Bodrum Beckons: Unforgettable Turkish Day Trip from Kos

Great trip and a nice experience to go and see Turkey and the Markets. We travelled with our 3 kids (6, 10 & 13). We pre booked a taxi to Kos port but the driver refused to take us near where the boat was leaving from as it was rush hour so we had to walk (about 15mins or so). So if booking a taxi, be specific about where you need to be and not just the port. A little bit of waiting around at either side but I’d say it wasn’t a big deal. Great to experience the Markets where you can haggle with the sellers and get a good deal. Lots to offer, Clothes, trainers, food etc. We got lunch from a Turkish Kebab Restaurant near the bus station. The food was great and very reasonably priced. All in all, a great day for the price.

The travel across was fine, no hassles. Once in Bodrum, we just mooched about. Lots of restaurants wanting us to go in and eat. We ended up going in to one, can’t honestly remember the name. Ordered some food, nothing expensive as we only had limited T Lira. We got the bill & they had put on a MASSIVE service charge which took all our money. We looked shocked & was trying to do the math but the waiter was waiting for our cash. We felt intimidated. Maybe it was because we were 2 women alone. ADVICE-ask what the service charge is before you enter any resturant. We stopped off for a drink in another place, they also added a service charge. It seems Bodrum is all about the service charge. Loved mooching about thou, was extremely hot. The Turkish delight was amazing & some great shops to look in. Some shops pounce on you as soon as you walk in. There was one shop that just let us have a look about and we bought some bits in there.

We had a great day in Bodrum, it was an amazing place. Great history, shopping and a brilliant beach area to the side of the castle where some of the bars and restaurants actually had the first row of seats in the sea. However what wasn’t clear when we booked this was the huge hassle this day trip would be. Please be aware that you will have four (yes 4) pretty long and arduous passport queues. We assumed having queued for ages in Kos at 8:30 in the morning that we’d just hop off the boat the other end, but oh no. We were forced to queue on the harbour side in the baking sun with no shade for 30+ minutes. It was awful. We then had something similar on the way back. Being honest we had a great day…but if I’d have known in advance the officialdom of it all in advance I wouldn’t have gone. Be warned.

Communication was excellent throughout our time in Kos. They told us about change of times and the transport was on time and waiting for us on our return. WhatsApp messages were immediately responded to. Big Thank You. Bodrum was nice busy and very hot that day. Plenty to see cultural wise if you're fit and able.

Had a great day at the water park loved the wave machine in the big pool, was very quiet when we went, no queue’s.

Fabulous trip - loved Bodrum. Queue for boat was a bit confusing but not a real problem. Visited shops & the castle. Lunch by edge of sea. A great day out

I really like Bodrum. It is a nice historical city. You should definitely go there for a 1-day trip!

On the way there was fine, was told to arrive at the location for 8:30 and the boat took off at around 9:15. When we got to Turkey at around 10 they held a clock as we were getting off with the time set to 2:50, so you only get to stay there for nearly 5 hours not 6/7 as the trip states. You aren’t given an address for where the pick-up location is so you just have to remember where you got dropped off, this made me not want to go too far just in case. I arrived back at the port for 2:50 but we didn’t set off until 3:45, we spent nearly an hour just sat on the boat not knowing what was going on really when we could have spent this time doing other things. Overall, the trip was okay there’s a few things to do in Turkey like the castle and shopping but that was it really as you don’t want to go too far from the port. I would recommend if you are interested in seeing Bodrum but the waiting around on the boat and not getting the full time there was a bit annoying.

Being able to travel to another country during our holiday. Market feels a bit chaotic. Walk around the harbour for better restaurants and shops.

The boat trip over was lovely and relaxed. Lots of beautiful views to take in and the wind in your face kept us nice & cool. There’s plenty to do when you get there probably to much to see in the 5 hours you are there. The bodrum fort is interesting and the amphitheatre is a must see. Lots of shops and places to eat too. Would have liked more time to fit it all in. Sat at the back of the boat on the way back. You will get wet but I enjoyed it was fun.