Lots of people started recommending heading on a Bosphorous cruise in Istanbul and that was even before we booked our tickets. Our experiences were rooted in river cruises that we had taken in other countries and we were not sure whether the hype was worth it. Since everyone was raving about it and we needed a couple of slow days during our tip, we decided to take the plunge. In the end, we landed up going on not one but two Bosphorous cruises. Both were very different experiences and both were in two different budget ranges.
In retrospect, I can say that these cruises were some of the best that I have been on during my time traveling. As you know, we have done that a lot in the past decade. The problem about picking a Bosphorous cruise in Istanbul is that there are so many options. We had flyers handed to us at our hotel. There flyers handed to us on the street. Loads of tour companies have set up shop in the center of the city and all of them have numerous offers. So how do you choose?
I tried to do my research online and I was still stumped. Everything felt so so costly. After a couple of hours research both online and in the city, I figured out the two cruises that worked for us and I’m going to write about them below.
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Table of Contents
Bosphorous Cruises In Istanbul
The Bosphorous cruises in Istanbul can be easily divided into two sections. The day cruises and the night cruises.
The day cruises are generally shorter at about 1.5 hours long and are very scenic. You get to take in the beauty of the city along the river and are much cheaper. They do not usually offer any refreshments though you could buy them onboard.
The night cruises are longer and are usually dinner cruises. These cruises have entertainment on board and are more about the ambiance and vibe than about the scenery. They are also more expensive.
You can see why both of the types of cruises offer a different experience. This was why we choose to go for both of them. I must add that there are also sunset cruises. These give you the best of both worlds.
Bosphorous Cruise In Istanbul (Day Cruise) – Sightseeing In The Day
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (4,806 Reviews) Price: $8per person Duration: Valid for 1 day Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
We walked to the ferry terminal and booked our tickets at the ticket office for this one. In retrospect, the cost was the same as if we booked it online. We were just so unsure of what to do that this felt like the safest option. One thing to pay attention to was the fact that we traveled during the low season. Crowds were non existent and the weather wasn’t the best on most of the days. This was why we were able to do it.
During peak season however the boats are full so booking in advance makes a lot more sense This is why I’ve linked to both GetYourGuide and Viator here. It is the same tour, just the booking platform differs. Anyways back to what this Bosphorous cruise in Istanbul is about.
The cruise sets off down the river and you can see a number of different landmarks along the banks of the river. It gives you a chance to take some incredible photographs too. The first half of the tour trails along the European side of Istanbul and then it turns at the second Bosphorous bridge before cruising down the Asian side of the city.
What should you carry?
- Headphones – This is so that you can use the audioguide more clearly. They play it on the speakers but with the wind, it is often very muffled.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses for the hot days.
- Jackets and winter wear for the colder days.
- Food and snacks. You can make a small picnic of it. Hot tea and coffee are available on board.
Why pick this Bosphorous cruise in Istanbul over the night cruise?
Costs: I think one of the most important differentiators between this and the other cruises is that it is much cheaper. You don’t get a lot in terms of food and entertainment which is the trade off. What you do get is a way to see the sights along the Bosphorous river at a slow pace and from a different perspective. Its a relaxing journey and a picturesque one at that.
Slower Pace: Istanbul involves a lot of walking. We have always walked a lot and usually clock anywhere between 10-15 km in a day. It does not seem that impressive until you factor in the kids who were 4 and 6 yrs. They walked too. The cruise gives you a nice way to slow down and sit while not missing out on the things to do in Istanbul in the day.
The Scenic View: The view is definitely the main reason to head for a cruise in the day. Many of the buildings are stunning. It also lets you appreciate just how big Istanbul is.
Dinner Bosphorous Cruise Istanbul
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (1,979 Reviews) Price: $28 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Another great option when it comes to the Bosphorous Cruise in Istanbul is to pick a dinner cruise. These cruises are more expensive than the day cruises but they come with a number of additional benefits which may make it your while.
Food: First off, the cruise comes with a 3 course meal. We opted for the simplest package and the food was more than enough to fill us up to the brim. It wasn’t gourmet cuisine but it was good. This was one of my biggest worries because in some of the river cruises that I have been on in other parts of the world, we were served a buffet and had a short time in which to get our meal. The quantities were limited too and the food was meh. None of this was an issue here.
In fact, there was no buffet. We were served plated meals and had plenty of time to enjoy our food. The soft drinks were unlimited. You could also choose to have unlimited alcohol if you wish. I would recommend arriving early so that you can start off eating your starters quietly and have a bit of time to roam around or catch some of the views in between.
Aside from the food, the Bosphorous dinner cruise in Istanbul is longer. It usually lasts about 3 hours. This does not include boarding time. You can choose to come a little earlier and chill which is exactly what we did.
Transportation to the jetty: You could add on a pick and drop service for yourself. That comes with an additional price or you could also just take the public transport. There’s a tram station just next door so you don’t even have to walk far. That does however depend on where in Istanbul you are staying at.
Entertainment: While we were in Istanbul we considered heading to see the whirling dervishes in the city. The iconic dance is something that should be seen at least once. While we were discussing it, we noticed that it was on the entertainment agenda on the Bosphorous dinner cruise along with belly dancing and other performances. Since our budget was tight we decided that combining everything together made sense.
The Views: The night scenery along the Bosphorous is very different from the day. The inside of the yacht is warm and pleasant of its a cold day. The windows are large so you really don’t have to head out to see it. It makes it a good option in both good and bad weather.
Evening / Sunset Bosphorous Cruise Istanbul
⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5 (2,766 Reviews) Price: $8 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
The sunset Bosphorous cruise in Istanbul is the best for people who want to the best of both worlds. You get to see the views in the day, catch the sunset on the river and enjoy the twinkling lights of the night. There are a couple of other perks when it comes to this cruise.
- It’s less expensive than the dinner cruise.
- It’s earlier in the day. The dinner cruise gets over late so if you don’t want to stay out late, this is the one to pick.
- You get to see the sunset. A surreal experience on the Bosphorous river.
Should You Book Your Istanbul Bosphorous Cruise In Advance?
Booking in advance is largely dependent on the season. We visited in February which is cold, wet and pretty much offseason. The day cruise was easy to book but the dinner cruise was where we were lucky because every single table was booked. As the weather gets warmer, the demand rises making it more important that you book in advance.
One of the reasons why I didn’t book our Boshporous cruise in Istanbul in advance was because I found it difficult to figure out which cruises worked best with us and where to book them. That is the reason why I decided to pen down our experience.
Is The Bosphorous Cruise in Istanbul worth it?
I loved both the cruises that we took and from the numerous conversations I had with other people who have been to Istanbul, they did too. In fact, if it wasn’t for people raving about them, I may have missed the experience. So yes. I’m going to say that the Bosphorous cruises in Istanbul are totally worth your time irrespective which one you choose.
Which Ferry Point Is Better?
There’s no better and worse when it comes to this. It all really depends on where you are staying and how you want to get there. If you don’t have a public transport route to it, you cold always opt for a pick and drop. It does come with an additional cost.
A Bosphorous cruise in Istanbul is one of the most talked about experiences and sits high up on the list along with visiting Hagia Sophia and the rooftop terraces. It is an all season experience and in my opinion a relaxing one. You can’t go wrong with the type of the cruise and it is really worth it if you want to slow you pace down without stopping.
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