Cruise to the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey

Cruise to the Princes' Islands

Outty Ranking 59 4.6 · 5 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $137
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Outty Ranking

59/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Cruise to the Princes' Islands worth booking?

Cruise to the Princes' Islands is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $137 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
59 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (5)
Duration
8 hours
From
$137 per person

The magnificent city of İstanbul has seven gorgeous islands which the tour will visit the largest one known as Büyük Ada (the grand island). In the morning after arrival to the island your guide will walk you trough the wooden houses and the traffic free streets of the island to experience laid back life style of the locals. After lunch time there will be free time to explore the island where you may add a electric car or rent a bike .

What you get

    About this experience

    The magnificent city of İstanbul has seven gorgeous islands which the tour will visit the largest one known as Büyük Ada (the grand island). In the morning after arrival to the island your guide will walk you trough the wooden houses and the traffic free streets of the island to experience laid back life style of the locals. After lunch time there will be free time to explore the island where you may add a electric car or rent a bike .

    What's included

    Included

    • Boat Tickets
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Transportation from/to the Meeting Point.
    • Guided tour and Princes' Islands cruise.

    Not included

    • Food & Beverages
    • Gratuities
    • Personal Expenses

    What you'll see and do

    1. Princes' Islands

      Escape the hustle and bustle of the city life, spend a day sailing, and visit the charming Princes’ Islands. Sit back, relax, and feel the Turkish air against your skin as you island-hop along the Sea of Marmara. Also known as Adalar, the Princes’ Islands were once a solitary place for monks and a place of exile during the Byzantine era; they are now a popular destination for locals and tourists. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages replace motorized vehicles on these oases of peace and quiet. There are a total of 9 islands making up the Adalar, but only 4 are open to the public. Embark on your cruise along the deep blue waters of the Marmara Sea. As you head for the main island of Büyük Ada, stop at the smaller inhabited islands along the way to see their unique characteristics. Upon arrival at Büyük Ada, the largest and most famous among the Princes’ Islands, enjoy a short guided walking tour through the streets decorated with beautiful wooden houses.

      480 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Istanbul

    Meeting Point: Hereke Halı (Hereke Carpets) Meeting Point Coordinates (Latitude & Longitude): 41.010233027453424, 28.972806646594854

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Meeting Point: Hereke Halı (Hereke Carpets) Meeting Point Coordinates (Latitude & Longitude): 41.010233027453424, 28.972806646594854

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 20 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    TRAVELIUM

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.

    Photos

    Cruise to the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, photo 2Cruise to the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, photo 3Cruise to the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, photo 4Cruise to the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, photo 5Cruise to the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, photo 6Cruise to the Princes' Islands in Istanbul, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Value for money

    1 mention

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Organization

    1 mention

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    5 verified traveler reviews for Cruise to the Princes' Islands. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    4
    4 star
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    3 star
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    Sort
    Emanhamido_I · November 2021

    A Beautiful Day In Buyukada 🌺

    Greetings from Egypt 🌺 I visited Turkey in August, and I’m glad i had the opportunity to book this trip. - Thank you for your easy interface. The booking was super fast and easy - My Tour Guide (Imran)contacted me right away after booking and was extremely helpful. He is a very decent and professional man. He went out of his way to try to help me with my PCR test booking because i was late in doing it and i was travelling back home the next day. Wanted to thank him so much for this day. - I surely recommend your trips and i will definitely book another trip when i come back. Thank you so much 🙏

    via Viator

    SamerDaher · November 2018

    Could have done without

    Our tour guide was punctual and helped us with the tickets back and forth to the island. He did some explaining of the history behind the islands as well. He did a few things that didn’t add up for me. He left us alone on the boat most of the time both ways as he hooked up with a female tour guide. He left us alone at lunch as well - both of which are fine by the way. What really was a shocker was two points: 1. that he had little knowledge of anything related to the islands beyond the history. When we asked about a shop that the horse carriages passed, he admitted to never having seen anything beyond the sea front. 2. that when we got off the boat, he told us to just go right and we will reach our hotel. We expected a dropoff as we got a pickup. All in all, calm nice island. Cool horse carriage. Amazing views on the way there from the boat (see pictures). We felt we could have done this on our own and the tour guide didn’t add much value to the tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    Scott B · October 2017

    The guide was very helpful and...

    <p>The guide was very helpful and knowledgeable. Wonderful tour!</p>

    via Viator

    Safaa_C · September 2016

    Our tour guide, Ali, was very...

    <p>Our tour guide, Ali, was very helpful and informative. We really enjoyed the Princes Islands, the restaurant included in this package had delicious food and great views.</p>

    via Viator

    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
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by TRAVELIUM, who run 20 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.0.

    See everything TRAVELIUM runs

    Why this scores 59

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)77
    Review evidence (18% weight)27
    Booking momentum (14% weight)20
    Value for money (12% weight)74
    Listing quality (10% weight)74
    Local standing (8% weight)48
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Cruise to the Princes' Islands: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.

    How much does Cruise to the Princes' Islands cost?

    +

    Prices start at $137 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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands take?

    +

    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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 5 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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands?

    +

    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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands?

    +

    Around 2 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?

    +

    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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands?

    +

    Included: Boat Tickets; In-vehicle air conditioning; Transportation from/to the Meeting Point; and Guided tour and Princes' Islands cruise. Not included: Food & Beverages; Gratuities; and Personal Expenses. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Cruise to the Princes' Islands?

    +

    Meeting Point: Hereke Halı (Hereke Carpets) Meeting Point Coordinates (Latitude & Longitude): 41.010233027453424, 28.972806646594854 Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Cruise to the Princes' Islands offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. 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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands?

    +

    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 Cruise to the Princes' Islands wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Cruise to the Princes' Islands if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Istanbul. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Cruise to the Princes' Islands?

    +

    Across 5 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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