Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul
Traveler rating
3.4/5
Based on 71 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul worth booking?
Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $80 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.4/5 rating across 71 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 3.4/5 (71)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $80 per person
Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Princes’ Islands, on this full-day trip from Istanbul! Cruise across the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of Istanbul slip from view, and then explore the pedestrianized island in the best possible way – Hear the history of this laid-back island from your expert local guide and then spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on its beaches, before returning to Istanbul. There is no HORSE-DRAWN carriages anymore at the island, guests may explore islands themselves
What you get
About this experience
Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Princes’ Islands, on this full-day trip from Istanbul! Cruise across the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of Istanbul slip from view, and then explore the pedestrianized island in the best possible way – Hear the history of this laid-back island from your expert local guide and then spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on its beaches, before returning to Istanbul. There is no HORSE-DRAWN carriages anymore at the island, guests may explore islands themselves
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Round-trip boat crossing
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Food and drink, unless specified
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
TopkapI Palace
Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections.
Pass by without stopping
KIz Kulesi
One of the most iconic images of Istanbul surely has to be the Kız Kulesi Üsküdar, known in English as Maiden's Tower, Tower of Leandros, Leander's Tower
Pass by without stopping
Buyukada
Büyükada, the popular summer resort with pinewood scenery and wooden mansions, once the pleasure island of Byzantine Princes. Tour of the island by horse-drawn carriages before lunch at a fish restaurant. Evening return to İstanbul and transfer to hotels.
300 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Please if your hotel is outside of our list be ready in front of Tamara Restaurante at 08:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with our logo and Gray Line.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Please if your hotel is outside of our list be ready in front of Tamara Restaurante at 08:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with our logo and Gray Line.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Plan Tours - Gray Line Turkey
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on alternative meeting points for hotels which are not accessible
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 71 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
71 verified traveler reviews for Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful Island, Lousy experience
Our tour to Prince’s Island was very basic. Our guide John was contentious about our pick up, ferry ride boarding both way, lunch etc, but honestly had very little to tell us about the places we were seeing and the history of the place. He seemed to lack experience guiding even a small group of 9 of us. However the most surprising and disappointing part of the tour happened at the end. Even our guide seemed to be surprised by the forced stop at a leather store for a fashion show and shopping. No one was interested in this and it made us an hour and a half late getting back from the tour.
Response from the operator: Dear Mr. Gold, We are truly sorry to hear about your disappointment. We wish you had informed us while you were still in İstanbul, as we would have done our best to make it right. We have spoken with our guide, who is originally from the island and knows the area very well. He mentioned that you left a tip which he took as a sign of your overall satisfaction and he deeply appreciated it. Your feedback is important to him as well. We have also taken the necessary steps on our side to prevent similar issues in the future. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
via Viator
This was a joke
This was not good at all first off no carriages not sure why you advertise it they no longer do that according to the tour guide they have not had them for over tow years , food was terrible and after tour we where taken to couple of shops after a long day and they where trying to sale stuff way more expensive than normal when I booked this I trusted trip adviser now I think I need to think twice total waist of time and money the carriage is a falls advertisement as it has not been available over tow years My feed back for you, you need to do your home work before you put your name behind this kind of joke I should be credited for the Horse and carriage part of the tour at list, if you need more info on this I will be happy to provide it when I get back, thx
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. Your comments regarding the horse carriage, the quality of the meal, and the shopping stops are very important to us. Please kindly note that horse-drawn carriages have been officially discontinued on the Princes’ Islands for some time and replaced by electric vehicles. This change is made by local authorities and is beyond our control. However, we sincerely apologize if this was not clearly reflected in the tour description at the time of your booking — this should have been communicated more transparently. We also regret that the lunch and the overall experience did not meet your expectations, as well as your discomfort with the shopping stops. This is not the experience we aim to provide. We would appreciate the opportunity to review your case in detail and assist you further. Kindly share your booking details with us if possible. Thank you again for your feedback. It helps us improve our services, and we hope to have the chance to offer you a much better experience in the future. Warm regards, Plan Tours – Gray Line Turkey
via Tripadvisor
Super 😎
Its was a very good tour ,thank you so much 👍👍👍👍👍they have show u’s every where in uge Island and eat good Food and 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Response from the operator: We are so happy to hear your satisfaction. Hope to host you and your friends inTurkey again :)
via Tripadvisor
Lovely Island. Pointless Tour. Inaccurate description. Go by yourself
Very much recommend going to Princes Island, however don't use this tour. This tour says "you arrive on the island to spend time exploring by horse-drawn carriage. Learn about the island's history from your guide. Enjoy ample time to lounge on its beautiful beaches. Without going into too much detail..... There are no horse drawn carriage anymore. We were told the beaches were privately owned and we couldn't get to them. The your guide gave us 1.5hrs to mooch around by ourselves before telling us we needed to be back for lunch at 1pm. Lunch was nice but then you get an hour after lunch before you're back on a boat leaving the island. We got no "history of the island" from our guide. The island is lovely...... What you're promised on this tour is mostly not true. Go by yourself and enjoy the island with some time.
via Viator
Princess Island Tour
Within an hour distance from Istanbul, Buyukada is a serene island offering plenty of shopping, scenic & dining experiences. The horse ride through out the main roads in the island will add up some bills but worth if you are travelling as a couple or more.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 25
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Plan Tours - Gray Line Turkey, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.2.
See everything Plan Tours - Gray Line Turkey runsWhy this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul cost?
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Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Istanbul is not rushed.
Is Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.4/5 across 71 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul?
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Around 25 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Istanbul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Istanbul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Istanbul?
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On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Princes Islands Blue Journey from Old City Istanbul, Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience, Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul?
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Included: Local guide; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Round-trip boat crossing; Lunch; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Food and drink, unless specified; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 701 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul offered in?
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It is offered in German, English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on altern. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Buyukada Princes’ Island Guided Day Tour with lunch from Istanbul?
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Across 71 reviews averaging 3.4 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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