Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise
Istanbul, Turkey
- 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.)
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Overview
Istanbul is a city set on the water and to fully experience its beauty and diversity you need to get out onto the Bosphorus Strait. On this ninety-minute cruise you’ll see both the European and Asian halves of Istanbul, enjoy views of many picturesque mosques and palaces, and learn more about Istanbul’s centuries-long history through an audio guide app available in ten languages.
- This tour will appeal to travelers with a range of interests
- Follow your route with the provided tour map
- Waste less time with skip-the-line tickets
- Receive a complimentary bottle of water or juice
What's Included
- 90 min. Boat Admission Ticket
- Please check your Official Boat Ticket from the Supplier in your mailbox(Inbox/Spam).
- The Supplier emails Boat Tickets and Multilingual Audio Guide link 24h before reservation date.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour accessible on your smartphone - If the Audio Guide Option Selected.
- Offline Access to all content after download, including audio narration, text, and maps.
- Entry without Official Ticket (Booking Confirmation Mail or Voucher not accepted!)
- No hotel pickup or drop off service
- Food or drink
- Live Guide
- Headphones
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Turyol EminönüRagıp Gümüşpala Cd. Eminönü Otobüs durakları yolu karşısı, Rüstem Paşa, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
The cruise departs from the Eminönü TURYOL Port and returns to the same location. Conveniently accessible via the T1 Tram Line from Eminönü Station, the port is situated directly across from the Spice Bazaar, located on the inner side of the Galata Bridge.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Turyol Eminönü
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Bosphorus Strait
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- You will receive your tickets in a separate email 24 hours before your visit. Please make sure to check your inbox and spam folder
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Yiheng_L
The staff member on the boat us really nice and hospitality, I love the view of the Bosphorus strait. It was an unforgettable journey!!!!
Reviews
3.9
based on 238 reviews
Ayesha_M, Apr 2026
Nice relaxing cruise. Lots of spots to see along the Bosphorus. We enjoyed the experience. Tip: Use Googoe maps along with the audio to track exactly where you are.
Anneliss_M, Feb 2026
A wonderful experience. The departure was very punctual, and the trip was very, very beautiful.. A wonderful experience. The departure was very punctual, and the trip was very, very beautiful.
Peter_H, Oct 2025
This ‘cruise’ was cheap but for a reason - it’s just a glorified overcrowded ferry. It was the same boat we used as a ferry around Istanbul, only too longer. It still stopped 5 times to get people on and off. No commentary, no safety announcements. We got on 40 mins before departure and managed to get decent seats but in the end there were hundreds of people, some standing on the stairs, some sitting on the middle benches where you couldn’t see much. Get one of the ferries instead- shorter and cheaper with the same scenery just more authentic and less crowded.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Peter,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations.
While our Bosphorus sightseeing cruise is designed to follow a regular ferry route so guests can see Istanbul from the water at an affordable price, we completely understand that a narrated or more exclusive experience may have been what you were hoping for. Capacity onboard can vary depending on the day and season, which we unfortunately cannot always predict.
Your comments regarding seating, commentary, and the overall organization are very valuable and we will be sharing them with our local operating partner to help improve the experience for future guests.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope you still enjoyed the beautiful views of the Bosphorus.
Kind regards,
Liping_Z, Oct 2025
Meeting point is not clear, as there are lots of boats at the pier, had to ask one by one.
No greeting, no tour guide, very basic boat, whole jounery just as a pubilc sea crossing transport.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we are very sorry to hear about your experience.
We would like to clarify that this product is a 90-minute Bosphorus sightseeing cruise operated without a live tour guide, as clearly stated on the product page. The experience focuses on enjoying the scenic views from the water rather than a guided tour.
We understand your concern about finding the meeting point among many boats at the pier. We are currently reviewing the instructions and signage to make the check-in process clearer and easier for future guests.
Your comments about the greeting and overall organization are very valuable to us. We will address these points directly with our local operating partner to improve the service quality.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you again for helping us improve the experience.
Mega Travel Group
RubyFrittmann, Oct 2025
Scammed with food and drinks the server , no communication skills. Offered food, no pay. Then wanted money.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are very sorry to hear about the situation you encountered during the cruise.
We would like to clarify that the product you booked does not include any food or drink service, and our team is not involved in the sale of onboard refreshments. Any purchases made during the cruise are direct transactions with the boat’s staff, handled solely by the operator.
However, we take your experience seriously and will immediately report this to our local partner to ensure clearer communication and prevent any misunderstanding for future guests.
Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.
Kind regards,
Estelle_S, Sep 2025
It was a beautiful experience with much entertainment and our host Ezgi made us feel extra special.. From pickup to drop off perfectly arranged. The personal attention was truly appreciated
JOSEEDUARDO_B, Sep 2025
BRING A GUIDE WITH YOU !!! Information is insufficient and the speaker incomprehensible. Ship crew helpless.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your feedback.
We would like to clarify that this product is not a guided tour, and a live guide is not included, as clearly stated on the product page prior to booking. It is sold as a panoramic Bosphorus cruise, where the main purpose is to enjoy the views from the water.
We understand that you may have expected a different type of experience, but it is important to note that the service you received matches exactly what was advertised. Therefore, it would not be accurate to state that we failed to provide a guide when one was never part of the offering.
