Istanbul: Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Buyukada

The best part of this day is the change of pace. Istanbul’s streets fade behind you, the Sea of Marmara opens up, and you spend time on two car-free islands with wooden houses, pine trees, sea air, cafés, and old monasteries. Heybeliada feels quieter, while Büyükada gives you more to see and do.

I like the very low $18 price, especially when ferry transport and lunch are included in the selected option. I also like the friendly guiding style, with guides such as Oktay and Süleyman often singled out for clear explanations and warm service. The main drawback is time: Büyükada deserves more than three hours, and the stop at the smaller island can feel brief. An optional shopping stop on the way back also feels less connected to the islands.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands in one day: Visit green Heybeliada, or sometimes another island, then spend longer on Büyükada.
• A long, scenic ferry ride: The boat trip gives you open-water views and changing looks at Istanbul’s shoreline.
• Lunch on board: The selected lunch option includes Turkish dishes and one bottle of water.
• Free time rather than a tightly packed schedule: Walk, visit cafés, swim in summer, or pay separately for a bicycle or electric vehicle.
• Guides who set a friendly tone: Oktay, Süleyman, Ali, and Ahmed are among the guides praised for clear help and good energy.
• A lively ride home: Music, singing, and dancing may turn the return crossing into a small boat party.

Leaving Istanbul behind on the Sea of Marmara

Your day begins with hotel pickup between 8:00 and 9:15 if you choose that option. Pickup areas include Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Kabataş, Eminönü, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Laleli, Beyazıt, and Vezneciler. You should wait in your hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the assigned time.

If you make your own way to the port, the boat leaves from across Kadir Has University. The T5 tram from Sirkeci stops at Cibali. Walk toward the water and look for the boat named MİLANA. This detail matters because the waterfront has several boats and operators, and finding the correct one saves a rushed start.

A coach transfer may take about 45 minutes, depending on your pickup point and traffic. The ferry crossing then takes roughly one and a half hours in the published schedule, though some descriptions put the first crossing closer to one hour. Either way, the boat ride is a substantial part of the day, not just a short transfer.

I consider that a strength. You get views of Istanbul’s shoreline, mosques, and waterfront districts before the city slips away. Kınalıada and Burgaz Island are usually passed rather than visited, so keep your camera ready during the crossing. The open deck is the place for sea air and photos, while indoor seating gives you a break if the wind turns sharp.

Tea, coffee, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase on board. A photographer also works on the boat and may offer printed photographs. If you are interested, ask for the price before agreeing. That simple step helps you avoid the common surprise of an expensive photo package.

Heybeliada, the green first stop

Heybeliada is the second-largest of the Princes’ Islands and is described as the greenest. The stop usually lasts about 45 minutes, giving you a guided introduction, a short walk, and time to look around near the port.

This is a good first taste of island life. The streets are calmer than central Istanbul, and the wooded setting gives the stop a restful feel. You may hear about the islands’ past, local buildings, and religious sites as the guide walks with the group.

The stop is not long enough for a full island exploration. If you want to reach a monastery or walk far uphill, you need to move promptly and follow the guide’s advice. One useful tip is to look for the Christian monastery, which is about 15 minutes on foot from the boat according to tour information. That walk can be worthwhile, but you should keep an eye on the meeting time.

The exact first island can change. Sometimes the boat visits another island, including Kınalıada, instead of Heybeliada. Kınalıada gives you about an hour around its port, but it is not the same experience as a longer Heybeliada visit. If seeing Heybeliada is essential to your plans, treat the stop as subject to the day’s operation rather than a firm guarantee.

Büyükada, old mansions and open time

Büyükada is the main event. It is the largest of the Princes’ Islands and the place where you have the most time, usually around three hours. The port area is livelier than Heybeliada’s, with cafés, shops, and places to eat, but the island still feels far removed from Istanbul’s traffic.

The first pleasure is simply walking. Büyükada is known for old wooden mansions, quiet streets, greenery, and sea views. The tour gives you a short orientation, then allows you to choose how to use your free time. That is more useful than being marched from one sight to another, but it also means you need a rough plan.

You can stay near the port for cafés and people-watching, walk into the quieter streets, or pay separately for an electric vehicle or bicycle. The tour does not include those rentals, and the operator accepts no responsibility for the condition or use of a rented vehicle. Check that a bicycle or electric vehicle is in good working order before setting off.

Electric vehicles can save time if you want to see more of Büyükada without walking every hill. They also cost extra, and availability and payment arrangements can vary. One tour guide helped interested people reach the island center by local electric bus and explained routes to the former Greek orphanage and a Greek monastery. Ask your guide for current directions rather than assuming you can cover every sight in three hours.

The island has hills. If you plan to walk toward a monastery, a viewpoint, or the ruins of Trotsky’s house, wear proper walking shoes and carry water. You can see a fair amount in the allotted time, but you cannot comfortably cover every corner. The tour works best if you choose one or two priorities before arriving.

Lunch on board, with a simple Turkish menu

Lunch is served on the boat, usually after the guide’s introduction to Büyükada. The included option provides Turkish dishes and one water. Descriptions of the meal are generally positive, but you should think of it as a practical group lunch rather than a special restaurant occasion.

