IDO launches the Çeşme–Chios route and adds four new lines for 2026, enhancing Aegean Islands services. Ticket sales are now open.
Entering its third season with four new routes, İDO is launching the Çeşme–Chios service. Ticket sales have opened for all Aegean routes, including the new route starting on May 15.
Approaching its 39th year in the maritime sector, İDO continues to expand its service network in the Aegean Islands, leveraging its strong operational experience in the Sea of Marmara.
The Aegean Islands services, launched in 2024, quickly garnered significant interest. In its first year, over 155,000 passengers were transported on routes connecting four islands with three vessels. In the 2025 season, the number of vessels will increase to six, providing services to a total of 220,000 passengers through routes to four islands from points such as Kuşadası, Seferihisar, Fethiye, Dikili, Bodrum Turgutreis, and Ayvalık throughout the summer season.
In response to increasing demand, İDO is adding four new routes for the 2026 season, bringing the total number of routes to nine. The new routes, including Kuşadası-Samos Pythagorion Port, Kuşadası-Patmos, Ayvalık-Midilli, and particularly the Çeşme-Chios route, will further strengthen the network in the Aegean.
The Çeşme–Chios route starts on May 15.
The most notable development of the new season, the Çeşme–Chios route, will commence operations on May 15. This route will connect two different countries with an approximate travel time of 25 minutes and will operate daily until October 31.
According to the schedule, departures from Çeşme will be at 08:00 every day, with returns from Chios at 18:30. Throughout the five-and-a-half-month season, a total of 336 round trips will be made with 436-capacity sea buses from İzmir Çeşme Port.
Ayvalık-Midilli route's first departure on March 19.
In the new season, the number of Midilli services is increasing. Last year, İDO operated services between İzmir Dikili Port and the Greek island of Midilli, and this season, it is launching the highly demanded Ayvalık-Midilli route. This route will transport passengers to Midilli in approximately 40 minutes and will operate on specific days, with the first departure scheduled for March 19. On service days, ferries will depart from Ayvalık Port at 11:00, while returns will take place from Midilli at 16:00. With this schedule, İDO will provide an effective solution for holidaymakers struggling to catch early ferries from Ayvalık after traveling from Istanbul.
Ticket sales have started for all Aegean Islands routes.
Ticket sales have begun for all nine of İDO's routes in the Aegean Islands, including the newly added routes, on İDO's official website. Passengers can plan their summer season travels with the advantages of early booking.
“We have established a stronger and more accessible network in the Aegean.”
İDO General Manager Dr. Murat Orhan stated the following regarding the matter: “Since the first day we launched our Aegean Islands services, we have received intense and positive feedback from our passengers. We are very happy to be operating with a total of nine routes by introducing four new routes in our third year. The Çeşme–Chios route will serve as an important bridge for both tourism and cultural interaction with its short duration and daily reciprocal services. Following the launch of the 30-minute Dikili-Midilli route last year, this new route offers a travel time of only 25 minutes from Çeşme to Chios, taking over the title of the shortest transportation route from Dikili-Midilli. We believe that our Ayvalık-Midilli route will also provide a significant alternative for holidaymakers who want to cross from the popular summer destination of Ayvalık to Midilli without the stress of catching an early ferry. Of course, our goal at İDO is not limited to providing transportation; we aim to offer our passengers a comfortable, safe, and easily planable travel experience. In this context, we are developing comprehensive solutions for tourism activities in the region, including accommodation, car rental, travel health insurance, and ticket cancellation insurance, as well as services like visa on arrival and e-sim internet services, to address every need a holidaymaker might have, and we are diversifying our service network through local partnerships. We are preparing to offer new routes and fantastic alternative services for our citizens planning their vacations in the coming days.”
With its Aegean Islands services, İDO aims to appeal to a wide audience, from holidaymakers to those planning day trips, while making cultural, gastronomic, economic sea vacations, and short getaway routes more accessible.
With 9 services and 6 different islands, İDO is making access to the Aegean Islands easier in 2026:
- Seferihisar – Samos (Vathy)
- Kuşadası - Samos (Vathy)
- Kuşadası-Samos (Pythagorion)
- Bodrum Turgutreis-Leros
- Fethiye-Rhodes
- Dikili-Midilli
- Ayvalık-Midilli
- Kuşadası-Patmos
- Çeşme-Chios
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
