Bosphorus tours in Istanbul: Explore The City

Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul

Istanbul has so many amazing historical sites and tourist attractions, you may not consider taking a cruise tour of the Bosphorus. In many ways, a cruise tour on the Bosphorus is the most overlooked experience you can have while visiting Istanbul.

If you want to take a ferry along the Bosphorus, which you really should do, set aside a few hours to board a boat and experience one of the most amazing tourist sites in all of Istanbul. You won’t regret spending a few hours floating down the famous strait.

Here we will tell you about popular companies which provides classic Bosphorus cruises —  Şehir Hatları, Turyol and Dentur.

Booking a private Bosphorus cruise tourBosphorus tours in Istanbul

There are a variety of private cruise companies around Istanbul that will take you and your group up and down the strait. One of the keys to selecting a private Bosphorus cruise tour is to choose a reputable company that you can trust. You may come across a few groups selling private tours of the Bosphorus, but ensure that whichever group you book with, you read customer reviews online.

Often uninformed tourists seeking a Bosphorus tour as they walk along the docks of Eminönü searching for a cruise of the strait. Don’t be tempted by the people attempting to sell you private tours which often are more expensive, on rickety boats, and pack on as many people as possible – which makes the tour not very private.

Bosphorus Tour by Şehir Hatları

Bosphorus tours in Istanbul

Şehir Hatları is the official ferry company in Istanbul. It provides three Bosphorus Strait tours: Short Circle Cruise, Full Cruise, and Full Cruise by Night. Tour availability changes due to the season. Before planning out your full Istanbul itinerary, research the times and dates when tours of the Bosphorus operate. You will find the Şehir Hatları sales offices located on the left docks of Eminönü when arriving from Galata Bridge.

Short Circle Cruise

The Short Circle Cruise is a non-stop tour of the strait. It is ideal for people who are short on time but want to experience the Bosphorus. The tour is available every day during summer from April 1 to October 31. The Short Circle Cruise sails from Eminönü to Istinye. It sets sail from the Eminönü docks at 14:30 and costs 32 TL for adults and 16 TL for children under 12.

Full Cruise

The Full Cruise provides you with a great experience. It takes a few hours in total to complete and costs 65 TL. The cruise starts at Eminönü and goes to the Black Sea before returning. Each journey is around 90 minutes as the cruise makes five stop offs.

Full Cruise by Night

The Full cruise by night provides you with the same experience of the Full Cruise of the Bosphorus. The only difference is you get to see Istanbul in all its glory at night. The cruise begins at dusk allowing you to take in the sunset over the city. The ferry stops in Anadolu Kavağı for around two hours giving you the chance to dine in fish restaurants that dot the shore. At 10:30pm, the cruise sets sail again for a moonlight cruise. The Full Cruise is just 40 TL for a ticket.

Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul

You can see the Dolmabahçe palace from water at Bosphorus cruise

Bosphorus cruise by Turyol

Turyol is also a big company with 60 ferries. Turyol stars their Bosphorus tours from next piers:

  • Eminönü (old part of the city, tram station Eminönü, pier is infront of Spice Bazaar)
  • Bakırköy
  • Kadıköy (Asian site of Istanbul)
  • Üsküdar (Asian site of Istanbul)

To join Turyol tour you should find a pier with it’s name on it.

If you starts your tour from Eminonu, the ferry will go then to Uskudar and after it the Bosphorus tour will star. The tour is about 2 hour’s long and will cost you 150 TL.

If you join the tour from Üsküdar the entrance fee will be 150 TL.

Bosphorus tour by Dentur

With Dentur ferry you can make a Bosphorus cruise with no stops, which starts at Üsküdar, Kabataş or Beşiktaş. The tour last for 1,5 hour and the price is 150 TL.

Dentur also provides Bosphorus cruise with stops at some piers for one hour:

  • At Emirgan pier — here you can walk to the famous Emirgan park to see beautiful flowers, birds and great view
  • Küçüksu pier — here you can visit Küçüksu palace
  • Beylerbeyi pier — if you go here, you can visit beautiful Beylerbeyi palace and Beylerbeyi mosque

The price for tour with stops at palaces is 160 TL.

Dentur starts their tour from Kabataş and Beşiktaş pier. Full name of Dentur pier is Dentur Avrasya Terminalı.

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