Different companies of course have different boats and crews. The boat is heated indoors with large, upholstered benches. Have you had a look at the articles 15 things to do in Istanbul and fun activities with kids? How much should a ferry ride cost on an IstanbulKart? Does this mean the ship continues on further after Ortakoy, perhaps half hour more, only then turns around to return to Eminonu? This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We were traveling on a limited budget with time on our hands, so decided to take a chance on the Sehir Hatlari public ferry option. Hi there. Is it reasonable to target the 1:30 departure from Eminonu with an arrival at Ataturk scheduled for 11:20? The good news is that it only costs 52 TL. There are so many Bosphorus Cruise tours operating these days, its hard to know which to choose. I want to take a cruise on the Golden Horn, too. Required fields are marked *. Hi Erland Hello, thanks for your detailed article on the cruises and it helps a lot. The cruise is a nice one for every tourist to take. I would like to try it once I arrive at Istanbul. Here you go: ehir Hatlar Bosphorus Cruises. The cruise lasts for two and a half hours and includes an English-speaking guide. Note: Due to recent unrest in Turkey, check FCO travel advice before visiting. It leaves from Eminn at 18:25, but I suggest to be there earlier to make sure you have (a good) seat and buy your tickets in the morning if you can. 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. Not sure? Is a night cruise available on June 25, 2022? What did you think? ** OUR TOP PICK ** 10-hour Bosphorus Strait AND Black Sea Day Cruise Looking for the ultimate Bosphorus Cruise day trip from Istanbul? You can find the ehir Hatlar timetable for the full Bosporus cruise here. Hi, thanks for your very informative articles. I always used to go in with a book in hand, but I recently enjoyed the added value of a guide. 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? Two hours cruising the historic Bosphorus with a one-hour stop on the Asia side for shopping and eating. Here are our top recommendations for experiencing the Bosphorus right now! A few minutes later he came round demanding money whilst jabbering in Turkish. And thank you so much for taking your time to do this, great work . The home of theOttomansultansfor nearly 400 years along with the iconic minarets of the Blue Mosque and Ayasofya are a defining feature of Istanbuls skyline. Thank you for the wonderful article about the cruise. Things To Do In Istanbul It's a Fiona thing! Taxis in Istanbul, Click below to consent ('Accept') to the above or make granular choices. If you miss the only return ferry, the youre left with a very expensive taxi ride back. I just share my Istanbul experiences and advice to help tourists make the most out of it. Because we walked past the dock today and I could find a real office. During the high season, ferries depart hourly starting 10:00. Istanbul is waiting for you. Experience Istanbul like never before on a Bosphorus Sunset Cruise. Find a Cruise. Im not a travel agent, so I dont have an office. Same day at the pier ticket? Since we wont buy the ticket until we are at the dock, the only question is whether it is reasonable to plan for that? You can find them in the ads on the page. If youre thinking of doing an Istanbul city tour with a local guide, many ofthe best city tours include a Bosphorus cruise as part of the package. Where in Emenonu is the piers/docs? Why and How Should You Visit the Princes Islands in Istanbul? You can buy tickets upfront from the sales booth on the docks in Eminn. This cookie include cookie name plus the unique identifier of the visitor account. Thanks a lot! How can i buy advance ticket for long bosphorus cruise or ensure that tickets are not totally sold for the day? At the first transfer, all of them get discounts? Yes, ehir Hatlar. However, its position on the waters edge beside Ortakys promenades makes it one of the most striking. during your stay -- and venture to several different neighbourhoods, as you certainly must! A cruise on the Bosphorus is probably the most overlooked Istanbul tourist attraction. 2. 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. We would like to take a Bosphorous cruise but we are more interested in taking a 2 to 3 hrs cruise, apart from 2.30 pm cruise is there any other cruise. In my opinion Istanbul is best appreciated from a distance on the river! As I write in the post, Sehir Hatlari only has 2 short tours, while the others have multiple. 5. Youll still have to take Tnel (a funicular) to reach Karaky. For the latest updates, check the official timetable. From the Eminonu (Old City) side, dont cross the bridge, but walk to the right of it and follow the signs for Sehir Hatlari. Hey, can you bring whatever you want to the cruise? Many thanks. Which begs the question, Which Bosphorus cruise options should you choose?. The windows are large, maybe not the clearest, but we certainly were happy with our views plus the outdoor areas on the back of the boat were protected from the wind. Its a pleasure reading your article. 