Princes Islands Day Trip 2026 — Ferry or Private Yacht?

The Princes Islands sit in the Sea of Marmara, roughly 15 to 30 km south-east of the Istanbul city centre. They earned their name because Byzantine royalty and later Ottoman princes were exiled here — the islands were far enough from the capital to be controlled, but close enough to be watched.

Today the four inhabited islands are among Istanbul’s most popular escapes. Cars are banned on all four, which means the only transport is horse-drawn carriages (phaetons), bicycles, and walking. The result is a pace of life that feels startlingly different from the chaos of the main city.

**The four islands at a glance:**

- **Büyükada** (“Great Island”) — the largest, most visited, and most developed. Home to the Splendid Palace Hotel, the Aya Yorgi (St George) Monastery on the hilltop, Victorian mansions, and most of the restaurants and cafés - **Heybeliada** (“Saddlebag Island”) — quieter, favoured by locals, with a Naval School campus and pine-covered hills - **Burgazada** — a fishing village atmosphere, fewer tourists, good for cyclists - **Kınalıada** (“Henna Island”) — the smallest of the four, closest to Istanbul, popular with Armenian families for summer weekends

All four islands are technically part of the Adalar district of Istanbul, though they feel entirely separate from the city.

**Option 1: Public Ferry (Sehir Hatlari)**

Public ferries to the Princes Islands are operated by Istanbul's Sehir Hatlari service. Departures leave from Eminonu Pier (near Galata Bridge) and Kabatas Pier on the European side, calling at Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada, and Büyükada in sequence. The journey to Büyükada takes approximately 90 minutes from Eminonu and around 75 minutes from Kabatas.

Tickets are purchased via the Istanbulkart system at pier machines. A single journey costs approximately 30 TRY (approximately €0.80 at current rates), but for visitors without an Istanbulkart the full-price option is closer to €2–3 depending on season. Return tickets are purchased separately. Budget approximately €5 per person for the round trip.

**Option 2: Private Yacht Charter with MerrySails**

For groups wanting a fully private experience — no ferry queues, no fixed schedule, a customised route — MerrySails operates private yacht charters to the Princes Islands from Kurucesme Marina. The Essential package (from €280 for the full vessel) covers 2 hours on the water; longer itineraries reaching the islands require 3–4 hours. See the yacht charter Istanbul page for package details and pricing.

The private yacht option allows you to approach the islands from the water side, anchor near Büyükada or Heybeliada, swim from the deck, and return on your own schedule — an experience that the public ferry does not offer.

The Sehir Hatlari ferry is Istanbul’s most-loved commuter institution, and the Princes Islands route is its most scenic run. Departures from Eminonu leave roughly every 1–2 hours on weekdays and more frequently on summer weekends. On the boat, the upper open deck offers views of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Maiden’s Tower as the ferry crosses the Sea of Marmara.

**Practical ferry details:** - Main departure piers: Eminonu (near Galata Bridge), Kabatas (tram T1 terminus) - Journey time: ~90 min to Büyükada from Eminonu; ~75 min from Kabatas - Price: ~€5 return per person (Istanbulkart or standard ticket) - Schedule: check sehirhatlari.com.tr for current timetables — seasonal changes apply - Ferry calls at: Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada, Büyükada (in that order)

The main downsides of the public ferry: it can be extremely crowded on summer weekends, particularly on the 10:00–13:00 outbound sailings and the 17:00–20:00 returns. Seats on the upper deck sell out fast. In peak season, standing room on the lower deck is common.

For a calmer and more scenic experience, consider the early-morning ferry (departing 08:00–09:00) or a mid-week visit. The islands feel entirely different without the weekend crowds.

For a full comparison of Istanbul’s water transport options, see the Bosphorus cruise departure points guide.

For groups, families, or anyone who wants to experience the Princes Islands without queues, fixed schedules, or shared decks, a private yacht charter is the most rewarding format.

