Best Istanbul Ferry Trips — Our Top 13

1.Round-Trip Ferry Tickets to the Princes’ Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 586 reviews · from $11Our pick

Use a smartphone ticket from Eminönü TURYOL Port to reach Büyükada, the largest and most famous Princes’ Island. The English host helps at the port, while an optional audio guide covers the island in several languages. You get the day to walk, cycle, visit St. George Church, see Trotsky’s former villa, eat by the harbor, or swim before returning by ferry.

“Not knowing what to do what to see, nothing much to be shared about”

Check sailings →Read our full review

2.Asian Side Walking Tour with Ferry Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 224 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $29

Meet Haluk, Hal, or another English-speaking local guide at Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, then cross to Kadıköy by public ferry. Walk through the food market, antique and bar streets, shopping avenue, and umbrella-lined lanes. The tour ends on the Asian side, with practical restaurant, transport, and nightlife advice.

“Hal was a great tour guide who also gave us lots of great tips for the rest of our stay and many insights from the Asian side of Istanbul…”

Check sailings →Read our full review

3.Troy Guided Bus Tour with Ferry Tickets & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 119 reviews · 16 hours · from $148

Travel from Istanbul to Troy by air-conditioned bus and Dardanelles ferry. With guides such as Levant, Sandy, and Duygu, you will see the Trojan Horse, Temple of Athena, Odeon, Bouleuterion, excavation areas, and Troy's many historical layers. Lunch is included, but Troy entry costs an extra €27.

“A fascinating one-day tour of ancient Troy—captivating ruins and deep history. The guide was knowledgeable and engaging, with excellent service that made the experience seamless and memorable.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

4.Taste of Turkey with Europe & Asia by Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 52 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $81

Start near Eminönü’s Spice Bazaar with a traditional Turkish breakfast, then cross by ferry to Kadıköy for local dishes, tea, coffee, sweets, and market stops. Guides such as Erol, Kim, Gamze, and Tolga connect the food with Turkish history and daily life. Expect about six savory and sweet tastings in 4.5 hours.

“This was such a fantastic experience. Erol was our tour guide today he was amazing and had a great way of explaining the history and culture of Istanbul and traditional Turkish food. The ferry ride is a quick trip across the Bosphorus and such a beautiful view of both sides of the city. The highlights walking through the streets and markets in the Asia side visiting local food spots. Drinking black tea and watching the preparation of Turkish coffee being prepared for us, with the accompaniment of delicious Turkish delight! A real must do for if it is your first time visiting! Don’t for get to ask for Erol”

Check sailings →Read our full review

5.Taste of Turkey in Istanbul’s Europe & Asia by Ferry Crossing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $138Top rated

Spend 4.5 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Istanbul’s food culture from Eminönü to Kadıköy. Try Turkish breakfast, meze, sweets, coffee, and other small samples while crossing the Bosphorus by ferry. Groups are limited to eight, and guide Erol Utgun is specifically praised for clear explanations and friendly conversation.

“Erol Utgun our tour guide took us on an amazing tour that quickly gave us a better understanding of Istanbul by getting us better acquainted with its amazing culinary offerings. The streets of Istanbul are filled with interesting little restaurants, coffee, candy, spice souvenir shops but at first it can all feel a little overwhelming. Our Guide Erol Utgun carefully curated the tour allowing us to experience a wide variety of food and drink and gave us Insite to their origins in Turkish culture and their place in today's food scene. Erol not only gave us a feel for the food he answered all of our touristic questions and was…”

Check sailings →Read our full review

6.Multi Cultural Istanbul: Galata Tower – Fener and Balat – Golden Horn by Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79

Join a guide such as Erol, Gamze, or İcil for a four-hour small-group walk through Galata, Fener, and Balat. Expect Galata Tower views, Jewish and Orthodox heritage, colorful streets, ferry, tram, and bus travel, plus moderate walking on steep lanes.