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. Private Bosphorus cruisesare great value for your money if you do them with reputable and trustworthy companies such as Zoe Yacht. Just a short tour (1,5 hours) without food on a big ferry is indeed about 60TL. On Thursday we will make our way to Emenonu via the tram. 5-hour Long Circle Bosphorus Tour Set sail on a comfortable, modern tour boat, featuring onboard 2-course lunch and 45-minute stop in Anadolu Kavagi for Black Sea views. We are 3 adults and 1 child (11 year) and 1 child (5 years old). Thank you very much! Since its winter currently, they only operate one boat and only do one run. Do you think any cruises will be running in the winter? Which is the best cruise company to book with? Hi, thanks for your article, very helpful. 3. Cancellation Policy. Is this route served every day? Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. We can do two separate types if they are within 25$/person, one day for sunset and another day for night/ music. First up is the non-stop Short Circle Bosphorus tour. 3-hour Bosphorus Cruise with 1-hour Stop in Asia A guided boat tour ideal for those traveling on a tight schedule. )com for tour options. Would that be possible ? : ) (october 2011 again!). Dance to the tunes of an onboard DJ and watch belly dancing, dervish dance, and folkloric shows. So the long tour starts at 10:35 and reaches ANADOLU at 12:25 Highly recommended! )com team. Hi Courses at the university are taught in three languages (Turkish, English and French) and the institution is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and notable universities in Turkey. My husband and I bought tickets from a ticket vendors outside the blue mosque. Here are our top recommendations for experiencing the Bosphorus right now! 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). Its two bathing pavilions, one for theharem (womens) and the other for theselamlik(mens), can be clearly seen from the Bosphorus. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. And do we buy the tickets from sehir hatlari the same morning? We were not disappointed with the food or the scenery. In winter there are no long Bosphorus tours, only short ones. How much is it? Hi This is the waterway, Have you ever imagined yourself, being on the majestic Bosphorus, the pass which connects Europe and Asia? In order to recommmend you one, can you please specify the amount of people, private or not, vessel size, budget (in EUR or USD), and whether you want just the cruise or also want to eat something (and have a belly dance show)? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Part of the charm is sitting on deck, in the sun, which is obviously not possible in winter. The one that costed 25 TL and lasted around an hour. The view was great and also saw sunset. Although it may not be cheap but then again the experience is worth it! Explore the magnificent Bosphorus and all the sights along its length, discover the marvelous Princes Islands and get amazed by the Old city and all its significant monuments! Personally, I wouldnt do the long cruise in winter. Bosphorus cruise company. The First Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge) was completed in 1973, and as the name might imply, was the first bridge to connect Europe and Asia. The audio guide you normally get on the vessel itself. The sceneries are beautiful and while cruising on board, one can enjoy the views of Asian-Middle Eastern influenced buildings on one side and the other side, one can be captured by the European architecture. Istanbul has connections to a number of international airports. more, #32 of 354 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Istanbul, City Tours Multi-day Tours Cultural Tours Boat Tours Day Trips, We are experts in cruises to the amazing Bosphorus providing unforgettable tours with Boats and Luxury Yachts to couples, families, business groups, group of friends and moreover for special occasions, such as Gala dinners, Weddings, Birthdays and all kind of Parties! Ticket prices are negotiable so make sure you haggle for the best price. Here you can find the schedule. Where:We stayed atSirkeci Mansion Hotelin Istanbuls Old Town and absolutely loved this gem of a hotel. We plan to travel in Europe in august 20, 2022 , and we have a 15 h layover in Instanbul.we will arrive sunday around 4pm , can we still get the Bosphorus free tour from the airport? The bad news is that they are more expensive and a bit shoter. 1. If youre pressed for time, yes, focus on Bykada. Or should I disembark at Ortakoy to check out Ortakoy then catch a bus to Taksim (I plan to visit Istiklal Caddesi after the cruise). I suggest you have a nice dinner overlooking or by the Bosphorus. Youll now land at the new Istanbul Airport. Cruises still run in winter, but of course less frequently. Is it on the boat itself? I am a bit confused though when I look at Hatlaris schedule which shows: Departure from Eminonu: 2.40pm 4. Insider tip: sit outside on the left-hand side of the ship for the best views. We traveled down one side of the straightand then along the next coming back and technically were in ASIA while doing that thought that was really neat!.. The season hasnt started for the sunset cruise, so its hard to predict on what the schedule will be this year. You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It offers three great Bosphorus tours: Short Circle Bosphorus Cruise, Full Bosphorus Cruise, and the Full Bosphorus Cruise by Night. After about 90 minutes on the water (including a few stops along the way) we reached the farthest stop north: the village of Anadolu Kavagi. