Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar
Istanbul, Turkey

Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar

Outty Ranking 52 3.7 · 208 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $70
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Outty Ranking

52/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.7/5

Based on 208 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar worth booking?

Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar is a 3-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $70 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 208 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
52 / 100
Rating
3.7/5 (208)
Duration
3 hours
From
$70 per person

Explore the aromatic maze of stalls that make up Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, and then hop aboard a sightseeing boat for a jaunt along the famous Bosphorus Strait! After traveling to the bazaar by coach and learning about the city from an onboard guide, enjoy some free time to explore and browse stalls selling fresh mint, cardamom, cinnamon and more. Follow up the market visit with a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise and see a collection of sights including the decadent Dolmabahçe Palace and Rumeli Hisarı Fortress.

What you get

    About this experience

    Explore the aromatic maze of stalls that make up Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, and then hop aboard a sightseeing boat for a jaunt along the famous Bosphorus Strait! After traveling to the bazaar by coach and learning about the city from an onboard guide, enjoy some free time to explore and browse stalls selling fresh mint, cardamom, cinnamon and more. Follow up the market visit with a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise and see a collection of sights including the decadent Dolmabahçe Palace and Rumeli Hisarı Fortress.

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional guide
    • Meeting point for pick up
    • Cruise tour with local Ferry

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Food and drinks

    What you'll see and do

    1. Misir Carsisi

      spice bazaar

      45 minutes here

    2. Dolmabahce Palace

      will be seen from the boat

      1 minutes here

    3. Rumeli Fortress

      will be seen from the boat

      1 minutes here

    4. Bosphorus Strait

      cruise on the bosphorus

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    5. Neon Tours

      Choose from a morning or afternoon tour, and then start your experience with a pickup from your European-side Istanbul hotel. As you travel through the city, sit back and relax as your onboard guide talks about Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar— your first destination of the tour. One of the city’s most colorful and bustling attractions, the market has operated since the 17th century and remains as popular with locals as it is with visitors. Hop out of your coach and head inside the market while breathing in its heady aromas of fragrant spices and herbs. Hear tips for interesting stalls to visit from your guide, and then enjoy roughly 45 minutes of free time to explore and shop at leisure. After shopping and sightseeing around the famous souk, travel by coach to the banks of the Bosphorus Strait for your cruise. Learn about the famous stretch of water that straddles both the Asian and European continents as you travel, and then board your sightseeing boat for the cruise. Take a seat out on deck or inside the cabin, and cruise past an impressive selection of Istanbul’s showpiece sights. Look out for Dolmabahçe Palace with its decadent façade as well as 15th-century Rumeli Hisarı Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace where Ottoman-era sultans spent their summer vacations. Your route takes in sights on both the European and Asian shores and, in addition to Istanbul’s big-name attractions, the cruise also passes some of the city’s lesser-known gems: mosques, fortresses, palaces and more. Having admired the sights of the Bosphorus Strait from the water, return to land and finally finish your experience with a hotel drop-off.

      1 minutes here

    6. Beylerbeyi Palace

      View the Palace outside

      Pass by without stopping

    7. Bosphorus Bridge

      Pass under the bridge that connects the two continents

      Pass by without stopping

    8. Eminonu Square

      Walk through the historical Eminonu Square

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Istanbul

    Meeting point

    Istanbul

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    Drop-off at in front of the Spice Bazaar.

    Ends at

    Drop-off at Taksim Square

    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
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 9 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Neon Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children aged 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
    • During religious holidays on July 28, 29 and 30 and October 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2014, the Spice Bazaar will be closed

    Photos

    Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, photo 2Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, photo 3Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, photo 4Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, photo 5Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, photo 6Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 208 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    208 verified traveler reviews for Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    59
    4 star
    78
    3 star
    26
    2 star
    30
    1 star
    15
    Sort
    andrieshendrikp · September 2023

    The guide that answers to perfection!

    We fell in love with Istanbul and Turkey. But this would never be the case if it was not for our guide, SEVİLAY TOKMAK, employed by Neon Tours. She made everything easy. For pick ups from Cappadoccia, for hotel transfers to airports. Guiding us on 2 different daily tours. She was humble and friendly. A true friend. If I sent her a whatsapp she would take her personal time to communicate with her managers and get me information that I otherwise did not get. She walked that extra mile. Neon Tours you are blessed to have her. When my company bring their 2 yearly group guest again next year, she will be on my request list. #family #tourist guide!

    Response from the operator: Dear Guest, we are very happy to hear that you were satisfied with our service. Your feedback is very helpful to us in improving our service. We hope that your entire trip to Turkey was wonderful and that you leave our country with beautiful memories. We would be delighted to see you in our country again. Thank you.

    via Tripadvisor

    ChloeXxLGardiner · March 2020

    Nice touch

    Was supposed to be with another three people but my guide told me they cancelled at last minute so it's only me. My guide is very knowledgeable and seems to know a lot of people in Istanbul. I like the cruise, only wished the weather would be nicer (but this is not something to do with the tour itself). We didn't spend too much time in the bazaar as its not very big and everybody there tries to get you buy something.

    Response from the operator: Dear hloe, Thank you for your kind review. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruise. We hope to see you again in our beautiful city, Neon Tours

    via Tripadvisor

    Jowokingham · October 2019

    Great day

    This was a well put together trip, the guide was very knowledgable and made the tour interesting, great value for money

    Response from the operator: Dear our valued guest, It's a great pleasure to know that you satisfied with our services. We hope to see you again soon, Neon Tours

    via Tripadvisor

    147darenb · September 2019

    Flying visit to Istanbul

    Excellent trip to the spice market and nice easy site seeing cruise along the bosphorus. Only slight niggle was no air con in the transfer bus. Would still not hesitate to go a again.

    Response from the operator: Dear our valued guest, Thank you for this kind review. We're more than happy to hear that you enjoyed our services. We hope to see you again soon, Neon Tours

    via Tripadvisor

    Carmen-Adina C · July 2019

    wonderful experience!

    Although this was my second visit to Istanbul and also my second Bosphorus cruise, I enjoyed it as much this year as I did last year. The guide , Ali, was extremely professional and well documented, he taught us a lot about Istanbul's history and present. As for the Bazaar, it's amazing, everything inside smells so good, sellers are friendly, the atmosphere is welcoming, you just don't know what to choose...I think I could do this every year and never regret it for one second. Highly recommended to all visitors.

    Response from the operator: Dear Carmen, We're delighted to hear that you visited again. We'll deliver your kind word to Ali. Third time's the charm so come again soon, Neon Tours

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $70 to $90
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    73
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Neon Tours, who run 17 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.3.

    See everything Neon Tours runs

    Why this scores 52

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)13
    Review evidence (18% weight)82
    Booking momentum (14% weight)78
    Value for money (12% weight)55
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar cost?

    +

    Prices start at $70 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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 208 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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar?

    +

    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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar?

    +

    Around 73 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar 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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar?

    +

    Included: Professional guide; Meeting point for pick up; and Cruise tour with local Ferry. Not included: Gratuities; and Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 831 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 45 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. 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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar?

    +

    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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar 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 Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar?

    +

    Across 208 reviews averaging 3.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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