How do I get to Princes Islands from Istanbul?

Take an IDO or Şehir Hatları (city ferry) from Istanbul. Main departure points: Kabataş (central European side) or Bostancı (Asian side). Ferries run to Büyükada (the largest island) — journey takes about 1h45m from Kabataş or 1h from Bostancı. High-speed ferries are faster (~55 min from Kabataş). Book tickets at the ferry terminal or using the Istanbul Deniz Otobus app.

Which is the best Princes Island to visit?

Büyükada (meaning 'Big Island') is by far the most popular and worthwhile — it's the largest island at 5.4 km², with beautiful Victorian-era mansions, pine forests, the Aya Yorgi Church on the hilltop, and the best restaurants. Heybeliada is quieter and lovely for a peaceful escape. Kinaliada is small and close — good for a half-day. Most day-trippers focus on Büyükada.

Are there cars on Princes Islands?

No — private cars are banned on the Princes Islands; only service and emergency vehicles run. This is one of their greatest charms. The horse-drawn carriages (fayton) were withdrawn in 2020, so today you get around by the municipality's small electric buses, by bicycle or on foot. Bicycle rentals are cheap and plentiful near the ferry dock (approximately 100–150 TRY for the day).

How much does the ferry to Princes Islands cost?

Regular city lines (Şehir Hatları): approximately 80–100 TRY each way ($2.50) using an Istanbulkart. IDO fast ferries: approximately 150–200 TRY each way ($4.50–6). Book ahead for weekends and public holidays — ferries fill up quickly, especially in summer. The ferry back to Istanbul runs into the evening.

Is Princes Islands worth visiting from Istanbul?

Absolutely — the Princes Islands are one of Istanbul's most unique experiences. No cars, no crowds (outside summer weekends), colorful wooden Victorian mansions, pine-scented air, swimming spots, and fresh seafood restaurants. It feels like stepping into a different century. Best visited on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

When is the best time to visit Princes Islands?

Weekday visits in May, June, September, or October are ideal — warm enough to swim or cycle, manageable crowds. July and August weekends can be extremely busy with Istanbul day-trippers. Spring months offer blooming Judas trees (purple, stunning) and fresh sea air. Ferries run year-round; winter visits are quiet and atmospheric.

Princes Islands Istanbul 2026 — Büyükada Day Trip

Twenty km off Istanbul's coast lies a car-free archipelago in the Sea of Marmara. Victorian wooden mansions sit back in the pine forest, bicycles and little electric buses work the lanes, and the loudest thing you'll hear is the ferry. It is the easiest day the city offers — if you get the boat right.

Four to choose from

Which island should you visit?

Nine islands, four with ferry service. Most day-trippers want the first row.
Island	Size	Crowds	Verdict
Büyükada	5.4 km²	Most popular	Best overall — Victorian mansions, the hilltop church, the restaurants, the cycling. The one to pick if you only have a day.
Heybeliada	2.3 km²	Quiet & local	Second largest and calmer. Pine forest and the old naval academy — the choice if Büyükada sounds too busy.
Burgazada	1.5 km²	Very quiet	Small and authentic, few tourists. Home of Sait Faik, Turkey's beloved short-story writer.
Kınalıada	1.3 km²	Half-day only	Closest to the city and the smallest. Enough for a half-day, not a full one.

Kabataş or Bostancı

Getting there

Ferry fares are paid in lira with an Istanbulkart and change with the season — treat these as the shape of it, not a quote.
Route	Operator	Journey	Ticket	Note
Kabataş → Büyükada	İDO fast catamaran	~55 min	≈150–200 TRY	The one to take. Tram T1 or funicular F1 to the dock.
Kabataş → Büyükada	Şehir Hatları city ferry	~1h 45min	≈80–100 TRY	Cheapest, with an Istanbulkart. First boat ~06:30, last back ~22:00.
Bostancı → Büyükada	Şehir Hatları city ferry	~1 hour	≈80–100 TRY	The better start if you're staying on the Asian side. Metro M4 to Bostancı.

Summer weekends are the catch. The Kabataş dock gets genuinely overwhelmed from late June to early September — go on a weekday if you possibly can, and if you can't, buy İDO tickets online before you leave the hotel.

