Most first-time visitors to Istanbul start their journey with the historic sites around Sultanahmet — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome. While these landmarks are essential, they only reveal one side of Istanbul’s story. To truly grasp the scale and beauty of this city, you need to get out on the water — and a Bosphorus Cruise is the perfect way to do it.
A Bosphorus cruise offers not just a scenic ride, but a moving timeline of Istanbul’s history. During the Roman and Byzantine periods, the most important part of the city was the Historical Peninsula — today’s Sultanahmet area — surrounded by the waters of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. This was the heart of Constantinople.
After the Ottomans conquered the city in 1453, the Historical Peninsula remained the imperial center for centuries. Across the Golden Horn, the Genoese and Venetians had trade colonies in Galata — a reminder of Istanbul’s ever-global character.
By the 19th century, the focus began to shift. With growing international trade, new neighborhoods like Beyoglu and Besiktas flourished. The Sultan himself moved from the traditional Topkapi Palace to the elegant Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus.
Many of the waterfront mosques, palaces, and mansions you’ll see from the ferry were built during this period. Baroque and neo-classical architecture gave the city a new face — and the best way to see this transformation is from the deck of a boat.
📸 Don’t forget your camera — the most unforgettable photos of your trip might just come from the Bosphorus cruise.
⛴️ Bosphorus Cruise 2025 Visitor Summary
Here’s your quick guide to Bosphorus cruises in 2025 — including prices, tour durations, departure spots, and booking tips!
💸 Şehir Hatları Long Cruise: 640 TL (approx. 14 Euros)
– Classic 6-hour round trip from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı
💸 Turyol Bosphorus Cruise: 250 TL (approx. 5 Euros)
– 1.5-hour tour with hourly departures from Eminönü
💸 Dentur Bosphorus Cruise: 300 TL (approx. 6 Euros)
– 1.5-hour cruise from Kabataş, ideal for those near Taksim
🕒 Duration Range: 1.5 to 6 hours depending on cruise type
📍 Departure Points: Eminönü (Şehir Hatları, Turyol), Kabataş (Dentur)
✅ Best Value: Şehir Hatları — long scenic ride with historic vibes
🔁 Flexible Option: Turyol — hourly departures all day
🌅 Premium Experience: Book Your Private Sunset Yacht Cruise Here
🍽️ Dinner Option: Book Your Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Shows Here
📅 Last Updated: August 2025
Insider’s Note: As a local tour guide, I often recommend and personally use Turyol for Bosphorus cruises during my tours. Their boats depart hourly from the pier near the Spice Bazaar, which makes them incredibly flexible and convenient. That said, if I were planning a relaxing cruise in my personal time, I’d probably choose Şehir Hatları for its spacious open deck and longer route.
Bosphorus Cruise Prices in Istanbul 2025
There are three main ways to enjoy a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul — and each offers a slightly different experience.
The most budget-friendly and authentic option is Şehir Hatları, the city’s official ferry operator. They’ve been running these boats for over a century and are great for a traditional experience. The second is Turyol, which operates shorter and more frequent tours. The third is Dentur, known for its comfortable boats and flexible schedules. Each company has its own ticket prices, routes, and departure points — and you’ll find all the updated details for 2025 right here in this post.
If you’re staying around the Old City — areas like Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, or Beyazıt — your closest piers will be Eminönü, where both Şehir Hatları and Turyol boats depart. The pier is just next to the Spice Bazaar, making it easy to combine sightseeing with your cruise.
On the other hand, if your hotel is near Taksim Square or Beşiktaş, the best departure point is Kabataş, where Dentur runs its boats. You can take the F1 Funicular down from Taksim or simply walk or take a short bus ride from Beşiktaş. Kabataş Pier is just a few steps from Dolmabahçe Palace, so you can easily pair both on the same day.
Looking for something more special? I’ve got two extra recommendations coming up later in the post. One is the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, a night of traditional food, live music, and folk dances — and if that sounds fun, you can book it from the box below.
The other is the Bosphorus Sunset Cruise, perfect for a more relaxed and romantic experience while the city glows in golden light — and you can book this from the box below, too.
🚤 Bosphorus Cruise Options in Istanbul
Looking for a memorable experience on the Bosphorus? Here are two top-rated cruise options: one with a lively dinner and traditional shows, the other a serene sunset yacht tour. Both come with excellent reviews and mobile-friendly tickets.
1,000+ 5-star reviews • Book instantly • Mobile tickets
1. Sehir Hatlari Public Ferry Price 2025
Sehir Hatlari is an official company that organizes a Bosphorus cruise with public ferries. It has a fixed schedule that has not changed for many years. There are two different tour options in this category, depending on the length of the activity.
