Others have written detailed reviews so I'll just summarize the key details. Be sure to be there 30-45 minutes early if you want a good seat. Bring a snack and head up to the castle when you arrive at AK so you don't have to fight with the crowds at the restaurants. The hike up isn't too bad and takes... more

The Tourist Bosphorus Cruise goes from Galata Bridge to a small village near the Black Sea. It is very nice and interesting to see the Bosphorus during the cruise, but the obligatory 3 hour stop in the village is a touristic hell ! When summer, take better the second boat (so you'll have only 2 hours stop, taking the first... more

We went yesterday, August 15. We got to the boat a bit late (10:20 for the 10:30 departure) and did not get to sit upstairs - which was a bit of a bummer. We cruised to the last stop and hiked up the hill. I was wearing sandals with a heel (!) and still, I was fine. The hill is... more

Taking the public ferry to the edge of the Black Sea from Istanbul is a really lovely way to spend a day (technically, only part of a day). The ferry ride itself is slow and leisurely, with several stops on both the Asian and European sides. The view from the boat is wonderful, no matter what direction your head points.... more

I like to consider myself quite an indepenadant tourist, and like to do things a bit differently from other tourists. I made a few enquiries on the forum, but the general consensus was that taking the TDI Bosphorus trip to the last stop, was the best thing to do, and that I wouldn't get a better result from doing something... more

Dont go with the touts......just pay 20 lira at the ticket booth near to the galata bridge and go all the way to the 'end of the line'. Get off, have a fish dinner, and then come back. It is cheap, relaxing and a fabulous way to see the city scape. Tips.... 1. We got our ticket an hour before... more

More than a bit disappointed in this part of our visit to Istanbul, after the rave reviews here. The boat is VERY crowded, and it is hard to see as much as you'd like out of the small windows. It's important to note that half of the windows do not open, so if you are taking pictures you will have... more

We took the IDO ferry "tour" along the Bosphorus. Great value and a great way to get out of the busy, sometimes overwhelming Istanbul city center for the day. The boat leaves around 10:30 from the docks near the Galata Bridge. There are about 25 outdoor seats and plenty of room inside. I would arrive early (by 10:00) for one... more

the trip up the bosphorus is often the highlight of a trip to Istanbul. Catch the ferry at Eminonu and sit back and relax as the boat wends its way up the body of water that connects the Black sea to the Marmara. You may end up running back and forth from one side of the boat to the other,trying... more