Istanbul: Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers

Taking the ferry out of Istanbul is a reset button. This full-day trip trades crowds for Prince’s Islands calm, with a guided boat ride, island time on car-free streets, and lunch already handled.

I especially liked the boat atmosphere and the way the ride itself feels like part of the day. You get big Istanbul sights from the water, then switch to quiet island walking, swimming time, and optional electric-car exploring. The main drawback is simple: your time on each island is limited, and a few practical details are hit or miss, like onboard toilets and basic lunch.

Key moments that make this tour worth your time

• Ferry views you can only get from the water, including Topkapi Palace and Maiden’s Tower (plus Galata Tower)
• Two island stops with car-free walking, old streets, and coastal breaks
• Lunch included on the boat, often praised for portion size even if it is not fancy
• Old-island details you might spot, like a pharmacy from 1870
• Entertainment on the return ride, with music and Turkish dancing from the announcers/DJs
• A live guide in English or Arabic, and one guide named Kardelen got strong praise for looking after the group

Why the Princes’ Islands feel like a reset from Istanbul

Istanbul can drain your energy fast. So I love any day that starts with a ferry and ends with a slower rhythm. The Princes’ Islands are built for that. Once you’re out on the Sea of Marmara, the city noise drops away and you’re in a world of sea air, pine walks, and neighborhoods where cars are not really the point.

This tour is interesting because it mixes two modes. First, you get a classic Istanbul-from-the-water sightseeing moment. Then you get actual island time, with options to stroll, swim, or try that no-cars island feeling for yourself. It also connects to the islands’ older story, since Byzantine-era princes once visited these places, and the tour highlights that theme in a way you can actually feel while walking around.

One heads-up: this is not a museum-style history deep-dive. It is more about making the day easy and enjoyable, with light interpretation along the way.

Getting there: hotel pickup, bus ride, and boat name ASK

If you choose the pickup option, you’ll start with a hotel pickup and an air-conditioned bus transfer to the pier. The timing is handled, but you should show up on time. The driver waits no longer than 5 minutes after the scheduled pickup time, and you’re asked to wait in the lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

At the pier, it’s straightforward. You show your ticket directly at the boat and enter. The boat name is ASK, which makes meeting up and boarding much less stressful.

If you’re the type who hates figuring out ferry schedules in a foreign port, this part is the value. You trade a bit of flexibility for calm logistics and an organized day.

Ferry views: Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, and Maiden’s Tower

This is where the day starts strong. On the ferry ride, you get sightlines of Istanbul landmarks that feel different than standing on land. The tour description includes views of Topkapi Palace and Maiden’s Tower, and it also mentions Galata Tower.

There’s a practical benefit to seeing them from the water. The angles make photos easier, and it also helps your brain map the city. Even if you already visited parts of Istanbul, the ferry gives you a new way to understand where things sit.

And the boat ride is not just a transfer. Reviews mention lively onboard energy, including music and entertainment on the return trip. People talk about DJs and Turkish dancing, which means the ride back can feel like a celebration instead of a dull commute.

Buyukada time: car-free streets, pine walks, and an electric car option

Your first island stop is the biggest: Buyukada. The trip includes a 1.5-hour boat ride before you disembark here, so you do get a clear structure to the day rather than scattered timing.

What Buyukada does well is atmosphere. You walk among old buildings, mansions, and villas, and you experience the car-free streets in a real way. That matters because the islands feel different from typical city tourism. You’re not fighting traffic, and your pace naturally slows.

Once you’re on the island, you’ll have options:

• a walk around the older neighborhoods
• time along the coast
• chances to swim or unwind at sandy bays
• a move toward the pine forest, if you want a calmer, shaded walk

There’s also an optional electric car experience. The tour notes a roundtrip ticket costs 2€, and you can use it for roughly 25 minutes to see more of the island efficiently. One practical take from experience on these islands: don’t confuse the speed of the island with the depth of your exploration. You can cover more ground with the electric car, but you still need to pick your priorities because time moves quickly.

Lunch on the sea: what’s included and what to expect

Lunch is included, and it’s served on the boat while you’re out on the water looking back toward the islands. That’s a smart setup. You’re not hunting for a restaurant mid-day, and you get a scenic break at the same time.

That said, you should calibrate expectations. Some reviews praise the lunch as delicious and properly portioned. Other reviews describe it as basic or mediocre. My advice: treat lunch as a “fuel stop” that keeps the day moving, not as a culinary highlight. You’re going to remember the ferry views and island atmosphere more than the meal.

Drinks are not included, and you may see refreshment purchasing available on the way there and back, based on what people said. If you like having a drink with lunch, plan for that.

Also, one review complaint sticks out: onboard toilets are described as horrible. So if that’s a deal-breaker for you, it’s worth knowing in advance. I’d personally plan to manage timing and use facilities when you can.

