Bosphorus Cruises
Sail along Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait. Dive into mesmerizing views of the city's skyline and historic palaces. Explore Istanbul's beauty from the water.
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Bosphorus Cruises Guide
Bosphorus Cruises Guide
The Bosphorus River, one of the world’s most important and strategic waterways, is located in Istanbul, Turkey. Being a natural strait between the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus is unique in the sense that it not just flows between two continents but also connects Old and New Istanbul. A Bosphorus Cruise is one of the best ways to explore the city’s most popular landmarks. Explore the different types of Bosphorus cruise options, along with essential information such as timings, boarding point, and more.
All Your Bosphorus Cruise Options
All Your Bosphorus Cruise Options
There is an array of Bosphorus cruise options you can pick from based on your interest, the type of experience looking for and your travel schedule. Some include a 90-minute boat tour, sunset yacht cruise, Maiden tower ferry line, 3-course dinner cruise and more. While all these cruises offer a stunning view of Istanbul’s picturesque skyline, it’s the cuisine, night shows and cultural experiences they offer that make them extra special.
Bosphorus Boat Tour
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
Combo Tour
Bosphorus boat tours are ideal for those travellers who’re looking for a cruise experience on a budget. Depending on your schedule, you can choose to opt for different tour durations, while the experience remains the same where you get to discover top landmarks in the city. Depending on your cruise choice, you also enjoy additional benefits such as a multilingual audioguide, museum entry, flexible cancelation and more.
Recommended experiences
This boat tour includes complimentary tea/juice and a complimentary audioguide. Get a glimpse of Istanbul’s landmarks including the Golden Horn, the Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum on your tour.
On this Bosphorus boat tour, take your time and soak in the city’s top landmarks including the Galata Tower and Dolmabahçe & Çırağan Palaces. Moreover, you also enjoy round-trip return transfers and entry into the Küçüksu Museum.
A Bosphorus dinner cruise is apt for foodie travellers who’re looking to elevate their cruise experience with lip-smacking local delicacies. These tours offer a holistic experience, allowing guests to catch a glimpse of Bosphorus’ stunning skyline, dining under the stars, and enjoying a fun Turkish night show that features whirling dervishes and belly dancers.
Recommended experiences
This Bosphorus dinner cruise takes you by the city’s best monuments including Dolmabahçe Palace and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. With the city in the background, enjoy a wholesome 3-course meal, unlimited drinks, and an eventful night show.
A Bosphorus sunset cruise is highly recommended as it lets you capture the scenic and gram-worthy sunset of Istanbul. On these tours, enjoy the sight of the city’s top landmarks basking in the mesmerising sunset. Depending on your choice of cruise, you may enjoy additional benefits such as a live tour guide, return transfers, welcome drinks and more.
Recommended experiences
Soak in Istanbul during sunset hours and discover its top historic landmarks. Your cruise includes detailed live commentary from an expert guide, along with return transfers and welcome refreshments.
A combo tour is ideal for those travelers who are on a time crunch and want to make the best of their day in Istanbul without missing out on anything. Based on your choice of ticket, you can explore all of the best landmarks and experiences in Istanbul. There are several additional benefits of opting for a combo tour, primarily that you enjoy round trip hotel transfers, the company of a multilingual tour guide, snacks and meals.
Recommended experiences
On this guided combo tour, visit Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazar and the Blue Mosque, and round it off with a spectacular cruise that includes refreshments.
Plan Your Bosphorus Cruise
Plan Your Bosphorus Cruise
Timings
Getting There
Tips/Guidelines
Facilities/Services
What are Bosphorus Cruise timings?
Bosphorus boat tour: every one hour, starting from 11:45 AM.
Bosphorus dinner cruises begin at 8:30 PM.
Bosphorus sunset cruises begin around 6:30 PM.
Combo tours generally begin early in the morning around 9:00 AM.
Bosphorus dinner cruises begin at 8:30 PM.
Bosphorus sunset cruises begin around 6:30 PM.
Combo tours generally begin early in the morning around 9:00 AM.
What is the best time to go on a Bosphorus Cruise?
It depends on your travel schedules and preferences. While early mornings on weekdays would be the best time to go on a Bosphorus cruise due to smaller crowds and better visibility, late evenings during sunset, though crowded, offer the best views of the city.
What is the duration of a Bosphorus Cruise?
It depends on the type of cruise you choose. Standard boat tours and sunset cruises last around 90 minutes and can stretch up to 2.5 hours. The duration of a dinner cruise is about 3-4 hours, while combo tours on average last for about 10 hours.
Where is the Bosphorus River located?
The Bosphorus strait is located between old and new Istanbul in Turkey.
Where is the boarding point for my Bosphorus Cruise?
Can I take the metro/train to the boarding point at the Bosphorus River?
Yes, each of these boarding points have their own stop. You can alight here and simply walk to the pier.
Can I take the bus to the boarding point at the Bosphorus River?
Yes, the nearest bus station is Baglar Yolu / Sarıyer Yonua that’s an approximate 20 minute walk.
Is photography permitted on a Bosphorus Cruise?
