Istanbul Boat Tours: The 6 Best Bosphorus Cruises

Boat Tours in Istanbul: An Overview

Before we dive into the 6 best Istanbul boat tours, here’s a quick overview of all the Bosphorus cruises so you can find the right one at a glance.

This way you can see right away which boat tour in Istanbul suits you best.

Almost all Istanbul boat tours follow the same route on the Bosphorus: heading just past the Bosphorus Bridge before turning around. Only the ferry to the Princes’ Islands goes in a different direction.

Good to know: All boats run daily on the Bosphorus — including during the winter months.

Our tip: All city passes in Istanbul include a Bosphorus boat tour. If you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing anyway, definitely check out our pass comparison — it could save you real money.

2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour in Istanbul

• Duration: 2 hours
• Info: Audio guide available in English
• Price: from €12
• Departure point: At the pier opposite Kadir Has University (open in Google Maps)

The 2-hour sightseeing boat tour in Istanbul is the classic — the most popular Bosphorus cruise for good reason. You’ll glide past many of Istanbul’s top attractions without any stops.

Soft drinks, tea, and coffee are always included. Depending on the option you book, you’ll also get snacks, lunch, or dinner — all seriously good.

We really recommend booking the sunset tour — it’s absolutely stunning! In good weather, you can sit out on the beautiful upper deck.

This Istanbul boat tour offers seriously great value for money. The audio guide via app also gives you solid background on everything you’re passing.

Book tickets for the classic sightseeing boat tour

Boat Tour with a Stop on the Asian Side

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Info: English-speaking tour guide on board
• Price: from €40
• Departure point: Kabataş Ferry Terminal (open in Google Maps)

The Bosphorus cruise with a stop on the Asian side combines the classic sightseeing experience with a guided shore excursion in the Kanlica neighborhood.

Kanlica is still a genuine local favorite in Istanbul — it’s located well off the typical tourist trail and has a really authentic atmosphere that most visitors never get to see.

During the short shore excursion, a guide accompanies you through the narrow alleyways and takes you to a local spot where you can try the famous Kanlica yogurt. Totally worth it.

The guide also shares stories and fun facts about the sights along the shore during the cruise. Tea, coffee, and snacks are included.

Book tickets for the boat tour with a stop in Asia

90-Minute Sightseeing Boat Tour in Istanbul

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Info: Audio guide in English
• Price: €5
• Departure point: Karaköy Ferry Terminal (open in Google Maps)
• Buy your ticket at the ticket counter on site

Want a shorter Bosphorus cruise, prefer to skip booking in advance, and just be spontaneous? Then we’d suggest the boat trip from operator Turyol.

There are two clear advantages here: boats depart hourly between 10 AM and 8 PM, roughly on the hour — you can simply show up and hop on.

And the departure point is super central at the Karaköy Ferry Terminal in the Beyoğlu neighborhood. From the Walton Hotels Galata, for example, it’s less than a 15-minute walk — and it’s our top pick for the best-value boutique hotel in Istanbul. To navigate easily, we’d recommend picking up an eSIM for Turkey before you go.

One thing to note: on this tour, drinks are not included. But a classic Turkish tea will only set you back about €1.

Dinner Boat Cruise on the Bosphorus

• Duration: 3 hours
• Info: Audio guide available in English
• Price: From €30
• Departure point: Near the Kabataş Ferry Terminal (open in Google Maps)

A dinner cruise on the Bosphorus is a truly special experience. You’ll see iconic sights like the Hagia Sophia — one of the most famous landmarks in the world — beautifully lit up at night.

And the food is genuinely great. There’s a really delicious menu of Turkish dishes — the perfect complement to our favorite restaurants in Istanbul.

Soft drinks, tea, and coffee are always included. You can also upgrade to an option with unlimited alcoholic beverages.

There’s also a live entertainment program with traditional dances and music. For an even more relaxed evening, you can arrange a pickup directly from your hotel in Istanbul.

Book tickets for the dinner cruise in Istanbul

Yacht Boat Tour at Sunset

• Duration: 2 hours
• Info: Audio guide available in English
• Price: From €35
• Departure point

Want to take in Istanbul’s highlights from the deck of a yacht in a completely relaxed atmosphere? Then the Istanbul yacht tour is exactly what you’re looking for.

You’ll cruise the Bosphorus on a 20-meter yacht with a group of no more than 16 people — the intimate setting alone makes this one of our standout picks.

While you kick back on your sun lounger, you’ll get complimentary fresh fruit, snacks, tea, and coffee. We think that’s a great deal at this price point.

You can choose between a tour during the day or at sunset — in good weather, the sunset option is absolutely worth it!

Book tickets for the yacht tour

#6 Boat Tour to Istanbul's Princes' Islands

• Duration: Approximately 45 minutes each way
• Info: Audio guide available in English
• Price: from €10
• Departure point: Eminönü Turyol Harbor (open in Google Maps)

The Princes’ Islands are an island group in the Sea of Marmara, southeast of Istanbul. There are nine islands in total, four of which are inhabited and worth visiting.

The boat takes you to Büyükada, the largest and most popular island. It’s known for its historic villas, beautiful monasteries, and great viewpoints.

The ticket is essentially a return trip — you can choose from several departure times. Our advice: go early and come back late to make the most of the island.

Once there, you can explore on your own — best done by bicycle. You can rent one just a few meters from the harbor.

Book tickets for the boat tour to the Princes’ Islands

Extra Tip: Budget Cruise in Istanbul by Ferry

One of our favorite insider tips for Istanbul: if you don’t want to book a dedicated Bosphorus cruise, taking the public ferry is a fantastic alternative.

Ferries cross the Bosphorus from almost every major harbor in Istanbul. You’ll mainly use them to get from the European side to the Asian side.

The most important ferry terminal on the Asian side is the Turyol Haydarpaşa Pier, which puts you right in the lovely Kadıköy neighborhood.

You can get there from the Karaköy Pier or Kabataş Pier, for example. You can also ride the Istanbul ferry to neighborhoods like Eminönü or Ortaköy.

Official ferry timetables and prices

The rides are super affordable. For the trip from Kabataş to Kadıköy, we paid around 37 TL (about €0.80).

The easiest way to pay is with the Istanbulkart. You can also use it for trams or the train from the airport into the city — and you can pick up the card from a machine right at the airport.

Our tips for getting from Istanbul Airport into the city

Frequently Asked Questions About Boat Tours in Istanbul