As the weather gets warmer, the number of passengers traveling by sea multiplies; operators respond to this demand with their summer schedule. The summer schedule is a period when the number of services increases compared to the winter period, the last service times extend into the night, and additional services are introduced on many routes. In this guide, you will find out when Şehir Hatları, GESTAŞ, İDO, and BUDO's 2026 summer schedules begin and what you need to pay attention to.
When Does the Summer Schedule Start?
In maritime transport in Turkey, the summer schedule generally covers the period between early June and late September. The start date may vary depending on the operator and the route: on island and tourist routes, the summer schedule comes into effect earlier (early June), while on urban routes, service frequency increases with the start of school holidays (mid-June). The exact date is finalized each year with the operator's official announcement; therefore, we recommend checking the current service times page for the relevant route before traveling.
2026 Summer Schedule by Operator
GESTAŞ (Çanakkale, Bozcaada, Gökçeada)
GESTAŞ will implement its summer schedule on the Çanakkale Strait and island routes as of June 1, 2026. During the summer, the number of services significantly increases, especially on island routes:
- Geyikli–Bozcaada ferry times become more frequent during the summer; additional services are added on weekends and public holidays.
- Kabatepe–Gökçeada ferry services increase their daily service count in the summer schedule.
- Night services are extended on the Çanakkale–Eceabat and Çanakkale–Kilitbahir strait routes.
Şehir Hatları (Istanbul)
Istanbul Şehir Hatları increases service frequency on its Bosphorus and Islands routes during the summer. Due to high demand for Islands (Bostancı–Islands, Kabataş–Islands) and Bosphorus tours, additional services are scheduled on weekends, and the last service times are extended to later hours. For current times, you can check the Şehir Hatları service times page.
İDO and BUDO (Marmara)
İDO (Istanbul Sea Buses) and BUDO (Bursa Sea Buses) add extra services on busy routes such as Istanbul–Bursa, Istanbul–Yalova, and Istanbul–Bandırma during the summer months. Tickets on these routes sell out quickly during holiday returns and festival traffic; it is strongly recommended to purchase your ticket in advance for summer weekends.
What to Pay Attention to in the Summer Schedule?
- Book early: Especially for vehicle passages, summer weekend capacities fill up quickly.
- Check the last service time: Although the last service is late in the summer schedule, plan your return according to the service time.
- Follow additional services: Operators announce additional services during public holidays and festivals; you can follow them on the announcements page.
- Weather conditions: Even in summer, sudden strong southwesterly (lodos) or northeasterly (poyraz) winds can affect services; in case of cancellation, your ticket will be refunded or transferred to the next service.
Summer Schedule and Ticket Prices
Although the number of services increases in the summer schedule, ticket prices are generally the same as the year-round tariff; operators increase service frequency instead of applying seasonal price differences. For current pedestrian and vehicle fares, you can check the prices page for the relevant route.
You can access the current service times and routes of all operators from the Ferry Services homepage, and plan your journey by region from the Istanbul, Çanakkale, and other regional pages.
