Tested by Cyprus-FAQ: Ferry from Girne to Anamur

The Cyprus-FAQ editorial team decided to test the recently launched ferry service from Girne (Kyrenia) to the Turkish city of Anamur.

After purchasing a ticket online, you’ll receive all the details via email. Although you’re asked to print the tickets, it’s not actually necessary. Before departure, simply visit the building next to the ferry terminal, present your passports, and you’ll be issued two tickets: one for yourself and another for inspection.

Ticket

This building is where ticket printing takes place.

The company’s customer support recommended that check-in closes 30 minutes before departure and that passengers arrive two hours ahead of time. However, many passengers passed through control just 30 minutes before the ferry’s departure, and two hours beforehand, no one had yet been allowed in — people merely left their luggage to reserve their spots in line.

All luggage is scanned through security, after which you can choose to check in larger bags and suitcases (similar to airport procedures), or you can carry them onboard yourself, with special compartments available near the entrances.

After passport control, there is a small duty-free area.

There are no signs directing passengers to the ferry itself — simply follow the path toward the ship.

The sea station from the side of the ferry.

The catamaran that runs to Anamur is called Piyale Paşa, this is what it looks like.

At the port, you can also see other ferries connecting Girne with Taşucu in Turkey, a well-established route.

The ferry was scheduled to depart at 6:00 PM, but actually left 1.5 hours late. As you leave the port, you can enjoy beautiful sunset views of Girne’s harbor.

The ferry can accommodate 450 passengers and has two decks: the lower deck, with a 3-4-4-3 seating arrangement, and the upper deck, with a 3-4-3 arrangement. A café serving simple sandwiches, chips, tea, and coffee is located on the lower deck, and restrooms are available on both decks.

The journey is supposed to take 2 hours, but on the way to Turkey, the ferry took 2.5 hours.

Even when the sea seems calm, there is noticeable rocking, particularly on the upper deck near the windows. At one point, the crew handed out black bags to passengers prone to seasickness.

The ferry arrived in Anamur at 10:00 PM. Passport control was time-consuming, as only two border control booths were available for the ferry’s 450 passengers.

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When departing from Anamur, all procedures are similar, with the only difference being that you have to queue for passport control outside - at least in the shade.

The return journey from Anamur involves similar procedures, with the difference that you’ll have to wait in line for passport control outdoors — though in a shaded area.

Tickets are printed at a nearby booth.

After control, there’s an open waiting area with benches where smoking is allowed since it’s prohibited onboard. This area is also convenient upon arrival in Anamur if you want to wait until the line for passport control shortens.

The ferry back to Cyprus was delayed by 30 minutes and took 1.5 hours to cross.

In Girne, there is also a duty-free area after passport control, located in the baggage claim zone.

Don’t put away your passport and ticket too soon — they will be checked again by a security guard just before you exit to the street.

Have you tried the ferry to Anamur yet? Or do you prefer the ease of booking a plane ticket to Antalya?