bosphorus boat trip, Istanbul

I just took the "10 Euro Bosphorus Boat Trip" in istanbul. What a horrible experience! The boat is tiny, making for a rough ride. Inside it's loud, forcing you outside where it's freezing. And where smoke from smokers will blow on you. A most UNpleasant experience. I thought paying twice as much as regular boat would guarantee a better boat, a more enjoyable time. Instead it was a disaster.

Take the 10 lirtutsi hour tour from Turyol. Their boats are sleek, modern, big. Double deckers, if you don't smoke, just stay inside. Wish I'd done that.

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Our visit to Anadolu Kavagi was limited to one hour as we were on the Bosphorous Ferry Cruise and this was the halfway point on the Asian side where the ferry turned around and returned to Eminou wharf.

Passengers are given the opportunity to leave the ferry for an hour or more and then catch a later ferry for the return trip.

Anadolu Kavagi is typical of the small fishing villages on the Bosphorus which have relied upon fishing for survival over the centuries. The village now has an important income source from the tourist trade and has many restaurants, bars and local village stalls all catering for tourists.

We enjoyed walking around the village, stopping at a cafe for coffee and something to eat.

I think it would be possible to arrange an overnight stay and most likely a fishing trip.

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What a fantastic place to break the Bosphorus Ferry Cruise for an hour, if I visited again iI would stay much longer. Looking around the village I think it would be much the same as a century ago except for some modern restaurants, electricity, a few motor vehicles, and motors on the small fishing boats.

The character of the fishermens' houses built over the waters edge is something special. The old boatsheds built beneath the house and the old fisherman preparing his nets in the same manner since he was a boy.

Combined with a fresh grilled fish platter it makes the perfect break on a Bosphorous ferry cruise.

Take a wind jacket as it was cold on the water, mid September.

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Bosporus cruise probably was the most memorable thing to me in Istanbul, I loved to glance at beautiful surroundings with green hills and nice villas, few castles, fishermen on the shore, and also it was nice to know I am balancing between physical Europe and Asia.

So called “official” Bosporus cruise ticket could be bought from Eminonu ferry terminal called “Bosporus cruise”. Ticket costs 25 liras (~11,20 euros) with return and 15 liras (6,70 euros) one way. Full cruise takes 1,5 hours up to Black sea near Anadolu kavagi, 3 hours here as a free time to visit hill with castle ruins and 1,5 hours back to Sultanahmet district. So, it is clever that almost whole day could be reserved for this.

I suggest you to come to buy ticket at least 30 minutes before ferry starts journey, as it is very popular attraction, later possibly you won’t get tickets or simply will sit at not so good overlooking place.

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In the history Sultans make their transportation from the sea with some special boats powered by man power (14 man power)
Nowadays we have the replicas of this boats for touristic trips on bosphorus and the Golden horn .Its motor powered and its safe and pleasant to make a trip with this originals sultans boats ..

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The trip up the bosphorus to the black sea is very relaxing trip and i think it is a must for a tourist but sometimes the problem is time.

If you will take the tourists' boat it will cost you 30 usd but if you will take the locals' boat it will cost 7.5 YTL.

Forget about organized 'tourist excursions'.

Ferry leaves daily from Eminou at 10:45, you can buy return ticket for 7.5 TL (about 4E).

You will arrive at Anadolu Kavagi (the last village on Asian side of Bosporus) at 12:00.

Ferry goes back at 15:00.

The boat trip is more than interesting by itself, but when you arrive at A. Kavagi
don't forget to climb to the top of the hill where the ruins of old tower are and enjoy in scenery.

Take a fish meal in one of restaurants, prices are lower than in Istanbul.

If you decide to take a boat, your final stop will be at ANADOLU KAVAGI, the place where Bosphorus flows into Black Sea. It's a small fishing village which is packed with different seafood and fish small restaurants.
You'll be given about 2 hrs break before you sail back. My advice don't waste it all on meals. Climb thru villages, up a steep hill to an acient fortress, the view of it and behind it is worth your time and efforts.

Take a motor boat and sail along Bosphorus up to the Black sea (the last stop Anadolu Kavagi), a lot to see along the shores. Return ticket costs 3.000.000TL (don't be frightened by the amount, it's only $2).