Transportation That island you look at over breakfast on our terrace — yes, that is Greece. Meis, known in Greek as Kastellorizo, is the closest Greek island to Türkiye, sitting directly opposite Kaş within easy reach. Our guests ask it often: “Can we actually go there?” The answer is always the same: you can, and comfortably in a single day. A small ferry leaves Kaş harbour and twenty minutes later you are among bougainvillea-draped lanes, brightly painted fishermen’s houses and a turquoise harbour — breakfast in Türkiye, lunch in Greece.
The Island Across the Water: Meis (Kastellorizo)
The Closest Greek Island to Türkiye
Kastellorizo is the easternmost Greek island and the one nearest the Turkish coast — a small but characterful place set in the sea directly opposite Kaş. It is far from the crowds of the big holiday islands: quiet, authentic and postcard-pretty. With its colourful stone houses ringing the harbour, narrow lanes, hilltop castle and clear bay, Meis is made for anyone who wants half a day of wandering and a great deal of calm. Stepping onto the island you have been watching all week from your terrace adds something quite different to a holiday.
Where Is Meis and How Do You Get There?
The only way to reach Meis is by sea, and the ferry departs from Kaş harbour. The harbour is within walking distance of the hotel — so after breakfast you can stroll down without rushing and still make your sailing in good time.
Location and Distances
Luna Kaş to Kaş Harbour
About 350 m — a few minutes on foot. No car, no parking, no driving: you simply walk to the ferry.
Kaş to Meis by Ferry
About 20 minutes. A short but lovely crossing — Kaş bay shrinks behind you as the harbour of Meis grows ahead.
Morning Departure
Sailings generally leave between 08:00 and 09:00, ideal for a day trip.
Evening Return
The return sailing is usually around 17:00-18:00, which gives you a full day on the island.
From Kaş Harbour to Meis
The Ferry: Times and Tickets
Ferries generally leave Kaş harbour between 08:00 and 09:00, with the return sailing around 17:00-18:00. The crossing takes roughly 20 minutes. Sailings fill up in summer, so we recommend booking a few days ahead. Tickets for the Kaş-Meis route are sold online by the operators serving the line (Meis Ferry Lines and Meis Express among them) and at their offices by the harbour.
Passports and Visas: What Applies to You
Meis is Greek territory and part of the Schengen Area, while Türkiye is not — so this short crossing is a full international border. What you need depends entirely on your nationality, and the rules are not the same for everyone. A valid passport is required in all cases.
Requirements by Nationality
EU, EEA and Swiss Citizens
No visa is needed. You may travel on a valid passport or national identity card, and you can move freely on to mainland Greece if you wish.
Visa-Exempt Nationalities (UK, US, Canada, Australia and others)
No visa is needed for short stays. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area. The EU travel authorisation ETIAS has not yet entered into force, but it is expected in due course — worth checking before you travel.
Turkish Citizens
Greece operates a simplified express visa scheme for day visits to certain islands, Meis included. Applications are made through the ferry operator or an accredited agency several days in advance, quotas are limited, and the visa is valid only for the island applied for — it does not permit travel to mainland Greece. Holders of Turkish special (green) passports are exempt.
All Other Nationalities, Including Russian Citizens
A Schengen visa obtained in advance is required. The express island visa scheme does not apply to you, and it cannot be arranged at the harbour. Please make sure your Schengen visa is valid and, if you are visiting from Türkiye, that it permits the entry you need.
Biometric Registration at the Border
The EU's Entry/Exit System has been in full operation since April 2026. On your first crossing into the Schengen Area your fingerprints and photograph will be recorded, which can add a little time at the border.
One more point that is easy to overlook: leaving Türkiye and returning the same evening means re-entering the country. Make sure your Turkish visa or e-visa allows that re-entry, or that your nationality is entitled to visa-free entry. Visa rules change from time to time, so please confirm the current position with the ferry operator or with our reception before you book — we are glad to guide you through it.
A Day on Meis: What to See and Do
The Classic Route on the Island
The Harbour and Its Coloured Houses
The harbour, lined with stone houses painted in every shade, is the island's best-loved photograph. Walk the waterfront and stop for a coffee.