The LONG Bosphorus cruise, which is available all year round, promises a 6-hour sightseeing experience. On the other hand, there is another 2-hour program called SHORT Bosphorus cruise in summer.
In 2025, Şehir Hatları Bosphorus cruise ticket prices range from 340 TL to 640 TL. The long Bosphorus tour, which takes about 6 hours, costs 640 TL (approximately €14), while the short Bosphorus tour is 340 TL (around €7). These are the official ferry services operated by the city, and prices were last updated on August 22, 2025.
Long Bosphorus Cruise by Sehir Hatlari
The long Bosphorus cruise organized by Sehir Hatlari departs from Eminonu every day at 10:35. Two and sometimes three-storey nostalgic ferries serve for the Bosphorus tour. The fact that the ferries have a very large deck and many seating places makes Sehir Hatlari stand out from its competitors. Sehir Hatlari public ferries offer the best Bosphorus tour in Istanbul in terms of comfort.
After leaving Eminonu, the Sehir Hatlari ferry goes north without stopping for 1.5 hours. Meanwhile, you can photograph the palaces, mosques and historical mansions on the European shores of the Bosphorus.
The Sehir Hatlari ferry reaches Anadolu Kavagi, the closest place to the Black Sea coast of the Bosphorus, after 1.5 hours. In this small town there is a three-hour break that starts at 12:00 and ends at 3:00 pm.
In a 3-hour break, you can go to Yoros Castle, which was built by the Genoese in the Byzantine period. The castle allows you to fit both the Bosphorus and the Black Sea views into the same frame. You can eat fresh fish at local restaurants in Anadolu Kavagi.
After the break is over, the return journey starts at 15:00. This time, the Sehir Hatlari ferry returns from the Asian shores of the Bosphorus. Thus, you will have the chance to see the structures on the other side of the Bosphorus.
At 16:30, the boat trip on the Bosphorus ends where it started. After getting off the ferry in Eminonu, you can visit the Spice Bazaar in the Old City or cross the Taksim side from Galata Bridge.
Short Bosphorus Cruise by Sehir Hatlari
The short Bosphorus cruise organized by Sehir Hatlari is only available in summer. The tour starts at 14:35 from Eminonu. Departing from the Istanbul Old City, the ferry goes to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the second bridge on the Bosphorus. After this point, the ferry returns to Eminonu, where it started again at the end of the 2-hour journey.
Insider’s Note: Compared to Turyol and Dentur, the short Bosphorus tour offered by Şehir Hatları lasts longer and goes all the way up to Yeniköy — a charming neighborhood filled with elegant waterfront mansions. If you’re not limited by time and don’t mind the fixed departure schedule, this route offers a more scenic and rewarding experience on the water.
2. Turyol Bosphorus Cruise Price 2025
Turyol Bosphorus Cruise is the most practical option. Turyol‘s pier is located very close to the Spice Bazaar, the popular tourist center of Istanbul. If you cross the underpass across the Spice Bazaar, you can easily find Turyol Pier on the sea side. The ticket office is located right next to the fish sandwich boats.
Turyol Bosphorus tour starts from Eminonu and stops at Uskudar to pick up more passengers on the Asian side. The cruise boat then follows the European shores of the Bosphorus and proceeds in the north direction until the bridge. The boat makes the u-turn from the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the second bridge on the Bosphorus, this time allows you to see the Asian shores of the Bosphorus.
The journey lasts one and a half hours and ends at Eminonu, where it started. The best thing about Turyol Bosphorus Cruise is that they depart from Eminonu every hour. So you don’t have to adjust your daily schedule for the Bosphorus cruise. You can catch one of the boats that depart every hour.
In 2025, the Turyol Bosphorus cruise ticket costs 250 TL (approximately €5), and the tour lasts about 1.5 hours. While slightly more expensive than public ferries in terms of trip duration, Turyol offers hourly departures, making it a convenient and flexible option for travelers. This information was last updated on August 22, 2025.
Insider’s Note: When it comes to convenience, Turyol is hard to beat. Their boats depart every hour from a pier just five minutes from the Spice Bazaar — one of Istanbul’s most popular tourist hubs. For a quick, scenic, and surprisingly affordable Bosphorus cruise, it’s the perfect choice.
3. Dentur Bosphorus Cruise Price 2025
Dentur Bosphorus Cruise is the third option. The most beautiful part of Dentur is that it is very close to Kabatas. For visitors staying in Taksim Square, transportation is very easy. From Taksim Square you can come to Kabatas via Funicular F1 line and easily reach Dentur boats.
Dentur pier is very close to Dolmabahce Palace, so you can visit the palace first. Dentur’s biggest difference from Turyol is that it departs a little further. Since the tour starts from Kabatas and not from Eminonu, it goes further than Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and returns from Emirgan (beautiful neighborhood up the Bosphorus nearby Sabanci Museum) The journey time is almost the same with Turyol.
