Istanbul: Princes’ Islands Cruise with Lunch and Free Time

The best part of this cruise is the change of pace. In about an hour, Istanbul’s traffic and noise give way to car-free islands, pine trees, old churches, flower gardens, and open Marmara Sea views. You get time to explore instead of being marched from one sight to the next.

I like the freedom on Buyukada, where you can choose between a quiet walk, the hilltop Aya Yorgi Church, or simply a seaside stroll. I also like that lunch is included, and that the tour visits Kinaliada as well as the better-known Buyukada. The main concern is organization: departures have sometimes been delayed by an hour or more for refueling, and one account raised concerns about the lack of clear English guidance.

Key points to know

• Two islands in one six-hour cruise: You visit Buyukada and Kinaliada, not just one island.
• Buyukada’s Aya Yorgi Church: The Byzantine-era monastery sits on a hill with broad views over the island and sea.
• Lunch stays onboard: Food is included, but drinks cost extra and the meal is served inside the boat.
• Different arrival and return ports: Depart from the port across from Kadir Has University and return to Ahirkapi İskelesi Port.
• Free time rather than a packed walking tour: You explore independently, with roughly 1 to 2 hours on each island depending on the day’s schedule.
• Good price for a full day away: At $34 per person, the cruise includes transport, a guide, lunch, and time on two islands.

Leaving Istanbul for the Princes’ Islands

The boat named Deluxe departs from the port across from Kadir Has University. You need to show your voucher at the port for check-in, and hotel pickup is not included, so give yourself time to find the pier.

The cruise across the Marmara Sea takes about an hour before the first island. That crossing is part of the appeal. Istanbul’s skyline slowly recedes, the water opens up, and the day begins to feel less like a city tour and more like a short escape.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so check before booking. I would also build in some patience at the start. Departures have at times been held for fuel, with delays reported at about one hour and, on another occasion, roughly 1.5 hours. That is a serious issue on a six-hour outing because every late minute can reduce your free time ashore.

An English-speaking guide is included, but the amount of active guiding may vary. You should expect help with the basic running of the day, while much of the island time is your own.

Buyukada: pine paths and Aya Yorgi Church

Buyukada is the main stop and the island most likely to make this trip worthwhile. It is known for quiet roads, pine forests, flower gardens, and old island homes. The car-free setting gives you a welcome break from Istanbul’s horns and traffic.

The scheduled free time here is about 1.5 hours. That is enough for a short walk and a look around, but not enough to cover every corner. If Aya Yorgi Church is your priority, head toward it early rather than spending the first half of your visit browsing near the waterfront.

Aya Yorgi is a Byzantine-era monastery perched on a hill. The climb is the main challenge. The reward is the view, with the island, sea, and distant Istanbul skyline spread out below. This is the most distinctive sight on the stop, but you need to manage your time and energy carefully.

If you prefer an easier visit, stay closer to the lower parts of the island. Walk through the pine-covered areas, look at the flowers, and enjoy the slower rhythm. Buyukada is not presented as a long guided tour, so you can make the stop as active or relaxed as you wish.

The short stop can also feel limiting. Some people may find that there is not enough time to reach the hilltop, explore it, and return without rushing. If you want a long island walk, this cruise may feel more like an introduction than a full Buyukada visit.

Lunch on the boat, with a practical catch

After Buyukada, you return to the boat for lunch. The meal is included in the $34 price, which makes the day easier to budget. You do not need to search for a restaurant during a short island stop, and the boat remains your base between visits.

The trade-off is the setting. Lunch is served inside the boat, and one account described the meal as rushed and noisy. There are tables and chairs on the deck, but the meal arrangement may not place you outside. If fresh air and sea views matter to you while eating, this is worth knowing before you book.

Drinks are not included. Bring money for them, or confirm what is available onboard. Since the cruise lasts six hours and includes time outdoors, having a drink plan is sensible.

I see the lunch as a convenience, not the culinary highlight of the day. It saves time and adds value to the fare, but you should not choose this tour because you expect a long, quiet meal beside the water. The main reason to book is the islands.

Kinaliada and its reddish hills

Kinaliada is the smaller of the two islands and offers a different feel from Buyukada. Its reddish hills contrast with the blue Marmara Sea, and the island gives you another set of open views toward Istanbul.

The island has quiet beaches, the historic Surp Krikor Lusavoric Armenian Church, and Hristos Monastery on its highest hill. The time here is reported at roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours on some schedules, though the official description gives no fixed duration for this stop. The day’s timing can change, especially if the departure runs late.

Kinaliada may suit you better if you want a calm walk without making Aya Yorgi the center of your visit. You can explore the shoreline, look for the church, and take in the hill views. The Hristos Monastery is another uphill option, so decide early how much walking you want to do.

The island is also where the schedule can feel uneven. One account found the first stop disappointing and the second island more pleasant, with more time to explore. That is useful advice if you are choosing how to spend your energy. Buyukada has the better-known sight, but Kinaliada may offer the more relaxed free-time period.

