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After a 14-year break, ferry services between Trabzon, a port city on Türkiye’s northeastern Black Sea coast, and Sochi, one of Russia’s main resort cities, have officially resumed.
The renewed connection is expected to strengthen both tourism and trade between the two countries, restoring a vital maritime link that once played a key role in regional relations.
According to local reports, the new ferry route will operate four days a week, with two departures from each side. Vessels will leave Trabzon on Wednesdays and Sundays, while departures from Sochi will take place on Mondays and Thursdays. Each voyage will take approximately 12 hours, arriving at the destination port in the morning.
Authorities emphasized that the service aims to create new economic and cultural bridges between Türkiye and Russia, offering an alternative to air and land transport routes.
The ferry, which has a capacity of about 550 passengers, 150 crew members, and 220 private vehicles, has already attracted strong interest from both travelers and transport operators.
The renewed service is expected to boost small-scale trade, logistics, and cross-border tourism throughout the Black Sea region.
Ticket prices have been set at $500 for vehicles, $220 for suites, and $90 per person in shared four-person cabins. Passengers opting for standard seats will pay $70.
Russian citizens can still enter Türkiye without a visa, while Turkish travelers will need to obtain an online visa.
However, visa exemptions are available for Turkish citizens traveling in groups of 10 to 15 people.
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