Taken from Fethiye times for you
Follow our step by step guide for a stress free day out to renew your tourist visa to the Greek Island of Meis near Kas on the Altug boat run by Selo
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 35 YTL per person and the cost of buying a new visa is 15 Euro.
With the price of a residence permit now around 500 YTL for only 1 year, the hassle of getting the permit and the lack of your passport for up to 8 weeks, why bother when you can renew your tourist visa for so little. We estimate that 1 person would save a minimum of 170 YTL by popping over the Meis 4 times a year. But the savings don't stop there. If you buy your duty free allowance, bacon and other luxury items on Meis the savings will rack up further.
In addition 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.
Selo speaks excellent English, is efficient, well organized and both his boats are comfortable and safe. He even plays golden oldies on the ships stereo!
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 90 days to the entry date stamp in your passport.
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.
Getting to Kas
If travelling by bus from Fethiye catch the 7:30 bus to Kas from the bus station (Otogar). Price 10 YTL one-way. The bus can be busy so it might be wise to book your seat in advance at the bus station.
If travelling by car aim to arrive in Kas by 10:00am. Allow 2 hours for the journey from Fethiye.
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 on the harbour and Selo is located near to the entrance of the harbour if you follow the road around to the left. 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.
Go and have a cup of tea in the café 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 have the boat manifest agreed by the immigration officials.
Around 10:30am Selo will come over to the café and ask everyone to come to the boat. You will have a choice of two boats to make the trip depending on the numbers of people wanting to cross.
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 3 hours, and when the boat will leave.
The small duty free shop near to the boat opens 1 hour before departure.
Things to Do on Meis
The small sleepy town has a few things to offer.
You can visit one of the two museums in the town (closed Monday's), the castle or the bay over the hill which are within a short distance from the harbour. Entrance to all the museums is free. The Kastellorizo museum is located just below the castle. The other museum is located in the preserved mosque at the entrance to the harbour. Both museums offer an interesting insight into the trials and tribulations that have plagued the island during the last century.
Or, if you prefer, just relax with a beer or hot drink at the one of the many harbour side cafes and restaurants and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Of course, you should also allow enough time to get in a bit of shopping. There are a couple of small grocery shops on the harbour side selling food and drink. There you can buy bacon and other pork products much cheaper and of a better quality than in Turkey.
There is a branch of the National Bank of Greece on the harbour front with an ATM, so if you haven't got any Euros or just need some more you can get them at this machine.
The duty free shop opens 1 hour before the boat departs and has a small but varied range of booze, tobacco, perfumes, chocolates and electrical items for sale. You will be asked for your name when you buy and your name will be ticked off the passenger manifest.
It really is worth buying your allowance as the prices are significantly lower than Turkey. We have listed a few examples below:
# JB Rare 1L - Duty Free 12.50 Euro (22 YTL) Price in Turkey 64 YTL
# Jim Beam Bourbon 1L - Duty Free 15.30 Euro (27 YTL) Price in Turkey 86 YTL
# Bacardi 1L - Duty Free 13.60 Euro (24 YTL) Price in Turkey 64 YTL
# Gordons Dry Gin Export Strength 1L - Duty Free 10.80 Euro (19 YTL) Price in Turkey 48 YTL but a lower alcohol %.
# Marlboro Redor Gold Box of 200 - Duty Free 15.30 Euro (27 YTL) Price in Turkey 48 YTL
On Departure from Meis
The boat will leave at the agreed time and half an hour later you will arrive back in Kas. On the trip back Selo will collect the money for the trip 35 YTL per person and the 15 Euro per person for the new visa.
On Return to Kas
When you arrive back at the harbour a customs person may be waiting to give everyone a cursory glance 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.
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.
