The Princes’ Islands: A Car-Free Day Trip from Istanbul

In short: the Princes’ Islands (Adalar) lie in the Sea of Marmara off Istanbul’s Asian shore. Visitors go mainly to the four inhabited islands: Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada, the largest. There are no private cars, so people walk, cycle or use the islands’ small electric public transport. Public ferries take about 1.5 hours from Kabataş and around 40 minutes from Bostancı, and you pay with an Istanbulkart.

Last checked: 10 November 2026. Ferry timetables change between summer and winter; check the official Şehir Hatları timetable before you go.

Getting there by ferry

• From the European side: Şehir Hatları ferries leave from Kabataş (some sailings also from Eminönü or Beşiktaş in season) and call at Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada before Büyükada; the full trip takes about 1.5 hours or a little longer.
• From the Asian side: ferries from Kadıköy take about 75 minutes, and from Bostancı about 40 minutes.
• Faster boats: private operators also run sea buses and faster boats, mostly from Kabataş, Kadıköy and Bostancı.
• Paying: use your Istanbulkart, as on all city ferries. See getting around Istanbul.

Getting around the islands

The islands have been car-free for decades. The horse-drawn phaetons that once carried visitors have been withdrawn, and the Istanbul municipality now runs small electric vehicles and, since June 2024, electric minibuses on Büyükada; their introduction was controversial with some residents. Most visitors simply walk or hire a bicycle, and on Büyükada a walk up the hill to the monastery of Aya Yorgi is a favourite outing.

The islands at a glance

• Büyükada: the largest and busiest, with grand wooden mansions, pine-covered hills and the hilltop church and monastery of Aya Yorgi, still a place of worship (dress modestly and keep quiet).
• Heybeliada: greener and calmer, with pine woods and bays; the historic Halki Seminary stands on its hill.
• Burgazada: small and quiet, with seaside cafés and views across to Heybeliada.
• Kınalıada: the closest to the city, with a more modern look and small beaches.

Visiting tips

• Avoid summer weekends and holidays if you can: the islands can receive tens of thousands of visitors on busy days, and ferries fill up.
• Go on a weekday in spring or autumn for the calmest visit; this is our suggestion rather than an official rule.
• Wear comfortable shoes: the walk up to Aya Yorgi is steep.
• Check the last ferry back before you set off exploring.

What real travellers say

• “The ferry ride is half the fun.” Views of the city skyline as you leave are a highlight.
• “So peaceful without cars.” Visitors love walking among the old wooden houses.
• “Go early on weekends.” Crowds build quickly on summer weekends.

Summarised in our own words from travel guides and holidaymaker reviews. We don’t list prices because they change often.

Sources we checked (November 2026): Şehir Hatları (official ferries) · Feribot Seferleri: ferries to the islands 2026 (Turkish) · Habertürk: end of the phaetons (Turkish) · Daily Sabah: electric minibuses on Büyükada · Gazete Oksijen: minibuses from June 2024 (Turkish)

Princes’ Islands: questions

Header photo: Heybeliada seen from Burgazada. Photo: Anil Öztas, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons