused on the Old Town, and it is one of the most rewarding excursions you can make from here.

Quick facts

Ferry times

For a day trip, you want the morning departure from Marmaris and the late-afternoon return from Rhodes. In season, the Marmaris-based catamaran usually leaves Marmaris around 09:00 and comes back from Rhodes around 17:00, giving you roughly six hours ashore once you allow for formalities. Exact times change by date and operator, so always go by the times printed on your ticket.

In October there are still several sailings a day. From November the service drops to a few crossings a week, and in early January there may be only one a week, so a winter day trip needs careful planning around the timetable.

Watch the time difference in winter

This catches many people out. Turkey stays on the same time all year, while Greece moves its clocks back in late October. From 25 October 2026 until the end of March 2027, Rhodes is one hour behind Marmaris. Ferry times are always given in local time, so a 17:00 return from Rhodes means 18:00 on your phone if it is still set to Turkish time. In summer, both sides share the same time.

2026 ticket prices

Two operators run the route, with slightly different fares and timetables. All prices below include port tax.

Turkish catamaran (Yeşil Marmaris / Marmaris Lines)

Valid from late September 2026 to the end of March 2027:

Children are those born 2020-2023, infants those born 2024-2026. A flexible ticket that allows changes or cancellation costs an extra €2 (about $2) per passenger and is worth it if your plans might shift. Card payments are charged in Turkish lira at the Central Bank rate on the day.

Sea Dreams (Rhodes-based)

Sea Dreams counts passengers aged 6 and over as adults, with child fares of €40-47 (about $45-53). Its morning sailings leave from Rhodes, so check that the timetable on your chosen date works for a day trip starting in Marmaris.

Organised day tours

If you prefer someone else to handle the paperwork, local agencies sell Rhodes day tours with hotel transfer and ferry tickets from around 3,675 TL (about $74) per person. Check whether port taxes and any guiding in Rhodes are included.

Passports and visas

Rhodes is in Greece and therefore in the Schengen area, so you are crossing an EU external border. Rules depend on your passport.

UK, US, Canadian, Australian and other visa-free passports: no visa is needed for short stays. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after the day you leave the Schengen area. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) may require you to give fingerprints and a photo the first time you enter, which can add time at Rhodes port. The separate ETIAS travel authorisation is not yet in operation, so ignore any website that asks you to pay for one.

Turkish citizens: you need either a valid Schengen visa or the Greek islands express visa. Rhodes is one of twelve islands in the scheme, which has been extended until April 2027. It is not issued on the spot at the port: you apply in advance through the ferry company or an authorised agency. The official fee is €60 (about $67), and with agency service charges the total is usually around €80-90 ($90-101). The express visa is valid only for the island you enter, for up to seven days, and does not allow travel to other islands or mainland Greece. Passports with a TRNC (Northern Cyprus) stamp may be refused entry, even with a Schengen visa.

Other nationalities: check the Greek entry requirements for your passport well before booking a non-refundable ticket.

Whatever your passport, if you are staying in Turkey on a single-entry visa or permit, make sure you can re-enter Turkey the same evening.

At Marmaris port

The cruise port sits beside Netsel Marina, about a 15-minute walk from the town centre. In summer, arrive at least one hour before departure, and earlier if you need to collect a paper ticket or have your visa documents checked. Keep your passport in your hand luggage, not in a bag you might leave behind.

If you are staying in İçmeler, Turunç or further out, allow plenty of time for the bus or taxi. Check-in and passport control close before the boat leaves, and the catamaran will not wait.

A realistic one-day plan in Rhodes

The ferry docks at the Tourist Port, a short walk from the Old Town walls. With about six hours, keep it simple:

1. Walk straight into the Old Town after passport control. Enter through one of the sea gates and wander the cobbled lanes.
2. Walk the Street of the Knights (Ippoton), the medieval street lined with the inns of the Knights of St John.
3. Choose one major sight, such as the Palace of the Grand Master, rather than trying to see everything. Check opening hours and ticket prices for your date.
4. Have a long lunch in one of the squares or by Mandraki harbour, where deer statues mark the spot where the Colossus is said to have stood.
5. Be back at the port an hour before your return sailing. The quay may look quiet, but check-in closes on time.

Lindos, the beaches on the east coast and the rest of the island are too far for a self-planned day trip. If those are on your list, stay a night or two instead; a missed return ferry turns an easy day out into an expensive overnight stay.

Practical tips before you book

• Book both legs together so the return sailing is clear and you have one operator to contact if anything changes.
• Check the port names on both tickets. They should be Marmaris Cruise Port and Rhodes Tourist Port.
• Pay the small extra for a flexible ticket if your plans could change.
• Leave a margin in the evening. Wind, sea conditions and border queues can delay the return; avoid tight plans in Marmaris that night.
• Check the weather. Crossings can be cancelled in strong winds; follow the operator’s updates.
• Bring euros or a card. Rhodes uses the euro, and card payment is widely accepted, but small cash is useful.
• Remember the time difference from late October to March.

Is the Rhodes day trip worth it?

Yes, if you want a taste of Rhodes Old Town and are comfortable with an early start, border checks and a fixed return time. The crossing is short, the port is right next to the historic centre, and walking the medieval walls is a completely different experience from anything on the Turkish side of the water. If your heart is set on Lindos or the island’s beaches, stay overnight instead.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the ferry from Marmaris to Rhodes? About one hour each way on the fast catamaran.

How much is a same-day return ticket? From €63 (about $71) per adult on the Marmaris-based catamaran from late September 2026 to March 2027, including port tax. Sea Dreams charges €67 ($75) in its standard period and €75 ($84) for its peak summer sailing.

Do I need a visa to visit Rhodes from Marmaris? UK, US, EU and many other passport holders do not need a visa for a short visit. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa or the Greek islands express visa, arranged in advance.

How early should I be at Marmaris port? At least one hour before departure, and earlier in peak season or if you have visa documents to check.

Can I take my car to Rhodes? No. The car ferry no longer runs; the catamarans carry foot passengers only.

Does the ferry run in winter? Yes, but much less often: a few times a week in November and December, and sometimes only once a week in January.

Is there a time difference between Marmaris and Rhodes? In winter, yes. From late October to late March, Rhodes is one hour behind Marmaris. In summer, the time is the same.

Plan the rest of your trip

For other excursions, see our guide to things to do in Marmaris and the best Marmaris boat trips. If you are arriving in Marmaris by ferry from Rhodes, our guide on how to get to Marmaris covers the rest of the journey, and the Marmaris Travel Guide helps you plan your stay.

Ferry times, fares and entry rules can change. Please confirm them with the ferry operator and the relevant authorities before booking. Conversions are approximate and based on exchange rates of 16 October 2026.

Sources

• • Sea Dreams: Marmaris timetable and fares
  • Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: travel to Greece