Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey

Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour

Outty Ranking 48 3.2 · 86 traveler reviews3.5 hoursFrom $46
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

48/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.2/5

Based on 86 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour worth booking?

Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour is a 3.5-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $46 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.2/5 rating across 86 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
48 / 100
Rating
3.2/5 (86)
Duration
3.5 hours
From
$46 per person

Explore Istanbul in three fascinating ways on this action-packed, 3.5-hour sightseeing tour by boat, coach and cable car. Sail along the Bosphorus Strait past the imposing Rumeli Fortress, Yildiz Palace and wooden Ottoman houses. Then get back on land to wonder at the ancient City Walls, iron-paneled St Stephens Church and colorful former Jewish district on a coach tour. Finish with a memorable cable car ride up Pierre Loti Hill and relax over drinks (own expense) as you take in the spectacular views of the city and the Golden Horn spread below.

What you get

    About this experience

    Explore Istanbul in three fascinating ways on this action-packed, 3.5-hour sightseeing tour by boat, coach and cable car. Sail along the Bosphorus Strait past the imposing Rumeli Fortress, Yildiz Palace and wooden Ottoman houses. Then get back on land to wonder at the ancient City Walls, iron-paneled St Stephens Church and colorful former Jewish district on a coach tour. Finish with a memorable cable car ride up Pierre Loti Hill and relax over drinks (own expense) as you take in the spectacular views of the city and the Golden Horn spread below.

    What's included

    Included

    • Local guide
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Cable Car ride

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Drinks and food

    What you'll see and do

    1. Rumeli Fortress

      Rumeli Fortress (from the boat - no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Halic

      Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Beylerbeyi Palace

      Beylerbeyi Palace, summer residence of the sultans, is located at Beylerbeyi neighborhood on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Balat

      Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Bosphorus Bridge

      Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Bulgarian Orthodox Church

      Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian

      Pass by without stopping

    7. Bosphorus Strait

      Bosphorus Cruise on Plan Tours’ private boat enjoying the straits of both Europe and Asia with a possibility to photograph the unique beauties of the Bosphorus.

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    8. The Walls of Istanbul

      Byzantine City Walls surrounded the Acropolis of Byzantium with 22 kms. long fortification with 96 towers and 9 main gates dating back to the 5th century

      Pass by without stopping

    9. Patriarchate Of Constantinople

      The Patriarchate at Fener, by the Golden Horn, is the heart of Orthodox Christianity. After Constantine the Great' s declaration of Christianity as the religion of Roman Empire, the capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium. With the conquest (1453) of Ottoman Empire, the seat of Patriarchate remained in İstanbul.

      Pass by without stopping

    10. Istanbul Cable Car

      We need the HES code to use this pğublic transportation during the tour, HES code, passport number, birthday and full names of all guests will requested before the tour. This cable car is a 5 minutes activity from Pierre Loti Coffee House to down

      5 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Istanbul

    Please be ready in front of The Marmara Hotel at Taksim Square at 13:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Plan Tours and Gray Line

    Meeting point

    Istanbul

    https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tamara+Restaurant/@41.0040529,28.9760413,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xd3acdd6d6472baca!8m2!3d41.0040529!4d28.9760413

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Please be ready in front of The Marmara Hotel at Taksim Square at 13:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Plan Tours and Gray Line

    Ends at

    https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tamara+Restaurant/@41.0040529,28.9760413,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xd3acdd6d6472baca!8m2!3d41.0040529!4d28.9760413

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Plan Tours - Gray Line Turkey

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on alternative meeting points for hotels which are not accessible
    • We need the HES code for everybody against Covid 19, This code is required to use public transportation during the tour like cable car

    Photos

    Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour in Istanbul, photo 2Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour in Istanbul, photo 3Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour in Istanbul, photo 4Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour in Istanbul, photo 5Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour in Istanbul, photo 6Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour in Istanbul, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 86 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    86 verified traveler reviews for Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    19
    4 star
    24
    3 star
    14
    2 star
    14
    1 star
    15
    Sort
    N5573IOdaniels · August 2026

    A well rounded day trip in Istanbul

    Akif was my guide, extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Even beyond the basic knowledge, he knew little intricacies that are hard to know of without a local guide. Took great care of our group and accommodated for us very well. Both well spoken in English and Spanish, couldn’t reckoned more.

    Response from the operator: We truly appreciate you taking the time to share such a wonderful review. It means a great deal to all of us at Plan Tours to know that your day in Istanbul was enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable. Plan Tours take great pride in providing not only well-organized tours, but also a warm, professional and seamless experience from start to finish. Our team is always dedicated to making our guests feel well looked after. Thank you once again for choosing and recommending us. We would be delighted to welcome you back to Istanbul for another unforgettable experience!

    via Tripadvisor

    Jose_I · September 2021

    A great professional for a great experience

    The human factor chosen in Istanbul was the great difference between good and superb. Emel Davutoglu, our guide to be, was in touch with us since the day before to the trip and from first hour in the morning of the excursion she was adapting teh shcedule of coleection from the hotels to the needs of her clients. Afterwards, she was well informed and answered our questions on a great deal of topics, with happiness and knowledge. A great professional for agreat experience. The trip, in three different tyes of vehicles (funicular, boat and minivan) is well planned and shows you very difffernt perspectives on very diverse attractions of a magical city.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your valuable comments, all of them are very important to us Look forward to see you in Istanbul again

    via Viator

    Elizabeth_W · March 2020

    Cruise and cable car

    We got picked up and the traffic was bad it took 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to the pier from our hotel..The tour itself was good, the cruise was a nice optional view of the city. The cable was a nice short ride. We got dropped off .9 of a mile from our hotel they said in the old city you would be dropped off as close as they could. I do believe we could have been dropped off much closer as big tour buses went on our street daily.

    via Viator

    Salah_B · October 2019

    Beautiful tour

    This tour was very interesting very friendly and skilled staff and very brave driver to deal with a mad traffic. I really enjoyed my day out. It was a good history lecture which I am glad to live the golden past history time. I love Turkey which is rich of history and the top of civilisation who brought a lot of knowledge to the dark ages Europe that time. .

    via Viator

    Awasone · September 2019

    Awesome views

    I took this tour to relax and enjoy the views. It was so wonderful, you can even buy drinks and some food at the boat. If you want a detailed explanation of the different sites you have to take a waking tour. Our tour guide was always very attentive. Highly recommended.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    30
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Plan Tours - Gray Line Turkey, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.2.

    See everything Plan Tours - Gray Line Turkey runs

    Why this scores 48

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)0
    Review evidence (18% weight)68
    Booking momentum (14% weight)63
    Value for money (12% weight)90
    Listing quality (10% weight)77
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.

    How much does Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $46 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Istanbul is not rushed.

    Is Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.2/5 across 86 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour?

    +

    Around 30 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Istanbul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Istanbul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Istanbul?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Princes Islands Blue Journey from Old City Istanbul, Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience, Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Istanbul?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour?

    +

    Included: Local guide; Hotel pickup and drop-off; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Cable Car ride. Not included: Gratuities; and Drinks and food. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour?

    +

    Please be ready in front of The Marmara Hotel at Taksim Square at 13:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Plan Tours and Gray Line Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour offered in?

    +

    It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on altern. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour?

    +

    Across 86 reviews averaging 3.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Golden Horn Coach Tour and Pierre Loti Tour.

    Pick your date