The ride onward: from lunch to your second island stop

After lunch, you head to a second island stop in the afternoon. The tour description calls it Kınalıada as the second stop, and the highlights section also references Heybeliada. Rather than guess which one is on your exact departure, I’d treat it like this: you should be prepared for two island stops, one clearly being Buyukada, and the other being one of the Princes’ Islands mentioned in the tour details.

Either way, the point stays the same. This is not a rushed sprint between busy attractions. It’s another stretch of island time where you can enjoy the quieter coastline vibe and choose how active you want to be.

This is also where the “no lots of history talk” style becomes clear. If you’re hoping for a full explanation of every building and every family who lived there, you might feel slightly short-changed. If you want simple guiding and the logistical support to relax, it works.

Kınalıada or Heybeliada: how to spend limited island time well

Since the tour is only 8 hours total, island time is necessarily limited. That’s one reason a few reviews mention short stays on the two islands and a long overall day on the boat.

So here’s how you make the most of it anyway. On Buyukada and your second island stop, pick a theme for your walk:

• coastal photos and a slow stroll
• a shaded pine walk
• a swim or sandy bay break
• a quick exploration of older streets and mansions

If you like renting a vehicle, there’s a key budgeting tip from reviews: the tour may suggest cycling, but prices for rentals can be cheaper if you hire directly on the island. So if you’re going to rent something, compare before you commit. Cash helps for decisions like this.

Also, watch for the older details the tour hints at, like the pharmacy from 1870. That kind of small landmark is exactly what makes the islands feel like a time tunnel, even when your time on land is short.

Return to Istanbul: 30 minutes for shopping and the leather show stop

Heading back to the Istanbul pier, you get a short window of free time for shopping, about 30 minutes. It’s not enough to turn it into a market binge, but it can be useful if you want a small souvenir without breaking your schedule.

And there’s one more surprise detail: while you’re waiting for the vehicle at the end of the tour, the group is taken to a leather goods fashion show free of charge.

This can be a good thing if you like seeing products up close. If you’d rather avoid sales-style events, treat it as a bonus stop you can politely browse from a distance. It is free, so your best approach is to keep expectations simple.

Price and value: why $29 can work, and what costs extra

At $29 per person for an 8-hour day with hotel transfers (if selected), ferry tickets, taxes, and lunch included, this is priced as a value-focused outing. You are paying for two things most people don’t want to manage alone:

1. transportation and timing
2. the ferry logistics that can be annoying to plan

So where does the money go?

• Ferry ride between Istanbul and the islands
• guided escort (English or Arabic)
• onboard meal inclusion
• city-to-port and port-to-hotel transfer via air-conditioned bus

What costs extra:

• the electric car roundtrip ticket is 2€
• drinks (not included)
• personal expenses, like shopping or rentals beyond what you already planned

If you want to spend extra on biking or an electric car, go in with the mindset that the trip gives you the framework, and you choose upgrades on top.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This tour is a great match if you want:

• an easy day trip format with transfers handled
• a relaxed island pace that still includes lunch and at least some sightseeing
• lively boat energy and a fun group day out

It also suits first-time visitors who want to hit the islands without figuring out ferry times and port navigation.

You might want to choose something else if:

• you hate long boat days and want more time on land
• you’re expecting deep historical interpretation (this is more transport and atmosphere than an expert lecture)
• you have strong needs around facilities onboard, since toilets have been criticized

One more factor: the tour guides are listed as English and Arabic. Reviews also mention a lively onboard crew that leaned Arabic, and that can be a plus if you enjoy that cultural energy.

Should you book this Istanbul Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers?

Book it if you want a straightforward, good-value island day with scenic ferry sightseeing, two island stops, and lunch included, without wrestling with logistics. The boat vibe, the overall organization, and the island calm are the reasons people get excited about this one.

Think twice if your priorities are detailed history, long stays on each island, or very comfortable onboard amenities. This tour is built for enjoying the day rather than living in it.

If you book, do yourself a favor: wear comfortable shoes, bring cash, and be ready to make quick choices once you’re on the islands. With that mindset, you’ll come away with the best part of the Princes’ Islands experience, time on water plus time in peace.

FAQ

How long is the Princes’ Islands tour?

The tour is listed as 8 hours total.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes. Lunch is included in the package.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The highlights mention Heybeliada and Buyukada. The itinerary description specifically describes Buyukada first, then a second stop at Kınalıada. You should expect two island stops, with Buyukada included, and the other stop listed in the tour details.

What sights can you see from the ferry?

The tour description mentions views of Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, and Maiden’s Tower (also referred to as Leander’s Tower).

Is the electric car rental included?

No. The electric car roundtrip ticket is listed as 2€ and is not included. The tour description notes about 25 minutes of use.

Is there shopping time on the way back?

Yes. There is about 30 minutes of free time for shopping on the return.

What language are the guides?

The tour has live guides in English and Arabic.