Lesvos maritime connectivity to expand with vehicle ferries by 2027

Maritime connectivity between Lesvos and the Turkish coast is expanding, with plans to upgrade the Aliaga–Mytilene route to include vehicle transport by 2027. Serkan Acar, the Mayor of Aliaga, announced this goal during an official visit to Lesvos, noting that since the passenger-only service began in April, approximately 22,000 passengers have traveled the route.

The expansion aims to boost tourism and commercial opportunities between the two regions. While current services via Jalem Tur are limited to passengers with a travel time of roughly 110 minutes, the introduction of vehicle-carrying vessels is expected to significantly alter movement patterns in the Northern Aegean.

This increased connectivity coincides with the impact of the 'visa express' measure implemented in 2024, which has facilitated a high volume of Turkish tourists visiting Aegean islands and the Dodecanese. While local businesses in some areas report satisfaction with the influx of visitors, there are concerns regarding the growing economic dependence on Turkish tourism and the rising costs of ferry travel for Greek citizens compared to the relatively affordable access available to Turkish travelers.