Büyükada tour from Istanbul: Island car, lunch & ferry

Spend a full day on one island instead of racing between three

A full-day tour of Büyükada, the largest of Istanbul's Princes' Islands, departing from Viaport Marina with a licensed English, Arabic or Russian-speaking guide, round-trip ferry tickets, and lunch included. The tour focuses on a single island rather than multiple stops, with an optional electric car tour of the island's interior and hidden corners. Duration is 9 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Viaport Marina1h 45m · entry included
2. Dolmabahce Palacepassing by
3. Bosphorus Bridgepassing by
4. Galata Towerpassing by
5. Maiden’s Towerpassing by
6. Topkapi Palacepassing by
7. Blue Mosquepassing by
8. Hagia Sophiapassing by

Büyükada Island Tour with Lunch

• Ferry ride from Istanbul to Büyükada
• View landmarks from Marmara Sea
• Explore Büyükada by electric shuttle car
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Relax and shop on return
• Return ferry ride to Istanbul
• Visit leather shop in Istanbul

The experience

Most island tours from Istanbul string together two or three islands in a single day, leaving you on a ferry for hours and with little time to actually explore. This tour takes the opposite approach: it commits the full 9 hours to Büyükada alone, the largest and most developed of the Princes' Islands. You board the ferry at Viaport Marina, passing Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, Galata Tower, and Maiden's Tower as the boat crosses the Marmara Sea. The journey itself is part of the experience. These landmarks frame the water as you travel.

Once you arrive on Büyükada, the island's car-free streets open up. The island is known for its peaceful atmosphere, historic Ottoman mansions, and pine-covered hills. If your option includes the electric car tour, a guide drives you through the island's interior and lesser-known corners, explaining the history and culture as you move through neighborhoods most day-trippers miss on foot. Without the car option, you explore the streets and waterfront on your own pace. Lunch happens at a local restaurant serving Turkish dishes, included in most options.

The return ferry departs in the afternoon, giving you time to wander the main square, browse the shops, or sit by the water before heading back to Istanbul. You pass the same landmarks on the return crossing. Pickup and drop-off at your Istanbul hotel is included in some options. Check which one you're booking to confirm. A licensed guide is with the group throughout, speaking English, Arabic, or Russian depending on the departure.

What’s included

• Round-trip ferry tickets from Viaport Marina.
• licensed guide in English, Arabic or Russian.
• lunch at a local restaurant with Turkish dishes.
• electric car tour of Büyükada's interior (if option selected).
• pickup and drop-off at your Istanbul hotel (if option selected).

Options for this experience

4 options

Transfer, lunch, and the island car are not included.Guide in English, Arabic or Russian · 08:30Transfer, lunch, and the island car are not included.

Lunch and the island car are not included.Guide in English, Arabic or Russian · 07:30Lunch and the island shuttle car are not part of this option. Pickup is included.

Excluded Electrical CarGuide in English, Arabic or Russian · 07:30Lunch and transfer are included, as is a guide. Pickup is included.

Included Electrical CarGuide in English, Arabic or Russian · 07:30Transfer, lunch, and an electric car are included, along with a guide. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (19 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 90 years) · Youth (9 to 18 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 250

Live guideEnglish, Arabic and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Abrakadabra Travel Agency

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to actually explore an island instead of spending most of the day on a boat. The single-island focus and optional electric car tour mean you see both the main streets and the quieter neighborhoods most day-trippers skip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Arabic and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 18 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the tour options?

The tour sells four options at checkout. Two include lunch and the electric car tour of the island interior; one excludes both; one excludes the car but includes lunch. Pick the option that matches what you want to do on the island. The car tour is the way to see the hidden parts most visitors miss.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the ferry?

Pickup and drop-off at your Istanbul hotel is included in some options but not all. Check your option details before booking. If pickup is not included, you'll need to reach Viaport Marina on your own.

How much time do I actually spend on Büyükada?

The full tour is 9 hours, but that includes the ferry crossings and lunch. You have several hours on the island itself to explore, either on foot through the car-free streets or by electric car if that's part of your option.

What are the Ottoman mansions on Büyükada like?

Büyükada's Ottoman mansions are historic wooden structures scattered across the island, many dating back over a century. You'll see them as you walk or drive through the neighborhoods. The electric car tour includes commentary on their history and architecture.

Is the ferry ride rough if the sea is choppy?

The ferry crosses the Marmara Sea, so conditions depend on the day. The crossing is scenic but can be uneven in rough weather. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.