Eid al-Adha 2026 is a religious holiday in Turkey that coincides with the summer season, leading to a major holiday migration. In this guide, we share information on ferry services, additional trips, and ticket purchasing strategies for operators such as Şehir Hatları, İDO, BUDO, Gestaş, and Negmar during Eid al-Adha.
Şehir Hatları Services during Eid al-Adha 2026
Şehir Hatları, an İBB (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) subsidiary, traditionally offers free travel on the 1st day of Eid al-Adha. On other days of the holiday, normal fares apply. The final decision for 2026 depends on İBB's official announcement.
The Sunday schedule is valid throughout the Eid holiday. Main lines such as the Islands line, Eminönü–Kadıköy, and Kabataş–Üsküdar are open.
Eid al-Adha 2026 Schedules by Operator
Şehir Hatları (İBB) — Eid al-Adha 2026
Eid al-Adha arrangements for Şehir Hatları, an İBB subsidiary:
- 1st day of Eid (Wednesday, May 27, 2026): Traditionally, all services are free (to be confirmed by İBB's official announcement).
- 2nd–4th days of Eid (May 28–30): Normal fares apply, Sunday schedule is valid (~70% reduction in services).
- Active lines: Eminönü – Kadıköy, Kabataş – Üsküdar, Beşiktaş – Üsküdar, Kabataş – Adalar, Bostancı – Adalar.
- First service: 06:30 (Adalar 07:00), last service: 22:30.
- Phone: 444 1 851
İDO — Eid al-Adha 2026
İDO arrangements for the Eid al-Adha period:
- Fares: Normal fares apply; NO free service on the 1st day of Eid.
- Additional services: 30–50% additional services are added on the Yenikapı – Bursa (Mudanya), Yenikapı – Bandırma, Pendik – Yalova, and Pendik – Bursa lines.
- Pre-Eid rush: On Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24 afternoon, for Istanbul → Bursa, Yalova routes, online tickets are mandatory 2 hours in advance.
- Post-Eid return rush: On Sunday, May 31 for Bursa → Istanbul, Yalova → Istanbul routes, there may be 4–6 hour waits; buy online tickets, do not go to the ticket office.
- First/last service: Yenikapı – Yalova 07:45 / 21:30; Yenikapı – Bursa 07:30 / 20:00.
- Online tickets: ido.com.tr
BUDO — Eid al-Adha 2026
Bursa Sea Buses (BUDO):
- Fares: Normal fares apply.
- Additional services: Additional services are announced for the Mudanya – Yenikapı and Mudanya – Armutlu lines before and after Eid (usually announced 7 days before Eid).
- Fast ferry duration: Mudanya – Yenikapı 105 min, Mudanya – Armutlu 50 min.
- Important: BUDO only carries passengers; for vehicle crossings, İDO should be preferred.
- Web: budo.burulas.com.tr
GESTAŞ — Eid al-Adha 2026 (Çanakkale Region)
GESTAŞ Sea Transportation Eid schedule is valid between May 23–31, 2026:
- Strait line (Çanakkale – Eceabat): 24/7 service, switches to a full-hour schedule during Eid (e.g., 15:05 → 15:00, 17:10 → 17:00).
- Geyikli – Bozcaada: Additional services during the Eid period; however, vehicle capacity sells out 3 weeks in advance. Pedestrian access is free.
- Kabatepe – Gökçeada: Increases from 4 to 6 daily services during Eid. Vehicle reservations are essential in advance.
- Passengers free, vehicles charged: Pedestrian crossings on the Çanakkale – Eceabat and Çanakkale – Kilitbahir lines are standardly free.
- Online tickets: gestasdenizulasim.com.tr
- Mobile app: "GESTAŞ Mobil" (App Store / Google Play)
Negmar — Eskihisar – Topçular Eid al-Adha
Negmar Denizcilik (formerly Eskihisar – Topçular ro-ro):
- Operation: 24/7, a service every 20 minutes.
- Congestion: Queues can reach 4–6 hours during the start and end of Eid.
- Peak times: Friday, May 23, 16:00–22:00 (Istanbul → Anatolia), Sunday, May 31, 14:00–22:00 (Anatolia → Istanbul).
