Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey

Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise

Outty Ranking 44 3.3 · 7 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $166

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$166
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

44/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.3/5

Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise worth booking?

Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $166 per person. It scores 44 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.3/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
44 / 100
Rating
3.3/5 (7)
Duration
8 hours
From
$166 per person

You will visit Dolmabahce Palace, Royal Garden of Dolmabahce, Bazmi Alem Valide Sultan Mosque, there will be time for shopping as well. Lunch is included. Afternoon 2 hours Bosphorus Cruise, Pierre Loti Hill (one of the

What you get

    About this experience

    You will visit Dolmabahce Palace, Royal Garden of Dolmabahce, Bazmi Alem Valide Sultan Mosque, there will be time for shopping as well. Lunch is included. Afternoon 2 hours Bosphorus Cruise, Pierre Loti Hill (one of the seven hill of Istanbul) city walls and transfer to your Hotel

    What's included

    Included

    • Lunch

    Not included

    • personal expenses

    What you'll see and do

    1. Dolmabahce Palace

      Visit Dolmabahce Palace

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Dolmabahce Mosque

      visit Bezmi Alem Mosque

      30 minutes here

    3. Bosphorus Strait

      Bosphorus Cruise

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Rumeli Fortress

      from the sea

      15 minutes here

    5. Pierre Loti

      Visit Pierre Loti Hill by cable car

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    6. Halic

      by bus

      30 minutes here

    7. The Walls of Istanbul

      pass trough city walls

      30 minutes here

    8. Eyup Sultan Mosque

      Abu Ayyup al-ansari

      45 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Before Travel Agency

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, photo 2Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, photo 3Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, photo 4Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, photo 5Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, photo 6Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    2 mentions

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

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    7 verified traveler reviews for Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    4
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    3
    Sort
    Mark_S · October 2025

    Worst Tour Operator Ever!

    Tour Operator never showed at our hotel to pick us up! They also never contacted us in any way, shape or form!

    Response from the operator: Hi Mark, I’m truly sorry for the frustration you experienced. According to the Viator record, the booking was placed late at night for the following morning’s departure. Our operations team saw it the next morning, by which time the pickup window had already passed. Our emergency phone/WhatsApp numbers and email were listed on the voucher; we didn’t receive any call or message. In addition, once we noticed the timing issue we wrote to offer moving your tour to a later date, but we didn’t receive a reply. As soon as we confirmed the situation, we processed a full refund immediately. We take reliability very seriously and normally operate this tour daily with confirmed, advance reservations. If you give us another chance, please contact us directly and we’ll prioritize your booking with a courtesy discount. Thank you for the feedback—it helps us improve our after-hours monitoring.

    via Viator

    Jeff_L · May 2025

    This was a great...

    This was a great all-around tour of Istanbul with a fantastic guide! And there is a cable car in Istanbul!!!

    via Viator

    ramiro_a · April 2023

    total disater

    hace 10 dias me ofrecieron el rembolso de este tour por falla de su operador, y no he recibido la devolucion que me habian ofrecido que se iba a hacer en maximo 2 dias 10days ago you offered the refund of this tour that you failed to provide, not only this caused a problem because it was the last day of staying in Istambul, but the money is not yet refunded..... awful service from all point of view

    via Viator

    Alla_T · November 2022

    good tour

    Definitely would recommend this tour. Just wish they would give more time in the castle and skip lather factory shopping.

    via Viator

    E1795HDpeterh · October 2022

    Do NOT Book Tours with the company: "Before Travel" . They messed up TWO of our Tours

    Stay away from the company "Before Travel". Terrible operations. #1. Whats important when touring a big city? Your Time! The driver never showed up and because their office does not open until 9am (tour pick at 8:15) their staff can't look for a new driver until 45 minutes later therefore certain attractions we were SUPPOSED TO visit were removed from the itinerary that day. But the price didn't change! #2. The driver also went to the wrong hotel. even though we sent the address, not just the hotel name. #3. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY TOUR THEY SCREWED UP. We booked a different tour on a different day, in Turkey (Selçuk) and they LOST our reservation for that one! It was booked several weeks in advance and was already PAID. Again, DO NOT book any tours with "Before Travel" in Turkey. The ONLY saving grace for this tour was the Tour Guide. He was knowledgeable, clear, personable and even handled some rude visitors very professionally. I've traveled overseas many times, I'm very detail oriented and this was by far the worst experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 44

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)52
    Review evidence (18% weight)32
    Booking momentum (14% weight)20
    Value for money (12% weight)45
    Listing quality (10% weight)64
    Local standing (8% weight)5
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise cost?

    +

    Prices start at $166 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 Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise take?

    +

    Plan for about 8 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 Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 44 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.3/5 across 7 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 Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise?

    +

    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 Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise?

    +

    Around 2 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise 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 Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop, ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City 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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Dolmabahçe Palace with Bosphorus Cruise.

    Pick your date