There is no direct link from either airport to the Princes' Islands — you first reach a ferry pier, then sail. From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) the Asian-side piers at Bostancı, Kadıköy and Kartal are closest, a metro-and-ferry hop away. From Istanbul Airport (IST) you cross the city to a pier at Kadıköy, Eminönü or Kabataş. Ferries take roughly 30 to 90 minutes, and the islands themselves are car-free.
Büyükada and its smaller neighbours — Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kınalıada — are a favourite day trip: no cars, just bikes, electric carts and pine-shaded walks. The one thing that catches people out is the connection, because the ferries leave from the city waterfront, not the airport. Here is how to get from IST and SAW to the right pier, and onto the water, in 2026.
| Ferry pier | Side | How you reach it | Ferry time to Büyükada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bostancı | Asian | M4 to the Bostancı area, short hop to the pier (best from SAW) | ~45–70 min |
| Kadıköy | Asian | M4 to its terminus by the pier (or Marmaray + one M4 stop) | ~50–80 min |
| Kartal | Asian | M4 to Kartal, then a short taxi/bus to the pier (seasonal) | ~30–45 min |
| Eminönü / Kabataş | European | T1 tram (serves both) or M2 + funicular | ~75–90 min |
Times and fares below are indicative for 2026 and vary by operator and season; check the live schedule on the Şehir Hatları site before you go.
Which ferry pier should you head for?
Ferries to Adalar leave from several waterfront piers. On the Asian side these are Bostancı, Kadıköy and Kartal; on the European side, Eminönü, Kabataş and Beşiktaş. At the pier, look for the building and gate marked "Adalar Hattı" or "Princes' Islands Line". Three operators run the crossing — the public Şehir Hatları plus the private TurYol and Dentur — and the Asian-side piers generally have the most frequent and quickest sailings, especially in summer.
That geography decides your route. The islands sit off the Asian shore, so anyone landing at Sabiha Gökçen is already on the right side of the city, while an Istanbul Airport arrival faces a longer cross-town trip. Pick the pier that is easiest to reach from your airport rather than the most famous one.
From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) to the islands
SAW is the easy one. The airport sits on the Asian side, close to the island piers, so you avoid crossing the Bosphorus entirely. Take the M4 metro from the airport towards the city — but note the stations sit a little inland from the water, so you finish with a short walk, bus or taxi down to the pier. Kartal is nearest and runs direct fast ferries in summer; Bostancı, a little further along, has the most frequent boats year-round. Either way you can be sailing within about an hour of leaving the terminal.
If you would rather start from Kadıköy, the lively Asian-side hub covered in our Kadıköy and Üsküdar guide, the M4 runs right to its terminus by the pier (on Marmaray, get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi and take the M4 one stop), and its ferries to Büyükada are frequent.
From Istanbul Airport (IST) to the islands
From IST the trip is longer because the airport is on the European side and the best island ferries leave from the Asian shore. The cleanest chain is IST → M11 to Gayrettepe → M2 to Yenikapı → Marmaray to Bostancı, where the frequent boats sail; for the Kadıköy pier instead, leave Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi and take the M4 one stop. Alternatively, stay on the European side and make for Eminönü or Kabataş — the T1 tram links both piers — though the crossing from there is the longest at around 75–90 minutes.
Whichever pier you choose, treat the islands as a full-day outing rather than a quick hop from the airport: the airport-to-pier leg alone can run 60–90 minutes, and if you are carrying luggage a door-to-door transfer to the pier saves the changes.
Ferries, fares and what to expect on the islands
On the public Şehir Hatları boats you tap an Istanbulkart, but the Adalar line is priced above an ordinary city crossing and transfer discounts do not apply — about ₺135 at the full 2026 fare. The private TurYol and Dentur boats charge a flat price, roughly ₺80 one way and often sold as a round trip, so budget around ₺80–140 per person and check the board before you board. The full crossing calls at the islands in turn, with Büyükada the largest and last. Once ashore there are no private cars: you get around on foot, by bicycle or on the electric carts that replaced the old horse carriages. Bring water and sun cover in summer, and aim for an early boat, because the last returns fill up fast on warm evenings — the current timetable is on the Şehir Hatları website.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to the Princes' Islands from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)?
Take the M4 metro towards the city to Kartal or Bostancı, then finish with a short walk, bus or taxi to the pier — the metro stations sit a little inland. SAW is on the Asian side, so you skip the Bosphorus and can be sailing within about an hour.
How do you get to the islands from Istanbul Airport (IST)?
Cross the city by rail: M11 → M2 (at Gayrettepe) → Marmaray (at Yenikapı) to Bostancı; for the Kadıköy pier, change to the M4 at Ayrılık Çeşmesi. Eminönü and Kabataş on the European side also have ferries, but that crossing is the longest.
How long does the ferry to Büyükada take?
Roughly 30 to 90 minutes depending on the pier: about half an hour on the seasonal Kartal fast ferry, 45–80 minutes from Bostancı or Kadıköy, and up to 90 minutes from Eminönü or Kabataş on the European side.
How much does the Princes' Islands ferry cost?
You tap an Istanbulkart, but the Adalar line costs more than a normal crossing (about ₺135 at the full 2026 fare, with no transfer discount); the private TurYol and Dentur boats run roughly ₺80 one way. Budget around ₺80–140 per person and confirm the live fare at the pier.
Are there cars on the Princes' Islands?
No. The islands are car-free. You explore on foot, by rented bicycle or on the electric carts that replaced the horse-drawn carriages, so pack light and wear comfortable shoes.