There are few experiences in the world as memorable as a Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, sailing along the narrow strait that has shaped the fate of empires for more than two thousand years. This is where Europe and Asia meet not as borders, but as neighbors—connected by water, history, and daily life flowing between two continents.
From the deck of a boat, Istanbul reveals itself in layers. Along the shoreline, grand Ottoman palaces rise beside historic mosques, remnants of Byzantine walls trace the curves of the strait, and elegant wooden waterfront mansions—known as yalis—line the hills like pages from a living history book. Each stretch of the Bosphorus tells a different story, blending imperial past with modern city life.
As a licensed local tour guide with over 20 years of experience in Istanbul, I’ve guided travelers from all over the world through the city’s most iconic landmarks. Yet time and again, I’ve seen how a Bosphorus cruise offers something unique. It is not just a scenic boat ride—it is an open-air museum, where the geography of Istanbul explains its history better than any textbook.
Today, visitors can choose between several Bosphorus cruise options, from the classic public ferries operated by Şehir Hatları to short and flexible tours by Turyol, hop-on hop-off routes by Dentur, or private cruises timed for sunset. Each option serves a different travel style, schedule, and budget—and choosing the right one can make a noticeable difference to your experience.
In this updated 2026 guide, you’ll find clear explanations, current prices, departure points, and practical local advice—so you can confidently select the Bosphorus cruise that fits your itinerary best. Let’s explore Istanbul from the water, where the city truly comes into focus.
Bosphorus Cruise Options in Istanbul (2026)
Choosing the right Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul depends less on price and more on timing, route, and travel style. In 2026, the main public cruise options are operated by Şehir Hatları, Turyol, and Dentur—and while ticket prices remain fairly close, the experience each company offers is noticeably different.
Şehir Hatları ferries provide the most traditional Bosphorus experience. These large public ferries feature spacious outdoor decks, indoor seating areas, and a café onboard. However, they operate on fixed schedules, usually once or twice a day, which makes them less flexible for travelers trying to combine a cruise with other sightseeing plans.
Turyol Bosphorus cruise boats, by contrast, are designed for flexibility. Departing hourly from around 10:00 AM, they are easy to fit into a busy itinerary. Although the boats are smaller than Şehir Hatları ferries, they still offer indoor seating and a café, making them a practical choice for travelers who want a simple, no-planning-required cruise.
Dentur Bosphorus cruises stand out mainly for their departure location. Boats leave from Kabataş, which is ideal for visitors staying around Taksim Square or Beyoğlu. Kabataş is also the final stop of the T1 tram line from the Old City and is located right next to Dolmabahçe Palace, making Dentur a convenient option if you plan to combine a cruise with nearby landmarks.
Beyond these public options, travelers can also choose sunset cruises or dinner cruises, which offer a more atmospheric experience but follow a different pricing and planning logic.
Below, you’ll find each Bosphorus cruise option explained under its own heading—clearly outlining pros, limitations, routes, and ideal use cases—so you can quickly decide which cruise fits your schedule, budget, and travel expectations best.
1. Şehir Hatları Ferries
Şehir Hatları is Istanbul’s official public ferry operator and offers the most traditional Bosphorus cruise experience. All Şehir Hatları Bosphorus cruises depart from Eminönü, the main transportation hub of the Old City, and are operated on large, spacious ferries with open decks, indoor seating, and onboard cafés.
Unlike private cruise companies, Şehir Hatları follows fixed routes and schedules, which makes these cruises ideal for travelers who want a classic, no-frills experience—but slightly less flexible if you’re trying to fit a cruise between other activities.
Şehir Hatları currently offers two different Bosphorus cruise options:
a full-day Long Journey and a shorter Short Journey, both operated year-round.
Şehir Hatları Long Journey
The Şehir Hatları Long Bosphorus Cruise departs from Eminönü at 10:35 AM year-round and lasts approximately 6 hours in total.
This is the longest and most comprehensive Bosphorus cruise available to the public. The ferry follows the full length of the strait, sailing from the Historical Peninsula all the way to Anadolu Kavağı, the northernmost settlement on the Asian side, close to the Black Sea entrance.
