Which Bosphorus cruise is right for you?
A Bosphorus cruise is the best way to see Istanbul. From the water you see the city as it was built to be seen: palaces and mosques on the shore, wooden mansions, fortresses and the bridges between Europe and Asia. Our shared cruises are made for travellers on their own, couples and families who want a guided cruise without renting a whole yacht. You book per seat, there is no online payment, and you pay on the day.
Choose the time of day that suits your trip. The sunset cruise is the most popular: two and a half hours on a luxury yacht with wine as the sun goes down. The dinner cruise adds a Turkish dinner and a live show, with hotel pickup. By day, the lunch cruise and the full-day Black Sea cruise sail all the way north, and the Princes' Islands tour takes you to the car-free islands of the Sea of Marmara.
All our Bosphorus cruises
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise2.5 hours on a luxury yacht at golden hour, with a live guide and wine.From €26 · 2.5 hours
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish NightDinner, drinks and a live show with hotel pickup and your own table.From €30 · 3.5 hours
Bosphorus Lunch CruiseLunch on board, a live guide and a stop at Anadolu Kavağı.From €55 · 4.5 hours
Bosphorus and Black Sea CruiseA full day with three landmark visits, lunch and a swim stop.From €110 · 7 hours
Bosphorus Sightseeing CruiseA morning cruise with stops at Ortaköy, Küçüksu Palace and Rumeli Fortress.From €75 · 4.5 hours
Princes' Islands TourThree car-free islands in the Sea of Marmara with lunch on board.From €45 · 9 hours
New Year's Eve Boat PartyDinner, show and midnight fireworks on the Bosphorus on 31 December.From €175 · 5 hours
Bosphorus cruise prices compared
| Cruise | From | Duration | Food and drinks | Hotel pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset cruise | €26 | 2.5 hours | Wine, snacks, tea and coffee | No, meet at Karaköy |
| Dinner cruise | €30 | 3.5 hours | Dinner, drinks, show | Yes |
| Lunch cruise | €55 | 4.5 hours | Two-course lunch | Yes |
| Sightseeing cruise | €75 | 4.5 hours | Snacks and soft drinks | Yes |
| Black Sea cruise | €110 | 7 hours | Lunch, snacks | Yes |
| Princes' Islands | €45 | 9 hours | Buffet lunch | Yes |
Prices are per person. Children get free or reduced seats on every cruise; see each page for details.
Shared cruise or private yacht?
On a shared cruise you join other travellers on a fixed timetable, and it is the best value for one or two people. If you are a group, celebrating something or want to choose your own time, pier and menu, a private yacht is often not much more per person. See our private Bosphorus yacht cruises, browse our nine yachts, or plan a company event on the water.
How booking works
- Send your request
Choose a cruise and send us your date and number of guests, here or on WhatsApp. - We confirm
We reply with your confirmation and meeting or pickup time, usually within the hour. - Pay on the day
No online payment or card details. Cancel free up to 24 hours before.
What our guests say about our cruises
468 reviews on Tripadvisor
Read all reviews“Very nice and friendly staff. Thank you!”
M A · September 2026
Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury Yacht
“Fantastic tour. Guides were incredible. Service was great. Highly recommend.”
Patrick M · September 2026
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
“it was a great tour. We were very satisfied. reliable tourism business.”
558beyza_ · April 2023
Acetes Travel
Reviews from Tripadvisor, shown as written by guests.
Bosphorus cruise FAQ
Which Bosphorus cruise is the best?
It depends on your plans. For the views and photos, the sunset cruise is the favourite. For a full evening out with dinner and a show, choose the dinner cruise. For a longer day on the water, the lunch cruise or the full-day Black Sea cruise go all the way north.
How much does a Bosphorus cruise cost?
Our shared cruises start from €26 per person for the sunset cruise, €30 for the dinner cruise with Turkish night, €55 for the lunch cruise and €110 for the full-day Black Sea cruise.
How long is a Bosphorus cruise?
From two and a half hours for the sunset cruise to a full day for the Black Sea cruise and the Princes' Islands. Most travellers choose a cruise of two to four hours.
Do I need to book a Bosphorus cruise in advance?
We recommend booking a few days ahead, especially in summer and for the sunset cruise. There is no prepayment: you pay on the day.
Where do Bosphorus cruises depart from?
The sunset cruise starts at Karaköy. The dinner, lunch, sightseeing and Black Sea cruises include hotel pickup from central hotels, so you do not need to find the pier.
What is the best time of year for a Bosphorus cruise?
Cruises run all year. Late spring and early autumn have mild weather and soft light; summer evenings are warm on deck; in winter the boats have heated, closed saloons. The Black Sea cruise with swimming runs from spring to autumn.
Can we book a private Bosphorus cruise instead?
Yes. Our private yachts host groups from 10 to 250 guests with your own time, pier and menu. See private Bosphorus yacht cruises.