That said, we appreciate your comments regarding crew communication and will forward them to the operator for review.
Kind regards,
Hummaduddin_M, Aug 2025
Einfach . Easy to book. No surprise . Just follow the steps provided. Boat ride was just superb 90min.
Kevin_H, Jul 2025
Basic cruise around the Bosphorus coast. Overall simple trip and good value. No audio tour but wasn’t expecting that.
Cathy_H, Jul 2025
Beautiful trip. Saw parts of Istanbul we would otherwise not have seen. Highly recommend this boat trip
Parvati_A, Jul 2025
No guide - no talking or describing on boat - just a ride . It was like on a ferry - not a sightseeing tour .
Deepak_G, Jun 2025
The trip is a good value for money. But it would be better if information provided is more elaborate.
1. There are multiple titles and companies involved in the tour, and hence it is very difficult to locate the exact place on the pier.
2. The information provided about the tour by the local agent is incomplete. He just waves towards the boat with no details given. When asked, he was not fluent in English.
3. There is indeed announcement about various points of interest during the tour, but it is just one speaker which is facing outward. It is very difficult to understand what is being spoken on the speaker.
Tiara_C, Jun 2025
There's a lot of people on the boat but that's expected when it's so cheap, we were able to get in the same day so that was convenient. There's snacks and drinks for sale which is nice but like others have mentioned the seats aren't the best and block other peoples views so besides people being way to close to me, the view and ride was nice
Jill_M, May 2025
It was nice a nice water excursion, but the seats were laid out so that other passengers often atto at the rail and blocked the view. We would have enjoyed the descriptions of sights along the way but couldn’t hear them.
David_E, Apr 2025
Soft drinks, tea, coffee and juices can be bought onboard. No alcohol. Good trip on the Bosphorus. Recommended.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your review!
We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the Bosphorus cruise and the onboard refreshment options.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on a future experience!
AndersMattias_S, Feb 2025
Relaxing and short tour that will show you the Bosphorous area. Not expensive and well worth it if you have some free time in Istanbul.
Mudassar_I, Jan 2025
The boat ride was nice. It would have been nice if there was audio to go along with the sites we were seeing. Also the boat was on the raggedy side. Could use some upgrading. Finally, when I purchases tea from the boat Cafe guy, he rinsed 2 dirty cups in front of me with barely any water, no soap, and gave me my tea. Eww.
Mauri_B, Jan 2025
This was a good time! Perfect length for a city river cruise (1hr 30/45 mins). Make sure to sit on the left (European side) of the boat or else you’ll be staring at water the whole time instead of the actual city. The boat ride also included a guided tour to tell you what you’re passing by. Only thing to note is that this could be hard to find. The address listed is almost the right spot - look for the sign that says Bogaz Turu, that’s where you’ll get the ferry from Eminönü station
Maninder_K, Jan 2025
Day time tour was amazing. They gave us complete fruits but fruits were not very clean or not properly washed. The audio gave information about each passing area.
michael_s, Jan 2025
Simple ferry that’s served snacks. Cover a lot of ground in one and a half hours. Some interesting things to see, but I would consider it limited. But for the $10, it was quite a bargain.
William_P, Jan 2025
Cheap and decent enough a great way to see Istanbul from the water. Was slightly over 90 mins so good value
Virginija_P, Dec 2024
It was easy to find information and to book tour. People in this service are nice. I liked the turkish cofe on the ship. Cool tour!
Luisa_P, Dec 2024
Great way to see Istanbul from the water. We also enjoyed having professional pictures taken in the boat.
Sepideh_M, Nov 2024
Booking the cruise was easy, but when we went there, they canceled the tour due to choppy water. The attendance said, you can call the booking agency and they refund your payment.
Now I cannot get refund, because the cruise line won't admit the cancelation.
Please do not get any tickets in advance and buy it at the venue.
Very disappointed 😞
Mildred_W, Nov 2024
We needed a short tour this was perfect. Not only in the time but in our budget as well. I will recommend this tour
Muhammad_N, Oct 2024
We were running late and we were accommodated on the next cruise time. Overall pleasant experience and plenty to see.
Finau_H, Oct 2024
Had a wonderful time on this cruise. Very relaxing & informative. Highly recommend if you are in Istanbul. 🫶🏾
Haifa_R, Oct 2024
Really food way to see Istanbul ,I was nervous to do it as I'm not food on water but was absolutely fine
Gabor_S, Sep 2024
This cruise takes a little more than 1h. The boat departs from Kabatas and there's a stop to pickup more people at Besiktas.The boat goes up until the second bosphorus bridge along the european coast. At the second bridge it returns back and comes back facing the asian side of the Bosphorus. There are some audio recordings explaining tye history of some of the sites along the trip but these anouncements doesn't tell the complete story of the places. I felt that the trip missed Üsküdar (on the asian side). Actually the boat returns to Kabatas before reaching Sukudar.
As of September 2024, there is a big construction around the Kabatas terminal so the boat trip departs from a small square located just north of the gas station found besided the Kabatas terminal.
This trip doesn't include lunch or any type of shows.
Susie_C, Sep 2024
Beautiful way to see major sights in Istanbul! Simple and precise explanations. Great value for the price
From $16.74
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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