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); About The boat goes alone the river with 2-3 stops. ", This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. First of all, you probably will not fly on Atatrk, because Atatrk Airport has been closed down a few months ago. May 31, 2023, 2:05 PM PDT. My first cruise ever was with Margaritaville at Sea to the Bahamas. There was no tour guide so we all just saw the view but didn't know what places that we passed by. The full Bosphorus cruise for 25 TL is a regular public transportation ferry taking you all the way to the last dock before the Black Sea, and back. Its low season, so I would expect yes, but go in time. Enjoy! This cookies is installed by Google Universal Analytics to throttle the request rate to limit the colllection of data on high traffic sites. Hi, thanks for a wonderful Istanbul article And return from there to Eminonu is at 15:00 again. For the ultimate family vacation! Youll only see the shore between those two points only once. You cant miss. Cheapest is the one offered by ehir Hatlar, but it only runs on Saturdays in high season. I suggest to play safe and be aboard minimum 10 minutes ahead of time though. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement". We were on day, I think is very cold in January by night. : ) Review of Bosphorus Cruise. Let us know in the comments below! Where exactly do I get the ferry if I wanted to get from the European side to the Asian side for a day outing on the Asian side? Do they have similar amounts of guests? Are there only outdoor locations on the ship? First of all thank you very much for your kind interest in our tours and services. Just go to the ehir Hatlar offices on the docks of Eminn and look for their Bosporus or Boaz sales office. But please, dont get tempted by the offer these hustlers make. Look for the name ehir Hatlar, and if there are multiple dock pavilions, look for Bosphorus lines. 3. The Full Bosphorus Tour offers a great Bosphorus experience and will take several hours in total. Youll see that the long tour only has one trip up and down, where in summer there are a few more. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. There are even private yacht cruises available if you have the cash! Thank you for the information, I wanted to ask you about the short trip of the bosphorus where can I buy the ticket ? When:The best time to visit Istanbul is spring (March to mid-June) when the weather is moderate and the days are long. I really would explore Ortakoy a bit along with the bosphorous tour. Yes, unless you want a private (and rather expensive) Bosphorus tour, the Eminn pier is your best bet. Is there only two long bhosphorous cruises for the day? It will be my birthday tomorrow and I wanted to do something special. Their tours are overpriced (double and more), shorter, and often on boats that can barely be called seaworthy. Im just counting the timing If it turns around at Ortakoy and heads back to Eminonu, the whole trip would only be 1 hour, not 2 Here are two popular activities you may have a look at: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxurious Yacht and Istanbul: Bosphorus Music and Dinner Cruise w/ Private Table, Hi Erlend, Does the Sehir Hatlari has hourly short cruises like Turyol and Dentor. It says Bosphorus Lines. From US$94 / Tour by IBO Cruise. This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. You mentioned I can buy tickets upfront from the sales booth on the docks in Eminn, can we buy tickets a few days before the cruise or do we have to purchase on the day? They have a lot of companies offering this tour, some have half day cruises, some have night cruises and some have short cruises. Because it was semi private, they waited for us when we were about 10 mn tardy (due to waiting for people). Tickets from the ehir Hatlar Bosphorus Tours booth at the Eminn docks. The cost originally was 400 TL for 4 adults but after some negotiations it went down to 350 TL. It shouldnt be too busy, its low season. Unless you want to compete for space with Istanbuls millions of commuters (and see very little in the process), youre far better off taking the public ferry lines clearly marked as Bosphorus Tours. Dont know, what makes sense. I will be there until Saturday at 8 AM, as I checked, my only option to visit something typical in Istanbul is the Bosphorus Cruise by Night (Mehtap Gezi). ), planning to do the Full Bosphorus Tour. It adds excellent context to the cruise and tells you a bit about the many highlights along the route. We need a company that accepts children, in August. Where are the Sehir Hatlati offices located? Just a