How to get to Northern Cyprus by car from Turkey — ferry, border control, and registration

If you have decided to arrive in the northern part of Cyprus by car, our detailed guide will be useful — from registration and passing control to disembarking at Kyrenia port.

The ferry from Turkey to Northern Cyprus departs from Taşucu Port, which is about 100 kilometers from Mersin. Regular sailings operate several times a week and take approximately 6–8 hours depending on the type of vessel and weather conditions.

• Registration
• Passing control
• Boarding the ferry
• Disembarking from the ferry
• Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

Registration must be completed in advance at the Akgünler office in the city. Registration must be completed 2.5 hours before departure. You will need to bring your ticket, passport, and vehicle documents. After verification, boarding passes will be issued.

It is recommended to confirm the departure time in advance — schedules may shift due to weather conditions or technical work at the port.

Passing control

After registration, proceed to Seka Limanı port. At the entrance gate marked Özel Güvenlik, security will check tickets and boarding passes and direct you to the appropriate queue for your vehicle.

Passengers go through passport control separately from the driver. The driver undergoes control after placing the car in the queue. Then they must enter the customs building, where:

• fines and toll debts are checked,
• payment in cash is accepted if necessary,
• a departure permit is stamped.

To avoid delays, fines can be checked and paid in advance via the GiB app or the gib.gov.tr website.

Next, the driver proceeds to the Araç Kayıt / Car Registration point for stamping the vehicle’s ferry admission. After this, you can wait in the car for boarding. Once on the ferry, passengers take their seats according to their tickets.

Boarding the ferry

After boarding is announced, ferry gates open and a port staff member will check your documents and admission stamp. Boarding order is determined by the port organizer.

Staying in the car during ferry movement is prohibited. The driver must go to the passenger deck and occupy the seat indicated on the ticket. The ferry has a café, toilets, and a rest area.

Disembarking from the ferry

Upon arrival at Kyrenia port, exit the ferry and park the vehicle near the Araç Giriş İşlemleri / Gümrük booth. This facilitates quick control and prevents blockage by other vehicles.

Next, proceed with:

1. Passport control — present your passport and ticket.
2. Port fee — paid at the Araç Ordino ve Sigorta / Delivery Order and Insurance booth.
3. Vehicle insurance — available for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months.

After payment, present the receipt and documents at the Araç Giriş İşlemleri / Gümrük booth. Customs officers will stamp the documents and conduct a selective vehicle inspection if needed.

Before leaving the port area, passports and all stamps will be checked again. Welcome to Northern Cyprus!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should be listed as the driver?
The vehicle owner should be listed, but any passenger with a valid driver’s license can board the ferry.

Where to check fines?
Fines can be checked via the official gib.gov.tr website or the GiB app. Select Dijital Vergi Dairesi → Yabancı Plakalı Araç Ödemeleri (Foreign Vehicle Payments), enter the vehicle number, and get the result.

What is the port fee?
As of late 2025, the port fee is 80 TL for vehicles with Cypriot plates and 150 TL for vehicles with foreign plates (including Turkish).

Can tickets be purchased online?
Yes, tickets can be bought on ferry company websites, including Akgünler Denizcilik. Online booking allows choosing the type of ferry — passenger or vehicle.

Also read:

• How to cancel a ferry ticket to Turkey?
• How to change a ferry ticket to Turkey?
• Where to buy ferry tickets?

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