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Princes’ Islands, Istanbul

Princes’ Islands, Istanbul: Büyükada pier and wooden mansions above the Sea of Marmara
Photo: Darwinek, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Hours
The islands are always open; ferries run from early morning to evening, with seasonal timetables
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
5 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Şehir Hatları ferry
151.23 TL each way on Istanbulkart (fare from 20 July 2026)
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Single ticket without Istanbulkart
171.89 TL
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Departs from
Kabataş all year; Bostancı and Kadıköy on the Asian side; Eminönü by private operators
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Crossing to Büyükada
≈ 1.5 h from Kabataş, under an hour from Bostancı
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Entry to the islands
Free — you only pay for the ferry
Getting around
On foot, by bike, İETT electric buses and AdaMini electric taxis
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Büyükada electric bus
158.35 TL per ride for visitors
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Beaches
Mostly paid beach clubs; 2026 prices vary widely between sources
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Aya Yorgi monastery
Free; about 1 km of steep uphill walking
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Coordinates
40.87494, 29.12830YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

9 islandsin the archipelago; ferries serve the 4 big ones — Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada
SourceEnglish and Russian Wikipedia
Car-freeprivate vehicles are banned; horse-drawn carriages were retired in 2020 and replaced by electric vehicles
3 sourcesEnglish WikipediaIstanbul.comTurkish press on the 2020 Istanbul municipality decision
≈ 1.5 hoursby ferry from Kabataş to Büyükada, calling at the other three islands
2 sourcesRussian Wikipediaferibotseferleri timetable guide
≈ 5.4 km²Büyükada, the largest island
2 sourcesEnglish Wikipedia (5.4–5.46 km²)Russian Wikipedia (5.36 km²)
202 mYücetepe hill, crowned by the Monastery of St George (Aya Yorgi)
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaKüre Encyclopedia
1929–1933Leon Trotsky lived in exile on Büyükada
2 sourcesEnglish and Russian WikipediaBritannica
1898the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage was built — a vast wooden building meant as a hotel and casino
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaKültür Envanteri
ExileByzantium banished out-of-favour princes and empresses here — hence the name
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaBritannica
1971the Halki Theological School on Heybeliada was closed
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaOrthodoxWiki
11 km²all the islands together — they form their own Istanbul district, Adalar
SourceEnglish and Russian Wikipedia
23 AprilSt George’s Day: thousands climb to Aya Yorgi to make a wish
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaTurkish press (Hürriyet)

How to get to the Princes’ Islands

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map: on foot, by tram and by taxi. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. Take tram T1 from Sultanahmet to the Kabataş terminus — about 20 minutes.
  2. Top up your Istanbulkart: about 151 TL each way, roughly 300 TL return per person.
  3. Board the Şehir Hatları ferry marked Adalar. It calls at Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada; Büyükada is the last stop, about 1.5 hours.
  4. For a shorter crossing, go from Bostancı pier on the Asian side: more sailings, under an hour.
  5. Come back from Büyükada pier — boats run to Kabataş, Bostancı and Kadıköy. Getting off in Kadıköy makes a good evening.

Princes’ Islands ferry: price and timetable

The main operator is the city-run Şehir Hatları, sailing from Kabataş all year and also from Bostancı and Kadıköy. Private companies Turyol and Mavi Marmara run boats too, including from Eminönü and Bostancı; their fares and Istanbulkart rules differ, so check with the operator.

Since 20 July 2026 the Istanbulkart fare is 151.23 TL, and a single ticket from the machine is 171.89 TL. These figures come from Turkish news reports of the new tariff — we couldn't check the Şehir Hatları website, so confirm in the Şehir Hatları app or at the pier.

Summer and winter timetables differ, and weekends and holidays have their own. Check the day's sailings, especially the last boat back, before you set off.

Which Princes’ Island should you visit?

Büyükadayou are hereFirst visit, all the highlights≈ 1.5 h, last stopAya Yorgi, mansions, orphanageBusyYes, beach clubs
HeybeliadaQuiet, pine woods, covesSecond to lastHalki seminary, forestModerateYes, calm coves
BurgazadaA sleepy residential islandSecond stopWaterfront, Sait Faik house museumQuietYes
KınalıadaA half dayFirst stop, closestRocky shoreQuietYes, rocks

One day, one island — Büyükada. Been before or want peace — Heybeliada. You can do two: hop off at Heybeliada, then take the next ferry on to Büyükada.

Things to do on Büyükada

  • Climb to the Monastery of St George (Aya Yorgi) on 202 m Yücetepe — a steep kilometre with views over the islands and the city.
  • See the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage, a huge wooden building from 1898 — outside only, it is closed.
  • Walk past the 19th-century wooden mansions on Çankaya and Nizam streets.
  • Start from the 1899 ferry terminal and the clock-tower square.
  • Find the house where Trotsky lived in 1929–1933 — abandoned and closed today.
  • Cycle the loop road round the island, through pine woods and past the beaches.

Is it worth visiting the Princes’ Islands?

Yes, if you have more than three days in Istanbul: it is a proper break from the city — sea air, no traffic, no rush. With only two or three days, spend them on the old city and get your sea view from a Bosphorus ferry instead.

