Do ferry services operate on public holidays and festivals, and are they free? The policies of operators such as Şehir Hatları, İDO, BUDO, Gestaş, Negmar, and İzdeniz vary on holidays across Turkey. In this guide, we compile the status of ferry and car ferry services, fare policies, and additional sailings for all national holidays in 2026 on a single page. If you wish to get detailed information for a specific day, you can check the sub-guides below.
Remaining Public Holidays in 2026 — Quick Calendar
Eid al-Adha (May 27–30, 2026) has passed. By IMM decision, Şehir Hatları ferries provided free service to personalized Istanbulkart holders throughout the holiday (May 27 00:00 – May 30 24:00); İDO and BUDO operated at normal fares. For details, you can refer to the Eid al-Adha 2026 ferry services guide. Upcoming public holidays and ferry status in 2026:
- July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day (Wednesday): This is not a public holiday but a commemoration day; ferries and car ferries operate on their normal weekday schedule.
- August 30 Victory Day (Sunday): As it falls on a Sunday, most operators already follow a Sunday/holiday schedule. IMM's decision on free transportation will be announced closer to the holiday. Details: August 30, 2026 ferry services.
- October 29 Republic Day (Thursday): In previous years, IMM made public transportation (including Şehir Hatları) free; the 2026 decision will be announced in October. Details: Are ferries free on October 29, 2026?
For summer season schedules, check out the 2026 summer schedule guide.
Ferry Policies on Public Holidays in Turkey
In Turkey, public holidays are divided into two main groups: national holidays (April 23, May 19, August 30, October 29, July 15) and religious holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha). Additionally, May 1st, Labor and Solidarity Day, is considered a public holiday. The policies of ferry and car ferry operators on these days fall under three main categories:
- Schedule changes: Some operators apply Sunday or Saturday schedules on holidays, while others maintain their weekday schedules.
- Free travel: Ferry operators affiliated with municipalities (Şehir Hatları, İzdeniz, some Gestaş lines) may offer free service to passengers on national holidays. This policy depends on the municipality's official announcement each year.
- Additional sailings: Extra services are organized, especially on Marmara and Aegean lines, on the eve and return days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Below, we summarize the current policy for each holiday in 2026, operator by operator.
Which Days Might Be Free?
On the following days, especially Istanbul Şehir Hatları and some municipally operated ferries generally offer free travel services. However, private operators such as İDO, BUDO, and Negmar typically do not follow this practice and charge normal fares.
- May 1 — Labor and Solidarity Day: Şehir Hatları has traditionally offered free service, but this policy is announced separately each year. İDO charges a fare. May 1, 2026 detailed guide.
- April 23 — National Sovereignty and Children's Day: Children aged 7 and under already travel free on Şehir Hatları ferries; free travel may be applied to all passengers on the holiday. April 23, 2026 detailed guide.
- May 19 — Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day: In recent years, IMM's policy has been towards free travel. May 19, 2026 detailed guide.
- August 30 — Victory Day: Şehir Hatları traditionally offers free service. August 30, 2026 detailed guide.
- October 29 — Republic Day: Free travel is common during the 1.5-day holiday starting on the afternoon of October 28. October 29, 2026 detailed guide.
- July 15 — Democracy and National Unity Day: Municipal operators may apply free travel, the situation is evaluated based on the annual announcement. July 15, 2026 detailed guide.
- 1st day of Eid al-Fitr: Şehir Hatları is traditionally free. Eid al-Fitr 2026 detailed guide.
- 1st day of Eid al-Adha: Free service is customary for Şehir Hatları. Eid al-Adha 2026 detailed guide.
Important note: The free travel policy depends on the official announcement of the relevant municipality or operator each year. We recommend checking operator announcements before your trip.
Operator by Operator 2026 Policy
Şehir Hatları (Istanbul)
Şehir Hatları, affiliated with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, traditionally offers free travel services on national holidays and public holidays such as May 1. In 2024 and 2025, this policy was implemented on May 1, May 19, August 30, October 29, and the 1st days of Eid al-Fitr/Eid al-Adha. For 2026, exact dates and times depend on the official announcement from IMM and Şehir Hatları. Schedules generally switch to a Sunday schedule, which means fewer services.
