If you are on holiday on the Aegean coast or live in Izmir, would you like to escape abroad for just one day? It sounds crazy, but it is easier than you think. Chios is only about 15 minutes by ferry from Çeşme, near Izmir. It is close enough to go in the morning and come back in the evening, so a day trip to Chios from Izmir is very easy.
In this post I answer the question “Can you visit Chios on a day trip?” and share a one-day plan full of alternatives for what to do in Chios in one day.
If you are planning a longer trip, read this post: Chios Island Holiday: 4 Days 3 Nights. You will also find the lovely place I recommend for staying there. But if you only have one day and won’t stay overnight, keep reading.
Short answer: Yes, you can visit Chios on a day trip. In summer, ferries leave Çeşme around 08:30-09:00, take 15-20 minutes and come back around 18:00. In winter there are fewer sailings, only on certain days of the week. In one day you can easily fit in Pyrgi village, the Chios Mastic Museum, Mavra Volia beach and a meze break by the harbour.
2026 note: Ferry times and prices change with the season, so check the latest schedule with the ferry companies before you go. Turkish citizens can use the visa-on-arrival scheme for the Greek islands, which Greece extended for another year in March 2026.
How to Get to Chios on a Day Trip
To get to Chios from Izmir, you first need to get to Çeşme. It takes about 1.5 hours by car and about 2 hours by bus from central Izmir. In summer there are daily ferries between Çeşme and Chios. They leave around 08:30-09:00 and arrive at Chios port 15-20 minutes later. In the evening, ferries back to Çeşme leave Chios around 18:00.
Çeşme–Chios Ferry Information
- Return ferry ticket: €50 with Ertürk (2026)
- Ferry companies: Turyol, Ertürk and others
- Buy your ticket online, because it can be hard to find a seat in summer.
There are fewer sailings in winter. According to the schedules at the end of October 2026, in November the fast boat mostly runs from Wednesday to Sunday, while Turyol sails on Tuesdays and from Thursday to Sunday in November and December. Ertürk’s fast boat does not run between 11 January and 11 February. According to the 2027 schedule, daily sailings start again on 30 April. If you go in winter, plan your day trip around the sailing days.
Do You Need a Visa for a Day Trip to Chios?
Visa rules for Chios
- If you have an EU passport or a valid Schengen visa, you can visit Chios on a day trip without any extra paperwork.
- Turkish citizens with a standard passport can use the visa-on-arrival scheme, but they need to apply in advance through a travel agency.
Chios in One Day: A Day Trip Itinerary
If you only have one day in Chios, you need to use your time well. With good planning you can see the most beautiful parts of the island. Here is the one-day Chios plan I put together from my own experience and research.
Renting a car on the island: If you have a driving licence, some driving experience and the budget, I recommend renting a car so you can get around easily.
Car rental in Chios with full insurance costs about €120 a day. That’s not cheap, but taking taxis to a few places would cost about the same. There is a much cheaper alternative, though.
If you have a motorcycle licence and riding experience, you can rent a scooter for €20-25 a day. It’s a great way to explore the island, but the roads are very winding and hilly, so I don’t recommend it if you are not experienced.
🥐 Morning: Breakfast by the Harbour
When you arrive by ferry, start with a classic Greek breakfast at one of the cafés and bakeries around Chios port. At places like Gregory’s or Port Café you can have warm croissants, cheese pastries and very good coffee.
After breakfast you can wander around the old town or leave it for the evening. If you are renting a car, most rental companies are in this area, so you can pick up your car after breakfast.
🏛️ Late Morning: Chios Mastic Museum and Pyrgi Village
After breakfast, you can spend a few hours on culture and history. I suggest going to Pyrgi village first, before the sun gets too high. The village is famous for its black and white houses decorated with geometric patterns. Walking its narrow streets, taking photos and browsing local products in the shops is a real pleasure.
Then, in the hottest hours around midday, visit the Chios Mastic Museum. It feels more like an experience than a classic museum. You learn how mastic is produced, listen to people’s stories and can shop for local products in the museum shop.
