How to Get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Adalar (Princes' Islands)

Istanbul Airport (IST) is about 71 km northwest of the car-free Princes' Islands; every land option only reaches a ferry pier at Kabataş, Eminönü or Bostancı. Depending on how you cross the city and which ferry you catch, the total journey time ranges from about 2 hours by private transfer to 3 hours on cheaper public transport.

✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026 • 71.1 km road distance

Pre-Booked Private Transfer to Bostancı Pier + Ferry

Recommended

125 mins •On Demand (Meet & Greet in Arrivals)

€75 - €95 / Vehicle + Ferry

Luggage: 2 Pieces Free

How to take it step-by-step:

Meet your driver in the arrivals hall after customs; they hold a name board.
Drive via the Bosphorus Bridge to Bostancı ferry terminal on the Asian side, about 95 minutes.
Buy ferry tickets at the pier with Istanbulkart or at the ticket office.
Board the Bostancı-to-Adalar ferry; vehicles cannot enter the islands.
Get off at your island stop: Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada or Kınalıada.

Kiwitaxi

✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit

Book Fixed-Price Transfer

Official Airport Taxi to Bostancı Pier + Ferry

Flexible

125 mins •On Demand (Official Rank 24/7)

€62 - €106 / Vehicle + Ferry

Luggage: Up to 4 Bags

How to take it step-by-step:

Use the official taxi rank directly outside the arrivals exit; ignore touts inside the hall.
Confirm the meter is switched on and ask for Bostancı ferry terminal (Bostancı İskelesi).
The meter will include the Bosphorus bridge toll for this Asian-side route; do not pay extra.
At Bostancı, buy ferry tickets with Istanbulkart or at the ticket office.
Take the ferry to Adalar and get off at your island.

Havaist HVL-14 to Kadıköy + M4 to Bostancı + Ferry

Short Ferry

140 mins •See hava.ist Timetable

€7.00 + M4/ferry fares

Luggage: 2 Pieces Free

How to take it step-by-step:

Go to floor -2, platform 14 and board HVL-14 to Kadıköy ferry terminals.
Pay on board with Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card; hold luggage goes in the hold.
At Kadıköy, take the M4 metro from Kadıköy station to Bostancı.
Walk from Bostancı metro to the Bostancı ferry terminal.
Take the Bostancı-to-Adalar ferry and get off at your island.

M11 Metro + M2 + Marmaray to Bostancı + Ferry

Cheapest

150 mins •Every 20 Mins (M11, 06:00–00:00)

€2.50 - €3.00 / Person (Metro + Transfers + Ferry)

Luggage: No Luggage Racks

How to take it step-by-step:

Follow signs to the metro on floor -2 after arrivals.
Take the M11 to Gayrettepe; pay with Istanbulkart, about €0.70.
Change to the M2 metro and ride to Yenikapı; then change to Marmaray.
Get off at Bostancı and walk to the ferry terminal.
Take the ferry to Adalar and get off at your island.

Havaist HVL-11 to Sultanahmet + T1 Tram + Ferry

Budget-Friendly

180 mins •See hava.ist Timetable

€5.50 + tram/ferry fares

Luggage: 2 Pieces Free

How to take it step-by-step:

Go to floor -2, platform 11 and board HVL-11 to Sultanahmet; expect intermediate stops.
Pay on board with Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card; hold luggage goes in the hold.
Get off at Sultanahmet and walk to the T1 tram stop.
Take the T1 tram towards Kabataş and get off at Eminönü.
From Eminönü, take the ferry to Adalar and get off at your island.

Istanbul Airport Deals

Compare all terminal car rental desks with free 48h cancellation.

Small Medium Large

Compare Terminal Car Prices

Landing in Turkey?

Skip expensive airport SIM kiosks. Activate a 5G eSIM on your phone in 2 minutes before takeoff.

Get Turkey eSIM

Was your flight delayed or cancelled?

In some cases passengers are entitled to compensation. AirHelp checks your flight for free and only charges a fee if they win your claim.

Check my rights for free

⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals and ignore touts inside the terminal; unlicensed drivers overcharge.
Insist the taxi meter is switched on; the Bostancı crossing adds a bridge toll to the meter, so do not pay it twice.
Prefer taxis that take card or confirm before the ride; many drivers claim the card machine is broken.
Do not accept flat taxi prices unless you have booked a private transfer; official taxis are metered.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Istanbul Airport to the Princes' Islands at night?

The M11 metro runs about 06:00–00:00 and does not offer night service. Late-night options are an official taxi or pre-booked private transfer to a ferry pier, but check Adalar ferry timetables because ferries do not run all night.

What is the cheapest way to reach Adalar from Istanbul Airport?

The M11 metro plus M2, Marmaray and the Bostancı ferry is usually the cheapest route, roughly €2.50–€3.00 per person. It has several changes and no luggage racks, so allow extra time.

Can a taxi or transfer drive to the Princes' Islands?

No, Adalar is car-free. Taxis and private transfers can only take you to a mainland ferry pier such as Kabataş, Eminönü or Bostancı; from there you take the ferry to the islands.

How long does it take from IST to Adalar?

By private transfer or taxi to Bostancı plus ferry, the fastest total is about 2 hours. Public transport typically takes 2.5–3 hours depending on connections and ferry departure.

Do I need an Istanbulkart for the airport metro and ferries?

Yes, the M11, M2, Marmaray, tram and most city ferries use Istanbulkart. You can buy or top up an Istanbulkart at Biletmatik machines on floor -2 of the airport.

Which option is best for families with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer to Bostancı pier plus ferry is the easiest: the driver meets you in arrivals, luggage space is included and the fixed price covers the bridge crossing. The airport metro has no luggage racks and is hard at rush hour.

More transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST)

Arnavutköy · 20 km Başakşehir · 31.8 km Kağıthane · 35.8 km Eyüpsultan · 39 km Bağcılar · 40.1 km Esenler · 40.7 km Gaziosmanpaşa · 42.8 km Güngören · 43.2 km