Beyond Istanbul · Beyond Istanbul
Ferries to the Princes’ Islands
From Kabataş, Eminönü and Bostancı
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Tarikkaanmuslu · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Ferries to the Princes’ Islands
Şehir Hatları ferries run to the islands from Kabataş (and some from Eminönü) on the European side, calling at Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada; the ride to Büyükada takes around an hour and a half. From Bostancı on the Asian side the crossing is shorter, and private operators run faster boats in season. Pay with your İstanbulkart and check the timetable for the last ferry back.
Why it's on our list
- From Kabataş and Eminönü
- From Bostancı (shorter)
- Pay with İstanbulkart
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Ferries to the Princes’ Islands before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Ferries to the Princes’ Islands are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- ÜsküdarM51.2 km15 min walk
- Fındıklı - MSÜT11.4 km17 min walk
- TaksimM2T21.8 km22 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Süleyman Seba Caddesi1.0 km12 min walk
- Taxi rank, Maçka Meydanı Sokağı1.1 km14 min walk
Key sights
- Dolmabahçe Palace700 mWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Taksim Square1.7 kmWalk 22 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 8 min
- İstiklal Avenue2.3 kmWalk 29 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Galata Tower2.8 kmWalk 35 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Galata Bridge3.1 kmWalk 39 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Topkapı Palace3.2 kmWalk 40 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Spice Bazaar3.5 kmWalk 44 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Hagia Sophia3.6 kmWalk 45 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Basilica Cistern3.7 kmCycle 15 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Grand Bazaar4.0 kmCycle 16 minCar or taxi 15 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)30 kmCar or taxi 92 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)34 kmCar or taxi 106 min