Sunset Cruise or Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus: Which One?
Published: · Bosphorus Glow
In short
Choose the sunset cruise for two hours of golden light, views and photographs, from Karaköy at 17:00–19:00 for €40 (€45 with wine), with the rest of the evening free. Choose the dinner cruise for a full night out from 20:30 to 23:30, with hotel pickup, a Turkish dinner and three hours of shows, from €40 per person.
The main difference
The sunset cruise is about the view. It is a two-hour shared yacht cruise timed for the hour when the light turns warm, with live English commentary, drinks and snacks. The dinner cruise is about the evening. It is a three-hour night out with dinner at your table and a programme of dance shows, with the city lights around you.
Side by side
The confirmed details of both cruises:
- Time: sunset 17:00–19:00; dinner 20:30–23:30.
- Departure: sunset from Karaköy; dinner from Kabataş.
- Hotel transfer: not on the sunset cruise; pickup and drop-off included on the dinner cruise.
- Food: sunset has a snack and fruit platter; dinner has eight mezes, a main course and a fruit plate.
- Drinks: sunset has hot and cold alcohol-free drinks, or two glasses of wine per adult with the wine package; dinner has unlimited soft drinks, with alcohol not included.
- On board: sunset has live English commentary; dinner has three hours of dance shows and a live DJ.
- Price: sunset €40, or €45 with wine; dinner from €40 per person.
- Children: aged 0–3 free on both; on the dinner cruise ages 4–7 get 50% off.
Choose the sunset cruise if
you care most about the light and the photographs, want to hear about the palaces and bridges as you pass them, or want the evening free afterwards for a dinner of your own choosing in the city. It ends at 19:00, so you can still eat in Karaköy or Beyoğlu.
In winter it gets dark earlier, so the time of the sunset cruise can change. We update it on the website in advance and tell you the exact time when we confirm your reservation.
See the sunset cruiseChoose the dinner cruise if
you want dinner, entertainment and transport in one booking, enjoy music and a lively atmosphere, or are travelling with children and want an evening that needs no planning. Keep in mind that the menu is set, alcohol is not included and you see the shores by night rather than in detail.
See the dinner cruiseCan you do both?
On different days, yes. On the same evening it is tight: the sunset cruise returns to Karaköy at 19:00 and the dinner cruise pickup comes before its 20:30 departure from Kabataş. If you want both, we suggest two evenings. If you want your own boat for the sunset hour or for dinner, a private yacht can be planned around either.
See private yacht rentalQuestions and answers
Which is better for photographs?
The sunset cruise. It is timed for the warm evening light, and you can still see the shoreline clearly.
Which one includes dinner?
Only the dinner cruise. The sunset cruise has a snack and fruit platter with drinks.
Which one includes hotel transfer?
The dinner cruise, with pickup and drop-off. On the sunset cruise you come to the Karaköy pier yourself; we send the exact meeting point when we confirm.
Is wine included on the sunset cruise?
With the wine package, yes: two glasses per adult guest aged 18 and over, for €45 per person. The alcohol-free package is €40.
Which one is better with children?
Both welcome children, and ages 0–3 are free on both. The dinner cruise also gives 50% off for ages 4–7 and includes the transfer, which families often find easier.
