The 15 Best Istanbul Island Hopping Tours

1.Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Buyukada

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,305 reviews · 8 hours · from $18Our pick

Spend eight hours escaping Istanbul by ferry to Heybeliada and Büyükada. Expect island walks, old wooden mansions, sea views, Turkish lunch, and free time for cafés, bicycles, electric vehicles, or summer swimming. Guides such as Oktay and Süleyman are known for friendly, clear help, while the return cruise may include music and dancing.

“The guide was very knowledgeable and shared many details about Turkey and the islands. This is a great to attend. What a lively crew team as well.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Princes’ Islands Cruise w/Music, Lunch & Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 711 reviews · 7 hours · from $34

Escape Istanbul by boat for a seven-hour trip to Kınalıada and Büyükada. You’ll take a guided walk, eat lunch onboard, then explore independently by beach, foot, or optional electric vehicle. English and Arabic hosts are available. Expect a simple, lively boat day rather than a polished cultural tour.

“Loved the whole experience. We were picked up at 8 as we were farthest. The boat had nice seating and food was alright too. The islands were beautiful and a good break from the bustle of the city. The leather shop at the end was superfluous but timepass.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Princes Island Tour with 2 Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 281 reviews · 8 hours · from $16

Spend eight hours sailing from Istanbul to the Princes’ Islands, with time on quiet Heybeliada and larger Büyükada. Your English or Russian-speaking guide, often including Süleyman, explains the islands’ past, while you enjoy lunch, sea views, free time, and optional electric-car or beach visits. Hotel pickup is available in selected areas.

“I would definitely recommend it. The guide was very friendly and fun. He gave interesting information about the island. Lunch was lovely, and since we ate on the boat, we had a wonderful lunch with a sea view. We really liked the island. The best part is that there are no cars on the island.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 221 reviews · 8 hours · from $29

Spend eight hours at sea and on Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands, with hotel pickup, ferry transport, lunch, and an English or Arabic guide. Cruise past Topkapi Palace and Maiden’s Tower, explore Buyukada and Kınalıada, and consider renting an electric car or bike on the larger island. Expect a lively boat ride, simple food, and limited history guiding.

“It was a very nice trip, we enjoyed visiting the islands. Our hosts were wery kind.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Princes’ Islands Cruise with Lunch and Transfer Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 114 reviews · from $24

Spend a full day at sea and on Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands aboard a privately owned boat rather than a public ferry. The tour visits Kınalıada and Büyükada, includes a guided island walk, buffet lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, and several hours of free time for swimming, mansions, or an electric bike ride.

“They came late an hour but it’s ok, they have mentioned there will be delays, the only thing is while we were waiting tried to call the number mentioned to contact them but they never answered :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Büyükada

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 104 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $29

Spend about eight hours escaping Istanbul for the car-free Princes Islands. You’ll ride a public-style ferry past Galata Bridge, Topkapı Palace, Maiden’s Tower, and smaller islands, then visit Heybeliada and Büyükada. Hotel pickup, guide service, ferry tickets, and optional lunch are included. Expect a busy group tour, free time, and some walking or extra-cost island transport.

“Great getaway from busy Istambul. Lots to see in Turkey but Princess island is surely must see place. Stores are reasonably priced too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Princes’ Islands Tour from Istanbul Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 80 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $39

Spend 7 to 8 hours sailing from Istanbul to Heybeliada and Büyükada, with a walking tour, island free time, lunch, and hotel transport. The $39.74 package includes boat crossings, a local guide, and pickup from central hotels, but expect a large group, limited island commentary, and a leather-shop visit before returning.

“Very pleasant day out. My only complaint was the trip to a leather outlet in Istanbul, which was not advertised and i would rather have missed. Waste of time and a hard sell”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private Princes’ Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) Top rated

Leave Istanbul by ferry for a private day on the Princes’ Islands. With an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, tea, island transport, and time on foot, you’ll visit Büyükada, Aya Yorgi Church, nature areas, and the Adalar Museum. The pace can be adjusted to your group, though ferry time is substantial.

“Fascinating to see a different way of like compared to Istanbul. Enjoyed the ferry, the bus, the museum and the ice cream.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Princes Islands Tour WITH Private Boat, optional Pickup & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $26

Leave Istanbul by boat for Kınalıada and Büyükada, with views of Kınalıada, Burgazada, and Heybeliada along the way. You get independent time on the islands, optional lunch, an English or Arabic-speaking guide, and pickup or drop-off when selected. The tour costs $26.43 per person and lasts about eight hours.

“Kind and helpful guide tour, operator very responsive, clear instructions, timely information, flexible”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Istanbul Princes Islands Tour by Private Boat Pickup & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 30 reviews · 8 hours · from $26

You’ll sail on a private boat reserved for your group, stop for one hour on Kınalıada, then spend three hours on Büyükada. An English, Russian, or Arabic-speaking guide handles the day, while lunch is served aboard the boat. Hotel pickup, return transport, and boat tickets are included.

“We did this tour in January and still enjoyed the trip. The 2 islands we visited were very interesting, so different from the busy streets of Istanbul. It was good to see a different side to this area. The lunch we had on the boat was simple but good. The tour was well worth the amount we paid for this day out.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Princes’ Islands Tour from Istanbul

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 21 reviews · from $57

Leave Istanbul by air-conditioned minivan and boat, passing Topkapi Palace, Leander’s Tower, and Uskudar before visiting Heybeliada and Buyukada. You’ll hear about Byzantine and Ottoman rulers, eat lunch at a fish restaurant, and have free time by the sea. Guides such as Burak, Tulip, and Ms. Sungo have earned praise for friendly service, but delays and crowded transport are possible.

“The tour was really nice, we visited two islands and lunch was really nice. our tour guide Burak was very friendly and gave us a great tour experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Istanbul Princes’ Islands Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $26

Spend about 8.5 hours cruising from Istanbul to the traffic-free Princes’ Islands. You’ll see Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque from the water, visit Buyukada and Heybeliada, and have lunch included. Island time is partly guided, with optional bike or electric buggy hire.

“the yacht trip and the tour were awesome i went with my friend and we had great time and great music was on background and the people there are cool and friendly”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Princess Islands Tour With Lunch and Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 11 reviews · from $38

Leave central Istanbul by air-conditioned coach and boat for Kinaliada and Büyükada. Your guide provides commentary during the cruise, while you get free time to explore, swim, shop, or sit at a waterfront café. A four-course lunch is served aboard the boat. Pickup depends on your booking option.

“Recommended for a day away from the hustle bustle of Istanbul. Great ferry ride with scenic views. Nice quaint island experience with local restaurants and shopping.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Princes’ Islands Tour from Istanbul Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 10 reviews · from $38

You’ll ride by boat from Istanbul to Heybeliada and Büyükada, walk among pine trees and old villas, eat a seafood lunch, and enjoy free time by the coast. Hotel pickup may be available, and an English interpreter helps on the boat. Electric carriage rides cost extra, and the tour’s guided sightseeing can be limited.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Full Day Istanbul Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · from $60

Spend about eight hours traveling from Istanbul’s European-side hotels to Buyukada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands. Your day includes hotel pickup, a round-trip boat crossing, a local guide, seasonal lunch, electric-car transport, free time for swimming or shopping, and views of Topkapi Palace and Maiden’s Tower.

Check availability →Read our full review