Small boats moored at a pier on Büyükada, the largest of the Princes Islands — Büyükada's harbour — boats, sea air and no traffic noise

If you take the 08:30 boat

A day on Büyükada

08:30
Early ferry from Kabataş — you arrive around 10:15, ahead of the crowds.
10:15
Rent a bicycle at the dock, roughly 100–150 TRY for the day.
10:30
Cycle the 8 km perimeter road — mansions on one side, the Marmara on the other.
12:30
Lunch on the waterfront. Grilled fish is the thing to order.
13:30
Up to Aya Yorgi Church on foot — a steep climb, rewarded with the view over the sea.
15:00
Swim in one of the coves (May–October), or walk the Yalı district.
16:30
Garden cafés, and lokum to take home.
18:00
Ferry back to Kabataş or Bostancı.

A bicycle with a flower-filled basket by the sea on Büyükada — Bicycles are the island's way of getting around — rent one near the pier

From your hotel

Getting to the ferry terminal

The islands run on the ferry timetable, and the ferry does not wait. From Sultanahmet that's a tram at rush hour with a day bag; from Taksim it's the funicular and a walk downhill. Neither is hard — but miss the 08:30 from Kabataş and the next fast boat costs you the quiet morning you got up for.

Price a Kabataş transferYour driver is there for the boat you named, not the one after it.

Frequently asked questions

Take an IDO or Şehir Hatları (city ferry) from Istanbul. Main departure points: Kabataş (central European side) or Bostancı (Asian side). Ferries run to Büyükada (the largest island) — journey takes about 1h45m from Kabataş or 1h from Bostancı. High-speed ferries are faster (~55 min from Kabataş). Book tickets at the ferry terminal or using the Istanbul Deniz Otobus app.
Büyükada (meaning 'Big Island') is by far the most popular and worthwhile — it's the largest island at 5.4 km², with beautiful Victorian-era mansions, pine forests, the Aya Yorgi Church on the hilltop, and the best restaurants. Heybeliada is quieter and lovely for a peaceful escape. Kinaliada is small and close — good for a half-day. Most day-trippers focus on Büyükada.
No — private cars are banned on the Princes Islands; only service and emergency vehicles run. This is one of their greatest charms. The horse-drawn carriages (fayton) were withdrawn in 2020, so today you get around by the municipality's small electric buses, by bicycle or on foot. Bicycle rentals are cheap and plentiful near the ferry dock (approximately 100–150 TRY for the day).
Regular city lines (Şehir Hatları): approximately 80–100 TRY each way ($2.50) using an Istanbulkart. IDO fast ferries: approximately 150–200 TRY each way ($4.50–6). Book ahead for weekends and public holidays — ferries fill up quickly, especially in summer. The ferry back to Istanbul runs into the evening.
Absolutely — the Princes Islands are one of Istanbul's most unique experiences. No cars, no crowds (outside summer weekends), colorful wooden Victorian mansions, pine-scented air, swimming spots, and fresh seafood restaurants. It feels like stepping into a different century. Best visited on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Weekday visits in May, June, September, or October are ideal — warm enough to swim or cycle, manageable crowds. July and August weekends can be extremely busy with Istanbul day-trippers. Spring months offer blooming Judas trees (purple, stunning) and fresh sea air. Ferries run year-round; winter visits are quiet and atmospheric.

Staying on the water? The Bosphorus cruise guide covers the other half-day everyone takes, and the reservation page will price the run to the dock against your own hotel address.

Book as a tour: Princes' Islands Day Trip

Princes Islands Istanbul 2026

Which island should you visit?

Getting there

A day on Büyükada

Getting to the ferry terminal

Frequently asked questions

Private tours around Istanbul.

Istanbul Old City Tour

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

Pamukkale Day Trip from Istanbul

Princes' Islands Day Trip

Private transfers in Istanbul.

More to do in Istanbul.

Keep reading

Princes Islands Istanbul 2026

Which island should you visit?

Getting there

A day on Büyükada

Getting to the ferry terminal

Frequently asked questions

Private tours around Istanbul.

Istanbul Old City Tour

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

Pamukkale Day Trip from Istanbul

Princes' Islands Day Trip

Private transfers in Istanbul.

More to do in Istanbul.

Keep reading