
Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 98 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop worth booking?
Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop is a 2.5-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $45 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 98 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (98)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Combine a Bosphorus Strait sightseeing cruise with a tour of Küçüksu Palace or Rumeli Fortress on this exciting 2.5-hour İstanbul experience! With an onboard guide, learn all about the city and enjoy water-side views of Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Bosphorus Bridge, and more. Help yourself to breakfast on board, and then hop on to dry land for a tour of the Asian side - Free time.
What you get
About this experience
Combine a Bosphorus Strait sightseeing cruise with a tour of Küçüksu Palace or Rumeli Fortress on this exciting 2.5-hour İstanbul experience! With an onboard guide, learn all about the city and enjoy water-side views of Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Bosphorus Bridge, and more. Help yourself to breakfast on board, and then hop on to dry land for a tour of the Asian side - Free time.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 98 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
98 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Cruise the Strait
Peaceful, relaxing and quite scenic. Excellent narration along the way. Learned a tremendous amount of history in a short span of time.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you found the cruise peaceful, relaxing, and informative. It means a lot to us that you enjoyed the narration and historical insights. Hope to welcome you on board again soon!
via Viator
A great way to see and feel the Bosphorous
We visited Istanbul for the first time and spent 4 wonderful days. First 3 of those were on land seeing the beautiful sites and enjoying the wonderful food and people. The last day of our trip we wanted to relax (not walk up and down too many hills) and experience the water/views and see the Asian side. We choose this tour as it was mentioned as a contributor to the most popular English Tour Book. Our only debate was the full day or the half day (where we would get a ride to the halfway point of the full day cruise). So glad we chose the full day as it allowed us to enjoy the boat longer (and with less people - there is 40 max, we had 15 at the beginning and another 15 joined us halfway). A quick pickup at our hotel (Marions Suites - highly recommended) and it was off to the port and a quick entry to the boat (Sunrise 1) and we were off, breeze was wonderful and you could choose sunny or shaded areas but there was room for everyone - 2 levels. Several stops (each about 30 minutes, small villages, forts, mosques, hunting mansion) on the European and Asian sides. One of the big highlight of our cruise was getting to know the guide - a young Turkish man who was energetic, enthusiastic and full of information - Emirhan Şanli - who shared with us details of the entire cruise - he did need to repeat some information for the half-day guests as we made it back to the port later in the day - but his information stayed consistent. We made it to the Black Sea - had a wonderful swim off the boat - about half the group took the plunge - some who didn't bring separate bathing suits simply made do :). Overall a great way to spend the day relaxing - capturing great photos and memories and meeting new friends. Plenty of room to accommodate the 40 max that could attend and obviously the perfect weather helped everyone enjoy the trip. Thanks to IBO and Emirhan.
Response from the operator: Thank you for giving us the best rates.
via Tripadvisor
Cancelled at very short notice
Very disappointed that the operator cancelled this trip at 23:36 on the evening before the trip. They informed me that due to others cancelling they cancelled this excursion. The policy states that guests can cancel up to 24 hours before - so surprised that the trip did not go ahead as the operator would still have been paid for the trip. More surprised that they could do this so late despite a number of mails during the day arranging pick up times. May have been a one off or some facts I’m not aware off but was disappointing
Response from the operator: .
via Viator
Great experience. Will definitely do it again
Great tour. Our guide Emirhan Sanli was a young energetic man. He explained all there is to know about Istanbul, in a very friendly and informative way. I strongly recommend to take that tour.
Response from the operator: We hope to see you again :)
via Tripadvisor
beautiful cruise
The visit was very nice. We saw lot of beautiful things, Emiran gave us lot of explanations about the visit and the monuments. We recommend this visit with him.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the feedback! Delighted you enjoyed the visit with Emiran and found his explanations helpful. We appreciate your recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 34
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop cost?
+
Prices start at $45 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 Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop take?
+
Plan for about 2.5 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 Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 98 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 Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop?
+
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 Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop?
+
Around 34 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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop 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 happens to Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Istanbul. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop?
+
Across 98 reviews averaging 4.0 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 Istanbul Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise with Asian Side Stop.
Pick your date




