There are several different Bosphorus cruises available including brief30-minute cruises, half-day, full-day and hop-on, hop-off services. Same day at the pier ticket? I assume youll be there from 9 am till 6pm? Do they have similar amounts of guests? The Scenic River cruise, among many others on this page, are privately owned cruises that advertise here. One-way tickets cost 39 TL (US$2.05) and 16 TL (US$0.85) for children. Since its winter currently, they only operate one boat and only do one run. 2) Second thing is you said For the tours organized by ehir Hatlar you can only buy tickets the same day. Understandable, with such an abundance of historical sightseeing spots in Istanbul and too little time to squeeze them all into your short holiday. Sitemap, Hagia Sophia You may also want to check out Turyol, another private company. Lonely Planet Turkeyis a comprehensive guide to Turkey, ideal for those who want to both explore the tops sights and take the road less travelled. 1. Sure you can bring food and (non-alcoholic) beverages along, but keep in mind that for the full cruise youll stop for quite a while at the farthest point. The trip takes indeed about 15 min. I review different companies and different lines on this page. 6-hr Sehir Hatlari Bosphorus Tours There are numerous options for doing a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul. 0:00 / 6:18 STANBUL Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul 2022 - Is It Worth It? Is The Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Worth It? An Unforgettable Istanbul Ticket prices are negotiable so make sure you haggle for the best price. You can avoid that buy buying the museum pass or buy buying these skip the line guided tours. I dont mind if its the short one or the long tour. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Hi Carol, We took the public ferry tour in late Feb 2023. I will be in Istanbul for the first time for the last May weekend, arriving Wednesday afternoon and leaving Sunday noon. They opened a bit early and we managed to snag a window seat on the port-side since the ferry hugs the left-hand shore (Europe on the way out, and Asia for most of the return trip). Have you ever. We are just afraid of all these touts outside the office and all over the docks? I've had more pleasant trips on canals and rivers in UK. 2. Ayasofya: 7 tips for visiting the iconic building. I recommend you read the details and go over comments left by others. From US$94 / Tour by IBO Cruise. The ehir Hatlar docks are on the right side of the Galata Bridge with your back to Eminn and looking at the Galata Tower. Better buy your tickets upfront to make sure you have a seat. Today it is one of twosuspension bridgesspanning the Bosphorus Strait, the other being the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge to the north. Highly recommended! This guide will use the new terminology moving forward. Nothing fancy but quite comfortable. From there, as you suggested, take the T1 to Kabatas followed by the F2 to Taksim. I suggest to play safe and be aboard minimum 10 minutes ahead of time though. This cruise is a very interesting way to learn about this area of Turkey while seeing different things that you would NOT see from land.The guides have everything set up and were amazing with giving a good history and we were able to learn and see alot . Jenny. And do we buy the tickets from sehir hatlari the same morning? Thank you so much. The boat is heated indoors with large, upholstered benches. We will be on the Nautica in Istanbul this Nov and we are wondering if the Bosphorus cruise shore excursion @ $100.00 per person is worth it. So, weve included a map to help you find your way around. Taxis are readily available but we preferred to use the far cheaper metro. Or the cost of the cruises are not included? And where I can find it please? Unfortunately, there are also a lot of less trustworthyoptions. It briefly stops at all the docks along the way to let people on and off. So between that time, are there places close by to have lunch ? I will be going there alone and I am excited! General Information The prices for Bosphorus cruises can vary depending on the duration of the tour, the type of boat or yacht, the time of day, and the services offered. Can you help me? