Bosphorus cruises by MerrySails
Pick the right Bosphorus product fast or contact MerrySails directly.
If you already know which cruise you want, open its page. If not, call or WhatsApp us and we will suggest the best option in minutes. The shared sunset cruise and private yachts board at Karaköy Pier, the dinner cruise at Kabataş; MerrySails books under TÜRSAB A Group licence #14316.
From EUR 30 (Mon–Thu)
Sunset Cruise
Golden-hour shared yacht route. Best if the intent is views, photos, and a shorter premium cruise.
View detailsFrom EUR 30
Dinner Cruise
Best if the intent is dinner, Turkish-night entertainment, and a full evening on the Bosphorus.
View detailsFrom EUR 220
Private Yacht
Private timing, custom route, proposal, birthday, or direct group planning.
View detailsNot sure yet? Start with the Bosphorus cruise comparison
If you are searching broadly for a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul, use the comparison hub first. This page is the full MerrySails catalog for guests who want to browse every experience. Specifically researching sunset departures? Read our best Bosphorus sunset cruise 2026 operator comparison — six operators benchmarked side by side.
Showing 9 cruises & tours
Bosphorus cruises at a glance: duration, departure, pier and price
Bosphorus cruise prices 2026: times and prices below come from the same catalog the booking form uses. Lower sunset prices apply Monday to Thursday.
| Cruise | Duration | Departure | Pier | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosphorus Sunset Cruise | 2 hours | 16:00 (boarding 15:45) | Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal | From €30 per guest |
| Bosphorus Dinner Cruise | 2 hours 45 minutes | 20:45 (boarding 19:45) | Kabatas Pier | €30–€35 per guest |
| Yacht Charter in Istanbul | 2 hours (extendable) | Your choice of hour | Karaköy Pier | From €220 per yacht |
Want the Bosphorus cruise ticket price next to the public ferry fare? The Bosphorus cruise price list 2026 sets every cruise and charter rate beside the Şehir Hatları tour fares.
Sunset cruise schedule by month
The shared sunset cruise follows the sunset, so boarding and departure move through the season. Every sunset departure boards at Karaköy Pier.
| Dates | Boarding | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| November – December | 15:45 | 16:00 |
What you see along the route
The sunset cruise passes Dolmabahçe Palace and the Ortaköy Mosque by the Bosphorus Bridge, with the Maiden's Tower in view. Planning a birthday, proposal or company night? See private events, proposal yacht rental and corporate events.
Bosphorus cruise tours in Istanbul, Turkey: choose by time of day
Our Bosphorus cruise tours in Istanbul, Turkey, split into time slots. The shared sunset cruise runs 2 hours from Karaköy Pier, timed to the light of the month you travel. The dinner cruise boards at Kabataş Pier at 19:45 and sails at 20:45, with dinner included. Each Bosphorus cruise ticket price is per guest (see the schedule table above), and a private yacht is priced per vessel instead.
Is it a Bosphorus river cruise? What you actually sail
The Bosphorus is a strait, not a river. It links the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and separates the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. A so-called Bosphorus river cruise therefore means the same boat ride: sheltered city water with palaces, mosques and bridges on both shores. Choose the sailing by time of day, then check the schedule table above for the pier and price.
Bosphorus cruise questions
Which Bosphorus cruise should I book for a first visit?
Most first-time guests pick the shared sunset cruise: 2 hours on the water from €30 per guest. Choose the dinner cruise if you want dinner and a show in one evening, and a private yacht if you want your own timing and route. Every option is a Bosphorus strait cruise that boards at a central Istanbul pier.
What time does the sunset cruise leave?
In November 2026 boarding starts at 15:45 and the cruise departs at 16:00 from Karaköy Pier. The time moves with sunset through the season, so check the schedule table on this page before you book. Same-day online booking closes at 15:00.
Where do the cruises depart from?