How the timing shapes the day

On paper, this is a six-hour activity. In practice, that time includes boarding, the hour-long crossing, lunch, two island visits, and the return sail. It is not six hours of sightseeing on land.

That distinction matters. If you want a full day on either island, book a separate ferry and explore independently. If you want a simple introduction to both islands without arranging transport, this format works better.

The free-time structure is one of the tour’s strengths. You are not tied to a long lecture or a fixed group walk on every path. You can choose a hilltop church, a forest walk, flowers, beaches, or a quiet view. The weakness is that you need to plan quickly once you step ashore.

I suggest choosing one main goal per island:

• On Buyukada, make Aya Yorgi Church your target, or stay low and enjoy the pine paths.
• On Kinaliada, choose the church, Hristos Monastery, or a slower walk near the water.

Trying to do everything could leave you watching the boat pull away while still halfway up a hill. The guide should provide instructions for meeting back onboard, but keep an eye on the time yourself.

The return to Istanbul

The cruise returns to Istanbul through the Marmara Sea, giving you another chance to see the skyline from the water. This is often the quietest part of the day. You can sit back, compare the two islands, and enjoy the views without needing to navigate.

The return port is Ahirkapi İskelesi Port, which is different from the departure point. This is one of the most important practical details. Do not plan to leave a bag, meet a driver, or arrange a pickup at the original pier.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the starting port yourself and arrange your own onward transport from Ahirkapi. The different ports are not a problem if you know about them, but they can cause confusion if you assume the cruise ends where it began.

Is $34 a fair price?

At $34 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour boat outing that includes transport, a guide, lunch, and free time on two islands. You are paying for convenience as much as for sightseeing. The boat handles the movement between Istanbul, Buyukada, and Kinaliada, and lunch removes one decision from a busy day.

The value drops if the boat loses a large part of the schedule to delays. A one-hour refueling wait is not a minor nuisance when the total activity lasts six hours. It can turn a relaxed island day into a hurried one.

The included lunch also has limits. It is practical and budget-friendly, but it is not the same as choosing a small restaurant on an island. Drinks cost extra, and the meal may be served inside in a noisy setting.

For a first look at the Princes’ Islands, I think the price is fair. For a slow, food-focused day or a serious walking trip, I would prefer independent ferry travel and more time on land.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This outing suits you if you want a simple escape from Istanbul and like having transport, lunch, and a basic plan arranged in advance. It is especially useful if you want to see two islands in one day rather than spending all your time on Buyukada.

It also works well for people who value free time. You are given a destination and a return time, then allowed to choose your own pace. That is a nice middle ground between a fully guided walk and going completely alone.

You may want to think twice if you dislike uncertain timing, crowded boat meals, or short stops. The hilltop churches require walking, and the free time may not satisfy you if you want to explore every road and viewpoint.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, Aya Yorgi Church and Hristos Monastery are hilltop sites, so the accessibility of every free-time route is not the same as accessibility onboard. If this is important for you, confirm the practical details before booking.

What to bring and how to plan

Keep your voucher ready for check-in at the port across from Kadir Has University. Since the meeting point can be hard to identify, save the provider’s contact details before leaving your hotel. One booking account found WhatsApp help useful when locating the boat.

Wear shoes suitable for walking. The islands invite easy strolls, but the two main religious sites sit on hills. Bring money for drinks, and keep some time in reserve rather than assuming every minute will run perfectly.

Because you return to a different port, write down Ahirkapi İskelesi Port before you leave. This simple step can save confusion at the end of the day.

I would also avoid scheduling an important dinner reservation or airport transfer immediately after the cruise. The normal duration is six hours, but refueling delays have affected departure times.

Should you book this Princes’ Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a fairly priced, low-effort day on the water with two island stops, an included lunch, and enough free time to choose your own walks. The pine forests, hilltop churches, reddish Kinaliada hills, and Istanbul views give the outing real variety.

Skip it if your priority is a long visit to one island, a quiet meal outdoors, or tightly controlled timing. The best way to enjoy this cruise is to accept its limits: it is a convenient introduction, not a deeply detailed island tour.

For most first-time visitors with one spare day in Istanbul, I would consider it a good-value option, provided you can handle possible delays and remember that the boat returns to Ahirkapi rather than the original port.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about six hours, including the boat journeys, lunch, and free time on Buyukada and Kinaliada.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat named Deluxe departs from the port across from Kadir Has University. Show your voucher at the port for check-in.

Where does the cruise return?

The cruise returns to Ahirkapi İskelesi Port, which is different from the departure port.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the departure port yourself and arrange your own transport after returning.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The cruise includes free time on Buyukada and Kinaliada, two of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands.

How much free time do I get on Buyukada?

The planned free time on Buyukada is about 1.5 hours. The exact timing can vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch onboard is included in the price, but drinks with lunch are not included.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. A live English-speaking guide is included.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Some hilltop sights, including Aya Yorgi Church and Hristos Monastery, may involve walking uphill, so confirm the access details that matter to you.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.