Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 84 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents worth booking?
Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $149 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 84 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (84)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $149 per person
See Istanbul’s ornate palaces and architecture from land and water on this exciting full-day tour! From the comfort of a coach, you'll see top Istanbul attractions like the Golden Horn and Walls of Constantinople, and then soak up the colorful chaos of Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar on a stroll. Enjoy a Bosphorus Strait sightseeing cruise, and then head inside Dolmabahçe Palace to discover the extravagance of Istanbul’s bygone sultans. The tour ends on a high note -- admire stunning panoramic views from the vantage point of Çamlıca Hill or Yeditepe.
What you get
About this experience
See Istanbul’s ornate palaces and architecture from land and water on this exciting full-day tour! From the comfort of a coach, you'll see top Istanbul attractions like the Golden Horn and Walls of Constantinople, and then soak up the colorful chaos of Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar on a stroll. Enjoy a Bosphorus Strait sightseeing cruise, and then head inside Dolmabahçe Palace to discover the extravagance of Istanbul’s bygone sultans. The tour ends on a high note -- admire stunning panoramic views from the vantage point of Çamlıca Hill or Yeditepe.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks
What you'll see and do
Misir Carsisi
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.
45 minutes here
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls.
120 minutes here · Admission included
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
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
Bosphorus Bridge
Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.
Pass by without stopping
Bosphorus Strait
Bosphorus Cruise on Plan Tours’ private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.
90 minutes here · Admission included
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
Misir Carsisi
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.
45 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Please be ready in front of The Marmara Hotel at Taksim Square at 08:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Pln Tours and Gray Line
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 08:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Pln Tours and Gray Line
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- 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
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 84 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 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.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
84 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic guide and experience
Akif was awesome and knowledgeable. He really knew his stuff at every stop along the way and was also very friendly and approachable. We truly enjoyed the sights we experienced and gaining a greater understanding of the area and culture.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! It means a lot to know that you enjoyed discovering Istanbul with Akif. We’re especially pleased that the tour gave you a deeper appreciation of our history and culture. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit! Best regards, Gray Line Turkey
via Tripadvisor
The best of the best
Akif is brilliant at languages and very entertaining and very knowledgeable about Istanbul, his home. We not only learnt a lot but also had a great time.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your kind review and wonderful words. We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour and had a great time discovering Istanbul with us. It is especially rewarding to know that Akif’s knowledge, language skills, and entertaining guiding made your experience memorable. Your feedback means a lot to us and motivates our entire team to continue delivering the best possible service. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future. Warm regards, Plan Tours – Gray Line Turkey
via Tripadvisor
Great experience overall would definitely do it all over again.
My family and I enjoyed every second of the tour. Murat was our tour guide and he was very patient and extremely knowledgeable. My favorite part of the tour was visiting the palace and learning about the Sultans. Murat did a great job explaining things and allows us to ask as many questions as possible. It felt like Murat was our local friend showing us around. that’s how great the dude was at his job. Food was also great. If I get to come visit Turkey again, I would definitely do the tour once again. #moneywellspent
Response from the operator: Hi, thank you for your valuable comment we look forward to see you in istanbul again all the best
via Tripadvisor
Bosphorous Cruise
This was an interesting tour. Our guide spoke English well and was friendly and informative. Unfortunately, it was pretty much a repeat of day 2 of our Best of Istanbul 2 day tour. The only part that was different was a bus ride to the Asian side and a look around from a coffee shop on a hill. This is an enjoyable tour, but after the 2 day tour we wished we had spent the day seeing something we hadn't seen before.
via Viator
Not impressed by guide or Turkish tour company
Sadly this tour was not as expected, although the itinerary ticked a lot of boxes the reality was it didn’t meet expectations. Firstly the communication by the Turkish tour operator was dire, no comms whatsoever, I had to get Viator to obtain information about pick up times and my hotel in Istanbul to confirm details. The pick up on the morning of the tour did arrive on time, I was taken to a meeting point (car park) and advised which coach I would be joining for the main tour ... so far so good. We embarked the coach and our tour guide introduced himself”Berlout”? He advised that the tour would be in English and Spanish as we had mixed nationalities ... no problem I thought, how wrong was I.... The tour processed, hardly any commentary of local knowledge and facts, we were transported between A and B and basically self guided. The Bosphorus sailing was good, thankfully the boat had English commentary as the guide sat with the Spanish speaking guests for the entire journey, he only asked as we disembarked if there was anything I would like to know. As I was only sitting 2 rows ahead of him and travelling alone, it would have been courteous to ask me that question whilst we were sailing. We then proceeded to a leather shop for the usual big sell, unsurprisingly nobody bought anything. Lunch came next, usual tourist fayre at a coach stop restaurant, food was pretty good to be honest and service was fast and efficient. Next we headed to the palace, sadly very rushed, we were supposed to be there 2 hours but completed the sprint around in 1.5 hours, again very limited commentary, thank goodness for Google. Such a shame as this is the highlight of the tour, a stunning palace with so much history. We then proceeded to the view point, what a total waste of time. The view is not the best, a 5 minute photo opportunity would have been acceptable but no ... we had to stay 45 minutes whilst our guide talked to the Spanish guests over coffee ... deep sigh Thankfully the tour concluded, the price included hotel drop offs and I was more than ready to return my hotel in the old town. It transpired all the other tour guests were staying on the Asian side and I was the sole guest staying on the European side. The driver dropped the guests off at their respective hotels on the Asian side and then asked me if I would like to get off at Istikal street (main shopping street on the Asian side) and make my way back to the hotel on my own so they didn’t have to bother taking one passenger back. I politely said no thank you and said I needed to go back to my hotel. Just for info, if I had disembarked where asked, it would have taken 55 minutes to walk to the hotel and cross the Bosphorus again or pay for local transport to get me back. Quite a daunting prospect for a single female traveller ... Would I recommend this tour with this company, absolutely NOT, would I recommend you the sites visited on this tour with another company , yes (except for the view point and leather shop) as Istanbul is one of the most amazing cities in the world.
via Viator
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, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 29
- 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 runsWhy this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents cost?
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Prices start at $149 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 Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents take?
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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 Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 84 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 Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents?
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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 Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents suitable for kids and families?
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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 Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents?
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Around 29 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?
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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 Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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 Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents?
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Included: Local guide; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Lunch; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Gratuities; and Drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents?
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Please be ready in front of The Marmara Hotel at Taksim Square at 08:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Pln Tours and Gray Line Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, 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 Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents?
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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 Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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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 Istanbul Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents if the weather is bad?
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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 Boat Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace & Two Continents?
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Across 84 reviews averaging 3.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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