See Istanbul from the water it was built around: sightseeing, sunset, dinner, breakfast and private yacht cruises on the Bosphorus strait — official Istanbul.com inventory, instant mobile tickets.
Cruises from €12.00 per person · EUR · all fees included
Every cruise below is live istanbul.com inventory with transparent EUR pricing — the price on the card is the price at checkout. Pick by moment (day, sunset, night, morning) and by style (shared boat or private yacht).
The classic daytime route with audio guide — palaces, bridges and yalı mansions in one cruise.
€15.00 per person →Golden hour on the strait at the friendliest price, narration included.
€12.00 per person →Full dinner and live Turkish shows while the illuminated skyline glides past.
€55.00 per person →Small-group sunset sailing on a modern yacht — fewer guests, better photos.
€50.00 per person →Your own yacht, your own pace — the strait as a private experience.
€460.00 per person →A full Turkish breakfast served on the morning Bosphorus, Le Vapeur Magique style.
€55.00 per person →The classic Istanbul boat trip: a guided sightseeing cruise along the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus with a multilingual audio guide, passing Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the bridges and the waterfront yalı mansions of two continents.
You don't need us to get on the Bosphorus: the public Şehir Hatları ferry sails the same strait for a few euros, and if the cheapest possible ride is the goal, take it — it's a great piece of everyday Istanbul. What a tourist cruise buys is everything the commuter ferry doesn't do: a route planned for sightseeing rather than transport, open viewing decks, a multilingual audio guide (or a hosted dinner or breakfast), and departures timed for the moments people actually come for — golden hour, the illuminated skyline at night, a slow morning on the water. Same strait, different job.
Also worth saying: we are the 2-hour strait cruise inside Istanbul, not a cruise-ship line. If you're looking for Galataport terminal information or ocean cruise itineraries, that isn't us.
The Bosphorus is the strait that splits Istanbul between Europe and Asia, and a bosphorus cruise in Istanbul is the one viewpoint no rooftop can match. From the water you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque crouched under the first bridge, the fortress walls of Rumeli Hisarı, and the wooden yalı mansions that line both shores — Europe on one side of the boat, Asia on the other.
Which cruise to choose depends on the moment you want. Daytime sightseeing with narration is the Golden Horn & Bosphorus cruise; golden hour belongs to the sunset cruises; the night skyline comes with dinner and live shows on the dinner cruise; mornings are the Turkish breakfast cruise; and if you'd rather have the deck to yourselves, the private yacht tour makes the strait yours. Every current price is on the prices page.
It depends on the experience you want. For classic daytime sightseeing, the Golden Horn & Bosphorus cruise with audio guide is the best-value all-rounder. For golden-hour views, pick the sunset cruise (budget, with audio guide) or the luxury yacht sunset cruise (small group). The dinner cruise adds a full meal and live Turkish shows at night, the breakfast cruise pairs the morning strait with a Turkish breakfast spread, and the private yacht is your own boat, your own route.
Yes — and honestly, the public Şehir Hatları ferry is cheaper. It is scheduled public transport: fixed departure times, commuter seating, no commentary. A tourist cruise costs more and buys a boat routed for sightseeing, open viewing decks, an audio guide or hosted experience, and departures timed for the views (sunset, dinner). If you only want the cheapest possible ride on the water, take the ferry; if you want the strait explained and enjoyed, take a cruise.
No. We sell the classic short Bosphorus strait cruises inside Istanbul — sightseeing boats, sunset and dinner cruises, and private yachts departing from the city piers. We have nothing to do with ocean cruise liners, Galataport terminal arrivals or multi-country cruise itineraries.
Most sightseeing and sunset cruises on this site run about 2 hours along the strait, passing Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus bridges, Rumeli Fortress and the waterfront yalı mansions. Dinner and breakfast cruises run longer because the meal is part of the experience.
For sunset, dinner and private yacht cruises — yes: capacity is limited and golden-hour departures sell out first in high season. Booking online confirms your place instantly and your mobile ticket arrives by email; there is nothing to print or collect.
Cruises sail in normal rain, but operators cancel when the strait is unsafe (storms, high wind). If your departure is cancelled by the operator you are rebooked or refunded in full. Your own plans changing? Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
Tickets can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before your cruise departure. See our Refund & Cancellation policy for full details.
