Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop
Istanbul, Turkey
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Sail between two continents and visit the extravagant Küçüksu Palace or Rumeli Fortress on this Bosphorus sightseeing cruise in Istanbul. Learn about the sights and Istanbul’s history from the onboard guide, and admire splendid views of top Istanbul attractions as you sail the strait that divides Europe from Asia. Gaze out over the domes, towers and minarets of the historic peninsula, cruise under the vast Bosphorus Bridge, float by Dolmabahçe Palace, and go ashore for a tour of either the picturebook Rumeli (Mondays and Thursdays only) or Ottoman Küçüksu.
- Learn about the famous stretch of water that splits Istanbul onto two continents
- Help yourself with a breakfast before the tour starts
- Look out for exciting Istanbul attractions such as Galata Tower and Dolmabahçe Palace
- Hear of the history of Bosphorus Bridge from the guide’s entertaining commentary
What's Included
Meeting and Pickup
Itinerary
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Wei_X
Amazing tour by ferry on Bosphorus. We headed directly to port Eminonu and meet the organizer there at 11:30 a.m. just in time. The tour takes 2.5 hours with 45 minutes' stop at Kuçuksu Pavillion on Asia side. There is a young guide on boat providing very professional introduction to history of buildings we see.
Extraordinary experience! We are glad that we booked it on our last day in Istanbul!
Reviews
4.0
based on 98 reviews
David_W, Sep 2025
Peaceful, relaxing and quite scenic. Excellent narration along the way. Learned a tremendous amount of history in a short span of time.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you found the cruise peaceful, relaxing, and informative. It means a lot to us that you enjoyed the narration and historical insights. Hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Kieran_S, Jul 2024
Very disappointed that the operator cancelled this trip at 23:36 on the evening before the trip. They informed me that due to others cancelling they cancelled this excursion. The policy states that guests can cancel up to 24 hours before - so surprised that the trip did not go ahead as the operator would still have been paid for the trip. More surprised that they could do this so late despite a number of mails during the day arranging pick up times. May have been a one off or some facts I’m not aware off but was disappointing
Response from Host, Jul 2024
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John_B, May 2024
A great way to see how Istanbul has developed over time with a knowledgeable guide to pick out palaces and mosques on both European and Asian shores. You will not get a better view and chance to study the architecture.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much
Jenifer_H, May 2024
This was a terrible tour. We booked Thursday specifically to go see the Rumeli Fortress. The pick up team tried to get us to move to three different locations the last half hour. Then their guide was 45 minutes late. The tour included his 45 minute delay, which resulted is us skipping the Rumeli Fortress. To top it off all he did was talk about how much he wanted to be a tour guide, his age, and the fact that he was probably providing incorrect information because he had been only a tour guide for 4 months. Terrible! Terrible! Terrible!
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Jenifer!
It ıs possible for you to see in the itinerary that, either we are going to have small vısıt Kucuksu Palace or Rumelı Fortress. But the museums general management decided to close both of museums on monday. therefore there is only one choıce to be choose, that is why we are started to go for only Kucuksu Palace, but we will eveluate the itinerary soon. Especially we experience traffic issues which are out of control in Istanbul, whıch is the most populatıon city living in Turkey. So we apologize behalf on that unexpected problem you ve faced with.
Thanks for feedback
Nina_h, Apr 2024
The crew were very kind and the guide was so knowledgeable. The guide also pointed out dolphins to us!
The views from the boat were amazing.
It drops you very close to the spice bizarre and you can also hop on a tram very easily.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for your Fantastic reviews :)
Wei_X, Oct 2023
Amazing tour by ferry on Bosphorus. We headed directly to port Eminonu and meet the organizer there at 11:30 a.m. just in time. The tour takes 2.5 hours with 45 minutes' stop at Kuçuksu Pavillion on Asia side. There is a young guide on boat providing very professional introduction to history of buildings we see.
Extraordinary experience! We are glad that we booked it on our last day in Istanbul!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you so much :)
Stephen_B, May 2023
It was a pleasant trip and the stop on the Asian side was a good idea.
