Çanakkale to Eceabat Ferry
Çanakkale → Eceabat (Gallipoli)
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- Conventional crossing
- ~25 min
- Frequency
- Hourly by day, every 1–2 hours at night (about 21–23 sailings a day); fewer night sailings from 5 Oct 2026
- Carries cars
- Yes (on the car ferry)
Crossing times and frequency are typical ranges and vary by season and operator. Check the operator or Direct Ferries for current sailings before booking.
The narrows of the Dardanelles
The Dardanelles (Çanakkale Boğazı) is the narrow strait connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean, and one of the most historically significant waterways in the world. The crossing between Çanakkale on the Asian shore and Eceabat on the European (Gallipoli) side takes around 25 minutes, a short hop across water that has been contested for millennia.
Gestaş (Gestaş Deniz Ulaşım), owned by the Çanakkale Special Provincial Administration, runs the crossing with car ferries around the clock. In the 2026 summer timetable there were sailings every hour from about 07:00 to 23:00 and every one to two hours overnight, about 21 to 23 departures a day in each direction. From 5 October 2026 some night sailings are dropped for winter. Gestaş also runs a shorter crossing from Çanakkale to Kilitbahir.
Accessing Gallipoli
Eceabat is the jumping-off point for the Gallipoli Peninsula (Gelibolu Yarımadası) and the World War One battlefield sites that draw visitors from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Turkey. From Eceabat, minibuses and tour vehicles reach Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair and the Turkish memorials within 15 to 30 minutes. Most guided battlefield tours are based in either Eceabat or Çanakkale.
The ferry crossing is part of virtually every Gallipoli visit itinerary, whether you are coming from İstanbul (via the Bandırma ferry and bus, or direct bus) or from the Aegean coast.
Çanakkale, the Asian side
Çanakkale itself is a lively university city on the Asian shore. Beyond the ferry port, it is the base for visiting Troy (Truva), the UNESCO-listed ancient site around 30 km south. The city has a museum dedicated to the Çanakkale battles of 1915, and a surprisingly vibrant café and restaurant scene thanks to its large student population.
Tickets and practical notes
Fares in 2026 were 40 TL for a foot passenger and 725 TL for a car. Most passengers and drivers simply turn up and board the next sailing; tickets are sold at the port, where cash and cards are accepted. An online ticket from online.gdu.com.tr (or the Gestaş app) guarantees a place on a specific sailing, which is useful for drivers on summer weekends, public holidays and around ANZAC Day (25 April), when queues form. The ferry runs at all hours, so the crossing is also used by long-distance lorries and local traffic.
Related ferry routes
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the Çanakkale to Eceabat ferry crossing?
- The Gestaş car ferry takes around 25 minutes to cross the Dardanelles between Çanakkale and Eceabat.
- How often does the ferry run?
- Around the clock. In the 2026 summer timetable there were sailings every hour from about 07:00 to 23:00 and every one to two hours overnight, about 21 to 23 departures a day in each direction. From 5 October 2026 some night sailings are dropped for winter, so check the timetable if you plan to cross late at night.
- How much does the Çanakkale–Eceabat ferry cost?
- In 2026 a foot passenger paid 40 TL and a car 725 TL. Most people buy at the port, but an online ticket from online.gdu.com.tr guarantees a place on a specific sailing, which helps drivers on busy days.
- Is Eceabat the right ferry port for the Gallipoli battlefields?
- Yes. Eceabat is the main gateway to the Gallipoli (Gelibolu) Peninsula and the World War One battlefield sites including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Most battlefield tours depart from Eceabat or nearby Çanakkale.
Book the Çanakkale → Eceabat (Gallipoli) ferry
Live times and prices on Direct Ferries.