Public Ferry or Bosphorus Tour Boat: Which Should You Take?
Published: · Bosphorus Glow
In short
Take a public ferry if your budget is tight and you are happy to plan the trip yourself: the municipal Şehir Hatları runs Bosphorus tours as well as everyday commuter ferries. Take a tour boat if you want things arranged for you: set departure times, guided commentary, hotel transfer on some cruises, food and drinks, shows in the evening, or a boat only for your group.
The public ferry
Istanbul's public ferries are part of daily life in the city. Şehir Hatları, the municipal ferry company, runs commuter lines between the European and Asian shores, and it also offers a long and a short Bosphorus tour for visitors.
A public ferry is the cheapest way onto the water and a good way to travel like a local. You plan it yourself: check the times and fares on the Şehir Hatları website, since they change by season, and get to the pier in time. Ferries are shared with commuters and other visitors, and there is no hotel transfer.
A Bosphorus tour boat
A tour boat is built around the sightseeing. With Bosphorus Glow, this is what each cruise adds:
- Daytime tour: 2 hours from Eminönü at 11:00 or 14:00, with hotel transfer, tea and guided commentary in English and Russian, for €20 per person. A 1-hour tour at 17:00 costs €10, without transfer.
- Sunset cruise: 17:00–19:00 from Karaköy on a shared yacht, with live English commentary, drinks and snacks, for €40, or €45 with two glasses of wine.
- Night cruise: 20:30–23:30 from Kabataş, with hotel pickup and drop-off, dinner, unlimited soft drinks and three hours of shows, from €40 per person.
- Private yacht: only your group, at the hours you choose, from €220 for the whole yacht.
How to decide
Choose the public ferry if price matters most, you like finding your own way and you do not need commentary or transfers. Choose a tour boat if you have limited time, are travelling with children or older relatives, want to know what you are looking at, or want the evening, the meal or the boat arranged for you.
Many visitors do both: a commuter ferry across to the Asian side one day, and a tour on another.
See all our pricesQuestions and answers
Is the public ferry cheaper than a Bosphorus tour?
Usually, yes. Public ferries are run by the municipality. Check the Şehir Hatları website for current fares.
Does Şehir Hatları run a Bosphorus tour?
Yes, it offers a long and a short Bosphorus tour. Times and fares change by season, so check its website before you go.
Which includes hotel transfer?
Public ferries do not. Our 2-hour daytime tour and our night cruise include hotel transfer for centrally located hotels on the European side.
Which is better for a first visit?
If you want commentary and no planning, a guided daytime tour. If you want the cheapest way onto the water, a public ferry.