İDO — Istanbul Sea Buses
As a private sector operator, İDO does not offer free travel on public holidays. In terms of fares, a weekend schedule may apply on holidays. During peak holiday periods (especially the eve and return days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha), additional sailings are added on the Yenikapı–Bursa, Yenikapı–Bandırma, and Pendik–Yalova lines. Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended.
BUDO — Bursa Sea Buses
BUDO, although an affiliate of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, maintains its fare policy. Additional sailings may be scheduled on the Bursa–Istanbul (Eminönü/Kabataş) and Bursa–Armutlu lines during holiday periods. On national holidays such as April 23 and May 19, BUDO has occasionally offered discounted or free travel, but this is not a standard practice.
Gestaş — Çanakkale
Gestaş Deniz Ulaşımı provides service between the two sides of the Çanakkale Strait (Çanakkale–Eceabat, Çanakkale–Kilitbahir, Gelibolu–Lapseki). The majority of these lines are already free for passengers but charge a fare for vehicles. On holiday days, vehicle fares continue at the normal rate. Gestaş may add additional sailings during the week of August 30 Victory Day due to increased visitor traffic to the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Negmar — Eskihisar/Topçular and Saros Gulf
Negmar operates car ferry lines such as Eskihisar–Topçular and Tekirdağ–Karabiga. Free travel is not offered during holidays, but service intervals are increased to 24/7 on busy days.
İzdeniz — İzmir
İzdeniz, an affiliate of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, frequently supports the free travel policy on national holidays. Free travel has been observed on September 9 (Liberation of İzmir, a local holiday), October 29, and August 30.
Holiday Schedules and Additional Sailings
Long holiday periods, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which can last up to 9 days, create significant migration movements in Turkey. Ferry and car ferry operators make the following adjustments during this period:
- Afternoon of the eve and holiday return: These are the busiest hours. Tickets quickly sell out on İDO Yenikapı–Bursa, Yenikapı–Bandırma, and Negmar Eskihisar–Topçular lines.
- Additional sailings: Operators may add 1–3 extra services throughout the holiday period. These services are usually announced 1–2 weeks before the holiday.
- Early ticket purchase: It is recommended to buy tickets at least 10 days before the holiday. For car ferries, this period can extend up to 2–3 weeks.
- Schedule change: A Sunday/Saturday schedule is applied on the official holiday days. This means fewer services compared to the weekday schedule.
For a detailed strategy, you can refer to our guide on how to buy ferry tickets during holiday periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ferries free on public holidays?
No, this is not a universal rule for all operators. Only municipal affiliates like Istanbul Şehir Hatları and İzdeniz customarily offer free travel on national holidays. İDO, BUDO, and private operators apply normal fares.
Does İDO operate on May 1?
Yes, İDO continues its services on May 1; it is not free. A weekend schedule may apply.
How to buy car ferry tickets during holidays?
For car ferry lines such as Eskihisar–Topçular, Çanakkale–Eceabat, and Gelibolu–Lapseki, it is recommended to purchase tickets 2–3 weeks in advance of the holiday. Make reservations with operators that have an online ticketing system; for those that don't, you will need to queue at the pier.
What are Şehir Hatları operating hours during holidays?
On public holidays, Şehir Hatları generally applies the Sunday schedule. This means fewer services compared to the weekday schedule. Popular lines such as the Islands line, Eminönü–Üsküdar, and Beşiktaş–Üsküdar may be crowded.
What fare do we pay if we take the ferry with children on April 23?
On Şehir Hatları, children aged 7 and under already travel free. If free travel is applied to all passengers on April 23, everyone rides for free. IMM officially announces this decision each year.
Does BUDO add extra sailings during holidays?
Yes, BUDO may organize additional sailings on the Bursa–Istanbul line during Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and other long holiday periods. Announcements are usually made 1–2 weeks before the holiday.
Which ferry line is the busiest during holidays?
Eskihisar–Topçular (Negmar) and Yenikapı–Bursa (İDO) are the busiest lines around the Marmara Sea. Waiting times on these lines can reach 2–4 hours at the start and end of the holiday period.
Conclusion
Ferry services in Turkey vary significantly by operator on public holidays and festival days. While municipal affiliates offer free travel, private operators charge normal fares. When planning your trip: (1) determine which operator you will use, (2) check the official announcement for the relevant year, (3) purchase tickets 2–3 weeks in advance during holiday periods. For a specific holiday, refer to the sub-guides above; we provide separate fare, fee, and additional sailing information for each holiday.
