Bought the short Bosphorus cruise ticket from Uskudar pier (Asian side ) and it cost us TL 25 per person which included the passenger ferry to Besiktas and then change to the cruise right next to the pier. I read that the short cruise should only cost TL 15 but there was no other option for us from Uskudar pier. I think if you buy the cruise ticket from Eminomu pier (Sehir Hatlari booth), you can just get on the cruise there. It is a 1.5 hour tour on the Bosphorus to see lovely attractions and huge waterfront mansions. Think there may have been a broadcasted audio guide in Turkish but couldn't really hear it well. A man came around with a tray of hot drinks for purchase and we bought two yummy cups of warm Salep ( he practically shoved them into our hands so well, why not ? Not too expensive anyways). The views can be enjoyed on the semi-open deck of the boat but if you fear the cold ( in winter), there is always the comfortable indoor part of the boat. Overall, I was glad to have taken the short cruise instead of the full one, as it allowed us to see everything without having to stop on the island.

Grab an Istanbul kart (prepaid public transport card) and jump on one of the local ferries at Eminonu. The trip will cost you TL2.70 each way and it's a marvelous way to enjoy this magnificent waterway without getting ripped off by the tourist services. Day or night it's the way to go.

Istanbul is a unique city in the world - the only one spreading on two continents, Europe and Asia. The strait that divides them is the Bosphorus Strait. This was my 6th time in this magnificent city, and every time I take any vessel to cruise around, and it's the best time spent there for me with most enjoyable views. City's main highlights are along the Bosphorus or are visible from it - Hagia Sophia, Topkapi palace, Blue Mosque, Maiden island, Dolmabahce palace, Galata tower, new Camlica Mosque,....and many others. You can take a tourist boat for an hour or two cruise or just step on any water taxis with locals (preferred and cheaper way) connecting the European and Asian shores.

We love spending time on the Bosphorus exploring the various stops most which can be compared to cities within a city. If one can avoid peak travel times the outings are fabulous probably the best values for money at Istanbul. Definitely not to be missed

I was advised by my hotel concierge to take a boat that departs from the area close to the Dolmabahce Palace. The boat tour lasts for nearly two hours and stops in three destinations. You can hop on and off any of the boats free of charge. The cost for this trip was 60 TRY, which is just over £3, and was the best value boat tour I've ever taken. There is so much to see along the shore, palaces, mosques, villas, grand buildings, stunning houses, castles, bridges and private yachts. I departed at 1.45 as I knew the light would be good for both legs of the journey. Unfortunately I can to remember the name of the company, as I paid in cash and disposed of the receipt. I thoroughly recommend this trip, particularly as some companies charge 10 time the price.

We did the Bosphorus Strait boat tour, its €20 Euros and really worth it. It was perfect, 3 hours long, you see loads of the city. We went for the 12.00 tour and it was very relaxes, snacks available as extra on the boat.

So we were walking from our hotel to cross over the bridge and there was a guy standing by a boat with a sign 20tl each for 90 minute ride, so much as we had other plans we jumped on the boat and sat up top and went for the ride we really enjoyed although it did get a little cold. Gives you a good idea of how big Istanbul is and the fact it’s so divided and the difference in culture from one side to the other by the different buildings. All in all a good trip and well worth the money we paid beware ticket touts charging more money

The Bosphorus is the canal that connects the Black Sea to the sea of Marmara, the Mediterranean Sea. It is super busy with the ships, ferry boats, and tour boats crossing it all day and night. The site is wonderful and you can see it all the time when in Istanbul. The bridges connect the continents of Europe and Asia crossing the Bosphorus. If you have a chance get a cruise and sail the Bosphorus where you will see beautiful homes, hotels and palaces from the water.

This place has amazing views. Enjoy your coffee/lunch/dinner with peaceful sound of water smell the pure air. For some reason this place was more cooler than the istanbul city wind was cold here. Great place to visit and take pictures

The strait that separates between old Istanbul in Europe and new Istanbul in Asia. Cruises in the strait are very scenic with many attractions on both sides. There are short cruises which may take from minutes to a couple of hours, while other cruises may go as far as the entrance to the black sea, to a small fishermen village called Anadolu Kavagi, where you can take a hike to the Yoros castle over the hill and admire the view of the Black sea from above or just stay near the shore and enjoy a nice fish meal in very moderate prices. There is a much cheaper cruise on public ferries that takes 90 mins from Eminonu to Anadolu Kavagi and returns after 3 hours, and there is another weekly public sunset cruise with music and dancing and it returns after midnight.