MerrySails operates private charters from Kurucesme Marina (European shore, Bosphorus midpoint). The route to the Princes Islands crosses the mouth of the Bosphorus and enters the Sea of Marmara — a stretch of open water with panoramic views of the Old City that the public ferry also covers, but from a private deck rather than a crowded vessel.

**MerrySails yacht charter packages (from €280 per vessel):** - Essential — €280 / 2 hours: suitable for a shorter Bosphorus and Marmara experience without docking at the islands - Premium — €380 / 2–3 hours: reaches Büyükada with time to anchor and swim - VIP — €680 / 4+ hours: full-day island itinerary with catering, professional photographer, and custom route

For groups of 6 or more, the per-person cost of a private charter becomes comparable to public ferry tickets plus island transport and dining costs — but with full privacy and none of the logistics.

For all pricing, departure points, and availability, see the yacht charter Istanbul page. The Bosphorus sunset cruise is also an excellent pairing: sunset on the Bosphorus in the evening after a morning island visit.

Büyükada (“Great Island”) is the most developed and visited of the Princes Islands. It covers approximately 5.4 km², has a permanent population of around 8,000, and swells to tens of thousands on summer weekends.

**What to do on Büyükada:**

**Aya Yorgi (St George) Monastery** — The most visited site on the island, a Greek Orthodox monastery perched at the island’s highest point (202 metres). The uphill path is traditionally walked by pilgrims who tie a piece of string at the bottom and collect it on the way down. The view from the top stretches across all four Princes Islands and back to the Istanbul skyline. Accessible by horse-drawn carriage or on foot (approximately 40 minutes' walk).

**The Splendid Palace Hotel** — The iconic 1906 Ottoman-era hotel visible from the ferry. Even if you are not staying, the terrace café is worth a stop for the view.

**Leon Trotsky’s exile house** — Trotsky lived on Büyükada from 1929 to 1933 while writing his History of the Russian Revolution. The house (Buyuk Ada, 55 Cankaya Caddesi) is privately owned and not publicly accessible, but it is a significant piece of modern history for interested visitors.

**The waterfront promenade** — The main pier area is lined with restaurants serving fresh fish, grilled meats, and pastries. Eating a fish sandwich at a waterfront table after the ferry crossing is one of Istanbul’s most reliable pleasures.

**Cycling and horse-drawn carriages** — Bicycle rentals are available near the pier for approximately 50–80 TRY per hour. Horse-drawn phaetons run fixed routes (the big circuit covering both hills costs approximately 600–800 TRY per carriage, for 1–4 passengers).

Give Büyükada a minimum of 4–5 hours to cover the monastery, waterfront, and at least one meal. A full day (9:00–18:00) allows a relaxed pace.

Heybeliada (“Saddlebag Island”) covers approximately 2.4 km² and has a permanent population of around 3,000. It is the second stop on the ferry from Eminonu, and many Istanbul locals prefer it to the more tourist-heavy Büyükada.

**What makes Heybeliada different:**

- Pine forests covering the hillsides — the scent of resin on a hot summer day is distinctive and memorable - The Turkish Naval Academy campus (Deniz Harp Okulu) occupies much of the northern hill — not accessible to visitors, but the buildings are visible and historically significant - Halki Seminary (Heybeliada Ruhban Okulu) — the historic Greek Orthodox theological school, closed by the Turkish government in 1971 and still a subject of diplomatic discussion - Fewer restaurants and cafés than Büyükada — but the ones that exist tend to be more local and less tourist-facing - Less crowded on summer weekends, which makes the carriage rides and cycling circuits more enjoyable

Heybeliada is an ideal complement to Büyükada for visitors who have more than one day, or as the sole destination for travellers who prefer a more relaxed, less-visited experience. The ferry calls at Heybeliada before Büyükada on the outbound journey, so plan accordingly if visiting both in one day.

