Istanbul: Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Buyukada

The best part of this day is the change of pace. Istanbul fades behind you as the boat crosses the Sea of Marmara, then you step onto quiet island streets lined with wooden houses, cafés, pine trees, and sea air. Heybeliada feels calm and green, while Büyükada gives you more time and more things to see.

I like the low price, around $18 per person, and the fact that ferry transport, a guide, and lunch can be combined in one easy day. I also like the lively return boat, where music and dancing may turn the last crossing into a cheerful international party.

The tradeoff is time. You may have only about 45 minutes on Heybeliada and roughly three hours on Büyükada, and the route can change to another island. Add paid costs for an electric vehicle, bicycle, swimming area, drinks, or the final shopping stop, and the bargain needs a little planning.

Quick points before you book

• The boat ride is a major part of the day: Expect long stretches on the water, with views of Istanbul’s shoreline and the Sea of Marmara.
• Heybeliada is the quieter stop: Use the free time for a short walk, photos, or a visit toward the Greek monastery.
• Büyükada needs a plan: Three hours sounds generous, but it goes quickly if you want cafés, old mansions, a viewpoint, and historic sites.
• Lunch is served on board: It includes Turkish dishes and one water when that option is selected. Tea, coffee, snacks, and other drinks cost extra.
• Electric transport is not included: You can choose a bicycle or electric vehicle on the island, but check the price and condition before paying.
• The return can be noisy and fun: Music, singing, and dancing are part of the atmosphere on some departures, followed by a short shopping stop.

Why the Princes’ Islands make a good Istanbul break

Istanbul can feel wonderfully intense. Ferries, traffic, mosques, markets, and packed streets fill your day quickly. The Princes’ Islands offer a useful reset without requiring a long journey or complicated planning.

The islands sit in the Sea of Marmara and are known for car-free streets, old wooden mansions, small ports, and a slower village feel. This tour lets you see two islands in one day, with the guide handling the ferry arrangements and meeting points.

At $18, the tour is especially strong value if you want transport and a basic lunch organized for you. Hotel pickup and drop-off can also be included from areas such as Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Eminönü, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Laleli, Beyazıt, and Vezneciler. If you prefer to reach the port yourself, the boat departs near Kadir Has University, close to the Cibali stop on the T5 tram.

I would choose this trip for a first visit to the islands, for families who want a simple outing, or for anyone who would rather not work out the ferry connections alone. If you want a slow, independent island stay with several hours in one place, a public ferry and self-planned visit may suit you better.

Getting from Istanbul to the first island

With hotel pickup, the vehicle normally collects you between 8:00 and 9:15 in the morning. You should wait in your hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the stated pickup time. The road transfer to the port takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic and pickup locations.

At the port, look for the boat named MİLANA. If you go independently, make your way toward the water from across Kadir Has University. The T5 tram to Cibali is the useful public transport connection.

The cruise takes about an hour and a half in the full schedule, though the direct journey to the first island is described as roughly one hour. The difference likely reflects boarding, stops, and the wider route. You may pass Kınalıada and Burgaz Island without going ashore, and the exact first stop can vary.

This crossing is not just dead time. You can watch Istanbul’s shoreline recede, see mosques and waterfront buildings from the water, and enjoy the sea breeze. A few people have even spotted dolphins, though that is luck rather than a promised part of the trip.

The boat has tea, coffee, snacks, and drinks for sale. A photographer also works on board and may offer photographs for purchase. If you are interested, ask for the price before posing or accepting photographs, since the photo service is not included.

Heybeliada: 45 minutes of green island calm

Heybeliada is the second-largest of the Princes’ Islands and is described as the greenest. It is usually the first shore stop, with about 45 minutes for a guided visit and free time. On some departures, another island may replace it, so do not treat the route as fixed.

This is a short stop, best used for getting a feel for island life rather than trying to cover every path. Walk around the port, take photographs, listen to the guide’s explanations, and notice the contrast with central Istanbul. The atmosphere is quieter, with trees and simple streets replacing city traffic.

A Greek monastery is one possible point of interest. One practical tip is to ask the guide about the walking route before setting off. The path can take around 15 minutes from the boat, and the island has steep sections. You will get more from the stop if you wear shoes with a good grip.

Because time is limited, do not wander too far without checking the meeting point and return time. The guide provides instructions, but you are responsible for returning promptly. Missing the group here would make the rest of the day unnecessarily difficult.

Büyükada: old houses, cafés, and open time

Büyükada is the largest of the Princes’ Islands and the main stop. The scheduled break is about three hours, giving you enough time to enjoy the port area, walk through the streets, eat if you skipped the group lunch, and choose one or two sights.

The island is known for grand wooden mansions and quiet roads. You may also find cafés, small shops, and places to sit near the water. The port area is livelier than Heybeliada, but it still has a modest fishing-village feel rather than the pressure of Istanbul’s central districts.

Your guide gives directions and an explanation before the free period. After that, you decide how active to be. You can stroll near the port, rent a bicycle, or pay for an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle tour is promoted as a way to see the island’s mansions, but the cost is extra and the operator does not accept responsibility for rental problems. Check that any bicycle or vehicle is in good working order before setting off.

Three hours can disappear quickly. If you want to see the abandoned Greek orphanage, the Greek monastery, the area connected with Trotsky’s former house, or a scenic viewpoint, choose your priorities before leaving the port. Not every sight will fit comfortably into the available time, especially if you walk uphill.