“Discovered the fusion of cultures Roman expansion to Ottoman capture and everything in between. We were also lucky enough to see the patriarch of the Orthodox Church”

Check sailings →Read our full review

7.Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 5 hours · from $135

This five-hour small-group tour takes you from Istanbul’s European side to Asia by ferry, with breakfast, Spice Bazaar tastings, kokoreç, lahmacun, mezes, Turkish coffee, and dessert. Guides including Tayfun and Feyza explain the food, customs, and city as you visit 9 to 10 local eateries. You get four drinks and ferry transport, but should arrive hungry.

“Feyza and her intern were wonderful company, they even accommodated me being the solo member. Highly recommend this tour answered my many questions and the food was delicious ☺️”

Check sailings →Read our full review

8.Galata Tower – Fener and Balat – Golden Horn by Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 4 hours · from $81

Walk from Galata Tower through Karaköy and across the Golden Horn to Fener and Balat with an English-speaking guide such as Erol or Kim. You’ll see the Camondo Stairs, Arap Cami, Sveti Stefan Church, St. George’s Cathedral, colorful streets, and local craft shops, then return by ferry to Galata Bridge.

“Kim was an excellent guide-she was knowledgeable and personable. We really enjoyed her company. We had an enjoyable 4 hours learning all about The areas we explored.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

9.Galata Tower – Fener-Balat Neighborhoods & Golden Horn by Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $66

Spend about four hours with an English-speaking guide such as Erol or Hüseyin, moving from Galata Tower and the Kamondo Stairs to Fener, Balat, the Iron Church, and the Golden Horn. Expect a small group of up to eight, plenty of walking, public transport, and a ferry finish near Galata Bridge.

“Despite the rain our guide Erol made this a really enjoyable experience. He is so knowledgeable, engaging and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Galata tower and surroundings (with many gorgeous photos) and then our journey to Balat and Fener. The churches are stunning and it was particularly beautiful to see the architecture, interior decor and many relics. The neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener are very charming with their colourful houses. We stopped for tea and cookies in a local cafe recommended by Erol. Erol was a super guide and I would highly recommend this tour.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

10.Princess Island Tour with Lunch & Ferry Ride

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 8 reviews · from $32

Spend about eight hours traveling from Istanbul to Büyükada by ferry, passing Topkapı Palace, Kız Kulesi, Taksim Square, and other city sights. On the island, ride a horse-drawn carriage, learn about local history and beaches, and enjoy lunch. Pickup, transport, ferry tickets, taxes, and an Arabic-English guide are included.

Check sailings →Read our full review

11.Soap Opera tour: Golden Horn via Public Ferry – Half Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · 5 hours · from $145

Spend five hours tracing Istanbul’s Golden Horn by public ferry, on foot, and by cable car. Your guide leads you through St. George’s Cathedral, Balat, Ahrida Synagogue, a characterful cafe stop, and Pierre Loti Hill. Guides may include Selin or Edur, and the focus blends filming locations with Istanbul’s layered neighborhoods.

“Selin,my tour guide,was a great pleasure to meet.I had a fantastic day out”

Check sailings →Read our full review

12.Istanbul Bites and Sights : Mosques, Markets & Ferry to Asia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $95

Spend about five hours walking Istanbul’s Old City, sampling Turkish delight, coffee, meze, pickles, lahmacun, simit, and tea, then crossing the Bosphorus to Kadıköy. A guide such as Isil or Ozge leads a small group of up to 10 through markets, mosques, backstreets, and ferry views.

“Our guide, Isil, was awesome! Her tour pace was great & she was so knowledgeable & very personable. The Palace was beautiful & exploring the spice market was a real treat!”

Check sailings →Read our full review

13.Istanbul Food Escape : Ferry to the Flavors of the Asian Side

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $175

Join an expert local guide at Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar for a five-hour food walk across two continents. You’ll taste spices, cheeses, olives, börek, and stuffed mussels, ride the Bosphorus ferry, sip Turkish coffee in Kuzguncuk, and use a public minibus. Food tastings are included, but this is not a full meal.

“Introduced us to to a nice part of town and some tasty eats. A holiday closed a few of the places but the guide adjusted and we had a great time. Enjoyed the guide so much, we had drinks with them after the tour. Great time. The tour Really enjoyed the vibe of the businesses and restaurants, want to stay on this side of Istanbul next time we are in town.”

Check sailings →Read our full review