**Burgazada** covers approximately 1.5 km² and is the most preserved of the four islands. It has almost no tourist infrastructure — just a small main square, a few fish restaurants, a Greek Orthodox church, and hills covered in pine. The famous Turkish author Sait Faik Abasiyanik spent summers here and wrote many of his short stories on the island; his house is now a museum. Burgazada is best visited by travellers who want a genuinely quiet escape and are comfortable finding their own pace.

**Kınalıada** (from the Turkish word for henna, kina) is the smallest of the four inhabited islands and the closest to Istanbul, approximately 13 km from Kabatas. It is particularly popular with Istanbul’s Armenian community, who have maintained summer houses here for generations. The island has two hills, a few beaches, and a small Byzantine church. It is not covered in the tourist literature as heavily as Büyükada, which makes it an interesting choice for curious visitors.

For most first-time visitors to Istanbul, Büyükada alone is sufficient for a full-day trip. Burgazada and Kınalıada are best added to the itinerary on return visits or as part of a multi-island private yacht tour.

**Spring (April–June):** The ideal window. Temperatures are comfortable (18–25°C), the island vegetation is bright green after winter rains, and weekend crowds have not yet peaked. The Bosphorus crossing is smooth, and the light in May and June is outstanding for photography. This is when MerrySails recommends combining a private yacht tour with an island visit for the best overall experience.

**Summer (July–August):** Peak season. The islands are very popular with Istanbul residents escaping the heat, and the weekend ferries are always crowded. Temperatures reach 30–35°C. The water is warm enough for swimming from the yacht or from the island’s rocky shores. If visiting in summer, go mid-week and take the first ferry of the morning.

**Autumn (September–October):** Arguably the most beautiful season on the islands. The crowds thin noticeably after August, temperatures drop to 20–28°C, and the lower sun angle creates exceptional golden-hour light on the Ottoman mansion facades. October is one of the best months for a Bosphorus sunset cruise combined with an island day trip.

**Winter (November–March):** The islands are very quiet — many restaurants and guesthouses close. The ferry still runs, but the experience is atmospheric rather than summery. For travellers interested in history and architecture without the crowds, a winter visit to Büyükada can be memorable.

**Getting there:** - From Taksim: take the F1 funicular to Kabatas, then walk to Kabatas Pier (5 minutes) - From Sultanahmet: take the T1 tram to Eminonu, then walk to the ferry pier - Ferry timetables at sehirhatlari.com.tr (Turkish only — use Google Translate)

**On the islands:** - No cars are permitted on any of the four inhabited islands. All transport is by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, or on foot - Cash is important — smaller cafés, phaeton drivers, and bicycle rentals often do not accept cards - Sunscreen is essential in summer — the hillside paths are exposed and the sea reflection amplifies UV - Carry water — bottled water is available on Büyükada and Heybeliada, less so on smaller islands - Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the uphill path to Aya Yorgi Monastery on Büyükada

**Returning to Istanbul:** - The last ferry from Büyükada back to Eminonu typically departs around 20:00–22:00 in summer — check the schedule at the island pier board - If returning by private yacht, timing is completely flexible

**Combining with a Bosphorus cruise:** The Princes Islands pair naturally with a Bosphorus cruise on the same or adjacent day. A morning ferry to Büyükada, followed by an evening sunset cruise back in the city, is one of the most complete Istanbul day plans possible. The Istanbul 3-day itinerary shows how to sequence both experiences efficiently.

**TURSAB licensed booking:** For private yacht arrangements to the Princes Islands, book direct with MerrySails at merrysails.com or via WhatsApp: +90 537 040 68 22. Merry Tourism is TURSAB A Group licensed since 2001 and has hosted 50,000+ guests on Bosphorus and island excursions.

See the FAQ section below for detailed answers to the most common Princes Islands questions, drawn from the MerrySails booking team’s experience with guests from the UK, US, Germany, and Australia.

For more detailed Istanbul cruise and excursion planning, the Istanbul cruise complete guide 2026 covers all major water-based experiences in the city.