Best Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul
Best Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, Schedule-Price-Map-Timetable
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Tours, considered as one of the most entertaining activities in Istanbul. Ottoman Sultans moved from the traditional Topkapı Palace to modern Dolmabahce Palace in 1856. Bosphorus has been the most popular settlement area in Istanbul since then.
Bosphorus has a countless number of historical houses called “Yalı”, palaces, mansions, citadels and mosques. Ortakoy, Bebek, Rumeli Fortress are the most popular spots to see during the Bosphorus Cruise journey.
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Provides Great Instagram Photos
Erbilgin Residence (Yalı) – Bosphorus Cruise Ride
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Schedule, Price, Map
Sehir Hatlari Vapuru (Official Government Ferry) and Turyol Daily Bosphorus Tours (Private Company) will provide you the cheapest and most efficient tour options.
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Sehir Hatlari Bosphorus Cruise Ferry
Sehir Hatlari has long (6 hours) and short (2 hours) tour options. Sehir Hatlari offers large ferries with comfortable decks to take photos and look around. However they have a strict timetable. That could cause you seek some other options.
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Turyol Bosphorus Tour Boats
When you need an alternative to Sehir Hatlari Ferry. There is a private company that is called Turyol. This company has nice boats. They are considerably smaller than the Official Sehir Hatlari Ferries but they are very often. You may catch one of Turyol Boats without worrying about timing. Because the boats set out for a journey on the Bosphorus each hour. Duration of the tour is 1,5 hours.
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Ferry Stations Map
Sehir Hatlari & Turyol Stations next to Galata Bridge
1st Option: Full Day Bosphorus Tour from Eminonu to Black Sea “6 Hours”
Sehir Hatlari “Long” Bosphorus Cruise Tour Schedule
An official transportation company, Sehir Hatlari ferry begins the tour at the small pier just next to Galata Bridge. (Check the map above) Boats leaving from this pier provide you three different cruise options:
Sehir Hatlari Long Bosphorus Tour Route to Black Sea 2018
10:30 Leaving from Eminönü Pier > 12:00 arriving to Anadolu Kavagi < 3 hours break > 15:00 departing from Anadolu Kavagi > 16:30 Back to Eminönü Pier
Istanbul Sehir Hatlari Bosphorus Cruise Ferry
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Tours – Bosphorus Cruise Ride
3 Hours Break At Anadolu Kavagi
The nostalgic boat begins the tour at 10:35 at all seasons and takes you to the Black Sea shore weaving through both European and Asian side of Bosphorus. After a ride for 1.5 hours, you will have three hours of free time at Anadolu Kavagi stop.
During this time, you may take a walk in the cute town, have a lunch and walk up to Yoros Castle to take pictures of the Black Sea and Bosphorus. The boat leaves at 15:00 to take you back by going through the same stops. When your tour ends at 16:30, you will have had a great full day Bosphorus tour at a great deal.
Sehir Hatlari Long Bosphorus Cruise Tour Price (Cost) 2018
Sehir Hatlari Long Bosphorus Tour ticket price is 25 Turkish Lira for a single person.
Sehir Hatlari Bosphorus Cruise Tour Route On A Map
Black line is Long (Full Day) – Red Line is Short Bosphorus Tour Route
2nd Option: Short Bosphorus Cruise Tour “2 Hours”
Sehir Hatlari “Short” Bosphorus Cruise Tour Schedule
14:30 Eminonu Pier > Non-stop Bosphorus Tour > 16:30 Eminonu
You will see the most important attractions in Bosphorus with this two hours tour. The settlement in Bosphorus area extends only to a certain area on the north. Therefore the Short Bosphorus Cruise should be enough for you to see the important palaces, mansions and citadels.
Sehir Hatlari Short Bosphorus Cruise Tour Price (Cost) 2018
Short Bosphorus Cruise journey costs 12 Turkish Lira for a single person.
3rd Option: Turyol Company Bosphorus Cruise Boats “1,5 Hours”
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats – Tour Schedule 2018
10:00 Eminonu Turyol Pier> Non-stop Bosphorus Tour > 11:30 Eminonu Pier
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats – Bosphorus Cruise Ride
Turyol’s cute and small boats are good alternatives for an enjoyable Bosphorus cruise.
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats Timetable 2018
The biggest advantage of Turyol over Şehir Hatları is that Turyol Bosphorus tours start at 10:00 a.m. in the morning. Do the same tour each hour. Tours last from 10:00 O’clock in the morning till late evening.
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats Route 2018
Boats start the journey from Eminönü pier. The boat will simply take you up to the second bridge of Bosphorus, named Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and they take you back to the begginning point (Eminönü).
This route is a bit shorter than that of Şehir Hatları Line’s though. Except for the nice seaside mansions of Yeniköy which is ahead of the second bridge, you will see all the beauties of Bosphorus with this tour. If you have limited time or don’t want to be restricted by Şehir Hatları Line’s fewer number of daily departures, Turyol would be a great choice for Bosphorus cruise tour.
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats Tour Price (Cost) 2018
The cost of Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Tour 20 Turkish Lira for a single ticket.
Istanbul Bosphorus Ferry Stations Map
Turyol boats go as far as to FSM Bridge at the top.
Recommended: Istanbul Half Day Private Tours
To get the most out of one day: I would recommend you the Half Day Private Walking Tours in Istanbul. You can start with your guide in 09:00 in the morning. You may visit the listed places. (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome). The duration of this tour is aproximately 4 hours.
When you finish the Half Day Guided Tour, your tour guide can take you from Sultanahmet (Old City) to Eminonu Ferry Stations. Then you could choose either Turyol Bosphorus Boats or Sehir Hatlari Short Bosphorus Tours to enjoy the beauty of Bosphorus.
Best Bosphorus Cruise Tour in Istanbul
Bosphorus Cruise Tours In Istanbul, Yeniköy.
Further Recommended Reading:
- Best Things to Do in Istanbul
- Best Places to Visit in Istanbul
- Things to do in Sultanahmet Area
- Best Photography Spots in Istanbul
- Best Fish Restaurants in Istanbul
- Best Nightclubs in Istanbul
- Best Shopping Malls in Istanbul
- Best Restaurants in Istanbul
- Best Coffee Shops in Istanbul
- Istanbul Museum Pass Card
- Istanbul Tourist Attraction Map
- Where To Stay in Istanbul
- Fun Activities in Istanbul for Kids
Best Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Blog Post by Serhat Engul
2 Comments
Ryan
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.
Serhat Engül
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.