A Pace Apart From Istanbul
The Princes' Islands are an archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara off Istanbul's Asian coast, of which four — Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada — are regularly visited. They are entirely car-free, with bicycles and municipal electric vehicles as the only transport once you arrive.
For travelers planning a day away from the city's traffic and density, the islands offer a genuinely different pace of Istanbul. However, navigating the public ferry system and reaching the departure piers can be a logistical headache. We built this guide the way our concierge team builds a client itinerary at ManyWays: focusing on comfort, privacy, and seamless transfers.
The Route & The Island
How to reach the islands and what to expect when you step off the boat onto car-free streets.
Getting to the Islands
Public ferries operated by Şehir Hatları depart from several points around Istanbul. The Asian-side departure points are meaningfully closer to the islands, which matters if your hotel or itinerary already has you on that side of the Bosphorus. From Kabataş, expect roughly 75–90 minutes to Büyükada with intermediate stops; from Bostancı or Kadıköy, the crossing is much shorter.
The Largest Island
Büyükada earns its name — 'Big Island' — as the largest and busiest of the four main islands, known for wooden Ottoman-era mansions, pine-covered hills, and a hilltop monastery. The island's streets are entirely car-free; visitors move by bicycle, on foot, or aboard municipal electric shuttles introduced after horse-drawn carriages were phased out in 2020.
Private Boat Charter
For travelers prioritizing time and privacy, a private boat charter removes the public ferry's multiple intermediate stops and fixed schedule entirely. ManyWays arranges private boat charters as an extension of its Bosphorus yacht charter service, departing directly for the islands. This suits families or travelers who prefer not to share a public vessel on a busy summer weekend.
Planning Your Day
A private Islands day typically starts with a Mercedes-Benz Vito transfer from your hotel or the airport to the closest suitable departure point — Bostancı or Kadıköy for a shorter public ferry crossing, or a marina for a private boat charter. Since no private vehicle can travel on Büyükada's streets, the chauffeur remains available for the return leg at an agreed time.
Visit the Islands without the logistics.
ManyWays converts this itinerary into a single seamless day by removing every point of friction between your hotel suite and the islands — no taxis, no confusing ferry schedules, no queues.
- VIP hotel transfer via Mercedes-Benz Vito
- Drop-off directly at the closest pier or marina
- Optional private boat charter integration
- Chauffeur waits for your return crossing
Essential Knowledge
Are there still horse carriages?
No. They were banned in 2020. The municipality replaced them with electric shuttle vehicles, which are the primary transport today.
Which island is best for one day?
Büyükada is the largest and most visited, with the widest range of sights and dining near the ferry pier, making it the most practical single-island choice.
Can ManyWays arrange a boat?
Yes. We offer private boat charters to the Princes' Islands as an extension of our Bosphorus yacht charter service.