How to Get to Avşa Island from Istanbul by Ferry? 2026

Transportation to Avşa Island from Istanbul: 2026 Current Status

Avşa Island, one of the most dynamic and beloved holiday routes in the Sea of Marmara, remains a top choice for those seeking sea, sand, and sun in the 2026 summer season. As of today, June 7, 2026, the most critical question for Istanbul residents finalizing their summer holiday plans is: How to get to Avşa from Istanbul by ferry? Since there are no direct car ferry services departing from Istanbul, you will need to use two main routes to reach the island with your private vehicle or as a foot passenger: Tekirdağ Ceyport Port for those coming from the European Side, and Balıkesir Erdek Pier for those coming from the Anatolian Side.

In this guide, we will examine the travel times, costs, operator information, and departure schedules for both routes in detail, based on real data. Before planning your trip, you can also check our Avşa and Marmara Island Holiday Guide article to get information about island transportation and accommodation.

Option 1: Tekirdağ Ceyport Transfer Route (Ideal for the European Side)

If you reside on the European Side of Istanbul (e.g., Beylikdüzü, Bakırköy, Şişli, or Maslak), the fastest and most logical way to reach Avşa Island is via Tekirdağ. Road travel from Istanbul to Tekirdağ Ceyport Port takes an average of 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions. You can quickly reach Tekirdağ using the Northern Marmara Motorway and board the car ferries departing from the port.

Tekirdağ - Avşa Ferry Timetables and Prices (2026)

Services from Tekirdağ Ceyport to Avşa Island are operated by Marmara RoRo (SS. Erdek Deniz Motorlu Taşıyıcılar Kooperatifi). This route is specifically planned for weekend holidaymakers and operates only on Fridays and Sundays. You can reach the island directly with this pleasant Sea of Marmara journey, which takes approximately 180 minutes (3 hours).

For current service details, please check our Tekirdağ - Avşa Ferry Services page. Below you can find the updated 2026 timetable and pricing table:

Ticket Prices: Single-journey ticket prices for the Marmara RoRo Tekirdağ - Avşa route in 2026 vary according to passenger and vehicle type. The current prices in the system are set at 600.00 TL, 1350.00 TL, and 2600.00 TL respectively. (Please confirm exact details for classifications such as foot passenger, motorcycle, car, and SUV from the operator). For up-to-date information and vehicle class confirmation, you can check the operator's official channels or contact Marmara RoRo at +90 541 960 99 33.

Option 2: Erdek Transfer Route (Anatolian Side and Bursa Direction)

If you live on the Anatolian Side of Istanbul (Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Pendik) or are coming from surrounding provinces like Bursa or Kocaeli, traveling to Avşa via Erdek district of Balıkesir will be much more practical for you. To reach Erdek from Istanbul, you can use the Osmangazi Bridge or take a ferry to Yalova and then proceed to Erdek Pier via Bandırma. The road journey from Istanbul to Erdek takes approximately 2.5 - 3 hours.

The Erdek route is the main artery providing access to the Marmara Islands (Avşa, Marmara, Paşalimanı, Ekinlik). Services on this route are operated daily by GESTAŞ Deniz Ulaşım. The journey takes approximately 120 minutes due to it being a multi-stop route. For more extensive information about this route, you can read our Marmara Islands Ferry Guide article.

Erdek - Avşa Ferry Timetables and Prices (2026)

GESTAŞ's services departing from Erdek have been increased for the summer season. Below you can see the updated 2026 table for Erdek - Avşa Ferry Services:

Ticket Prices: 2026 prices for the GESTAŞ Erdek - Avşa route are quite varied. For foot passengers, a one-way full fare ticket is 160.00 TL (discounted/island card options 120.00 TL), while for students and passengers over 65, it is 60.00 TL. For vehicle crossings, prices vary between 630.00 TL, 750.00 TL, 1330.00 TL, 1850.00 TL, 2450.00 TL, and 3255.00 TL depending on the vehicle class (motorcycle, car, SUV, minibus, etc.). For detailed information and reservations, you can reach the GESTAŞ call center at 444 0 752.

Planning Your Return from Avşa: Tekirdağ and Erdek Directions

When returning from Avşa Island at the end of your holiday, you should remember that there is significant congestion, especially on Sundays in July and August. We strongly recommend purchasing your return ticket as soon as you arrive on the island or online in advance.

Avşa - Tekirdağ Return Services

Marmara RoRo's Avşa - Tekirdağ Ferry Services are also weekend-focused. On Fridays and Sundays, the ferry departing from Avşa at 19:00 arrives at Tekirdağ Ceyport Port around 22:00. Return prices are set at 600.00 TL, 1350.00 TL, and 2500.00 TL.

Avşa - Erdek Return Services

For returns from Avşa to Erdek, there is Marmara RoRo's daily 19:20 service via Marmara Island, and a direct service on Fridays/Sundays at 20:20 (Arrival 21:40). Ticket prices on this route range from 160.00 TL to 1850.00 TL (with vehicle). For GESTAŞ's return times, it is recommended to check the operator's website according to the day of travel.

Which Route is Right for You? Comparison Table

We have summarized the advantages of the two alternatives for those departing from Istanbul in the table below:

2026 Tips for Car Ferry Travel

If you plan to travel to Avşa Island with your vehicle, it is very important to arrive at the ferry pier at least 1 hour before the departure time. Especially at Tekirdağ Ceyport and Erdek piers, long vehicle queues can form during the summer months. Purchasing your vehicle ticket as a round trip eliminates the stress of not finding a spot on your return. For a comfortable journey on car ferries, you can also check our guide Which Cabin is Better on a Car Ferry?, although deck and open seating areas are generally preferred on Avşa routes.

Finally, remember that ferry services may be canceled due to adverse weather conditions. If there is a storm or strong southerly wind warning on your travel day, be sure to call Marmara RoRo (+90 541 960 99 33) or GESTAŞ (444 0 752) call centers to confirm the status of the service before heading to the port. We wish you a wonderful Avşa holiday!