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Private Bosphorus cruises are great value for your money if you do them with reputable and trustworthy companies such as Zoe Yacht. I just share my Istanbul experiences and advice to help tourists make the most out of it. 3-hr Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Dine on delectable Turkish meze while enjoying an evening of folk and belly dancing, as you take in the historic Byzantine and Ottoman sites along your route. 4. What is that??? Bosphorus Cruise (Istanbul) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels in Istanbul, The Leading Hotels Of The World in Istanbul, Hotels near Istanbul Technical University, Allswell Communities Holiday Parks - parent brand in Istanbul, Public Transportation Systems in Istanbul, Game & Entertainment Centers in Sultanahmet, Sultan Sleyman Hamam Traditional Turkish Bath - Great Fortune Design, Historic Areas of Istanbul: Tickets & Tours, Paris Paradis Latin Cabaret Champagne & Show, Catamaran Sunset Adventure Cruise Aboard The Dolphin, Odyssee 3: The Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Fuerteventura. I am travelling to Istanbul with my parents next week and was planning to do the long bosphorus tour, we are staying in Cihangir. Departure from skdar: 2.55pm Heres our own personal experience, which will give you a general idea of the route (and some of the sights youre likely to see along the way), regardless of which company you decide to go with. I have few questions: 1) I am coming there in first week of november. The docks can be easily reached with a short walk from Sirkeci Mansion Hotel. The Bosphorus Cruise as they call it is of course not a real cruise. I am a bit confused though when I look at Hatlaris schedule which shows: Departure from Eminonu: 2.40pm There are many advantages to paying the extra and booking a Bosphorus tour over the public ferry, such as smaller group sizes, gourmet Turkish meals, onboard guide in your language, onboard entertainment, more comfortable seating, better views of the landmarks, and seeing 6-hours worth of sights in a much shorter time frame. Its position on the European shore of the Bosphorus means that those on a Bosphorus cruise get to see the palaces 500 meter-long shore faade in all its glory. The nonstop short bosphorous tour Will they halt at Ortakoy for an hour or so? I took this bosphorus cruise only for 1 hour cruise by the boat. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Dance to the tunes of an onboard DJ and watch belly dancing, dervish dance, and folkloric shows. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". . I would also like to do a Full Bosphorous Cruise by Night. Can I still take the long Bosphorus tour from Eminn at 10:35 and be back at Eminn at around 16:40? Cameron Robbins, 18, was on the trip celebrating his graduation . 3. Yes, there is one trip a day in winter, leaves at 10:35 and back around 16:40 with a long break at the furthest point. Assuming youll want to check in at your hotel first to at least drop your luggage, I think its very unlikely youll make it to the docks on time. So in other words can you just turn up to ticket office and buy a ticket for the cruise. ), planning to do the Full Bosphorus Tour. Around 22:30 the ferry departs again for a moonlight cruise on the Bosphorus a unique experience! I would stay clear of buses, its not that comfortable and can be pretty confusing for tourists. Christina Jane. It leaves daily from the Eminn pier at 18:25. Moreover, the main sightseeing spots (80%) are also covered by the short tour. Filed Under: Attractions, Featured #3 Tagged With: Bosphorus, Bosphorus Cruise, Bosphorus Tour, By Night, Dentur, Istanbul, Scenic, Turyol. You can go with the ehir Hatlar (cheapest but only once a day) or with Turyol (every hour I guess). So, three full days and some few hours. The BOSPHORUS DINNER CRUISE is WORTH IT // Istanbul Tourist A cruise along the Bosphorus is a quintessential activity for visitors to Istanbul. We were a group who went. Last departure time is 20:00 on weekdays, and 21:00 during the weekend. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Are all boats and crews the same? We will be there june. Do you fly with Turkish Airlines? However, its position on the waters edge beside Ortakys promenades makes it one of the most striking. The Bosphorus is a scenic and historic waterway separating Europe and Asia, as well as the historic heart of the ancient city of Istanbul. 2. Is the cruise advisable to do in march end? