Ferry rides is a unique experience of Istanbul. The sea transportation of the city is mostly made by the Public Ferries (Sehir Hatlari in Turkish), and it is the most easiest, cheapest and the most pleasant way to travel up, down and across the Bosphorus. Below we put together useful information on how to take Bosphorus tour with public ferries, timetables, price info and advice.
General Information
You’ll find ten main ferry docks to choose from and enjoy a Bosphorus tour. Ferry docks are situated in Karakoy, Kabatas, Besiktas and in Eminonu on the European side; Uskudar and Kadikoy on the Asian side.
There are total 48 piers and 22 public ferry lines along the Bosphorus. The lines are priced according to the distance travelled.
Istanbul’s Public Ferries has two main lines that include; Domestic Trips and Bosphorus Tours. They operate every 15-20 minutes until 23:00 pm.
Istanbul’s public ferries (inner city lines) are in high use with the locals. And we don’t recommend you take them for a Bosphorus sightseeing tour. You’ll face a huge crowd of locals at the piers, especially at the rush hours.
We recommend you take the Bosphorus tours lines of the Public ferries (see below) for sightseeing.
Note: If you want a touristic Bosphorus cruise, than we recommend you to take the boats which will be less crowded and very popular with the tourists. You can check them on our Bosphorus cruise ideas page.
If you’re taking a ferry trip and need a place to store your luggage while you’re out exploring, Bounce, the luggage storage network, offers convenient storage locations near the major ferry ports. With Bounce, you can securely store your bags and enjoy your time exploring without the burden of carrying your luggage.
What to Expect?
A big part of Istanbul’s beauty is its ferries that cross the Bosphorus. They also make going from East to West fun. You should never just want to get from one place to another on the Bosphorus, though.
Some of the most beautiful things to do are to feed seagulls simit, drink tea and look out at the strait, and daydream while seeing the silhouette of the Historic Peninsula and the Bosphorus’s beautiful sites.
The Bosphorus is a sign of movement, fun, history, tradition, and rebirth. It is a peaceful spot in the middle of Istanbul’s busy life.
No Regrets Booking Advice
Bosphorus Rides by Public Ferries
Domestic Trips
* This is not a proper Boshorus Cruise, it is the common sea transportation in between the districts of Istanbul and used with the locals.
* This can be an option for a quick cruise in the Bosphorus.
* Price vary from one way 7,67 TL to 12 TL according to the distance travelled.
* You’ll need IstanbulKart to pay.
Inner Istanbul Ferry Lines: Kadikoy – Eminonu ; Karakoy – Kadikoy ; Uskudar – Eminonu; Kadikoy – Besiktas ; Golden Horn Line ; Bostanci – Karakoy – Kabatas
Bosphorus Ferry Lines: Sariyer – Anadolu Kavagi – Rumeli Kavagi ; Kucuksu – Besıktas – Kabatas ; Cengelkoy – Istınye ; Kadikoy – Sariyer ; Anadolu Kavağı – Uskudar ; Uskudar – Ortakoy ; Rumeli Kavagi – Eminonu ; Istinye – Cubuklu ; Kucuksu – Istinye
Princes’ Islands Ferry Lines: Kabatas – Eminonu – Kadikoy – Adalar ; Bostanci – Adalar (Princes’ Islands) ; Besiktas – Kınalıada – Burgazada ; Besiktas – Heybeliada – Büyükada ; Bostanci – Adalar (Princes’ Islands) ; Eminonu – Kadikoy – Adalar (Princes’ Islands)
Check sehirhatlari.istanbul for all above routes, timetables and prices.
Bosphorus Tours
Bosphorus Tours by Public Ferries are divided into two lines that include; Short Circle Bosphorus Tour and Long Circle Bosphorus Tour.
Notice: Due to pandemic, Bosphorus tours by public ferries are temporarily cancelled.
Short Circle Bosphorus Tour (2 hours)
* This is a round-trip that operates every day from the Eminonu Pier at 14.35 pm. and goes for Uskudar and Ortakoy Piers in order.
* And comes back from Ortakoy and Uskudar Piers to Eminonu Pier at 16.35.
Duration: 2 hours
Ticket Price: round-trip 32 TL (adults), 16 TL (children under 12).
Long Circle Bosphorus Tour (6 hours)
* This a round-trip that operates every day from the Eminonu Pier at 10.35 am. and goes for Besiktas, Uskudar, Kanlica, Sariyer, Rumelikavagi and Anadolu Kavagi Piers in order.
* Ferry arrives to Anadolu Kavagi Pier about 12.25 pm. and gives a break here until 15.00 pm. You’ll have free time for strolling around the neighborhood, and have a lunch.
* Ferry leaves the Anadolu Kavagi Pier following at 15:00 pm. and following the Rumelikavagi, Sariyer, Kanlica, Uskudar and Besiktas Piers in order, finally ends the tour at Eminonu Pier at 16:40 pm.
Duration: 6 hours
Ticket Price: round-trip 65 TL – one way 39 TL (adults), round-trip 32,50 TL – one way 16 TL (children under 12)
Check sehirhatlari.istanbul for all above routes, timetables and prices.