After about 2 hours of cruising, the ferry arrives in Anadolu Kavağı and stops there for roughly 3 hours (approximately between 12:25 and 15:00). This break allows passengers to explore the area at their own pace.
Anadolu Kavağı is a quiet seaside town, far removed from central Istanbul’s crowds. You can climb up to Yoros Castle, originally built by the Genoese, and enjoy panoramic views over the Bosphorus and the Black Sea entrance. It’s also a pleasant place for a seaside walk or a relaxed lunch at one of the local fish restaurants.
The return ferry departs Anadolu Kavağı at 15:00 and follows the same route back, reaching Eminönü in about 2 hours.
Şehir Hatları Short Journey
The Şehir Hatları Short Bosphorus Cruise runs year-round and lasts approximately 2 hours, with no stops along the route. It departs daily at 14:40 from Eminönü, making it a predictable option for travelers who prefer a fixed schedule.
As a local guide, this is actually my favorite Bosphorus cruise when timing allows. Compared to the 1.5-hour routes offered by other companies, this cruise reaches slightly farther north, allowing you to see more of the Bosphorus shoreline—an important detail that makes a visible difference.
Another advantage is the ferry itself: wide decks, comfortable seating, and a proper café service. Many shorter cruises skip sections like Yeniköy, home to some of the most elegant waterfront mansions on the Bosphorus. Şehir Hatları’ route includes these areas, making the experience visually richer.
That said, the short cruise can be harder to fit into a tight itinerary, as it operates only in summer and departs at a fixed time. If your schedule allows, however, it offers excellent value and scenery.
Şehir Hatları Bosphorus Cruise Prices (2026)
As of the latest update (January 2026):
- Long Bosphorus Cruise (6 hours): 640 TL
(round trip from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı) - Short Bosphorus Cruise (2 hours, summer only): 340 TL
Prices are set by the official operator and may change seasonally. Since Şehir Hatları is a public ferry service, it’s always a good idea to double-check current fares on the official Şehir Hatları website before planning your visit.
2. Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats
Turyol offers the most flexible and time-efficient Bosphorus cruise option in Istanbul. With hourly departures starting from around 10:00 AM, it is the easiest cruise to fit into a busy sightseeing day—especially if you prefer to decide on the spot rather than plan around fixed schedules.
As a licensed local guide, this is often the option I choose when a Bosphorus cruise is part of my daily itinerary. After visiting the Spice Bazaar or exploring Eminönü, it’s remarkably easy to walk to the pier and catch the next available boat without rushing or reorganizing the entire day.
The Turyol pier is located just a 5-minute walk from the Spice Bazaar, right next to the Galata Bridge. The ticket office sits among Eminönü’s most iconic sights, including the historic fish sandwich boats along the waterfront.
Turyol cruises operate on a 1.5-hour circular route. Departing from Eminönü, the boat first crosses to the Asian side, briefly stopping in Üsküdar to pick up additional passengers. It then returns to the European side and continues north along the Bosphorus.
After reaching the midpoint of the strait near the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the boat turns back and follows the Asian shoreline on the return journey. This route allows passengers to see both sides of the Bosphorus in a relatively short time—an advantage if you’re limited on hours but still want a balanced overview.
What truly sets Turyol apart is its frequency. If you’re delayed by museum queues, market crowds, or traffic, there’s no pressure—another boat will depart shortly. This makes Turyol the most forgiving option for travelers who prefer a relaxed, adaptable schedule.
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Price (2026)
As of the latest update (January 2026), Turyol’s Bosphorus cruise ticket is priced at approximately 250 TL (around 6 USD) for a 1.5-hour round trip departing from Eminönü.
Turyol is known for its budget-friendly pricing, which tends to remain relatively stable throughout the year. However, departure times and daily frequency can vary slightly by season or operational conditions.
In practice, the easiest and most reliable way to join a Turyol cruise is to purchase your ticket directly at the pier shortly before departure. This system works well thanks to the company’s frequent sailings and flexible boarding process, making Turyol a popular choice for travelers who prefer a spontaneous, low-stress Bosphorus experience.
