How do I take a ferry from central Istanbul to the Princes’ Islands?

You can get off at Kınalıada and transfer to another Şehir Hatları city ferry rather than waiting for the same large vessel. The usual island sequence is Kınalıada → Burgazada → Heybeliada → Büyükada, with some services running in the reverse direction.

From the Yenikapı area, it is more convenient to first reach the Üsküdar or Eminönü pier, where ferries serve the Princes’ Islands. Bostancı is another convenient departure point and has more frequent sailings.

Yassıada, also known as Democracy and Freedom Island, is a separate destination and should not be confused with a standard Princes’ Islands trip. Look for a dedicated route for Yassıada.

Check the departure timetable at Eminönü before you go: travelers consider this pier as a possible boarding point for boats to the Princes’ Islands.

If you only have one day for the islands, a walk along the waterfront is a practical alternative to planning an uphill route.

A practical route from the Fatih area is to travel to Kadıköy first and then transfer to an island ferry; this option was chosen instead of using Marmaray.