Istanbul's Public Ferries offer a unique and affordable way to explore the city and the Bosphorus. There are 3 main types of ferry rides:

• Bosphorus Tours for sightseeing
• Domestic Trips for inner-city transportation
• Princes' Islands Trips for going back and forth between the Islands

While Domestic Trips are crowded and not ideal for sightseeing, the Bosphorus Tours offer both Short Circle (2 hours) and Long Circle (6 hours) options, allowing you to take in the beauty of the strait and its iconic landmarks.

Bosphorus Tours

These tours usually start from Eminönü or Kabataş and take you on a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus, passing by grand palaces, historic mansions, and picturesque villages. Basically there are 3 Bosphorus tours:

1. Long Bosphorus Tour

⏱️ Duration: 6 Hours
💰 Fare: ₺480
💳 Payable by Istanbul Card

The long tour, operates year-round and covers a route from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı near the black sea, including stops at Beşiktaş, Kanlıca, Sarıyer, and Rumeli Kavağı.

During this tour, visitors can expect to see:

• Dolmabahçe Palace: An impressive Ottoman palace located on the European shore.
• Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge): Connecting Europe and Asia.
• Rumeli Fortress: A historic fortress built by the Ottomans.
• Arnavutköy: A charming neighborhood known for its wooden Ottoman mansions.
• Bebek: A lively area with upscale restaurants and cafes.
• Anadolu Hisarı: A smaller fortress on the Asian shore.
• Kanlıca: Famous for its yogurt.
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge: Another major bridge connecting the two continents.
• Küçüksu Pavilion: A small, opulent hunting lodge.
• Anadolu Kavağı: The final stop, a quaint fishing village with seafood restaurants and a fortress.

2. Short Bosphorus Tour

⏱️ Duration: 2 Hours
💰 Fare: ₺260
💳 Payable by Istanbul Card

The short tour, is available only during summer and travels between Eminönü, Üsküdar, and Ortaköy. Istanbul Card is accepted for this tour.

Key sights include:

• Dolmabahçe Palace
• Çırağan Palace: A former Ottoman palace now functioning as a luxury hotel.
• Ortaköy Mosque: A picturesque mosque right on the water.
• Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge)
• Bebek Bay
• Rumeli Fortress

3. Moonlight Bosphorus Tour

⏱️ Duration: 2 to 3 Hours
💰 Fare: ₺560
💳 Payable by Istanbul Card

It takes place in the evening, providing a magical view of Istanbul illuminated at night.

Highlights of this tour include:

• Nighttime views of Dolmabahçe Palace and Çırağan Palace: Both beautifully lit up.
• Bosphorus Bridges: Both bridges (15 July Martyrs Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge) are illuminated with changing colors.
• Ortaköy Mosque: Stunningly illuminated.
• City Skyline: The lights of Istanbul's skyline create a mesmerizing backdrop.
• Seaside Mansions and Yalılar: These Ottoman-era wooden houses look particularly enchanting under the moonlight.

This tour offers a romantic and serene experience, showcasing the city's beauty in a unique way.

Domestic Trips

These ferry lines connect the European side with the Asian side, offering stunning views of the Bosphorus and iconic landmarks like the Galata Tower and the Maiden's Tower.

While there are dozens of ferry routes in Istanbul, the major ones are:

• Eminönü to Kadıköy: 20-25 minutes
• Eminönü to Üsküdar: 10-15 minutes
• Beşiktaş to Kadıköy: 20-25 minutes
• Karaköy to Kadıköy: 20-25 minutes
• Karaköy to Üsküdar: 10-15 minutes

Princes' Islands Ferries

⏱️ Duration: From Europian Side: 1 Hour, From Asian Side: Half an hour
💰 Fare: ₺560
💳 Payable by Istanbul Card

The line is also known as Adalar. In Turkish it means "Islands". This ferry line takes you to the Princes' Islands, a popular getaway with charming streets, beautiful beaches, and a peaceful atmosphere. Büyükada, the largest island, is a favorite destination.

If you want to spend a day on the islands, which we highly recommend, you will need either to use the ferries or take a tour. It usually takes an hour to get to the islands from the European side. However, if you take the ferry from Bostancı or Kadıköy piers, it only takes half an hour.

You can use your Istanbulkart on all of them, enjoying the same fair price.

There is a distance-based pricing system on these lines, should use their İstanbulcard on refund machines at the exits of the piers in order to receive the refund difference. Return time is 120 minutes.

Maps and Downloads

You can download a complete map of ferry lines in Istanbul.

Download the full time tables of all ferry lines in Istanbul

Ferry Operators in Istanbul

Istanbul has 3 main ferry operators:

• Şehir Hatları (government-run)
• Turyol (Private)
• IDO (Private)

Frequently Asked Questions