For visitors who need advance confirmation or are planning around a tight schedule, the important note below explains the most reliable way to double-check current departure times.
3. Dentur Bosphorus Cruise Boats
At first glance, Dentur may look similar to Turyol, but there are two key differences that make it especially appealing for certain travelers: location and hop-on / hop-off flexibility.
Dentur boats depart from Kabataş, one of the most convenient transportation hubs in Istanbul. This is a major advantage for visitors staying around Taksim Square, Beyoğlu, Galata, Karaköy, Cihangir, or those arriving via Galataport cruise terminal. From Taksim, Kabataş is easily reached via the F1 Funicular line, and for Old City visitors, it is the final stop of Tram T1, located right next to the pier.
Another practical bonus is proximity to Dolmabahçe Palace. You can comfortably visit the palace first and then continue directly to the pier for your Bosphorus cruise, making Dentur easy to integrate into a half-day sightseeing plan.
Unlike Turyol, Dentur’s route extends slightly further north. Since the cruise starts from Kabataş rather than Eminönü, the boat continues beyond the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and turns back around Emirgan, a charming Bosphorus neighborhood near the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Despite this extended reach, the overall cruising time remains similar to other short Bosphorus tours.
What truly sets Dentur apart is its hop-on / hop-off option at selected waterfront landmarks. Dentur boats stop at:
- Emirgan (European side)
- Küçüksu Pavilion (Asian side)
- Beylerbeyi Palace (Asian side)
With a single ticket, you can disembark at these stops, visit the palaces, and then rejoin the cruise later the same day using the next available boat. This makes Dentur particularly attractive for travelers who want to combine a Bosphorus cruise with palace visits without committing to a separate land itinerary.
Dentur Bosphorus Cruise Price (2026)
As of the latest update (January 2026), the Dentur Bosphorus cruise ticket costs approximately 300 TL (around 7 USD) for a 1 hour 15 minute tour departing from Kabataş.
Prices are generally stable, but minor seasonal adjustments may occur. Dentur Avrasya remains a popular choice for visitors who want to explore the Ottoman palaces along the Bosphorus, especially on the Asian side. Both Küçüksu Pavilion and Beylerbeyi Palace feature cafés with scenic waterfront views, where you can enjoy a relaxed break with reasonably priced food and drinks before continuing your journey.
4. Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
A Bosphorus Sunset Cruise is designed for travelers who prefer a slow-paced, intimate, and visually striking experience rather than a crowded daytime tour. As the city softens its colors and the sun begins to set behind the skyline, the Bosphorus offers one of its most photogenic moments.
These cruises usually take place on small yachts or boutique boats with a limited number of guests. This means more space on deck, unobstructed views, and the freedom to move around comfortably — ideal for couples, honeymooners, or anyone looking to enjoy Istanbul from a quieter, more elegant perspective.
Sailing at sunset allows you to capture golden-hour photographs of waterfront palaces, bridges, and historic neighborhoods, while enjoying light snacks and drinks on board. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, making the experience feel personal rather than touristic. It is not about covering as much ground as possible, but about being present in the moment.
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Price (2026)
As of the latest update (January 2026), Bosphorus sunset cruises typically start at around 30 USD per person. Prices are higher than standard daytime cruises due to the use of private or semi-private yachts and the limited guest capacity.
If you value atmosphere, photography, and space over speed or budget, this is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the Bosphorus.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially during spring and summer evenings — you can find current availability and details via the booking option below.
5. Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
A Bosphorus Dinner Cruise is best suited for travelers who enjoy a lively evening atmosphere combining food, music, and traditional performances. This is not a quiet, candle-lit dinner by the water — it is a social and energetic night cruise designed to entertain.
During the cruise, guests enjoy a full dinner while watching traditional Turkish folk dances, live music, and belly dance performances. As the boat sails along the Bosphorus after dark, waterfront palaces, mosques, and bridges appear illuminated, offering a completely different perspective from daytime cruises.