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Its correct that ehir Hatlar only has the sunset cruise on a Saturday. Are these 3 companies equally good and are the routes the same. Enjoy! Thanks. The Bosphorus tour takes about 90 minutes, and costs 60 TL. Is it best to get the ferry from Eminn? Its two bathing pavilions, one for theharem (womens) and the other for theselamlik(mens), can be clearly seen from the Bosphorus. In winter there are no long Bosphorus tours, only short ones. All the best Thank you so much for all the help with this forum. Ive read all the comments and have two questions left: for the long bosphorus tour you mentioned the audio guides, where can we get one? We really wanted to do a sunset cruise, what is the best company to use and how much are we expecting for two adults? If neither are an option, I suggest you take a look at all the other Bosphorus tour suggestions, with or without dinner. Let us know in the comments below! First up is the non-stop Short Circle Bosphorus tour. However, in saying this Ive been told that coming back from the Asian side, I get on at Kadikoy port but it doesnt drop you at Karakoy, if it doesnt drop you at Karikoy on the European side then where does it drop you on the European side? Many thanks, we are going to take the Eminn ferry today. Thanks a million! On the other hand, I found info that there is a ferry going to Eyup from Eminonu Halic Iskelesi (this is the name I found on googlemaps). One more question may I use Istanbulkart for the Long Bosphorus Cruise? How much should a ferry ride cost on an IstanbulKart? Would it still be worth visiting one of the Princes Islands in the winter? Oh, here comes the first one: As we arrive on a Wednesday around 3 PM (arrival at airport), what would you recommend for this evening that doesnt involve too much sightseeing & walking, as we will be tired probably. Just dont be overwhelmed by the waiters trying to lure you in, take your time to check them all out first, and then pick the one that pleases you most. So we took the BigBus tour (they share the same booth with ehir Hatlar. No, that is the wrong link. : ) (october 2011 again!). I dont have any concept of the time needed to get through immigration and the taxi ride to the dock. Thanks for the article. Bosphorus Cruise See all things to do Bosphorus Cruise 4.5 1,685 reviews #32 of 353 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Istanbul City Tours Multi-day Tours Cultural Tours Boat Tours Day Trips Write a review See all photos About Search crews are looking for a missing American teenager who went overboard during a sunset cruise in the Bahamas, authorities said. Always check the respective websites for the latest schedules and prices. Where:We stayed atSirkeci Mansion Hotelin Istanbuls Old Town and absolutely loved this gem of a hotel. Hotel pickup is only available on some tours, and certainly not for public tours. If you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission to keep the site ad free. First of all thank you very much for your kind interest in our tours and services. Hi Erlend, : ) - See 1,655 traveller reviews, 3,037 candid photos, and great deals for Istanbul, Turkey, at Tripadvisor. You cant miss. Mind you that Karaky is not located at the end of Istiklal Caddesi. I will arrive in Istanbul next Friday for in the afternoon at 6PM. Yes, normally you can Logo Store; The season hasnt started for the sunset cruise, so its hard to predict on what the schedule will be this year. If this is the case, is the scenery further up after Ortakoy worth it? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. How to buy the ticket? A few minutes later he came round demanding money whilst jabbering in Turkish. Istanbulkart. This one way trip is only half hour. Are there any cruise that departs late in the evening without dinner provided that cruises for 2 to 3 hrs. My daughter is visiting at the moment and we want to show her the most we can via a Bosphorous tour as she is 7 months pregnant and dont want her trudging around for hours. Can you buy tickets for full boat cruise on the day of the cruise for the morning cruise. Where I could buy the ticket? So do keep on reading and check out the respective links for the most up-to-date departure times. I dont even mind dinner with the sunset cruise. Reviews. more, Dinner Cruise by Night on Bosphorus with a Traditional Show, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Our ferry docked here for a few hours more than enough time to grab lunch, do a little hike, and poke around the village. What did you think? Their tours are overpriced (double and more), shorter, and often on boats that can barely be called seaworthy. 