- Fares: Car 725 TL, bus ~3,500 TL (2026 tariff).
- No online reservation — join the queue at the ticket office or pass directly with HGS.
- Alternative: İDO Pendik – Yalova line or Marmaray via Istanbul Eurasia Tunnel to Yalova by bus.
İZDENİZ — Izmir Eid al-Adha 2026
İZDENİZ Izmir ferries:
- Fares: By municipal practice, the 1st day of Eid is usually free.
- Lines: Konak – Karşıyaka, Bostanlı – Pasaport, Karşıyaka – Pasaport.
- Foça line: The Konak – Karşıyaka – Foça line has reduced services during Eid (Sunday schedule).
- Tickets: Access with İzmirim Card, physical tickets are not used.
İDO Car Ferries, Akgünler, Other Operators
- İDO Car Ferries (excluding Topçular): No additional services on the Yenikapı – Yalova, Pendik – Yalova car ferry lines during Eid; operates with the existing schedule.
- Akgünler Denizcilik (Taşucu – Kyrenia): Daily services to TRNC, normal fares apply. For TRNC during Eid, ID card is sufficient for entry (passport not required).
- Armas (Tekirdağ – Avşa – Marmara): Very busy during the Eid start (May 23–25); buy tickets 10 days in advance for entry to Avşa Island.
Summer Holiday Rush during Eid al-Adha
As Eid al-Adha coincides with summer, all holiday regions in Turkey experience high occupancy. The busiest ferry lines before and after Eid are:
- Eskihisar–Topçular (Negmar): Queues can reach 4–6 hours during Eid. No online reservation.
- Çanakkale–Eceabat (Gestaş): Critical point for vehicle visitors heading to Gallipoli and Bozcaada.
- Geyikli–Bozcaada (Gestaş): Vehicle capacity fills up quickly during summer weeks and Eid. Reservations are mandatory 2–3 weeks in advance.
- Çanakkale–Gökçeada (Gestaş/Gökçeada Line): Busy throughout summer, most crowded during Eid.
- Tekirdağ–Avşa–Marmara (Armas): Critical for summer tourists going to Avşa and Marmara Islands.
Sacrifice Ritual and Ferry Travel during Eid
The first day of Eid al-Adha usually involves the sacrifice ritual. Therefore, ferry travel generally sees:
- 2nd day of Eid and onwards: Heavy outbound traffic to holiday regions.
- Eid return: The last day of the holiday and the first working day thereafter, return traffic is at its peak.
No extra checks are performed at the piers if you carry sacrificial meat with you; however, we recommend using a cooler bag for long journeys in the summer heat.
Access to Holiday Islands during Eid
- Bozcaada: Gestaş ferry from Geyikli pier. Bozcaada 3-day holiday plan.
- Gökçeada: Gestaş ferry from Kabatepe pier. Vehicle capacity for Eid al-Adha sells out 1 month in advance.
- Avşa-Marmara: From Tekirdağ or Istanbul. Avşa-Marmara holiday guide.
- Princes' Islands (Istanbul): Şehir Hatları. Very busy on summer evenings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Şehir Hatları services free on the 1st day of Eid al-Adha?
Traditionally yes, but the official decision is announced each year. Normal fares apply on other Eid days.
How to buy a ferry ticket to Bozcaada during Eid?
Through Gestaş's online reservation system, at least 2–3 weeks before Eid. Vehicle capacity fills up very quickly during the summer season and Eid.
What is the congestion like on Eskihisar–Topçular during Eid al-Adha?
Queues can reach 4–6 hours during the start and end of Eid. If possible, cross before the eve of Eid or in the afternoon of the last day of Eid.
Does İDO add extra services during Eid?
Yes, İDO usually adds extra services on the Yenikapı–Bursa and Yenikapı–Bandırma lines throughout the Eid al-Adha holiday. Announcements are made 1–2 weeks before Eid.
Is it easy to go to Gökçeada during Eid?
No, the Gökçeada ferry (Kabatepe–Kuzulimanı) fills up very quickly. Vehicle capacity is unavailable if not reserved 3–4 weeks in advance.
Check out the ferry services guide for all public holidays and Eid and the how to buy ferry tickets during Eid guide.