This experience works particularly well for visitors who want to see Istanbul by night without planning multiple evening activities, or for those curious about local entertainment in a festive setting. However, if you are looking for a calm, conversation-focused dinner or a romantic, low-key evening, this may not be the right choice.
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Price (2026)
As of the latest update (January 2026), Bosphorus dinner cruises typically start at around 30 USD per person. The price usually includes dinner, the cruise itself, and onboard entertainment.
Dinner cruises are among the most popular evening activities in Istanbul, especially during peak travel seasons, so advance booking is highly recommended. If a lively atmosphere, night views, and cultural performances appeal to you, you can check current availability and details through the booking option below.
Bosphorus Cruise Stations Map (2026)
The Bosphorus Cruise Stations Map highlights the locations of Istanbul’s main ferry piers and tour boat docks used for Bosphorus cruises. This visual overview is especially helpful for visitors trying to locate the departure points of Şehir Hatları, Turyol, and Dentur, which are discussed in detail earlier in this guide.
In addition to sightseeing cruises, Istanbul’s traditional ferries play a key role in daily transportation between the European and Asian sides of the city. The map therefore combines both cruise routes and regular ferry connections to give you a clear, practical orientation.
On the map above, piers 1, 2, and 5 represent boats operating Bosphorus sightseeing cruises:
- Pier 1 marks Turyol Bosphorus cruises, primarily departing from Eminönü (with some services also connected to Karaköy).
- Pier 2 indicates Şehir Hatları ferries, the official state-run operator, with Bosphorus cruise departures from Eminönü and nearby piers in the Old City.
- Pier 5 represents Dentur Bosphorus cruises, which typically depart from Kabataş, a convenient location for visitors staying in Taksim, Beyoğlu, or along the Beşiktaş waterfront.
The remaining piers on the map show cross-Bosphorus ferry connections, which are often combined with a cruise experience:
- Pier 3 symbolizes ferries departing from Eminönü (Old City) to Üsküdar and Kadıköy on the Asian Side. While there are separate piers in reality, they are grouped under one number here for clarity.
- Pier 6 represents ferries operating from Beşiktaş to Kadıköy and Üsküdar, a very popular route used by both locals and visitors.
- Piers 7 and 8 are located in Üsküdar and Kadıköy, two of the most visited districts on the Asian Side, with frequent ferry connections back to Beşiktaş and Eminönü.
If you are planning a Bosphorus cruise and want to minimize walking time or avoid unnecessary transfers, this map will help you quickly identify the most convenient pier based on your location.
Conclusion
A Bosphorus Cruise is not simply a boat ride — it is one of the most revealing ways to understand Istanbul’s geography, history, and rhythm. Nowhere else in the city do Europe and Asia come this close, both physically and visually, while centuries of imperial architecture unfold along the shoreline.
Whether you choose the classic routes of Şehir Hatları, the flexible and budget-friendly sailings of Turyol, or the palace-focused, hop-on / hop-off option of Dentur, each cruise offers a different perspective on the Bosphorus. The key is not finding a single “best” cruise, but choosing the one that fits your time, location, and travel style.
For those seeking a slower, more atmospheric experience, sunset cruises provide unmatched light and space for photography, while dinner cruises transform the Bosphorus into a lively nighttime stage filled with music, performances, and illuminated landmarks. Each option serves a different mood — and understanding that difference is what turns a good choice into the right one.
Seen from the water, Istanbul feels more legible. Palaces, bridges, mosques, and neighborhoods align into a story that is difficult to grasp from the streets alone. For many visitors, the moments spent on the Bosphorus become some of the most memorable of their journey.
If you want to plan the rest of your time in the city with the same clarity, you may also find it helpful to explore the Istanbul Tourist Map and Istanbul Metro Map guides linked on this page — both designed to help you move through the city efficiently and with confidence.
A Bosphorus cruise does not rush you. It invites you to look, to pause, and to understand why this narrow stretch of water has mattered for centuries — and why it still defines Istanbul today.
Written by Serhat Engul
Hello Serhat: Excellent guide.
Re Turyol Ferries Bosphorus tour:
Found it difficult to confirm on their website the following :
*Hourly schedule in March ?
