How to get from Istanbul to Büyükada island — regular ferry vs fast ferry, prices and duration

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TL;DR

From Eminönü pier you can reach Büyükada by regular city ferry (1.5–2 hrs) or IDO fast ferry/catamaran (~50–60 min). Fast ferries cost more but save significant time.

What the community said

Note that some ferries stop at Karaköy first before continuing to Eminönü — so be careful not to disembark at the wrong stop if you're boarding along the route.

Karaköy stop before Eminönü

City ferries (Şehir Hatları) do not depart for the Princes' Islands from the Karaköy pier. However, near Eminönü (across the bridge) there is a Turyol pier, from which ferries to the islands do run.

Turyol pier, Eminönü

Fast ferries operated by IDO (İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri) run from Eminönü or Kabataş piers to Büyükada in about 50–60 minutes. Tickets cost roughly 100–150 TL one way. Schedules and tickets are available on the IDO website or app.

IDO fast ferry, ~100–150 TL, Kabataş / Eminönü pier

Regular Şehir Hatları city ferries from Eminönü take about 1.5–2 hours to Büyükada, stopping at other Princes' Islands along the way. You can pay with an İstanbulkart or buy a ticket at the pier. This is the cheapest option.

Şehir Hatları ferry, Eminönü pier, İstanbulkart accepted

The Eminönü ferry terminal has multiple piers. Different piers serve different routes, so check the departure board or ask staff which pier and vessel is headed to the Princes' Islands (Adalar).

Eminönü pier, Adalar (Princes' Islands) route