Yes, you can take photographs on a Bosphorus Cruise.
Are outside food and drinks permitted on a Bosphorus Cruise?
Yes, you can carry your food & drinks on the cruise. Although, some cruises serve refreshments inside the cruise.
What should I wear on a Bosphorus Cruise?
You can put your smart casuals on, a hat/cap and maybe a pair of sneakers. You can avoid wearing heels as it might get a little tiresome.
Are Bosphorus Cruises wheelchair accessible?
Yes, most Bosphorus cruises and boats are wheelchair-friendly.
Are guided tours available on a Bosphorus Cruise?
Yes most cruise packages have guided tours conducted by an expert.
Are audioguides available on a Bosphorus Cruise?
Yes, audioguides are available on a Bosphorus Cruise.
Are meals available on a Bosphorus Cruise?
Yes, food & drinks are served on the cruise depending on the package you opt for.
What to See on a Bosphorus Cruise
What to See on a Bosphorus Cruise
Bosphorus Cruises introduces you to iconic landmarks in Istanbul. After the cruise, don't look further than this list of things to do in the city of Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is the 8th wonder of the world. The gigantic domed monument was originally built as a Cathedral church and was later converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest. It was again later converted into a museum. It’s iconic and popular owing to its magnificent and one-of-its-kind dome, which spans 31 m from east to west. You can book Hagia Sophia tickets separately or as part of a combo tour.
Topkapi Palace
Once a place of residence and main headquarters of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, the Topkapi Palace is now a museum that houses imperial collections and documents of the Ottoman Empire including traditional clothes, weapons, jewels, manuscripts and more. Parked on one of the most visible hills of Istanbul, Topkapi Palace is also the largest museum in Turkey. You can book Topkapi Palace tickets separately or as part of a combo tour.
Basilica Cistern
A large underground cistern or a water chamber, Basilica Cistern is approximately 143 meters long and 65 meters wide. The streets of Istanbul houses hundreds of cisterns underneath of which only two are open to the public - one of them being Basilica Cistern. While it’s the interesting history that makes this one of the most iconic places to visit in Istanbul it’s also its architecture that includes 336 marble columns of 9 meters each that hold the roof of the cistern. You can book Basilica Cistern tickets separately or as part of a combo tour.
Galata Tower
Standing at a height of 200 feet, this medieval stone tower is another iconic landmark that was built in the 14th century. A cone-capped cylindrical tower, this tall structure dominates the city’s skyline and provides a mesmerising 360-degree view of Istanbul. You can book Galata Tower tickets separately or as part of a combo tour.
Blue Mosque
Originally named Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this architectural beauty is a popular Ottaman-era mosque. It’s called Blue Mosque owing to the blue tiles used to design the interior walls of the mosque. The mosque’s six minarets lend a unique factor to this mosque making it a popular destination for tourists. You can book Blue Mosque tickets separately or as part of combo tours.
Dolmabahce Palace
Sprawling across a whopping 11 acres, Dolmabahce is considered to be one of the largest palaces in Turkey. It’s also Istanbul’s first European style palace. Built during the 19th century, this palace houses approximately 285 rooms and 46 halls. Lavish and ultra-luxurious, at least 14 tons of gold was used to adorn the ceiling. Not just that, this palace also has the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world. You can book Dolmabahce Palace tickets separately or as part of combo tours
Bosphorus Cruise FAQs
Bosphorus Cruise FAQs
Are Bosphorus Cruises available online now?
Yes, you can book your Bosphorus Cruise online now as they accept digital reservations. Guests are advised to book their cruises online as they can choose their specific date and time of visit.
What are the different types of Bosphorus Cruises available?
The different types of Bosphorus cruise include boat tours, dinner cruises, sunset cruises and combo tours.
Are guided tours available on a Bosphorus Cruise?
It depends on which cruise you opt for. Most Bosphorus cruises do include guided tours or an audioguide.
Are discounts available on a Bosphorus Cruise?
Yes, discounts are available on some of Bosphorus Cruise tickets.
What is the cancelation policy for a Bosphorus Cruise?
It depends on which cruise you opt for. Most offer a flexible policy if canceled within a stipulated time period, while others may not offer any refund if canceled.
What are Bosphorus Cruise timings?
Boat tours begin around 11:45 AM and run every hour while dinner cruises last for about 3-4 hours and begin at 8:30 PM. Sunset cruises begin around 6:30 PM and combo tours, which last for about 9-10 hours, begin around 9:00 AM.
How do I get to the boarding point for a Bosphorus Cruise?
Most Bosphorus cruises board from the Eminönü ferry station, Kabatas station and Besiktas piers. Each of these have their own bus and train stations, allowing you to alight here and simply walk to the boarding point.
What is the best time to go for a Bosphorus Cruise?
It depends on your travel schedules and preferences. While early mornings on weekdays would be the best time to go on a Bosphorus cruise due to smaller crowds and better visibility, late evenings during sunset, though crowded, offer the best views of the city.
What can I see while on a Bosphorus Cruise?
While on the Bosphorus Cruise you can see most of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks including Golden Horn, the Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum.
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