The islands got their name in Byzantine times, when out-of-favour princes and empresses were exiled here. In the 19th century they became the summer retreat of Istanbul’s Greek, Armenian and Jewish families — hence the wooden mansions. Cars never arrived.

Beaches: can you swim?

Yes — all four main islands have places to swim: small sand and pebble beaches, rocks and wooden decks. The best known on Büyükada is Yörük Ali, near Dilburnu point.

Most comfortable spots are paid beach clubs with sunbeds. Reported 2026 prices differ several-fold, so we don't quote one — ask at the gate. Free swimming means wild rocky stretches.

Swim season is June to September; the water is still cold in May. The far side of each island, away from the pier, is quieter.

Before you go: checklist

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Istanbul by the water, compared

Every waterside place in Istanbul rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Bosphorus ferry cruise762 hPrice: verifying20.5 km
Maiden’s Tower451 h 45 minBoat and entry: verifying19.3 km
Kadıköy452 hFree15.8 km
Galataport401 h 30 minFree20.7 km
Karaköy401 h 30 minFree20.8 km
Arnavutköy331 hFree22.5 km
Bebek321 hFree23.5 km
Beylerbeyi Palace311 h 15 min800 TL20.1 km
Rahmi M. Koç Museum302 h550 TL23.9 km
Emirgan Park281 h 15 minFree26.8 km
Princes’ Islandsyou are here245 h≈ 151 TL ferry each way—
Istanbul Aquarium212 h1,000 TL29.3 km

The islands and the Asian shore in a day

Morning ferry to Büyükada, evening boat back to Kadıköy, a walk on to Üsküdar and sunset at the Maiden’s Tower. Add them to your route in one tap — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Princes’ Islandsyou are here5 h · ≈ 151 TL ferry each way
  2. 274 min walk from the previous stopKadıköy2 h · Free
  3. 69 min walk from the previous stopÜsküdar1 h 30 min · Free
  4. 21 min walk from the previous stopMaiden’s Tower1 h 45 min · Boat and entry: verifying

4 places · about 16 h 19 min with walks · 364 min on foot in total

Go · my route

How to do it right

  • Go on a weekday: summer weekends mean queues for the ferry and crowds on Büyükada.
  • In a hurry? Board at Bostancı on the Asian side instead of Kabataş.
  • Climb to Aya Yorgi in the morning before the heat, and carry water.
  • On the way back, hop off in Kadıköy for dinner and the Asian side’s nightlife.

Questions

How do I get to the Princes’ Islands from Istanbul?

Tram T1 to Kabataş, then the Şehir Hatları ferry to Büyükada — about 1.5 hours. From the Asian side, Bostancı pier is quicker. Pay with an Istanbulkart.

How much is the ferry to the Princes’ Islands?

Since 20 July 2026, 151.23 TL each way on an Istanbulkart, or 171.89 TL for a single ticket — about 300 TL return. Private operators set their own fares.

How long is the ferry to the Princes’ Islands?

About 1.5 hours from Kabataş to Büyükada, less to the nearer islands. Under an hour from Bostancı.

Which Princes’ Island is best to visit?

Büyükada for a first visit — it has the most to see. Heybeliada for quiet and pine woods. Kınalıada, the closest, for a half day.

Is the Princes’ Islands trip worth it?

Yes if you have more than three days in Istanbul — it is a calm, car-free break by the sea. On a short trip, the old city and a Bosphorus ferry come first.

Can you swim at the Princes’ Islands?

Yes, June to September. Beaches are small and mostly paid beach clubs; Yörük Ali is the best known on Büyükada.

What is there to do on Büyükada?

Climb to the Aya Yorgi monastery, cycle round the island, see the wooden mansions and the old Greek orphanage from outside.

Can I use Istanbulkart on the Princes’ Islands ferry?

Yes on Şehir Hatları ferries. Private operators may have their own tickets and fares — check at the pier.

Are there cars on the Princes’ Islands?

No. Private vehicles are banned; you get around on foot, by bike or on electric buses and taxis. Horse carriages ended in 2020.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English and Russian Wikipedia: Princes’ Islands, Büyükada, Prinkipo Greek Orthodox Orphanage; Wikidata Q1020668
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica: Kızıl Adalar
  • Adalar Haber and feribotseferleri: Şehir Hatları and island transport fares from 20 July 2026 (UKOME decision)
  • Istanbul.com: Princes’ Islands day trip guide, 2026
  • Küre Encyclopedia: Aya Yorgi Kilisesi; Hürriyet on the Aya Yorgi pilgrimage
  • Kültür Envanteri: Büyükada Rum Yetimhanesi
  • OrthodoxWiki: Theological School of Halki
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 29.10.2026 ·
How we checkedFerry and electric bus fares are from the tariff in force since 20 July 2026, reported identically by two Turkish outlets; the Şehir Hatları website could not be checked, so fares are marked “verifying”. We don't publish a timetable — it changes by season and day of the week. Beach club prices differ several-fold between sources, so we leave them out. Wikipedia gives Büyükada as 5.36–5.46 km², so we show ≈ 5.4. Other facts are checked against at least two sources. We don't repeat the popular “largest wooden building in Europe” claim about the orphanage: it is disputed.

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