*Just turn up @ the terminal purchase tickets ?
*No online purchase facility ?
Regards
Mitchell Reid
Dear Mitchell, yes Turyol’s website is a bit outdated. Since the company’s working principles are very simple, you do not need to check the hours in advance or buy tickets online.
Turyol starts its Bosphorus cruises at 10:00 in the morning and there are boats every hour from then until the evening. I don’t think there will be a problem finding a seat. Tickets can be easily purchased from the box office before each trip.
Hello Serhat, I looked at the website of Sehir Hatlari ferries but I wasn’t able to see the possibility of buying tickets in advance online. Do you know if you can make a reservation for a cruise on a particular day online? Or do you just have to go to the ticket office in person in Istanbul? Many thanks!
Dear Gary, Sehir Hatlari is a ferry company operating within Istanbul. I am not surprised that their online service is not working because Istanbulites do not reserve tickets for these ferries in advance.
Istanbulkart or one-time tickets are valid for all ferries of Sehir Hatlari that operate on both sides of the Bosphorus. On the other hand, online tickets must be purchased for IDO ferries going from Istanbul to other cities (for example, from Istanbul to Bursa).
My advice to you would be to buy your ticket for the Bosphorus cruise of Sehir Hatlari 30 minutes before the ferry departure from the box office. There is no such thing as running out of tickets for daily Bosphorus tours.
Big Thanks for writing this great guide..
Dear Ali, thank you for the feedback on the post. I hope you will have a nice trip in Istanbul.
Thank you very much for your detailed explanation of Bosphorus cruises types, I found it very useful for planning my trip.
Dear Liubov, thank you for your feedback on my article about Bosphorus tours. I am happy to see that the article is useful for those who will visit Istanbul.
Hi, I wanted to know if any of these three companies have thier own dinner cruise. Or is it just offered by Get Your Guide?
Hi Shyam, as dinner cruise is a special organization, it is held on ships designed for it. For this reason, the three companies in the top titles do not have dinner tours.
There are many companies in Istanbul that offer Bosphorus cruises with dinner. The most popular among them is the company I recommend.
They offer their services through GetYourGuide. If you want, you can make a reservation via the link I have provided.
Hi, hope you are well. Please let me know if there are any sunset cruises on Sehir Hatlari or Dentur.
Thank you!
Hi Zehan, no, these companies do not organize sunset cruises on the Bosphorus.
Hello, this is a very informative website. Thank you for the in depth and extremely useful information. It has really helped me plan my trip.
Hi Zehan, thank you very much for the feedback. Have a nice trip!
Hi Serhat,
I must say you have made planning around Turkey way easier. Wonderful description.
Thanks
Sofia
Hi Sofia, thank you. It makes me happy to see such reviews. It’s good to see that the time I spend on blogs is not in vain.
Hello Serhat. I am planning to visit Istanbul with my family by end of November. How can we contact you to arrange some tours. Thank you
Hello Said. You can send me an email from the contact page. It would also be helpful if you noted the exact days of the tours. Best regards, Serhat.
I am so glad to find your blog site with so many useful information for my trip next month. A quick question – are the ferries in normal operation now (any impacts from the Covid situation)?
Thank you.
Hello, thank you for the feedback about the blog. Frankly, I haven’t participated in Bosphorus tours for a long time. However, when I review Turyol’s Bosphorus tour schedules, I see that the operations continue in the same way. The website of the state-run Sehir Hatlari is currently unavailable. But as far as I know it works too.
We are expected to arrive in Istanbul on 27th May and stay for 8 days. I’m glad to have gone through your blogs which will help me in making our trip enjoyable. Thanks for these very informative blogs. Ciao
Hi Salahuddin, thank you for the feedback. It makes me very happy to see that these blogs really work for people. I wish you a good holiday in Istanbul.
Thanks for all your posts! They have been very useful in planning my trip. Very big help in deciding a lot of things. Complemented very well my Tripadvisor and Lonely Planet research.
Hello Ryan, thank you very much for your kind words. This is a good motivation for us. I Hope you will have great time in Istanbul.