🏖️ Afternoon: Cool Off at Mavra Volia Beach
Only 9 minutes from the Mastic Museum is Mavra Volia, one of the most famous beaches in Chios. It is covered with black pebbles formed by volcanic rock. The water is crystal clear and quite cool. Bring water shoes, because the pebbles can be uncomfortable.
Spending a few hours sunbathing and swimming here is a great way to slow down. When we went, we couldn’t swim because the waves were too big, so on our host’s advice we went to Trachili beach instead.
Alternative for drivers: Trachili Beach
About 25 minutes by car north of the Mastic Museum, Trachili beach is simply wonderful. When we went in May there was nobody there and it was very peaceful. I guess it gets much busier in summer, but the beach is long, so it probably never feels too crowded.
You can drive here on a paved road, but at some point the road gets rough and you can’t drive all the way down to the beach. You need to leave the car and walk, but it’s only about 2 minutes, and it’s definitely worth it!
Another alternative for drivers: Vroulidia Beach
This beach is 10 minutes south of Mavra Volia. After Pyrgi you can see Mavra Volia and then continue south to Vroulidia. The water was beautiful, but the beach isn’t very big. When we went there was only one other person, but it may be busier in summer because it’s easy to reach. There is a car park and a small restaurant.
🍴 Late Afternoon: Ouzo and Meze
Before catching the ferry back, I really recommend a proper Greek meal. My first choice is Vradipus, close to the harbour and with delicious meze. Call in the morning to book a table.
The service is a little slow, but the atmosphere is lovely and the food is delicious. In 2025, four of us paid about €70 for 5-6 meze dishes, 2 bottles of wine, a small bottle of ouzo, dessert and mastic liqueur. Prices are very reasonable, and two people can eat well for about €30–35.
What to Buy in Chios
Now we come to the trip home. If you like bringing back nice things from your travels, there are a few options. If you drink alcohol, mastic liqueur is a must. I loved the Skinos brand; I think it tastes much better than the others. You can find it in supermarkets, at Mastiha Shop and even in some pastry shops by the sea.
I also bought a few packs of mastic chewing gum. I chew it after some meals to help my digestion. It tastes and feels great, and it’s a very affordable gift.
You can also buy mastic soaps and creams. I recommend buying all of these at Mastiha Shop, the island’s official store. There is one on the waterfront and another at the Mastic Museum.
For groceries, there is a Lidl on the island. We did all our shopping there during our stay and found everything we needed.
Taking the Ferry Back to Turkey
After the beaches, good food and culture, you can take the ferry back to Çeşme around 17:00–18:00. Passport control at Chios port can take a while, so be at the port at least 45 minutes before your ferry.
Conclusion: A Lovely Day Trip
Can you visit Chios on a day trip? Absolutely! Being so close to a big city like Izmir makes Chios a perfect “mini Europe getaway”. Greek architecture, delicious food, crystal clear sea and streets full of flowers… It’s all wonderful.
Chios Day Trip FAQ
Can you visit Chios on a day trip?
Yes. The ferry from Çeşme to Chios takes only 15-20 minutes. You can take the morning ferry to the island and the evening ferry back to Çeşme. In winter there are fewer sailings, so check the schedule before you go.
Do I need a visa for Chios?
Not if you have an EU passport or a valid Schengen visa. Turkish citizens can get a visa on arrival for 1 to 7 days through a travel agency. According to March 2026 news, the visa fee is €85 plus an agency service fee.
How much is the ferry from Çeşme to Chios?
A return ticket with Ertürk was €50 in 2026. Prices change with the season and the company, so check before you book.
What to buy in Chios?
Mastic liqueur (I loved Skinos), mastic chewing gum and mastic soaps or creams. You can buy them at Mastiha Shop, the island’s official store.
Is there a supermarket in Chios?
Yes, there is a Lidl on the island. We did all our grocery shopping there during our stay and found everything we needed.
Is it worth renting a car in Chios?
Yes, if you want to see more than one beach in a day. A car with full insurance was about €120 a day. If you have a motorcycle licence and experience, you can also rent a scooter for €20-25 a day.
Have you ever taken a day trip to Chios? Share your experiences, questions and tips in the comments. Have a great trip!