couple more questions before I stop bothering you lol: 1. Still your opinion is very welcome! Thanks. Not only did our 6-hour Bosphorus cruise trip come in under budget, it quickly became one of the highlights of our time in Istanbul! I would stay clear of buses, its not that comfortable and can be pretty confusing for tourists. The ehir Hatlar Bosphorus lines sales offices are located on the left docks of Eminn when coming off the Galata Bridge. Private Bosphorus cruises are great value for your money if you do them with reputable and trustworthy companies such as Zoe Yacht. Mind you that Karaky is not located at the end of Istiklal Caddesi. Then what if i wanna go in the morning as i am seeing the schedule for Full Bosphorus Cruise the morning cruise will depart from EMINONU at 10:35. Looking north, were also able to spot the Third Bosphorus Bridge spanning Europe and Asia, and the Black Sea, beyond. This one is great for people who are pressed for time but dont want to miss a genuine Bosphorus experience. The Full Bosphorus Cruise (Uzun Boaz Turu) lasts six hours and departs from Eminn, going all the way to the Black Sea. It briefly stops at all the docks along the way to let people on and off. each program is different, and so are their prices. I only recommend products and companies I use or have used. 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. First of all Thank you very much for these useful information! For comparison, other cruise options (not public ferries) cost anywhere from US$20 to US$100 (see our top picks, above). Dolmabahe Palace Our guide informed us that the staff is very friendly and will have a tray of drinks waiting for you as soon as you are on board. Secondly, A cruise along the Bosphorus is a quintessential activity for visitors to Istanbul. Do check the official schedule with the latest timetables. The Strait stretches 17 nautical miles from the Sea of Marmara in the south, to the Black Sea in the north. In March, buying a ticket on the same dayshould be ok. Have fun. Something you would highly recommend someone doing when they visit istanbul. The trip takes 1h45 and costs 75 TL. We have just moved to Istanbul and are living it! Thank you so much for all the help. is it Sehir Haltari? Any restaurants there you would recommend? The short tour only stops twice to pick up passengers. Just a decent evening/night cruise for a family in budget? Do I have to book in advance or can I turn up on the day at Sehir Hatlati offices to book for that night? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We went for the short cruise - 2 hours and paid $30 for two adults. The tour takes between 90 min and w hours, so dont get off at Ortaky and enjoy the ride until youre back in Eminn. Moreover, the main sightseeing spots (80%) are also covered by the short tour. Does the long cruise take place in November? One day we are planning on doing bosporos tour, next day go to the princes island, third day visit mosque, museums and grand bazaar. Highly recommend. 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. A Bosphorus cruise provides the best way to see Istanbul's epic architecture along the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus Strait The 32km (20mi) natural waterway of the Bosphorus in Turkey connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and - by extension via the Dardanelles - the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The nonstop short bosphorous tour Will they halt at Ortakoy for an hour or so? I am currently at Istanbul and I am planning to take the full cruze, I am also planning to visit Dolma bahet saray and Rumli Hisar at the same day. Can you help me? Updated on January 27, 2023 For instance, last winter it was still 17 in the shade in December. On Sehir Hatlari website I found a departure point from Karakoy (ferry coming from Uksudar and stopping to Eyup). Bosphorus Tour Marie. Jenny. Or are there any other islands you recommend us going to. Book via Skyscannerfor the best prices. Is the cruise advisable to do in march end? This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The tour guide was great, as he gave information about what we were seeing, but he did not talk the entire time. Are these 3 companies equally good and are the routes the same. Rumeli Fortress, built by the Ottomans in 1452. We opted for the Full Circle / Long Tour, which takes about six hours round trip including a couple of hours in the middle to enjoy the northernmost stop at Anadolu Kavagi Village. I have a couple of questions if you dont mind: What is the difference between the scenic River cruise for EUR20 and the full bosphorus for TL25? Essentially, its the Turkish equivalent to Eton College in the UK but, unlike Eton, as of 1994 girls have also been admitted to Kabata. Sitting outside because of the cold and/or precipitation may be less appealing. Filed Under: Attractions, Featured #3 Tagged With: Bosphorus, Bosphorus Cruise, Bosphorus Tour, By Night, Dentur, Istanbul, Scenic, Turyol. I mean is it really hard to get the ticket or you can easily get the ticket if you reach an hour before departing the Cruise? Not sure that I understand