Great news to revitalize maritime transport in the Marmara Region has arrived: direct ferry services from Kocaeli to Istanbul's Büyükada are resuming for the 2026 summer season. A single ferry departing from four piers in the Gulf of İzmit transports passengers directly to the unique atmosphere of the Princes' Islands without any transfers.
Operating Days and Season
The services will operate as round trips every Sunday between June 22 and September 21, 2026. The single ferry will call at the following piers in the gulf in sequence:
- İzmit: 08:30
- Değirmendere: 09:15
- Karamürsel: 10:00
- Darıca: 11:15
The ferry arrives at Büyükada at approximately 12:15 and departs from the island for the return trip at 17:30, allowing for about five hours on the island for a day trip.
2026 Ticket Prices (Round-Trip Tour)
- Departures from İzmit / Değirmendere / Karamürsel: adult 350 TL, student 225 TL
- Departures from Darıca: adult 260 TL, student 200 TL
Prices include both the outbound and return journeys. The departure from Darıca, the closest point to the island, offers the most affordable fare.
Reservations Required
Since space is limited, reservations are mandatory. Ticketing and seat reservations are made through the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality's websites at kdu.kocaeli.bel.tr or www.kocaeli.bel.tr.
Why Choose This Route?
During the summer months, ferries traveling from within Istanbul to the Princes' Islands become extremely crowded on weekends. This direct service departing from Kocaeli allows you to reach Büyükada via a pleasant sea voyage, completely bypassing Istanbul's traffic and congested transfer piers.
Current schedules and guides: İzmit - Büyükada · Değirmendere - Büyükada · Karamürsel - Büyükada · Darıca - Büyükada