The dinner cruise boards at Kabataş Pier; both dinner packages include free hotel pickup (19:00–20:00) from the listed central areas, and other areas may cost extra. The shared sunset cruise and private yachts board at Karaköy Pier, and a private yacht can board at another pier on request once operations confirms it in writing.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a 50% fee, and no-shows are charged the full amount. If weather makes sailing unsafe, we offer a new date or a full refund.
How much is a Bosphorus cruise in 2026?
Bosphorus cruise prices 2026 for a shared cruise run from €30 per guest for the sunset cruise to €35 per guest for the dinner cruise with the alcoholic package; a private yacht is priced per vessel from €220. That is the Bosphorus cruise cost and Bosphorus cruise ticket price at a glance; the table above lists each cruise with its duration, pier and current price.
Bosphorus tour: what does it cost and what changes by day?
The sunset tour without wine costs EUR 30 per guest Mon–Thu and EUR 34 on the other days; the dinner cruise with a show starts from EUR 30 per guest.
What is the Bosphorus and what do you see from the boat?
The Bosphorus is the strait that runs through Istanbul and separates its European side from its Asian side. From the boat you see both shores, the first bridge linking Europe and Asia, and the city skyline.
How is private yacht pricing different from shared cruises?
Shared cruises are priced per guest. Private yachts are priced per vessel, from €220 for 2 hours (extendable). Meals, drinks, decoration and transfers are added on top.
Is MerrySails a cruise company, and which cruises does it run?
MerrySails does not run large cruise ships; it is a TÜRSAB-licensed travel agency (group A, licence no. 14316) offering yacht cruises on the Bosphorus. It has three products: the sunset cruise (2 hours, from €30 per guest), the dinner cruise (2 hours 45 minutes, €30–€35 per guest) and a private yacht (2 hours (extendable), from €220 per boat).
Which piers do the Bosphorus tours leave from, how long are they and what do they cost?
The sunset cruise boards at Karaköy Pier and lasts 2 hours (from €30). The dinner cruise boards at Kabataş Pier and lasts 2 hours 45 minutes (€30–€35). The private yacht covers 2 hours (extendable) from €220; the exact pier is confirmed at booking. Times and prices are in the table above.
Use the catalog after the main route is clear
Start with Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul if you want the generic comparison view first. From there, use the sunset cruise for golden-hour views, the dinner cruise for dinner and live entertainment, and Yacht Charter Istanbul for private package-led planning. For the operator behind every cruise listed here, see the MerrySails Istanbul homepage.
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
Our most popular experience, the Bosphorus sunset cruise departs daily around the golden-hour window and glides past Dolmabahce Palace and Ortakoy Mosque, then returns along the Asian shore with Maiden's Tower in view as the sky shifts from gold to blue. The page is structured around two public sunset options on the same route, with the current live ladder showing from EUR 30 (Mon–Thu) / EUR 34 for Without Wine and from EUR 35 (Mon–Thu) / EUR 40 for the wine-served option.
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
The Bosphorus dinner cruise currently offers two shared evening packages: Soft Drinks and Alcoholic (with two glasses of local wine, beer or raki). The live package prices run from EUR 30 to EUR 35 per guest.
Yacht Charter Istanbul
For a truly private experience, the yacht charter service in Istanbul is priced per vessel — from €220 per yacht — before guests add meals, drinks, transfers, decoration, performances, or celebration extras. Each yacht in the fleet surfaces its own extras table so pricing stays closer to the actual vessel you book.
Istanbul Boat Tours & Private Hire
Beyond those main options, this catalog also lists private dinners, proposal setups, boat rental, and company events.
Planning Your Visit to Istanbul?
Combine your Bosphorus cruise with a reliable Istanbul airport transfer — fixed price, Mercedes fleet, meet & greet service from our transfer partner Kings World Transfer. Whether you land at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), they offer VIP transfer Istanbul options with real-time flight tracking and no hidden fees.