How to take a ferry to the Princes' Islands from central Istanbul (and avoid getting on the wrong boat)
Based on 1 discussions with 4 participants · Last activity: 4 days ago
TL;DR
Ferries to the Princes' Islands depart from Kabataş and Karaköy piers. Double-check the destination board carefully — Karaköy and Kadıköy look similar but go in completely different directions.
What the community said
Watch out for similar-sounding pier names: Karaköy and Kadıköy look almost identical on signs but go to completely different parts of the city. If you board the wrong ferry from Büyükada, don't panic — ferries from Kadıköy to Karaköy run every 10 minutes.
6 days ago Karaköy ≠ Kadıköy — different destinations
If you want to enjoy specific scenic stretches of the Bosphorus or the islands, check the route in advance — not all ferry lines pass through the same picturesque areas. Ask at the ticket booth which departure follows your preferred route.
7 days ago
From the Taksim area, the nearest ferry pier is Kabataş — about 15–20 minutes on foot downhill or a few stops on tram T1. Ferries to the Princes' Islands and other destinations depart from here.
12 days ago Kabataş ferry pier