Princes' Islands Day Tour from Istanbul: Ferry, Buyukada & Lunch
Overview
Princes' Islands Day Tour from Istanbul: Ferry, Buyukada & Lunch
Swap the crowded city for the calm of the Princes' Islands. You cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry, looking back at the skyline of Istanbul, and stop at Kinaliada, Heybeliada and Buyukada.
Buyukada at Your Own Pace
Buyukada is the biggest and most famous island of the group. Here you eat lunch at a local restaurant, then have time to stroll past old wooden mansions, take pictures, shop or sit at a cafe by the sea. Cycling is another favourite way to get around the islands.
Included in the Price
The price covers pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, ferry tickets both ways, lunch and a tour assistant who speaks English, Spanish or Russian.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Kinaliada, Heybeliada and Buyukada by Ferry
- Hotel pick-up: we collect you from your hotel in Istanbul.
- Ferry to the islands: an easy ride over the Sea of Marmara, with the Istanbul skyline behind you.
- Island stops: Kinaliada and Heybeliada, both calm, with views of the sea.
- Buyukada: you arrive on the largest and most famous of the Princes' Islands, known for historic mansions and pretty streets.
- Lunch: a meal in a local restaurant on Buyukada.
- Free time: wander the island at your own speed, sit at a cafe by the water, take photos or buy souvenirs.
- Return to Istanbul: the ferry brings you back to the city.
- Hotel drop-off: once back in Istanbul, you are driven to your hotel.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Ferry Tickets Both Ways
- ✓Pick-Up and Drop-Off at Your Hotel
- ✓Lunch in a Local Restaurant
- ✓Tour Assistant Speaking English, Spanish and Russian
- ✓Stops on Buyukada, Heybeliada and Kinaliada
- ✓Transport Services
- ✓Free Time to Explore Buyukada
- ✕Bicycle Rental
- ✕Electric Vehicle / Island Transportation
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Princes' Islands day trip from Istanbul: the essentials
On this full-day tour you take a ferry from Istanbul out to the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, with prices from $90 per person. The boat calls at Kinaliada and Heybeliada first, then you arrive at Buyukada, the biggest island, for lunch in a local restaurant and some free time. The price includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, ferry tickets both ways and a tour assistant who speaks English, Spanish or Russian.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| How long | Around 8 hours |
| Cost | From $90 per person |
| Format | Shared tour in a group, with a tour assistant |
| Languages spoken | English, Spanish or Russian |
| What you get | Ferry tickets both ways, lunch, transport, pick-up and drop-off at your hotel |
| What you pay extra | Bike hire, the island's electric vehicles, personal spending |
Is a trip to the Princes' Islands worth it?
It is, if you need a calmer day after busy Sultanahmet. Private cars are not allowed on the islands, so instead of traffic you hear seagulls and bicycle bells. On the ferry out you get views of the Istanbul skyline, and on Buyukada you walk past old wooden mansions and hills covered in pine before stopping for tea by the water. The appeal here is the mood of the place, not its monuments.
Which of the Princes' Islands should you choose?
Most first-time visitors pick Buyukada, and this tour gives it the most time. It is the biggest and busiest island, with grand mansions, restaurants along the sea and plenty to discover on foot or by bicycle. Kinaliada and Heybeliada are smaller and calmer, and the tour shows them during brief stops before reaching Buyukada.
| Island | On this tour | What it is like |
|---|---|---|
| Kinaliada | Brief stop | Small and quiet, and the nearest island to the city |
| Heybeliada | Brief stop | Calm and green, a favourite with walkers |
| Buyukada | Free time and lunch | Biggest island, with wooden mansions, cafes by the sea and cycling |
How can you get around Buyukada?
You can walk, cycle or use the electric vehicles on the island. The horse-drawn carriages it was once known for have stopped running. The streets near the pier and along the seafront are easy to walk, but the inland hills are steep, so plenty of visitors hire a bike. Bike hire and electric vehicle fares are paid on the spot and are not part of the tour price.
How does this day compare with other easy trips from Istanbul?
| Tour | How it differs | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Ferry to three islands with lunch on Buyukada | $90 |
| Bosphorus lunch cruise with hotel pick-up | Lunch served on board during three hours on the Bosphorus | $75 |
| Bursa day trip with cable car and lunch | Ottoman Bursa, a ferry and a cable car up the mountain | $90 |
| Sapanca and Masukiye day trip | Forest and lake, with optional zipline and ATV | $70 |
| Private Bosphorus yacht for up to 12 | A yacht just for you, 2 hours minimum | $299 per hour |
What is the best season for the Princes' Islands?
The best months are May, June and September, when it is warm enough to sit outside by the water and, in spring, the gardens are in flower. July and August are hot and very busy, above all at weekends when lots of Istanbul locals go too, so choose a weekday if you can. Autumn and winter are calm with soft light, though some cafes by the sea open for fewer hours and the ferry deck can get windy.
What should you pack?
Wear comfortable shoes for walking, since Buyukada's streets are hilly and cobbled. In summer take a hat, sunscreen and water; in spring, autumn and winter take a windproof jacket for the ferry. Carry cash for bike hire, tea or ice cream, and have a camera ready for the skyline as the ferry pulls away from the city. If you want to cycle, shorts or trousers work better than a long skirt.
Is swimming possible on the Princes' Islands?
The islands have beach clubs in summer, but this tour does not include a swim and the free time on Buyukada is short, so plan your day around lunch, walking and the seafront. If swimming matters most, have a look at the Sile Black Sea beach day from $60.
How can you book?
Pick a date on this page and submit the form, or send us your hotel name on WhatsApp. We confirm your place and pick-up time in writing, and payment is only due after that. You can find more options among our Istanbul tours and Turkey tour packages.
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