Ferries & Transport
How to Get to the Princes' Islands
Everything about the ferry from Istanbul — which pier, which line, 2026 fares, timings and how to get around once you land.
Key facts
- Getting there
- Ferry only
- From (Europe)
- Kabataş · Eminönü · Beşiktaş
- From (Asia)
- Kadıköy · Bostancı (fastest)
- Fare (2026)
- İstanbulkart ~₺135 · İDO ~₺280
- To Büyükada
- Bostancı ~35 min · Kabataş ~90 min
- Ticket
- Per crossing, not round-trip
- On the islands
- Walk · bike · Adabüs
There's only one way to reach the Princes' Islands: by ferry. The good news is that ferries are frequent, cheap and scenic — the crossing is part of the fun.
Which pier should I leave from?
Ferries depart from several piers on both sides of the Bosphorus. Pick whichever is closest to where you're staying:
| Side | Piers | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| European | Kabataş, Eminönü, Beşiktaş, Karaköy | Sultanahmet, Taksim, Karaköy, most tourist hotels |
| Asian | Kadıköy, Bostancı (also Maltepe, Kartal) | Kadıköy stays & the fastest crossing (Bostancı) |
The ferry lines
Şehir Hatları is Istanbul's official city ferry — the cheapest option (pay with an İstanbulkart) on big, comfortable boats. Private operators — TurYol, Dentur Avrasya, Mavi Marmara and Prenstur — run extra services that cost a little more but are sometimes faster or more frequent from certain piers.
Fares (2026)
Turkish transport fares are re-hiked two or three times a year, so treat these as a snapshot. As of 2026:
- Şehir Hatları (public) with İstanbulkart: around ₺135 one way — it rose steeply in early 2026 (it was about ₺58 in mid-2025).
- Private fast ferries (TurYol, Dentur, Mavi Marmara): around ₺135, roughly 75 minutes.
- İDO sea bus (deniz otobüsü): around ₺280 — the fastest at about 50 minutes.
Ferries are charged per crossing, not as a round trip — you pay again on the way back. Get an İstanbulkart (buy or top up at the yellow Biletmatik machines or the app); one card can tap for several passengers, and it also works on the island electric buses.
Fares change with inflation — verify current rates on sehirhatlari.istanbul before you travel (some 2026 guides still cite lower figures).
Route, stops & timing
From the European piers the boats call at the islands in this order: Kınalıada → Burgazada → Heybeliada → Büyükada (Büyükada is the last and longest stop, roughly 1.5 hours away). From Bostancı on the Asian side the crossing is much shorter.
Smart ferry tips
- Get an İstanbulkart — it works on every city ferry, tram and bus.
- Go early on a weekday. The first morning ferries are calm; weekend middays are packed.
- Sit on the right-hand side outbound for the best city-and-island views.
- Don't wait for the last ferry back — evening returns get dangerously crowded in summer.
Getting around once you're there
The islands are car-free. You explore on foot, by rented bicycle, or on the municipality's electric shuttles. The old horse-drawn phaetons were retired in 2020, and private battery vehicles are restricted — which is what keeps the islands so peaceful. Full guide to getting around the islands →
Arriving in Istanbul?
Pre-book a private airport transfer from IST or SAW to your hotel — meet & greet, fixed price, no taxi queue.
Before you go
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On the map
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
By ferry. Şehir Hatları (the official line) and private operators sail from Kabataş, Eminönü and Beşiktaş on the European side and Kadıköy and Bostancı on the Asian side. Büyükada is about 35 minutes from Bostancı and around 90 minutes from Kabataş.
Around ₺135 one way with an İstanbulkart on Şehir Hatları or the private fast ferries, and about ₺280 on the İDO sea bus. Fares are charged per crossing (not round-trip) and change often — verify before you travel.
Bostancı on the Asian side — it's the closest to the islands, so the crossing is much shorter than from the European piers. Kadıköy is also quick.
No — you pay per crossing, so tap again for the return. An İstanbulkart is the easiest way, and one card can pay for several passengers.
There are evening return sailings, but don't leave it to the very last boat — the final ferries, especially on summer weekends, are extremely crowded. Check the current timetable on sehirhatlari.istanbul or adalardan.net and plan an earlier crossing.
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Popular island tours & cruises
Live availability and prices for the best-reviewed Princes' Islands experiences.
Ready for the islands?
Book a guided day trip with a boat cruise, free time on Büyükada and lunch.