Which Bosphorus cruise to take at a glance
Cheapest option: Official Şehir Hatları tour (no frills, can get very busy)
Best private tour company: Mega Lufer Yachts, offering various price options & tours. Book here
Also consider: Turyol, offering a variety of tours, including dinner tours & dance shows. Book here
If you only have a short time in Istanbul, it’s tempting to stick to the sites on land. But a Bosphorus cruise is one of the city’s absolute highlights.
Nestled along the straight are a ridiculous number of things worth seeing – imposing fortresses; stunning palaces; fishing villages. It’s my favourite memory from my time in Istanbul. Don’t miss it.
In this blog I’ve laid out the main options and put together a quick comparison to help you choose the right cruise for your schedule and budget.
Which Bosphorus tour should I take in Istanbul?
There’s a lot of choice, with tours available to fit your budget. I’d recommend going with one of the main private operates for the best value, with Mega Lufer as my preference – they’re affordable but comfortable, and offer a range of options.
Use the comparison table below to help you decide. Further down the blog I go into more detail about your options.
Best Bosphorus cruise – quick comparison table
Prices updated 22 January 2026. Şehir Hatları charges different amounts for locals and tourists — the table shows foreign/tourist prices.
Note: Due to Turkey’s high inflation, prices in Turkish lira change frequently — always check the official website for the latest fares.
| Tour type | Duration | Price (as of 2026) | Pros | Cons | Booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Şehir Hatları | 2 hrs (short tour) Full day (long tour) | 340TL for short tour (about $8.50) 640TL for long tour (about $16) | The cheapest way to see all the main sights. | No guide. Can be very crowded and uncomfortable. | Here |
| Mega Lufer | 2-2.5 hours | 400-450TL (around $9-12) | One of the cheapest reputable private companies – far more comfortable than Şehir Hatları | Audioguide function on your phone can be a bit glitchy. But honestly, its excellent value. | Here |
| Turyol | 3 hours (if dinner cruise) | 880-1000TL (around $22-25) | Another of the main providers, who offer probably the best value dinner cruise, with Turkish dancing and unlimited soft drinks about $22. | Large boat – not a very intimate experience. | Here |
| Golden City Yacht Cruise | 2.5 hours | 1,650–2,200 TL (around $41-54) | Sunset cruise on a luxury yacht, live guide rather than audio guide. Snacks and canapes. | More expensive than other options, but also more intimate. No alcohol. | Here |
A Bosphorus ferry cruise – your options in detail
You essentially have two main options when looking for a Bosphorus ferry cruise: the official Şehir Hatları tours, or one offered by a private company. Both of these options offer various tours depending on how far along the Bosphorus you want to go and what experience you want.
Official Şehir Hatları cruises – cheapest Bosphorus tour option
Şehir Hatları is Istanbul’s official ferry company. It’s the cheapest reputable tour you’ll be able to find. That said, they have been increasing their prices in recent years, and charge significantly more for foreign tourists than locals. Because of this the difference with some of the cheapest private companies is no longer that great – you can get a more comfortable private tour with Mega Lufer for as little as $8.
Sehir Hatlari’s main ticket office is near the Eminönü docks, close to Galata bridge. They offer a couple of options.
Short Bosphorus tour
The short tour option lasts about two hours without stopping. This is the cheapest option (340 Turkish lira at the time of writing). This is a great option if you’re a bit shorter on time or don’t want to dedicate a whole day to exploring the Bosphorus. Over the two hours, you’ll see the main sights, such as the Rumeli Fortress, many Ottoman palaces, and the Maiden’s Tower.
Long Bosphorus tour
Şehir Hatları also offer a longer cruise option, which lasts a full day. You’ll travel along the whole Bosphorus strait, all the way to the Black Sea. It ends at Anadolu Kavagi, where you’ll spend a few hours before heading back.
Along the way it will make several stops, where you can get off and explore. But please note, this is not a hop-on-hop off tour. If you get off at a stop earlier than Anadolu Kavagi, you can’t get back on again. You’ll have to use alternative travel back to Istanbul. Luckily, this is quite easy (see the bus section below), meaning this is a great option if you want to explore the Bosphorus by water and see some of the neighbourhoods along the strait.
If you stay on the tour for the full journey it’ll take you to Anadolu Kavagi, the last harbour before the Black Sea, before turning back. You’ll have a fair amount of explore this village – but apparently it’s a bit of a tourist trap.
Şehir Hatları also offer sunset tours.
Although cheap and reliable, the Şehir Hatları has its downsides. In peak seasons it can get very busy. We were in Istanbul during a public holiday, and when we walked past the dock, people were crammed in like sardines. You’ll also be without a guide (you can use my guide of the main sights here to learn about the main landmarks).
The timetables change depending on the season – so check their official website.
Private Bosphorus Cruises – Best Value & more comfort
Although the Sehir Hatlari is great, I’d definitely recommend going with a private company instead. You’ll have a more comfortable time, and the value is still excellent.
On Get Your Guide you’ll find a number of options – but its important to choose a trusted provider. If you’re planning to find a tour once you’ve arrived in the city, be aware that on the docks around Eminönü many touts try to take advantage and overcharge unprepared tourists.
It’s best to identify a reputable ferry operator beforehand. The providers are Mega Lufer Yachts and Turyol. Whichever you choose, the experience is broadly the same: a large, comfortable but sometimes busy boat (arrive early to secure a seat), around two hours up and down the Bosphorus, and an audioguide on your phone.
