Istanbul: Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Buyukada

Two islands, one easy escape from Istanbul. This full-day Princes’ Islands trip gives you a pleasant ferry ride across the Sea of Marmara, time to wander quiet island streets, and a Turkish lunch for about $18 per person. I especially like the calm, green feel of Heybeliada and the old wooden mansions of Büyükada. The main drawback is time: Büyükada gets roughly three hours and the smaller stop about 45 minutes to an hour, so you cannot see everything.

I also like the friendly, lively crew. Guides such as Oktay and Suleyman have earned repeated praise for clear explanations, good humor, and practical help on the islands. Just know that lunch, hotel transport, and the exact island order depend on the option you choose, while electric vehicles, bicycles, swimming fees, drinks, and the final shopping stop cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A full day away from Istanbul: Plan on about eight hours, including road transfers, ferry time, island visits, and a shopping stop.
• Heybeliada may change: The usual first island is Heybeliada, but the route can sometimes use Kınalıada instead.
• Büyükada is the main event: You get the longest free period here, with old mansions, cafés, sea views, walking routes, and optional electric transport.
• Lunch is simple but useful: A Turkish meal and one bottle of water are included only with selected packages.
• The return ferry can turn festive: Music, singing, and dancing are sometimes part of the ride back to Istanbul.
• Budget for extras: Bicycles, electric vehicles, beach entry, drinks, photographs, and shopping are not covered by the basic price.

Why the Princes’ Islands make a good Istanbul break

Istanbul can fill your senses quickly: ferries, traffic, horns, mosques, markets, and crowds all compete for attention. The Princes’ Islands offer a slower day. The city fades behind you, the sea opens up, and the pace changes to walking, cafés, old houses, and pine-covered slopes.

The islands sit in the Sea of Marmara, just offshore from Istanbul. They are known for their quiet streets and large historic houses. The trip is not a deep historical tour, but the guide gives background during the ferry ride and at the islands, helping you understand what you are seeing.

At $18, this is a strong-value outing if you want transport, a guided structure, island stops, and lunch in one package. You are not paying for an intimate private tour. Instead, you get a shared boat experience with a social atmosphere. That suits families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who would rather not work out the ferry connections and island timing alone.

Getting from your hotel to the ferry

Hotel pickup is an optional extra rather than an automatic part of every booking. It is available in areas including Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Kabataş, Eminönü, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Laleli, Beyazıt, and Vezneciler.

Pickup takes place between 8:00 and 9:15 in the morning, depending on your address. You are asked to wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The transfer uses an air-conditioned vehicle and takes about 45 minutes, though the precise timing depends on Istanbul traffic.

If you do not select hotel pickup, the meeting point is near Kadir Has University. From Sirkeci, you can use the T5 tram and get off at Cibali. Walk toward the water and look for the boat named MİLANA.

This is one detail to take seriously. Istanbul has several ferry points, and the port area can be busy. Give yourself extra time, confirm the boat name, and keep your phone available in case the guide needs to contact you.

The ferry ride across the Sea of Marmara

The boat journey is a major part of the experience, not just a way to reach the islands. The outward cruise takes roughly one to one and a half hours, depending on the route and stops. You pass the Istanbul shoreline and watch its famous buildings grow smaller across the water.

The route can pass by Kınalıada and Burgaz Island without stopping. These glimpses help you see that the Princes’ Islands are a group, not just a single destination. On a clear day, the sea views are the best part of the ride. Keep a jacket handy, since the open deck can feel cool even when Istanbul is warm.

The boat has tea, coffee, snacks, and drinks for sale. A photographer also works onboard and may offer pictures for purchase. If you are interested, ask for the price before agreeing. If you are not interested, a polite refusal is enough.

The onboard mood changes according to the group and crew. The trip begins quietly, with sightseeing and guide commentary. On the way back, music and dancing may turn the ferry into a small party. Some people love this cheerful finish. If you want a silent sunset cruise, this may feel less peaceful than expected.

Heybeliada: green paths and a short walk

Heybeliada is normally the first island visit. It is the second-largest of the Princes’ Islands and is described as the greenest. The stop lasts about 45 minutes to one hour, with a guided visit, photo opportunities, and free time.

This is enough for a quick walk near the port and a first look at the island’s quieter character. You may also have time to walk toward a Christian monastery, which several visitors found worth the short uphill route. The guide can point out how to reach notable places, but you need to watch the clock.

The short stop creates a tradeoff. Heybeliada has more to offer than you can see in an hour, especially if you want to visit a monastery or walk into the greener parts of the island. Treat it as an introduction rather than a full exploration.

The route is not completely fixed. Some departures visit Kınalıada instead of Heybeliada. That matters if one particular island is your priority. Ask the guide at the port which island is planned that day.

Lunch onboard, with Turkish flavors and modest expectations

Lunch is served onboard, usually after the guide’s explanation at Büyükada. The meal features Turkish dishes and includes one water when lunch is part of your selected package.

The food is best understood as a convenient tour lunch, not a special restaurant meal. It gives you a proper pause without spending part of your limited island time searching for a table. Several people found it tasty and satisfying, and the presentation received positive comments.

Check your booking option carefully. Lunch is not included in every version, and drinks beyond the included water are available at your own expense. Tea, coffee, snacks, and other drinks can be bought on the boat.

Eating onboard also helps with the schedule. Büyükada is the largest island and deserves your free time. A provided meal means you can get off the boat and start exploring instead of losing an hour to lunch arrangements.

Büyükada: mansions, cafés, and the longest free period

Büyükada is the highlight of the day. It is the largest of the Princes’ Islands, and you receive about three hours here, though some departures allow closer to two and a half hours.