Eating on board has one clear advantage: it protects your island time. You do not need to spend an hour searching for a table or waiting for food in the port area. You can eat, enjoy the water views, and then step off ready to explore.

Drinks beyond the included water cost extra. Tea, coffee, juices, and snacks are available for purchase at reasonable prices according to the tour information, but bring a little spending money for those extras, rentals, cafés, entrance fees, and personal purchases.

The lunch option is not included in every booking choice, so check the selected package before paying. Children aged 0 to 2 do not have meals included.

Swimming in summer, cafés in cooler months

During summer, your free time on Büyükada may include swimming. There are free public beaches and private beaches with an entrance charge. Beach fees are not included, and the tour also excludes entry to paid swimming areas.

The swimming opportunity is weather dependent and seasonal. It should be treated as an extra choice, not the central reason to book. Bring suitable clothes and a towel only if you are prepared for the conditions, and keep enough time for the return meeting point.

In cooler months, the islands take on a quieter mood. December can be especially appealing if you want fewer crowds and do not need swimming. You can focus on the old houses, sea views, island cafés, and walking routes. The boat ride itself becomes a major part of the experience when outdoor beach time is off the table.

The return crossing is more than a transfer

After the island stop, you reconvene at the assigned meeting point and board the boat for Istanbul. The return crossing takes about one and a half hours in the stated schedule.

This is often when the atmosphere changes. Music, Turkish dancing, singing, and passenger participation may turn the ride back into a cheerful party. I would not book this tour expecting a silent sunset cruise. If you enjoy a social boat ride, it is a welcome bonus. If you prefer peace and quiet, sit away from the main music area if possible.

The boat staff and guides are a large part of the day’s mood. Oktay is praised for being friendly, clear, and fun, while Süleyman is often described as attentive and helpful. Other named guides include Ali and Ahmed. The assigned guide can vary, but the tour is offered in English, Arabic, and Russian.

The shopping stop and the real value of the tour

After returning to Istanbul, the group makes a short shopping stop, usually in the Sultanahmet area, before hotel drop-off. The stop may include a fashion show or a visit to a leather and fur shop. You are not required to buy anything, and it is sensible to treat this as an optional sales stop rather than part of the island experience.

Some people enjoy browsing and find the products appealing. Others feel the prices are aimed at a narrow market and that the stop does not fit the peaceful island mood. Go in with clear expectations, and do not let a sales presentation change your view of the main tour.

At $18 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a full-day outing with ferry tickets, transport between the islands, optional hotel transfers, and lunch when selected. The value is strongest if you want a simple way to reach the islands without arranging ferry schedules, meals, and meeting points yourself.

The price does not cover everything. You pay separately for drinks, swimming areas, bicycles, electric vehicles, personal expenses, and some optional activities. Hotel pickup also depends on the package you choose. Even with those extras, the core transport cost is low.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour if you want a low-cost escape from Istanbul and prefer a guided day with a ready-made structure. It suits first-time visitors who want sea views, island scenery, basic historical context, and time to explore without planning every ferry connection.

Families can also find it convenient because transport and lunch reduce the number of decisions during the day. Children may enjoy the boat ride, open views, and island streets, though steep walks and limited time require some planning.

Solo visitors can benefit from the organized meeting points and helpful guides. The return music and dancing also make it easy to join a social atmosphere without arranging a group yourself.

I would think twice if you want a slow, private island visit. The schedule covers two islands, the ferry crossing, lunch, and a shopping stop, so the day is long and fairly structured. You will not have unlimited time for Büyükada’s inland paths, monasteries, or distant viewpoints.

Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection in summer, and some Turkish lira or a payment card for extras. Keep your phone charged, note the meeting point, and ask the guide to mark the best route before you leave the port.

Should you book the Princes’ Islands tour?

Book it if you want a good-value full day on the water, with two island stops, a meal option, guide support, and a cheerful ride home. The sea crossing, quiet streets, wooden houses, and change from city traffic make this an appealing break from Istanbul.

The main compromise is limited island time and the possible shopping stop. If you accept those points, $18 buys a lot: ferry transport, a guide, island access, and the chance to see Büyükada and Heybeliada without handling the arrangements yourself. For a more private or slower visit, take the public ferry and stay on one island. For convenience and atmosphere, this tour is the stronger choice.

FAQ

How long does the Princes’ Islands tour last?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, including transfers, ferry crossings, island visits, lunch when selected, the shopping stop, and return transport.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Heybeliada and Büyükada. The first island can sometimes change, and Kınalıada may be visited instead of Heybeliada.

How much time do I get on Büyükada?

You usually get about 3 hours on Büyükada. This is enough for a walk, cafés, some sightseeing, or a paid bicycle or electric vehicle rental, but not every part of the island.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only with the selected lunch option. It consists of Turkish dishes and one water. Drinks beyond the included water cost extra.

Can I swim during the tour?

Swimming may be possible on Büyükada during the summer months. 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 rentals are optional and cost extra. You should check that any rented vehicle is in good working condition.

Where does the boat depart from?

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 boat named MİLANA.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available with selected options from areas including Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Kabataş, Eminönü, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Laleli, Beyazıt, and Vezneciler.