Best Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Schedule, Price, Map

Bosphorus Cruise Tour is 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 “Yali”, palaces, mansions, citadels and mosques. Ortakoy, Bebek, Rumeli Fortress are the most popular spots to see during the Bosphorus cruise ride.

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Schedule, Price, Map

Sehir Hatlari Vapuru (Official Government Ferry) and Turyol Bosphorus Boats (Private Company) will provide you the cheapest and most efficient tour options.

• Sehir Hatlari Bosphorus 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.

• Turyol Bosphorus Tour Boat

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 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.

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1st Option: Full Day Bosphorus Tour from Eminonu to Black Sea “6 Hours”

• Sehir Hatlari Long Tour

An official transportation company, Sehir Hatlari ferry begins the tour at the small pier just next to Galata Bridge (map is at the bottom of the page). Boats leaving from this pier provide you two different cruise options:

Long Bosphorus Tour Route to Black Sea

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

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

Sehir Hatlari Long Bosphorus Tour ticket price is 25 Turkish Lira for a single person.

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2nd Option: Short Bosphorus Cruise Tour “2 Hours”

• Sehir Hatlari Short Tour

14:35 Eminonu Pier > Non-stop Bosphorus Tour > 16:35 Eminonu

You will see the most important attractions in Bosphorus with this two hours tour. The settlements in Bosphorus 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

Short Bosphorus Cruise journey costs 12 Turkish Lira for a single person.

Nostalgic Ferries of Istanbul by Sehir Hatlari

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3rd Option: Turyol Company Bosphorus Cruise Boats “1,5 Hours”

• Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Schedule
  

10:00 Eminonu Turyol Pier> Non-stop Bosphorus Tour > 11:30 Eminonu Pier

Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats Timetable

The biggest advantage of Turyol over Sehir Hatlari is that Turyol Bosphorus tours start at 10:00 am in the morning and do the same tour each hour. Turyol tours last from 10:00 O’clock in the morning till late evening.

Turyol Bosphorus Tour Route

Boats start the journey from Eminonu 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 (Eminonu).

This route is a bit shorter than that of Sehir Hatlari Ferry’s though. Except for the nice seaside mansions of Yenikoy 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 Sehir Hatlari’s fewer number of daily departures, Turyol would be a great choice for Bosphorus cruise tour.

Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Boats Tour Price

The cost of Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Tour 20 Turkish Lira for a single ticket.

Turyol Boats leaving from Spice Bazaar area

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• Dinner Cruise with Belly Dance Show

Foreign visitors to Istanbul wonder about folk dances and belly dancers. You can combine these dances with the view of the Bosphorus and have hours of fun. If you want to take a Bosphorus tour with dinner and belly dancers in Bosphorus, you can make a reservation from this link.

Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance fully refunded by GetYourGuide

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• Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Private Yacht

If you are looking for a more personalized experience on the Bosphorus, you can check Private Yacht Tour from here for a reasonable price. This journey might be convenient for a small family or a couple.

Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance fully refunded by GetYourGuide

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Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Map

You may see the Turyol Pier is located on the left-hand side of the Galata Bridge whereas Sehir Hatlari Ferry Pier is on the right-hand side of the Galata Bridge.

Written by Serhat Engul