I am just about to set off across Europe to take the ferry from Turkey to Cyprus. Finding verifiable information on this and other services to North Cyprus is an interesting challenge since the various ferry offices do not respond to emails in English. To make life even more interesting the practice of using images instead of text in websites is making translation difficult, to say the least. There are a number of sites which provide limited information:
http://www.fergun.net/Seferlerimiz.aspxFergun Shipping seem to be the main ferry company operating from Girne to Ta?ucu and I have independent confirmation that this service exists and the schedule on the web site is good - I have yet to discover whether it is possible to book in advance as I understand the ferry is usually full. Cabins are not mentioned which is a pity since the sailing is overnight and if they are available it would be useful to book one in advance. The prices are said to be net of tax but nothing indicates what the tax rate is. http://www.kuzeymanlar.com/tarifeler_araclar.html Appears to advertise a service between Mersin and Girne but Google Maps shows the Mersin service as terminating in Famagusta. There is an online booking site: http://www.akgunlerdenizcilik.com/At first glance it appears to offer a booking service for the Tasucu - Girne service but closer inspection suggests it is a separate service to Fergun owned by Akgunler Shipping and offers only very occasional car ferry service. Just to make things even more complex the Mersin tourist organisation give apparently comprehensive information athttp://www.mersinkulturturizm.gov.tr/belge/1-33654/nasil-gidilir.htmlhowever, it simply repeats the information on the various websites for which it provides links. It would be of immense help if anyone could clarify the available services and how one might book. Just as valuable would be the kind of background information completely missed by the tourist authority: Is Tasucu the port for Mersin or are they two separate ports?Does one book on the day or if in advance, how?Are there cabins on overnight sailings and if there are must one disembark at 4.30 am or may one sleep longer and disembark at a civilized hour?A tip on an all night café near Girne port for early arrivals who cannot access accommodation at 0500 would be a life saver. The sixty four thousand dollar question: One requires local car insurance before driving in TRNC - is there a place to buy it at 4.30 in the morning? Although not directly relevant to the ferry service I understand one month of car insurance costs 10tl and one year 40tl. It wold be very useful to know whether the annual insurance can be purchased at the port or if not, can it be purchased in advance?