Bosphorus River, Istanbul

It was a free ride with the travel package, really beautiful, to go around the bophorus, with beautiful music, and gorgeous views, just make sure to take a light jacket for your kids, if you Have any. A must go.

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The Bosphorus is a busy sea strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. From the Highway bridges you have a great view onto the waters. Even better is to take a Bosphorus cruise. At the Galata bridge there are several cruise boats available and the ferry between the European- and Asian side of Istanbul.

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Of course you can jump on a typycal touristic boat for the cruise but you'll be charged at least 20 EUR.For a cheaper version you can take IDO Scenic Bosphorus Tour or Turyol Bosphorus Tour. The first one departures from the main Eminonu dock,costs around 25 TL round trip and brings you almost to the Black sea.There are 3 ferries in the morning,at noon and in early afternoon(not sure about exact hours). If you wish you can go by the first one and then get back by the last one because there is a fortress that could be visited and you can also eat in one of the fish restaurants at Anadolu Kavagi(the last tour stop). But one way journey takes 90min so if you choose this trip you have to anticipate almost a whole day. If you don't have enough time you could have a shorter cruise for only 15 TL with Turyol. Their ferries departure from Eminonu(the dock near Galata Tower).This ferry would bring you to the second bridge and back for 90min.
Whatever option you will choose you'll be fascinated by the beautiful buildings and the nature around the Bosphorus

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I chose to do the Bosphorus cruise with the public ferry. It departed at 10.35am and back in Istanbul at 4.30pm.

This cruise is very popular, so make sure you arrive early.
I arrived half hour early, and already the queue was long. They started letting you on not long after I arrived, later, people were standing!
The ferry pulls in at a few wharfs on the way, to on/off load passengers, before its arrival at Anadolu Kavagi. This is as far as it goes. You have enough time here for lunch, and for a walk to the Castle ruins, so it works out just fine. The sights are wonderful from the water, you get to see so much.

On the ferry there is a kiosk where you can buy food & drinks. A steward also comes around selling tea/coffee and Yoghurt.
It is best to sit on the left hand side, this way you are not looking into the sun, so you can get good photos.
It departs from the Eminonu wharf.

There are three departures each day—10:35am, 12:00 noon, and 13:35 (1:35pm)

Leaves from Eminonu 10.35am, Besiktas 10.50, Kanlica 11.15, Yenikoy 11.30,
Sariyer 11.45 Rumeli Kavagi 11.55, Anadolu Kavagi,12.05
These are the times for the ferry that I caught.

COST IN 2009 was 20t/l
Departs 10.30 - Returns 4.30pm

Website for ido ferries is.................www.ido.com.tr/en/index.cfm -

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I took a Bosphorus Cruise that departed Eminou ferry terminal at 10:35 am. I didn't really have any information and I didn't know what to expect, so the whole day was full of surprises for me.

I would recommend sitting on the top deck, on the left hand side. Make sure your camera battery is charged because the trip is full of sights you'll want to photograph, from Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul to Yoros Castle, almost at the Black Sea. As you cruise along the Bosphorus (the waterway dividing Europe and Asia) you'll pass under a variety of bridges, stop at numerous places along the way, and get a look into the weekend past-times of Istanbul's well-to-do.

Even today I'm not sure how the stop system works on the ferry, and I don't know how often you can exit and re-board the ship. I just followed the crowd and got off at Anadolu Kavagi, near the Black Sea. From there I climbed an extremely large hill in the extremely hot sun to the ruins Yoros Castle. I checked out the meeting point of the Bosphorus and Black Sea, headed back down to the fishing village for lunch, and then stayed on the ferry all the way back to town. It was a relaxing day (except for that uphill walk!) and a great opportunity to see the outskirts of Istanbul.

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One of the joys of being in Istanbul is that you get a chance to take a trip on the Bosphorus.

You can take a tour, catch the water taxi or get on one of the many public ferries.

I have been on a couple of the private tours and these are great for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. They give you great views of the spectacular hotels and palaces which adorn the shoreline.

A cheap way to explore the Bosphorus is to use the public ferries that work up and down the Bosporus from Eminönü (ferries dock at the Boðaz Iskelesi) on the historic peninsula of Istanbul to Anadolu Kavaðý near the Black Sea, zigzagging between the Rumelian and Anatolian sides of the city.

It is also possible to experience the Bosphorus by taking a regular ride in one of the public ferries that travel between the European and the Asian sides.

You could also go on one of the privately owned ferries available between Üsküdar and Beþiktaþ or Kabataþ.

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Istanbul has no rival anywhere !! It spells adventure. It has the ingredients that unite to create glamour , excitement and mystery. With its strait, Bosphorus Istanbul is a bridge between Europe and Asia, we wanted to see it at night time and decided to attend a dinner on a boat on Bosphorus. This was a great experience we will never forget. The Bosphorus Tour Company had a complete service including the hotel transfers ec...the Turkish dances with belly dancers were professional and performeds best samle of Turkish dances. Thank you for arranging such a fantastic trip.

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Almost all the cities with a river have boat trips in it. Mostly times with good reasons, because people "live" the rivers and most interesting spots are at their edges.

Some other times, only... because! Bosphorus is one of the first, where the main monuments in the hills show another perspective from distance, and the coast reveals new beauties we didn't notice inland.