Istanbul: Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Buyukada

The best part of this day trip is the change of pace. Istanbul’s minarets and crowded waterfront fade behind you as the boat crosses the Sea of Marmara toward quiet islands lined with old wooden houses and pine trees. Büyükada is the star, but green Heybeliada gives you a calmer first taste.

I like the low $18 starting price, especially when ferry transport and lunch are included in the selected package. I also like the guides, particularly Oktay and Suleyman, who are often praised for clear explanations and warm, cheerful service. The main drawback is time: Büyükada gets about three hours and Heybeliada about 45 minutes, though the exact island order can change.

Key points at a glance

• A full day beyond Istanbul: Allow about eight hours, including transfers, ferry rides, island stops, and the return to the city.
• Two different island moods: Heybeliada is greener and quieter, while Büyükada has grand mansions, cafés, and more places to explore.
• A ferry ride with a view: The crossing offers open-water views and a chance to watch Istanbul recede from the European shore.
• Lunch is part of the rhythm: A Turkish meal is served on board, with one water included when you choose that option.
• Free time is the main attraction: Walk, sightsee, visit a church or monastery, rent a bicycle, or pay for an electric vehicle.
• Expect a lively finish: Music and dancing may fill the return boat, followed by a short shopping stop in Sultanahmet.

Leaving Istanbul by ferry across the Sea of Marmara

This excursion begins with hotel pickup between roughly 8:00 and 9:15 if you select that option. Pickup areas include Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Kabataş, Eminönü, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Laleli, Beyazıt, and Vezneciler. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to the port, then meet the guide and board the boat.

If you make your own way there, the ship departs across from Kadir Has University. The T5 tram from Sirkeci stops at Cibali, and from there you walk toward the water and look for the boat named MİLANA. Arrive with a little patience, since the port area can be busy and the boat name matters.

The ferry ride takes about an hour and a half in the published schedule, though the first island is sometimes reached after about an hour. Either way, the crossing is not dead time. You get wide views of Istanbul’s waterfront, mosques, and shoreline before the city becomes a distant strip behind you.

Tea, coffee, snacks, and drinks are sold on board at reasonable prices. Sit outside if the weather allows, but bring a jacket in cooler months. The sea breeze can feel much sharper than it does on Istanbul’s streets.

Guides speak English, Arabic, and Russian. Oktay and Suleyman are names that come up often in connection with this boat, while Ali and Ahmed have also helped with transfers and island arrangements. The guide generally explains the city and islands during the crossing, then gives practical instructions before free time begins.

Heybeliada, the green first stop

Heybeliada is the second-largest of the Princes’ Islands and is known for being the greenest. The stop is usually about 45 minutes, with a guided walk, a photo stop, and time to look around near the port.

That short visit works best as an introduction rather than a full island tour. You can stretch your legs, enjoy the quiet streets, and take in the contrast with Istanbul. The island has a slower village feel, and the trees make it a pleasant place for a brief walk.

One worthwhile target is the Greek monastery, said to be about a 15-minute walk from the boat. Ask the guide for directions and check the return time before setting off. The stop is short, so a distant walk can turn into a hurried race back to the meeting point.

The exact first island is not fixed every day. Sometimes the boat passes Kınalıada and stops at Heybeliada; at other times, Kınalıada replaces Heybeliada. Burgaz Island is generally passed on the way. If seeing a particular island or religious site matters to you, ask the guide at the start rather than assuming the printed order will hold.

This flexibility is practical for the operator, but it is one of the tour’s limitations. You are buying a day on the Princes’ Islands, not a guaranteed deep visit to every island named in the title.

Büyükada and its wooden mansions

Büyükada is the largest of the Princes’ Islands and the main stop. You get about three hours here, making it the place to plan around.

The port area is more active than Heybeliada, with cafés, small shops, and places to pause by the water. From there, you can walk through streets lined with old wooden mansions. The island’s car-free character, combined with its greenery and sea air, makes it feel far removed from central Istanbul.

The tour includes an electric vehicle tour in its highlights, but the practical details matter: the electric vehicle is not included in the price. Bicycle rental is also extra, and the company accepts no responsibility for problems with a rented bicycle or electric vehicle. Check that any vehicle is in good working order before paying.

An electric vehicle is useful if you want to see more of the island without spending your free time on hills. Walking is cheaper, but the schedule is tight if you hope to reach several sights. One route suggested by the guide may include the abandoned Greek orphanage or the Greek monastery, and some visitors have also used an electric local bus to reach the center and return to the port.

You may find steep hills on routes toward the monasteries and viewpoints. Wear proper walking shoes, even if you plan to use an electric vehicle for part of the visit. Büyükada can offer a lot in three hours, but you cannot see everything. Choose one or two priorities before arriving.

The island also has links to figures and events from the past, including the ruins of Trotsky’s house, according to information shared by guides. Ask what is reachable within your free time. A guide can save you from setting off toward a sight that is too far from the port for the available hours.

Lunch on board and free time by the water

Lunch is served on the boat, usually after the guide’s introduction to Büyükada. The meal features Turkish dishes and comes with one water if lunch is included in your selected package.

It is described as simple but satisfying rather than a special restaurant meal. That is fair for the price. You avoid spending your limited island time searching for food, and you can return to the boat knowing the main meal is covered.

Drinks beyond the included water cost extra. Tea, coffee, snacks, and other drinks are available for purchase. If you have dietary concerns, the supplied information does not specify special menus, so ask before booking or speak with the crew when you board.

After lunch, the remaining time is yours. You can wander the port, walk among the mansions, sit in a café, or look into bicycle and electric vehicle rental. During summer, swimming may be possible at free public beaches or private paid beaches, but beach entry is not included. Bring suitable swimwear only if swimming is a real priority, and budget for a private beach fee if needed.