The good weather made the experience much more pleasurable.
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you, we will work much more harder for five star :)
Malcolm_W, Apr 2023
We obtained a grasp of the Geography along the coast of Istanbul from the Bosporus. There was no welcome on the pickup coach. On arrival at the boat harbour we were left to find our own way to the boat. Then we were left standing with no direction or explanation of what to expect. There was a rushed commentary during the boat ride. We did not feel welcome at all.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Hello malcolm, we apologize for the situation but all our staff are friendly and kind. This feature is very important to us all of our teammates are young and dynamic people. I think you are unfair to us on this matter. And about the tour, all of our guides are licensed and have been working with our team for a long time. We were really surprised to receive such a complaint. I hope you reconsider your comment, thank you.
Mary_M, Apr 2022
Our tour with Deniz was the perfect way to spend a morning. He was very informative, and the Bosphorus cruise was gorgeous and relaxing, after having spent a couple long days touring on foot. It was a treat to view the waterfront Kücüksu Palace gardens (included), and we opted to tour inside as well for a very small additional cost - worth it.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Hello Mary,
Thank you so much for your kind review and we are so glad to hear that you had a great time with IBO TEAM.
Steven_C, Feb 2022
The tour was canceled at the last moment. I had to call the local tour operator to confirm whether the tour was going on as Viator claimed that they were unable to do so. This was after full payment was made.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Hi Steven. We think there is a misunderstanding about the cancelation policy . We can only cancel the tours 24 hours before the excursion not in last minute .We either called you or send an e mail about it. We are sorry about the cancelation it was because of weather conditions and there is an explanation about it in our terms and conditions. Could you reconsider about the rating you gave to us without joining to the tour.
ChiChiu_T, Dec 2021
The boat was huge for a party of 40, so there was lots of space to spread out on the open deck and in the cabin below. This was good for social distancing. The views from the top deck were fantastic and the commentary very detailed and informative. We had two guides doing the commentary in turn. The stop at Kucuksu palace was very welcome and it was a very attractive place. Too bad there wasn’t time to explore the museum inside. This is a good tour, good value for money and I would recommend it.
Response from Host, Dec 2021
Hello Chi,
Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing your experience. We hope to make it much better and your great comment is also supporting as well. Thank you
Muzaffer Şamcı
Shoaib_H, Dec 2019
The cruise was fascinating, the tour guide knew his stuff. The Rumeli fortress was also quite a good stop in between.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Love you too
MOTIUR_R, Jun 2019
Very good. Me and my wife enjoyed. Tour guide was very good as well. Like to visit Istanbul again in future
Response from Host, Aug 2022
:)
Jane_W, Jun 2019
Really enjoyed this boat cruise, plenty of room to sit and move around, commentary was really interesting. Very relaxing break from the bustling busy city. Refreshments available including alcohol. Good value for money. Can't understand the negative comments about drop off point as it clearly states on the information given. Also clearly states the two different stopping points, guess people don't read the details properly. Drop off point was actually perfect as we were able to walk to the Spice Bazaar and Süleymaniye Mosque from there. My only criticism was that the toilets were a bit rough, smelly and no toilet paper etc. Not a big problem though as we had got used to that in Istanbul!
Response from Host, Aug 2022
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Lila_M, Apr 2019
Overall pleasant cruise. However, unlike What the ad says, the price doesn't include entrance to Kucuksu palace and Rumelli fortress. It is actually one of the two. Fortress on thursdays and mondays and palace rest of week. Plus the price includes only entrance to garden. If you want to enter the palace, you have To add 20TRY.