4) What time is the return cruise? Unfortunately, the availability of these tours changes according to the season. Keep in mind that they will be more expensive. On the public cruise boats you can bring your own drinks and some snacks. (drinks, food, and the like) are the prices on board reasonable? Thank you so much for all the help. Check out my review of a private Bosphorus cruise I took. The formerOttomanpalace is now afive-star hoteland quite possibly the most luxurious hotel in the city. Thanks a lot. Many many hilltops, bridges, and edge-of-the-water highways give you amazing water views, so you get to enjoy all the wonderful vistas without getting onto a boat. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Where do I get the tickets for this cruise? But please reply me. Where are the Sehir Hatlati offices located? we will update it, Hi I want to take a boat and or ferry from the Istanbul old town to Kilyos and return When in Istanbul, a cruise on the Bosphorus is a must. or advance ticket? If you are in Istanbul, you have to experience the Bosphorus Cruise! Hi Erlend, A man came round forcing poor quality fruit juice and some sort of meat sandwich on us. Essentially, its the Turkish equivalent to Eton College in the UK but, unlike Eton, as of 1994 girls have also been admitted to Kabata. EMINONU area is pretty wide. Im researching Sehir Hatlaris short Bosphorus tour (2 hours) for my December trip. 3. 2010 - 2023 AwayGoWe Travel + Adventure Blog. Bosphorus Cruise- worth it! : ) These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The ferries depart every hour with the first departure at 12:45 and the last one at 17:45. From the ferry pier, you can hike up to a Yoros Kalesi (Yoros Castle), a small fortification with a commanding view of the Bosphorus and the shores of the Black Sea. In addition to its natural beauty, the strait is acclaimed for its concentration of Byzantine and Ottoman historic sites, as well as the breathtaking views of the city of Istanbul. Not sure what youre not getting. You can also take the short tour starting at 14:40. Cruise Tips. Have you had a look at the articles 15 things to do in Istanbul and fun activities with kids? My husband and I bought tickets from a ticket vendors outside the blue mosque. 1. I know it departs Eminonu at 2:40pm. Of course I am debating if it is worth to spend one full day for it, out of just three days of my first time in Istanbul, or if I should just take one of the shorter cruises and have the other half day to visit other places in Istanbul. Unfortunately, the Full Bosphorus Tour by Night on the Ferry is only available on Saturdays in July and August. Something you would highly recommend someone doing when they visit istanbul. The village was interesting enough to take a walkabout, but we were glad we took the extra time to hike up to Yoros Castle and have lunch with a view. Im in Turkey currently and planned to take the short tours. SultanSelim III built the grand army barracks in 1800for the soldiers of the newly establishedNizam- Cedid(New Order). 2) We are planning to take on the short cruise from Ortakoy, would we be able to finish the cruise at Eminonu? Provided you take a few trams and taxis (and an indispensable open-top tour bus!!) Ok. Now the issue is for Full Bosphorus Cruise by Night well take the tickets from docks of EMINONU but the cruise is departing from BOSTANCI according to Hi Erlend 6 Best Bosphorus Cruise Recommendations for 2023 - AwayGoWe Here are just a few of the many highlights youll see along the way: Dolmabahe Palace (Sultans Palace), now a museum. Visiting the islands is still a good idea, and something locals do on Sundays to escape the busy city life and get some fresh air. Bosphorus Cruise- worth it! Where can I purchase the tickets? 1. I know winter means less crowds, but hoping things are still open, despite colder temperatures and COVID. Doesnt matter even if its 2-3hrs drive, i will rent a car and take my family. We were able to comfortably achieve all of this in the layover time. Note: Due to recent unrest in Turkey, check FCO travel advice before visiting. Keep in mind that Karaky is only just across the bridge from Eminn, a very enjoyable walk. Feel free to explain it to me like you would explain it to a 5yr old . Enjoy. I mean, if there will be, out of your knowledge, much more people using the boat on Fridays and you would recommend the Boat cruise on Thursday? We got a certificate that said "You were in ASIA".. cute : ) but was able to see that the have a restaurant on the straight and it looked amazing!