NOTE VISA RULES ARE CHANGING AND THIS ARTICLE WILL SOON BE DELETED

Those 90 days can fly by at an amazing rate -  follow our step by step guide for a stress free day out to renew your tourist visa with a visit to the Greek Island of Meis (Katellorizo) near Kas on the Altug boat run by Selo.

NOTE VISA RULES ARE CHANGING AND THIS ARTICLE WILL SOON BE DELETED

See the article here for more information.

The quickest and cheapest way to renew your tourist visa is a by taking a short hop to the Greek Island of Meis near to Kas on the Altug boat run by Selo.

A return journey costs 40 Turkish Lira per person and the cost of buying a new visa is 15 Euro.

In addition to filling up on duty free’s - you’ll also have a nice day out and there’s little to fault the process.

Unlike the Marmaris services which are expensive and hit and miss during the winter due to weather conditions, Selo's Kas – Meis service runs every week day throughout the year rain or shine because his boats have a keel and can handle choppy seas. (Stormy weather could cancel the trip so check before hand if the weather is bad)

Selo speaks excellent English, is efficient, well organised and his boats are comfortable and safe. He even plays golden oldies on the ships stereo, and there’s usually a little refreshment to jolly the trip along!

So how do you do renew your visa using this service? Follow our step by step guide for a stress free day out.

Step by Step Guide to Renew Your Visa

Before you Go

Work out when your visa will expire by adding 89 days to the entry date stamp in your passport (the day of entry counts as ‘day 1’).

Ring Selo on 0537 674 5572 and tell him the day you would like to travel. A prior booking is essential as his boats fill up very quickly but they run every week day Monday to Friday so getting a place should be easy. He will make a note of your name and book you on the boat.

Get hold of some Euro’s for payment of the visa and for spending on Meis. You can either exchange YTL for Euros in any of the Dovis or use the HSBC, Garanti, Fortis or TEB ATM’s that issue Euros.

DON'T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT.

Getting to Kas

If travelling by bus from Fethiye catch the 7:30 bus to Kas from the bus station (Otogar). Price 12 YTL one-way. The bus can be busy so it might be wise to book your seat in advance at the bus station.

There are also companies offering an all in package with a private mini bus, the ferry fee and the visa price all in - check the local press for costs and details.

If travelling by car aim to arrive in Kas by 10:00am. Allow 2 hours for the journey from Fethiye although it is much faster now the new section to Kalkan has been opened. The journey after Kalkan is wonderful as the road snakes along the coast.

On Arrival at Kas

If arriving by bus get off at the Kas bus station. The bus arrives around 10:00am and Selo or one of his staff will be waiting to pick you up and take you the short distance to the harbour.

If arriving by car, park up and head to the harbour. Selo’s desk is quite prominent and is located near to the entrance of the harbour.  If you get lost just ring for directions.

Selo will welcome you on the harbour at his desk (See first picture for the look of the desk). Hand over your passport and say you want a new visa, 40 lira for the trip and your 15 euro’s for the visa.

Go and have a cup of tea in one of the cafes just across from the boat. Whilst you are enjoying a drink and chat with the other ex-pats, some who will have come from as far as Antalya and Alanya, Selo will be having the boat manifest agreed by the immigration officials.

Around 10:30am Selo will come over to the cafe and ask everyone to come to the boat.

The polite port police will come aboard just before departure to check the passports.

The boat will then make the half hour journey to Meis.

On Arrival at Meis

When you arrive in the sheltered and picturesque harbour of Meis there are no officials waiting to check passports; you just get off.

Selo will tell you how long you have on the island, normally 2-3 hours, and when the boat will leave.

The small duty free shop near to the boat opens 1 hour before departure but is sometimes open earlier depending on the season.  You can’t buy your duty free’s until it’s time to leave, but if you want to you can go in and reserve your choices now and pay and pick them up later.  This may be useful if you are after something in particular that may be in short stock or sell’s out fast.

For idea's of things to do while on Meis use our search funtion

On Departure from Meis

The boat will leave at the agreed time and half an hour later you will arrive back in Kas.

On Return to Kas

When you arrive back at the harbour a customs person may be waiting to check you so be careful if you've bought more than your allowance!

Selo will take all the passports to the immigration police for the new visa’s to be issued. Half an hour later Selo will hand you your passport with a nice shiny new tourist visa valid for another 90 days.

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOU HAVE A NEW VISA AND IT HAS BEEN STAMPED AS MISTAKES DO HAPPEN!

Returning to Fethiye

If returning by bus head to the bus station and get the next bus back to Fethiye. They leave Kas on the half hour every hour.

If returning by car get to the main road and follow the signs for Fethiye.

This is such an easy process and there's no bureaucrats to deal with! This is how life in Turkey should be.

Don't forget to book your place on Selo's boat just ring 0537 674 5572.