Georsadd G, Aug 2018
The guide was enthusiastic and checked with everyone. I hoped we were able to roam the Rumeli Fortress as we were only allowed on a certain viewing point which does not provide appreciation of the beauty of the fortress. I am giving this a four because of the guide.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
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Bryan D, Jul 2018
The boat trip was enjoyable and informative with the right amount of commentary. However we did not visit Kucuksu Palace as advertised on a Saturday, but instead visited Maiden's Tower which is basically a restaurant in a tower on a very small island. One of the reasons for booking this particular trip was the landing on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, so we were disappointed. There was no refund of the entrance fee to Kucuksu Palace which was included. At the end of the boat trip we got the Mamaray metro to the Asian side of Istanbul for 5TL.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
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Geoffrey_F, Jun 2018
First and most importantly the river is beautiful with lovely old buildings along the shoreline to photograph including palaces. Important too there were two staff smoking in and around the enclosed space downstairs where the tables were and serving behind the food and drinks area. There is a sign 'no smoking' on the door. The toilets are in a disgusting state and should be replaced. The tap was black also the toilet inside black too. The floor was soaking wet! If you expect decent people to recommend your tour you should address these problems. The coffee was not drinkable although it was from a packet which are usually fine, it must be the water they use or what they boil it in? However we enjoyed the river trip but were very disappointed with the facilities. Cannot recommend your choice of boat for this trip. IBO should sort these problems soon as possible. Mr and Mrs G Ford
Response from Host, Aug 2022
:(
Michelle H, May 2018
We were the first to be picked up in the bus we were in the old town so made a 45 minute trip around Istanbul which was great from a seeing other hotels perspective and perpetual astonishment at the bus driving acumen of the driver in small Istanbul streets before we got on the boat. The boat trip itself was lovely, relaxing and and the guide on the boat was very informative. Highly recommend this part! I might stay on the boat rather than doing the Kücüksu Palace Tour - it was very cold and windy when we were there and it's not so much Turkish as European. Lovely to be out on the water.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you so much :)
GustavoA_B, Oct 2017
Good tour. Only concern is that there was not drop-off and they leave you at the Bazaar to take a taxi, which is difficult in Istanbul due to the taxi drivers try to rip you off with ridiculous prices.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you :)
Michelle N, Sep 2017
We weren't told prior to arriving on the cruise that we would not be visiting Rumeli Fortress. Instead, we went to the Maiden Tower. We would have appreciated being advised that this would not have included the visit to Rumeli Fortress prior to arriving on the boat. The day before, we went on a similar cruise. It is a very pleasant ride and gives you a wonderful view of the city, but had we known we weren't going to visit Rumeli Fortress, we would have spent the day on our own visiting other sites.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
:(
Rafael A, Nov 2016
It was as I expected, but the coordination for the pickup was not good. I was given a phone contact number but could never got someone in the other line. Fortunately the staff in the hotel was smart enough to connect me to the tour company.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
:(
Shelly_L, Jun 2016
Perfect day, perfect cruise. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about all the sight we saw on the Bosporus and the Rumeli Fortress was just what I wanted to see. Bekek is a wonderful Turkish city to eat in and wonder around. Thank you Viator for this tour. Again they delivered just what we expected.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you very much :)
Jannet_W, Jun 2016
Great cruise, perfect length. Only caution is if you are doing just the cruise not the additional bus tour afterwards be aware that there is no return bus to your hotel. Therefore be very careful getting cab back to city core as road traffic in vicinity was chaotic and many rip-off cabbies operating in area : this a comment on the area, not the cruise.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you :)
Sahra M, Jun 2016
Good tour! The tour guide knew what he was talking about.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you :)
Gordon F, Jun 2016
Good trip, with plenty to see and a different perspective gained. Guide knowledgeable with good English. 2.5 hours about the right duration. Kucuksu Palace worth the visit, bijou but beautiful Sultan's hinting lodge. Boat could have had more variety in the way of snacks and drinks..bit of a missed opportunity. Would recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you so much :)
Annette H, Apr 2016
Enjoyed the trip
Relaxing pace
Would of preferred to be taken back to hotel
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you so much :)
PAUL F, Apr 2016
The trip was very good, but I was disappointed that we could not walk the walls of rumeli fortress. Burak, the tour guide was very good.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you very much :)
Leisa J, Feb 2016
Relaxing couple of hours cruising down the Bosphoros, the cafe on board could be better choice of snacks Guide was good at pointing out and explaining all the sites along the way.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you
Harry G, Jan 2016
not going till April 2016
happy o do it after I return
Response from Host, Aug 2022
:(
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