Istanbul Ferry Timetables 2026: Routes, Fares, Islands

Quick Answer: Istanbul''s public ferries are run mainly by Şehir Hatları , İDO and Dentur Avrasya , and you board them exactly like a bus — tap an Istanbulkart at the turnstile, no reservation, no ticket queue. Commuter crossings such as Eminönü–Üsküdar or Karaköy–Kadıköy run every 15–30 minutes from around 07:00 to 21:00, cost roughly the same as a metro ride, and take 15–25 minutes. Princes'' Islands sailings from Eminönü and Kabataş run less often — check the timetable the morning you travel, because it changes with the season. Which Ferry Lines Actually Matter to Visitors? Istanbul has dozens of scheduled routes, but a traveller staying three to five days will realistically use five of them. Everything else is commuter infrastructure for people living in the outer suburbs. Route Typical frequency Crossing time Why take it Eminönü – Üsküdar Every 15–20 min ~20 min Fastest scenic hop from the old city to Asia Karaköy – Kadıköy Every 20–30 min ~20 min Best food afternoon in the city Beşiktaş – Üsküdar Every 15–20 min ~15 min Shortest crossing, great for the Maiden''s Tower view Eminönü / Kabataş – Princes'' Islands Roughly hourly, fewer in winter 60–90 min Full day trip to Büyükada and Heybeliada Long Bosphorus cruise (Eminönü – Anadolu Kavağı) 1–2 sailings a day ~90 min each way The cheapest full-length Bosphorus trip If your priority is the view rather than getting somewhere, the long Bosphorus line and the Beşiktaş–Üsküdar hop deliver most of what an expensive tourist cruise sells, for public-transport money. We compare both properly in our sunset cruise vs public ferry guide . How Much Does a Ferry Cost in 2026? Fares are set by the city and change with inflation, so treat any printed figure as a snapshot. What matters is the relationship between fares: a standard commuter ferry costs roughly the same as a metro or tram ride, the Princes'' Islands sailing costs about two to three times a standard hop, and the long Bosphorus round trip is priced as a separate ex