Near the port, you will find cafés, small shops, and a more active village feel than on Heybeliada. Move away from the waterfront and look for old wooden mansions, quiet streets, and views over the sea. The island combines gentle sightseeing with the option to simply sit down and enjoy the slower pace.

The tour description refers to an electric car tour, but electric vehicles are not included. You pay separately if you choose this option. Bicycles are also available to rent, and the same warning applies: check that the vehicle is in good condition, and remember that the operator accepts no responsibility for rental problems.

An electric vehicle can help if you want to cover more ground or avoid steep hills. Walking gives you more control and costs nothing, but the island is not flat in every direction. Wear proper walking shoes, especially if you hope to reach higher viewpoints, religious sites, or old buildings.

Places mentioned in connection with Büyükada include a Greek monastery, the abandoned Greek orphanage, and the ruins associated with Trotsky’s former home. You may not have time for all of them. If one site matters to you, decide before arriving and ask the guide for the most efficient route.

Swimming is possible during the summer months. You can choose between free public beaches and private beaches that charge an entrance fee. Swimming time comes out of your sightseeing time, so it is best for people who want a relaxed beach break rather than a long list of island sights.

A route built around free time, not nonstop guiding

The guide explains the islands and then gives you room to choose your own pace. That balance is one of the tour’s strongest features. You can join the group for orientation, then walk, eat, swim, rent a bicycle, or sit at a café.

Guides including Oktay and Suleyman have been praised for being welcoming, clear, and attentive. Oktay, in particular, is repeatedly singled out for his humor and help at meeting points. The tour is offered in English, Arabic, and Russian.

Do not expect a private guide beside you every minute. This is a group outing, and the free-time design means you are responsible for returning to the meeting point promptly. Set an alarm on Büyükada. Missing the departure would be an expensive mistake.

Returning to Istanbul, then the shopping stop

After the island visits, the ferry returns toward Istanbul. The ride takes around one and a half hours, and the crew may put on Turkish music, international songs, singing, and dancing. It is an entertaining way to end the water portion, particularly if you enjoy meeting people from different countries.

The final stop is usually a short shopping visit in the Sultanahmet area, lasting about 30 minutes. It may involve a fashion presentation and the chance to look at leather, fur, or other clothing.

This stop is not part of the island experience, and it can feel like an unwanted sales pause after a peaceful day. You are not required to buy anything. Keep your expectations clear, browse if you wish, and remember that attractive designs do not automatically mean good value. Some prices may be high.

After shopping, the vehicle returns passengers to the listed drop-off areas, including Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Beyoğlu, and Istanbul. Exact drop-off arrangements depend on your chosen option.

What the $18 price really buys you

The low price is the tour’s biggest appeal. For roughly $18, the basic package can combine ferry tickets, a guide, island transfers, and a full day of organized sightseeing. Add hotel pickup and lunch if those options matter to you, but expect the total price to rise.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. Booking public ferries independently may give you more freedom, but you would need to plan the route, monitor departure times, arrange your own food, and decide how to move around Büyükada. This tour removes much of that work.

The value is weaker if you dislike group schedules, optional shopping, or sales pitches. You will also pay extra for bicycles, electric vehicles, swimming beaches, drinks, and professional photographs. The basic price is low, but it is not an all-inclusive day.

The rating of 4.4 from more than 2,300 ratings reflects a consistently positive experience, though not a perfect one. The repeated strengths are the staff, smooth organization, comfortable boat, tasty lunch, and good price. The repeated cautions are limited time on the islands, extra charges, and the shopping stop.

Who should book this island trip

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A simple day trip from Istanbul without planning several ferry connections
• Sea views and a break from city traffic
• A mix of light history, nature, old houses, and free time
• A social boat atmosphere with music on the return
• A low-cost option for families or first-time visitors
• Help in English, Arabic, or Russian

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet private experience or a serious historical tour. You may also prefer an independent ferry trip if you want to stay on one island all day and explore at your own speed.

The route involves walking, hills, and time limits. Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection in summer, a layer for the ferry, and cash or a card for optional purchases. If you plan to use an electric vehicle, bicycle, or paid beach, include those costs in your budget.

Should you book the Princes’ Islands tour?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, well-organized escape from Istanbul with a friendly crew, a substantial ferry ride, lunch, and two island stops. The strongest reason to choose it is the balance of convenience and free time. You get a guide to explain the setting, then space to make the day your own.

Choose it with realistic expectations. Heybeliada may be replaced by Kınalıada, Büyükada cannot be fully explored in a few hours, and the shopping stop may not suit everyone. Still, for $18 before optional extras, the ferry views, island scenery, lunch option, and helpful guides make this one of the better-value ways to see the Princes’ Islands.

FAQ

How long does the Princes’ Islands tour last?

The excursion lasts about eight hours, including pickup or transfer time, ferry journeys, island visits, and the return shopping stop.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route visits Heybeliada and Büyükada. On some departures, Heybeliada may be replaced by Kınalıada.

How much time do I get on Büyükada?

The planned stop at Büyükada lasts about three hours. Some departures may provide closer to two and a half hours.

Is lunch included?

Lunch and one water are included only if you select an option that includes them. Other drinks are available for purchase onboard.

Can I swim on the islands?

Swimming may be possible 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 rental and electric vehicle use are optional and cost extra.

Where does the boat depart from?

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 hotel pickup available?

Yes, optional hotel pickup and drop-off are available from several central areas, including Sultanahmet, Taksim, Sirkeci, Kabataş, Eminönü, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Laleli, Beyazıt, and Vezneciler.