Bosphorus cruises from the old city
Eminönü is the starting point for the sightseeing tours of the Bosphorus run by Şehir Hatları, the city's ferry company. It is a short tram ride from Sultanahmet: take the T1 and get off at Eminönü, where the ferry piers are. This guide is independent and does not sell or issue these tickets.
There are two regular tours. The long tour goes up the strait to Anadolu Kavağı and back. The short tour covers the lower part of the strait. A third, the moonlight tour, ran on summer Saturdays in 2026.
Fares for foreign visitors, 2026
Domestic fares are about half of these. Children aged 0 to 6 travel free on these tour types.
| Tour | Foreign adult | Domestic adult |
|---|---|---|
| Long tour, return | TRY 640 | TRY 320 |
| Short tour | TRY 340 | TRY 170 |
| Moonlight tour, return | TRY 730 | TRY 365 |
The operator's table also lists lower prices for children under 12, but it does not make clear whether they apply to foreign visitors. Ask when you buy. Do not confuse these fares with the price of an ordinary ferry crossing, which is a different product. The euro amounts are rough and move with the exchange rate.
Our picks: Bosphorus cruises
A day or sunset cruise, a dinner cruise and a pass that includes cruises.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Istanbul e-pass for the top sights
A guided Hagia Sophia visit with ticket, fast-track guided visits at Topkapi and the Basilica Cistern, further museum entries, Bosphorus cruises and a guidebook. Public transport is not included.
Check availability →
Bosphorus dinner cruise with show
Dinner, unlimited soft drinks, live music and a show at a private table. Hotel transfer and unlimited alcohol come only with the matching option, and a window seat costs extra.
Check availability →
Bosphorus day or sunset cruise
A day or sunset departure depending on the option, with an audio guide. Snacks and soft drinks come only with the snack option; coffee and extra drinks cost extra.
Check availability →Bosphorus cruises and boat trips
Sightseeing cruises, sunset trips and combined city tours from Istanbul, with live prices and availability.
The long tour to Anadolu Kavağı
The long tour leaves Eminönü at 10:35 and reaches Anadolu Kavağı at 12:25. It calls at Beşiktaş, Üsküdar, Kanlıca, Sarıyer and Rumeli Kavağı on the way. The boat leaves Anadolu Kavağı at 15:00 and is back in Eminönü at 16:40.
That gives you about 2 hours and 35 minutes in Anadolu Kavağı, and the whole day takes 6 hours and 5 minutes. Bring lunch money and a layer for the deck.
The short tour
The short tour departs from Eminönü at 14:40, then calls at Üsküdar at 14:55 and Ortaköy at 15:10. The operator's page repeats the same times for the return block, so do not plan a tight connection after it. Ask for the return arrival when you buy.
Seasons and timetable
The winter timetable runs from 7 September 2026 to 27 June 2027.
Winter 2026 and 2027
The long and the short tour each run once a day on the winter timetable.
Moonlight tour
The summer timetable listed it on Saturdays from 29 June to 6 September 2026. Do not plan around it in autumn or winter.
Weather
Sailings in rough weather are not guaranteed. Check the day's status before you travel to the pier.
Booking
Check how and where single tickets are sold before the day. Do not assume you can pay with a transit card on these tours.
Long tour or short tour
The two tours suit different days. This table puts the main points side by side.
| Point | Long tour | Short tour |
|---|---|---|
| Departure | Eminönü, 10:35 | Eminönü, 14:40 |
| Calls | Beşiktaş, Üsküdar, Kanlıca, Sarıyer, Rumeli Kavağı, Anadolu Kavağı | Üsküdar at 14:55, Ortaköy at 15:10 |
| Time on the day | 6 hours 5 minutes with the stop at Anadolu Kavağı | – |
| Foreign adult fare 2026 | TRY 640 return | TRY 340 |
Take the long tour if you want a full day on the water and a stop in a village at the end of the route. Take the short tour if you only have an afternoon. Both leave once a day on the winter timetable, so there is no second chance if you miss the boat.
From Hagia Sophia to the pier
Walk to the tram
The Sultanahmet stop of the T1 is at the square next to Hagia Sophia.
Sultanahmet guide →Ride to Eminönü
Take the T1 towards Kabataş and get off at Eminönü. Regular service runs from 06:00 to 00:00.
Find the right boat
Eminönü has several ferry lines. Confirm the tour boat and its pier before you board.
Plan the morning
If you also want to see Hagia Sophia that day, pair it with the short tour in the afternoon, not with the long tour.
Hagia Sophia tickets →
Bosphorus cruise: frequently asked questions
How much is a Bosphorus cruise in 2026?
For foreign adults the long tour is TRY 640 return, the short tour TRY 340 and the moonlight tour TRY 730. Domestic fares are about half.
How long is the long tour?
About 6 hours and 5 minutes in total, including roughly 2 hours and 35 minutes at Anadolu Kavağı.
Where does the boat leave?
The long tour leaves from Eminönü. The short tour starts there too and stops at Üsküdar and Ortaköy.
How do I get from Hagia Sophia to Eminönü?
Take the T1 tram from Sultanahmet. Eminönü is a stop on the same line and has the ferry piers.
Do children pay?
Children from 0 to 6 years travel free on these tours. Check the child fare for older children when you buy.
Is there a moonlight tour in winter?
The listed moonlight tour ran on Saturdays in summer 2026. Look at the current timetable before you plan an evening trip.