Another feature of Dentur boats is that it stops in the Ottoman palaces on the shores of the Bosphorus. The boat stops at Emirgan on the European side and Kucuksu Pavillion (hunting palace of the Sultans) and Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side. If you want to visit these places, you can get off the boat and catch the next boat and return to the starting point of Kabatas.
In 2025, the Dentur Bosphorus cruise ticket is 300 TL (around €6) for a 1 hour 15 minutes round trip. Dentur is often considered the best Bosphorus cruise option for those who want to see the palaces and landmarks on the Asian side of Istanbul. This price was last updated on August 22, 2025.
Visits to Kucuksu Pavillion and Beylerbeyi Palace are both a cultural experience and the opportunity to eat and drink by the Bosphorus. The cafes of both museums have Bosphorus views.
Insider’s Note: Dentur cruises stand out for two key reasons. First, their pier near Kabataş is incredibly convenient if you’re staying around Taksim Square. Second — and even more exciting — your ticket lets you hop off at palaces along the Bosphorus, explore at your own pace, and hop back on a later boat. This “hop-on hop-off” style adds a whole new layer of flexibility and makes the experience truly unique.
4. Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Price 2025
Bosphorus dinner cruise in Istanbul is a really fun activity. During this tour you can watch local dances and belly dancers. The best part of the dinner cruise is that you can see the palaces and other beautiful buildings on the Bosphorus with their colorful lights.
In 2025, the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise price in Istanbul starts from 1000 TL (around €22). Prices may vary depending on the season and tour operator. You can book the best-selling dinner cruise from the box below. This price info was last updated on August 22, 2025.
The activity takes approximately 4 hours and you can leave the boat at a point close to your hotel on the Bosphorus shore. Because it stops at approximately 20 different piers on the Bosphorus.
A dinner cruise on the Bosphorus is one of the most fun things to do for families in Istanbul. You can spend an unforgettable evening with beautiful music on the boat, local dances to entertain you and romantic scenery.
Join a magical Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with live shows — private table, stunning views, and unforgettable moments!
👉 Book Your Dinner Cruise Now
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Insider’s Note: Dinner cruises on the Bosphorus are a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring traditional folk dances and lively belly dance shows. Add to that the sparkling nighttime view of the city and you’ve got a memorable evening on the water. Just keep in mind — while it’s festive and fun, it can be a bit loud if you’re hoping for a quiet dinner!
5. Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Price 2025
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise allows you to take magnificent photos in Istanbul. You can enjoy the most romantic moments of the Bosphorus on the tour that starts when the sun sets.
In 2025, the Bosphorus Sunset Cruise price in Istanbul is 1700 TL (approximately €36). Prices may vary depending on the season and the tour company. You can book the best-selling sunset cruise on the Bosphorus through the box below. This ticket price was last updated on August 22, 2025.
The sunset cruise on the Bosphorus with a luxury yacht takes approximately 2.5 hours, and during this tour you can take the most beautiful photos that will remain as memories from your Istanbul trip.
Relax on a luxury yacht during this stunning Bosphorus Sunset Cruise — with drinks, snacks, and unforgettable views!
👉 Book Your Sunset Cruise Now
Powered by GetYourGuide. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Insider’s Note: A sunset cruise on the Bosphorus is one of those hidden gems that most tourists never think to book — but absolutely should. No matter which type of boat you choose, the Bosphorus is always stunning. Still, watching the sun slip away from the city aboard a private yacht, in near silence, is a whole different kind of magic. Don’t forget your camera!
Conclusion
In summary, a Bosphorus cruise is among the best things to do in Istanbul. You can have this wonderful experience by choosing one of Sehir Hatlari, Turyol or Dentur companies.
You can also join special organizations such as a sunset tour on the Bosphorus or an evening tour with dinner. The photos you take during any activity on the Bosphorus will probably be among your best memories in Istanbul.
👉 See Our List of Top Things to Do in Istanbul
Written by Serhat Engul
Doesn’t the Sehir Hatlari long Bosphorous cruise make several stops going north, including Sariyer? Various blogs have suggested getting off at Sariyer for a one way cruise. Eating lunch and taking a bus back to Taksim.
Hi David, yes Sehir Hatlari’s long Bosphorus cruise stops at several points to the north and one of them is Sariyer.
Someone who takes the Bosphorus ferry from Eminonu at 10:35 can get off the ferry at 12:05 in Sariyer. You can visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum and take a lunch break in Sariyer.
If it were me, I would go to Bebek on the way back and walk to Ortakoy from there. Do not miss the most beautiful walking route of the Bosphorus shores. Then you can easily go to Taksim Square from Ortakoy.