The Blue Cave
A natural sea cave reached by small boat, its interior flooded with deep blue light. Not to be missed when the sea is calm.
The Castle and the Lycian Tomb
The castle looking down over the island is a short climb away, and the view of Meis and the Turkish coast from up there is something else. Ancient traces and a small museum are close by.
The Food of Meis
Fresh seafood, meze and a cup of Greek coffee at the tavernas along the harbour — ideal for an unhurried lunch.
Before You Go
Small preparations that make a day trip to Meis easier
Sort Out Your Paperwork Early
Passport and Some Cash in Euros
Comfortable Shoes, Hat, Sunscreen
Book Your Ticket in Advance
Camera or Phone
Ferry sailings vary with the season and the weather. For current times, a recommended operator and help with entry requirements, Luna Kaş reception will gladly assist.
How a Day on Meis Unfolds
A day trip to Meis usually follows this rhythm:
08:00 – 08:45: From Luna Kaş to the Harbour
A few minutes’ walk down to Kaş harbour after breakfast. Ticket and passport checks, then boarding.
09:00 – 09:20: Twenty Minutes at Sea
Kaş bay shrinks behind you while the coloured harbour of Meis grows ahead. A short and thoroughly enjoyable crossing.
09:30 – 12:30: Harbour, Lanes and Castle
Coffee by the water, a wander among the painted houses and a short climb to the castle above. The brightest hours of the day for views and photographs.
12:30 – 14:30: Lunch and the Blue Cave
A long lunch of fresh seafood by the harbour, then a boat trip to the Blue Cave if the sea is calm.
15:00 – 18:00: A Last Look and the Return
One more walk along the waterfront, a few small souvenirs, and the evening ferry back to Kaş. Close the day with the sunset from our terraces.
The Best Time to Visit Meis
Spring (April – May)
The most balanced period. Air at 22-26°C, a quiet island, clear water. Ideal for photography and walking.
Summer (June – August)
Warm sea, hard sun, and busier sailings. Choose the morning departure and a shaded deck.
Autumn (September – October)
For many the loveliest time: the sea is still warm, the crowds have thinned and the light has softened.
Winter (November – March)
Sailings become sparse and depend on the weather; on a clear winter day the island is quiet and still.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Meis and return the same day?
Yes. You take the ferry that leaves between 08:00 and 09:00 and return to Kaş on the evening sailing at around 17:00-18:00. That timetable gives you a comfortable full day on the island.
Do I need a visa to enter Meis?
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland need no visa and may travel on a passport or national ID card. Citizens of visa-exempt countries such as the UK, the US, Canada and Australia need no visa for a short stay. Turkish citizens can use Greece’s simplified express visa scheme for the island, applied for in advance through the ferry operator. All other nationalities, Russian citizens included, need a Schengen visa obtained beforehand — this cannot be arranged at the harbour.
Where does the ferry leave from in Kaş?
The ferry departs from Kaş harbour, which is within walking distance of Luna Kaş. You can walk to the ferry without worrying about a car or parking.
How long is the crossing?
The sea crossing between Kaş and Meis takes about 20 minutes.
Cash or card on the island?
Cards are accepted in the larger establishments, but small tavernas and traders mostly work in euro cash, so carry some with you.
Gallery
Scenes from Meis
The coloured houses of the harbour, the castle on the hill and the turquoise bay of Meis.
Back from the Island: Luna Kaş
A Day on the Island You See from Our Terraces, an Evening Somewhere Peaceful
The easiest way to see Meis in a day and come back to somewhere calm in the evening is to stay within walking distance of the harbour the ferry leaves from. That is exactly where Luna Kaş is: in the heart of Kaş, with terraced rooms looking out to the sea and to Meis itself. We would love to welcome you with the warmth of a small, family-run hotel — and you will find a better rate by booking directly with us.
A DAY ON THE ISLAND ACROSS THE WATER, AN EVENING AT LUNA KAŞ
A day on the turquoise water of Meis, a peaceful night in the heart of Kaş.
Sea, history and Mediterranean comfort in one.