Swimming is seasonal, and conditions depend on the day. In cooler months, the islands are better suited to walking, photographs, cafés, and sea views. December can be especially peaceful if you prefer fewer people, but you should expect cooler weather and less use of the beaches.

The return boat and the shopping stop

After the island visits, you meet the guide at the stated point and board the boat back to Istanbul. The return crossing is often more social than the outward journey. Music, Turkish dancing, and passenger dancing may turn the boat into a small party.

That atmosphere is a plus if you enjoy group fun. It is not the quietest way to end the day, so keep it in mind if you want a peaceful cruise all the way home. The crew’s energy is frequently part of the experience, and the multilingual mix can make the final crossing feel friendly and informal.

Back in Istanbul, the tour includes a short shopping stop, generally around 30 minutes in Sultanahmet. This may involve a leather and fur shop or fashion presentation. You can browse and purchase, but you are under no obligation to buy.

The sales stop is the least connected part of the day. Some people find the fashion show entertaining; others see it as an unwanted sales pitch. Prices may be high, so decide in advance that browsing is enough. The same applies to the professional photographer on the boat. If you are interested in the photos, ask for the price before agreeing to anything.

After shopping, the vehicle returns you to one of the listed drop-off areas, including Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, or the boat’s port area. Actual drop-off depends on your selected option and location.

What the $18 price really buys

At $18 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive way to spend a full day outside Istanbul. The value is strongest when your booking includes hotel pickup, ferry tickets, air-conditioned transport, and lunch. Read the selected package carefully, since pickup and lunch are listed as optional rather than automatic.

The ferry tickets are the essential cost. Add transport to and from the port, a meal, and a guide, and the package can save you the effort of arranging several parts yourself. It also gives you a fixed meeting point and someone to explain the island choices when the schedule changes.

Extra costs can add up:

• Bicycle or electric vehicle rental
• Beach entry during summer
• Drinks beyond the included water
• Personal expenses
• Meals for children aged two and under
• Optional photographs
• Purchases during the shopping stop

For a self-guided visit, you may prefer controlling your own ferry times and spending longer on one island. This tour suits you better if you value convenience, included transport, a guide, and a ready-made day away from the city.

The rating of 4.4 from 2,305 reviews suggests broad satisfaction, but the experience is not a luxury cruise. Timing can shift, the first island can change, and the shopping stop may not suit everyone. At this price, the sensible expectation is a friendly, organized group outing with basic lunch and plenty of scenery.

Who should book this island day trip

I would choose this tour if you have already seen Istanbul’s main sights and want a break from traffic, stone streets, and crowds. It works well for couples, families, solo visitors, and groups because the ferry gives you downtime while the island hours let each person choose a pace.

Families may appreciate the simple structure and the chance to feed seagulls from the boat, though you should keep children close during free time and respect the meeting schedule. Solo visitors can also join without having to work out ferry connections or island transport alone.

You should have enough mobility for walking on uneven or steep streets if you want to see more than the port. A rented electric vehicle can reduce the walking, but it costs extra and is optional.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed historical tour of every island, a long swim, or several hours in one café. It is also not ideal if you dislike group entertainment or shopping stops. The day covers a lot, but it does so at a brisk pace.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Wear walking shoes and bring sun protection in summer. A light jacket is useful on the ferry, even on a warm day.

Keep your phone charged. You may need it for photos, directions, and checking the meeting time, especially if you leave the port area on Büyükada.

Ask the guide about the day’s island order, the exact meeting point, and which sights fit the available time. This is particularly important if you want to visit the Heybeliada monastery, the Greek orphanage, a monastery on Büyükada, or a viewpoint.

If you plan to use an electric vehicle or bicycle, budget separately and inspect it first. If you want to swim, ask about the free public beaches and private paid beaches before leaving the port.

Book the hotel pickup if convenience matters more than saving a little time. If you are going independently, use the T5 tram to Cibali and find the MİLANA boat across from Kadir Has University.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking can help if your Istanbul plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Princes’ Islands tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, easy day trip with sea views, a Turkish lunch, two island stops, and a friendly guide. The strongest part is the overall mix: a relaxing ferry, green Heybeliada, grand Büyükada, and a lively ride back.

Choose another option if you need complete control over your schedule or want to spend a whole day on Büyükada alone. For most first-time island visitors, though, the $18 price makes this a practical way to sample the Princes’ Islands without the usual transport planning. Just bring good shoes, keep an eye on the clock, and treat the shopping stop as optional.

FAQ

How long does the Princes’ Islands tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel transfers if that option is selected, ferry travel, island visits, the return journey, and the shopping stop.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Heybeliada and Büyükada. The first island may sometimes be Kınalıada instead of Heybeliada. Kınalıada and Burgaz Island may also be passed during the cruise.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available only if you select that option. Pickup areas include Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Kabataş, Eminönü, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Laleli, Beyazıt, and Vezneciler.

Where is the meeting point without hotel pickup?

The boat departs across from Kadir Has University. You can take the T5 tram from Sirkeci to Cibali, walk toward the water, and look for the MİLANA boat.

Is lunch included?

Lunch with one water is included if you choose the lunch option. Drinks beyond the included water are available to buy on board.

Can I swim during the tour?

Swimming may be possible during the summer free time on Büyükada. Free public beaches and private paid beaches are available, but beach entrance fees are not included.

Are bicycles and electric vehicles included?

No. Bicycle and electric vehicle rental costs extra and is entirely optional. Check that a rented vehicle is in good condition before using it.