The island has steep roads and hills. You can explore on foot, but plan your energy and return time carefully. An electric vehicle may save effort, but it reduces the money-saving advantage of the basic tour price. For many people, the best approach is a port walk, a short uphill route, and time for a drink or snack before meeting the group.

Lunch on board, not at an island restaurant

Lunch is served on the boat when you select the lunch option. It features Turkish dishes and includes one bottle of water. The meal is described as simple but satisfying, and it means you do not have to spend your limited Büyükada time searching for a restaurant.

The timing can vary. On some departures, lunch follows the Büyükada visit; on others, the meal is served before or between island stops. This is useful because the boat becomes a practical base for eating and resting while the crew prepares the food.

Do not expect a long restaurant meal with a broad menu. Think of it as a convenient group lunch included in a low-cost day trip. Children aged 0 to 2 do not have meals included. Tea, coffee, snacks, juices, and other drinks are available for purchase, but they are separate from the included meal.

If lunch is not part of your selected option, you will need to arrange food yourself. Büyükada has cafés and local flavors to try, but buying food on the island uses time that could otherwise go toward walking or sightseeing.

Swimming, bicycles, and other extra costs

Swimming is possible during the summer months, with both free public beaches and private beaches that charge an entrance fee. Beach access is not included, so carry money if swimming is a priority.

I would not make swimming the main reason for booking this tour. The island schedule is built around sightseeing and free time, and the water or beach conditions are not described in detail. Treat a swim as a bonus if the season and timing work for you.

Bicycles and electric vehicles are also optional. Their availability, price, and condition should be checked locally. The tour price does not cover either option, and the operator states that their use is your own responsibility.

This matters because the $18 headline price is excellent for the ferry, guide, and basic structure, but your final spending can rise if you add transport, beach entry, drinks, photographs, and shopping. You can keep the day close to the advertised price by walking, carrying water, skipping paid beach areas, and treating the group lunch as your main meal.

The return boat and the shopping stop

After Büyükada, you return to Istanbul by boat. The ride takes about an hour and a half in the stated schedule, so this is another substantial part of the experience.

The mood may change during the return. Music, Turkish songs, singing, and dancing are sometimes organized on board. Some people will love this cheerful finish, especially after a quiet day on the islands. If you prefer a silent ferry ride, sit away from the main activity areas or be prepared for a more social atmosphere.

Back in Istanbul, the tour includes a shopping stop in the Sultanahmet area, lasting about 30 minutes. The stop may involve a fashion presentation and the chance to buy clothing, leather, or fur. You are not required to purchase anything, but the prices may be higher than the tour’s low-cost feel suggests.

I see this as the least connected part of the day. It can be interesting if you enjoy Turkish retail presentations, but it is not island sightseeing. Keep your expectations clear, and do not let the sales stop affect your judgment of the ferry and island experience.

The vehicle then returns passengers to selected areas, including Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Beyoğlu, and Istanbul. Drop-off depends on the option and location.

Guides, languages, and the feel on board

The tour is offered in English, Arabic, and Russian. Guides provide information about Istanbul and the islands during the crossing and help explain where to go during free time.

Oktay and Suleyman are two guide names associated with especially warm, clear service on this tour. Ali and Ahmed are also part of the guide team on some departures. You cannot assume a particular guide will lead your boat, but the staff setup is designed to keep people informed between stops.

The group atmosphere is a real part of the experience. The boat brings together people from many countries, and the return music can encourage everyone to join in. That makes the tour more social than a standard public ferry ride.

At the same time, this is a group excursion. You will follow fixed meeting times, share the boat with other people, and have limited control over how long you stay at each island. The guide can explain the options, but cannot give you an entire afternoon at every sight.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A low-cost introduction to the Princes’ Islands
• Ferry views and sea air without arranging several connections
• A guided day with hotel pickup available
• A Turkish lunch included in the plan
• A mixture of short guided visits and independent time
• A social boat ride with music on the return

It is also a good choice for families, solo visitors, and first-time Istanbul visitors who want an organized escape from the city. The simple structure removes much of the guesswork.

I would hesitate if you dislike group schedules, shopping stops, sales presentations, or noisy entertainment. You may also prefer another plan if your main goal is a long hike, serious swimming time, or detailed exploration of Büyükada’s historic buildings.

Should you book the Princes’ Islands tour?

For about $18, this is a strong-value way to see two islands, ride across the Sea of Marmara, eat a basic Turkish lunch, and get help from a multilingual guide. The highest value comes from the transport and organization, not from having unlimited time at each sight.

Book it if you want a relaxed day away from Istanbul’s crowds and you are happy to accept a set schedule. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your meeting times in mind, ask about all extra prices, and choose your Büyükada priorities before you arrive.

If you want a quiet, independent island day, skip the organized tour and make your own ferry plans. For most first-time visitors, though, this trip gives you a pleasant look at Heybeliada and Büyükada without much planning or much money.

FAQ

How long does the Princes’ Islands tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transfers, the ferry journeys, time on Heybeliada and Büyükada, and the shopping stop in Istanbul.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route visits Heybeliada and Büyükada. The first island can sometimes change, so another island may replace Heybeliada.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Where can I meet the boat without hotel pickup?

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

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included when you select the option that includes it. It consists of Turkish dishes and one water. Drinks, snacks, tea, and coffee are sold separately.

Can I swim during the tour?

Swimming may be possible during the summer months. Public and private beaches are available, but beach entrance fees are not included.

Are bicycles and electric vehicles included?

No. Bicycle and electric vehicle rental costs extra. Their use is optional, and you should check that any vehicle you rent is in good working condition.

What languages are available on the tour?

Live guide support is available in English, Arabic, and Russian.