Princes' Islands Day Trip from Istanbul: Ferries, Büyükada, Tours

A Princes' Islands day trip from Istanbul takes a full day of about eight hours: the public ferry from Kabataş reaches Büyükada, the largest island, in around 90 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the boat, and you need four to five hours on the island to see it properly. You can go on your own with an Istanbulkart, or join our Princes' Islands day tour with ferry, Büyükada and lunch, from $90 per person. The islands have no private cars, so the day is spent on foot, by bicycle or on the small electric vehicles that replaced the old horse carriages. This guide covers the ferries, a realistic Büyükada plan and when a guided trip makes more sense.

The four islands at a glance

Nine islands lie off Istanbul's Asian shore in the Sea of Marmara, and the four largest are served by the city ferries. The boats call at them in a fixed order, so the first islands are closest to the city.

Most visitors pick Büyükada alone. Fitting in a second island is possible, usually Heybeliada, as it is one stop back towards the city, but it makes for a rushed day.

Getting there: ferries and piers

The main way to the islands is the public ferry run by Şehir Hatları, Istanbul's city ferry company.

• From the European side: ferries leave from Kabataş, the most convenient pier for hotels in Sultanahmet (on the T1 tram line) and Taksim (on the funicular).
• From the Asian side: Kadıköy and Bostancı both have island ferries, and Bostancı is the shortest crossing.
• Payment: tap an Istanbulkart at the pier turnstile. No reservation is needed, and the ferries carry foot passengers only.
• Journey time: around 90 minutes from Kabataş to Büyükada, longer on boats that stop at every island. Faster sea buses run by private operators, such as Mavi Marmara and Dentur Avrasya, cover some routes and seasons.
• Timetables: schedules change between summer and winter, and the winter timetable that began at the end of October 2026 has fewer sailings. Check the last return ferry the moment you arrive, not at the end of the day.

Fares change through the year and the islands line is priced separately from ordinary city ferries, so check the current fare on the Şehir Hatları website or at the pier. Buying your own Istanbulkart, rather than borrowing one for the whole group, makes the return journey easier if you split up.

On summer weekends and public holidays, the morning ferries are crowded and the return boats in the late afternoon even more so. A weekday trip is a different experience.

A one-day Büyükada plan

This is the rhythm we use on our own island days. It suits people of normal fitness and leaves time for a long lunch.

1. Morning ferry from Kabataş. An early boat gets you to the island before the crowds and gives you the cooler part of the day for walking.
2. Arrival at Büyükada pier. The clock tower square by the pier is the centre of the town, with cafés, bakeries and the bicycle rental shops.
3. The mansion streets. Walk up from the square through the lanes behind the waterfront, where the largest wooden mansions stand in their gardens. Leon Trotsky lived on Büyükada in exile from 1929 to 1933.
4. Up to Aya Yorgi. The Monastery of St George sits on Yücetepe, the island's southern hill. Vehicles stop below the summit, and the last section is a steep cobbled path of about 45 minutes on foot. At the top is a small church and a café with views over the Sea of Marmara. Dress modestly for the church.
5. Lunch. Either at the café on the hill or back by the water, where fish restaurants and meyhanes line the seafront.
6. Afternoon on wheels. Rent a bicycle or take the electric vehicle loop around the island, past the pine woods and the coves on the far side.
7. Late afternoon ferry back. Watching the city come into view from the Sea of Marmara is part of the trip.

Note that 23 April, the feast of St George, brings very large crowds of pilgrims to Aya Yorgi. On that day, and on summer Sundays, expect queues for everything.

Getting around Büyükada without a car

Private cars are banned on the Princes' Islands, which is a large part of their appeal. The horse-drawn carriages (fayton) that once carried visitors have been withdrawn, and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality now runs electric vehicles on set routes instead.

• On foot: the town, the waterfront and the lower mansion streets are flat and easy. The hills are steep, especially towards Aya Yorgi.
• Bicycle: rental shops near the pier have ordinary bikes and electric bikes. E-bikes make the hills much easier.
• Electric vehicles: municipal electric buses run on fixed routes around the island and are paid with an Istanbulkart. At busy times, expect to queue near the pier.

Wear proper walking shoes. Cobbles, hills and the climb to the monastery are hard going in sandals.

Season, weather and what to bring

The islands are at their best from May to October, when the sea is warm enough for a swim at one of the small beach clubs or coves. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant for walking. In winter the islands are very quiet, many cafés and bike shops keep shorter hours, and ferries are fewer, but a clear winter day can still be lovely for a walk.

Bring:

• Water and sun protection, as the hill paths have little shade.
• A layer for the ferry, which can be windy even in summer.
• Cash in Turkish lira for small cafés and bike rental.
• A scarf for the church at Aya Yorgi.

On your own or guided?

The Princes' Islands are one of the easiest trips to do independently, so a tour is a choice rather than a necessity. Here is how they compare.

On your own is the cheapest way to go and gives you complete freedom. It works well if you are comfortable with ferries, happy to read timetables and want to linger on the island.

A guided day handles the parts that cause trouble: getting to the right pier for the right boat, the crowds at the ticket barriers, finding lunch and knowing when to start back. You also get the history of the mansions, the Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities that shaped the islands, and the monasteries. Our Princes' Islands day tour with ferry and lunch is from $90 per person, 8 hours. For a lower budget, the Princes' Islands full-day tour of Büyükada and Heybeliada is from $34 per person and covers two islands.

Staying overnight is the best way to see Büyükada at its quietest, after the day visitors leave. Our Büyükada romantic getaway for couples is a private two-day trip from $440 per person.

If you are planning several day trips, our Istanbul day trips page compares the islands with Bursa, Sapanca and others, and the Princes' Islands page has more on each island's history. To do the Bosphorus by public ferry as well, see our self-guided Bosphorus ferry guide.

Tours that cover this

• Princes' Islands day tour from Istanbul: ferry, Büyükada and lunch — from $90 per person, 8 hours.
• Princes' Islands full-day tour: Büyükada and Heybeliada — from $34 per person.
• Büyükada romantic getaway, private overnight trip for couples — from $440 per person, 2 days.
• Istanbul tour package, 8 days, private Old City, Bosphorus and islands — from $1,499 per person.

Frequently Asked Questions