your question. It offers the exact same tour as the regular Full Bosphorus Tour, but you get to see Istanbul at night! Logo Store; The Turyol Bosphorus tour sales booth is located on the righthand docks of Eminn when coming off the Galata Bridge, past the fish & bread sellers. You can buy those online, youll find their ads on my site. On our way back into the harbor, a sun beam dramatically lit the Maidens Tower on the Asian side of Istanbul. If you are on the docks, and look at The Galata Tower on the other side of the Golden Horn, its about 150 meters right from the bridge. Cruise Tips, Oceania Cruises; Cruise Critic Community. Thanks so much and looking forward to hearing from you. Certainly if youre in town between May and September. Hi. SultanSelim III built the grand army barracks in 1800for the soldiers of the newly establishedNizam- Cedid(New Order). Trip started on 14:30. So in other words can you just turn up to ticket office and buy a ticket for the cruise. Unfortunately, the availability of these tours changes according to the season. Maybe you were too late to catch it (its at Eminn at 18:25) or it already sold out earlier in the day. We would like a round trip ferry ride from Emenonu to Anadolu Kavagi on Tuesday, September 20. Better buy your tickets upfront to make sure you have a seat. I recommend you read the details and go over comments left by others. With this tour, get more out of the experience with a guide that accompanies you onboard. Read our. Any information about the princes ferry would be appreciated. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Cruise Tips. Planning a family vacation to Istanbul? Or we have to get off the ferry at Ortakoy if we were onboard there? There is only one tour a day. It should write Boaz Turlar and the brand name, ehir Hatlar. Do you know when the summer schedule is released? How much it cost? The mosque is small compared to the citys other iconic mosques. Reviews. We look forward to hearing from you. It includes a 1.5 hour journey along the river almost to the Black Sea, a 3 hour stop at a pretty little village where you can have a leisurely lunch and then a 1.5 hour return. Forums. Heres the link. Asena Sk. It is NOT free so easy on the drinks unless you want to.. So, to answer your question, yes the info is up to date. Do they leave exactly at 15:00 or before time ? Needless to say, you better buy your tickets in time. : ) Review of Bosphorus Cruise Reviewed September 20, 2013 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!. Maybe have a look at this Istanbul Transportation map. 3) Would we miss anything good if we were onboard from Ortakoy for the short cruise? Moderately interesting view of the coastline. official schedule with the latest timetables. On the other hand, for those who like to figure out the details themselves, arent fussy about seating, and are willing to devote the better part of a day to the experience, the Sehir Hatlari Bosphorus Cruise public ferry option cant be beat for the price. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hi we dock in instanbul from 9 till 6 on a cruise and we want to do a trip on the Bosphorus, what would you recommend? Cruising between both Asia and European plates! Keep in mind that Karaky is only just across the bridge from Eminn, a very enjoyable walk. What is that??? Unfortunately, there are also a lot of less trustworthy options. The price for a round trip is 65 TL, 32,5 TL for children under the age of 12. 0:00 / 6:18 STANBUL Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul 2022 - Is It Worth It? Enjoy. Topkapi Palace & Harem ehir Hatlar is Istanbuls official ferry company. Not crowded at all. Don't Miss 15 Awesome Things to Do in Istanbul with Kids. I am travelling to Istanbul with my parents next week and was planning to do the long bosphorus tour, we are staying in Cihangir. Subsequently he came round with plastic toys, tea, coffee, and boating hats. Short Circle tickets cost 32 TL (US$1.70) for adults and 16 TL (US$0.85) for children under 12. It was used by parliament briefly before being destroyed by fire in 1910 and then served as a football stadium for Beikta before finally being renovated in 1989 and again in 2007. I think around May. Personally, I dont recommend more than three people on one card. I am so confused I really hope you can help me. The ferries depart every hour with the first departure at 12:45 and the last one at 17:45. Is there a way to stop at a ferry station close to beikta or Rumli Hisar in the way back instead of waiting to get off at Eminonu? Their offers MAY include equally long or shorter cruises, normally dont have extra stops, can have daytime, sunset or night timeframes, food and drinks, entertainment on board, etc. As of January 2023, the Long Tour (round trip) tickets cost 65 TL (US$3.45) for adults and 32,50 TL (US$1.75) for children under 12. It gives an idea of the size of the city and the way it has grown in the different epriods of history. This guide will use the new terminology moving forward. Hi Erlend, I throughly enjoyed all the famous landmarks and see how local people enjoy water activities on the weekend.