I recommend Mega Lufer Yachts because their tours are the longest – two and a half hours as opposed to 90 minutes from Turyol. But really, any of these options and you’ll have an excellent time.
There’s a fourth option I’d recommend, Golden City Tours – I go into each of these options in more detail below.
Mega Lufer Yachts – excellent value Bosphorus tours
Mega Lufer Yachts are one of the main providers of Bosphorus tours. They offer a number of tours throughout the day (including sunset tours) with various price options. We went for the cheapest, and it was a wonderful experience. You’ll get an audio guide but you have to download an app on your phone to access it. You can book this below.
The tour lasts two and a half hours, giving plenty of time to take in the main sights. It sails up the European side until the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, then turns around and sails down the Asian side, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the landmarks on the shores of both continents.
Turyol – affordable dinner and live music tours
Another reputable company is Turyol, who also offer live music, dancing shows and dinner on the boat tours for a bit of an extra cost. But considering you get live music and dinner, they’re excellent value.
Turyol also offer basic short tours, which at 90 minutes are shorter than MegaLufer’s.
You can book this below – when you go to book, you can choose whether you want dinner, a show, or just the basic tour.
Golden City Tours – best option with a live guide
The main, cheap providers like Turyol and Mega Lufer Yacht are incredible value, but they can feel a bit impersonal. The boats are massive, and you learn about the sites from an audioguide.
If you want a live guide, your best option is Golden City Tours. If you’d like a slightly more personal experience, a yacht tour with Golden City Tours is your best bet. It’s pricier, but very affordable and easily worth it for a special occasion.
Another option: explore the Bosphorus by bus
Travelling by bus is a great way to explore the many beautiful waterside neighbourhoods of the Bosphorus in more depth. If you opt for the long Şehir Hatları tour and get off at a stop earlier than Anadolu Kavagi, you can easily use the bus network to explore neighbourhoods along the strait.
Along both sides of the river are charming neighbourhoods, such as Kuzguncuk, filled with colourful Ottoman-era houses (see below).
The buses are extremely easy to use, very frequent and comfortable. You can pay for them using Istanbulkart, which you can pick up and top up at metro stations.
One possible route if you want to explore by bus is to start by travelling to Uskudar on the Asian side. This is a popular waterside neighbourhood with a few interesting sights, and easy to reach by the city’s rail network.
You can then get the bus along the Asian side, stopping at different areas and sights along the way, including Kuzguncuk and the Anatolian Fortress.
FAQs about going on a Bosphorus Cruise
When is the best time of year to take a Bosphorus cruise?
Shoulder seasons (March-June and September-October) probably offer the best balance between pleasant weather and less crowds. In Summer (June to August) the tours can be extremely busy, and prices go up, and in Winter it can be very cold on deck – so wrap up warm. But really, a Bosphorus cruise is a wonderful experience all year round.
What time of day is best for a Bosphorus cruise?
It depends what you’re after. Morning cruises tend to have fewer crowds. Afternoon cruises offer warmer light for photography. But for most visitors, a sunset cruise is the sweet spot — you’ll see Istanbul in daylight, at golden hour, and illuminated at night, all in one trip.
Will I get seasick on a Bosphorus cruise?
The Bosphorus is a strait, not open sea, so the water is generally very calm — much calmer than an ocean cruise. And most of the cruises mentioned in my guide are large, steady ships. Most people won’t experience any motion sickness at all.
Do I need to book a Bosphorus cruise in advance?
For Şehir Hatları public ferries, you can buy tickets at the pier on the day. But sometimes this can mean long queues – especially in peak seasons and public holidays. For private tours — especially sunset and dinner cruises — I strongly recommend booking ahead, particularly during peak season (summer and holidays). Popular tours can sell out.
What will I see on a Bosphorus cruise?
There are so many stunning landmarks on a Bosphorus Cruise – it’s one of the best ways to see the city. Some of the highlights include Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Maiden’s Tower, and various historic yalıs. I go into all of the highlights of a Bosphorus Cruise in more depth here.
How long does a Bosphorus cruise take?
Short cruises typically last 90 minutes to 2 hours – and this is enough time to see all of the main sights closest to Istanbul. Dinner cruises usually last around 3 hours. And there are also longer options which are a full day excursion, and go all the way to the Black Sea.
Which is the best Bosphorus cruise?
It depends on your priorities. For the best balance of value, comfort, and flexibility, I’d recommend Mega Lufer’s short tours — they’re affordable, more comfortable than the public ferries, and run throughout the day including sunset options. If you want a full-day experience and don’t mind a no-frills boat, the Şehir Hatları long cruise to Anadolu Kavağı is a classic Istanbul experience. For a special occasion, a private yacht sunset cruise or dinner cruise with entertainment is hard to beat.
Which is the cheapest Bosphorus cruise?
The cheapest reputable option is the Şehir Hatları public ferry. However, in recent years prices have gone up and they charge higher prices for foreign tourists than locals. The price difference for private operators like Turyol and Mega Lufer is small, and they offer a lot more comfort.
Is a Bosphorus cruise worth it?
Absolutely — it’s one of the best things to do in Istanbul. You’ll see the city from a completely different perspective, passing some of the most beautiful landmarks that you simply wouldn’t see from land.
It’s also a relaxing break from the busy streets. Even if you’re short on time, a 90-minute cruise is well worth fitting in. It was one of my favourite memories from Istanbul, and I’d recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
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