| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Duration | One day (8 to 10 hours) |
| Crossing | Ferry (about 20 minutes depending on the line) or Marmaray (a few minutes) |
| Payment | Istanbulkart (ferries, tram, metro, Marmaray) |
| European side | Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Galata |
| Asian side | Kadıköy and Moda, Üsküdar, Çamlıca hill |
| Guided option | Bus and boat tour of both continents (see the box) |
A free itinerary for one day
- 9:00: Sultanahmet. Start in the Old City: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, at opening time to avoid the crowds.
- Noon: Eminönü. Take the T1 tram down to Eminönü; a quick lunch near the Galata Bridge.
- 13:30: ferry to Kadıköy. Take the public ferry from Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy: about 20 minutes, with the Old City skyline in view. Pay with the Istanbulkart (see Istanbulkart).
- 14:00: Kadıköy and Moda. Market, cafés and lively streets; see the Kadıköy guide and the Moda seafront.
- 17:00: Üsküdar. Walk the waterfront to Üsküdar, facing the Maiden's Tower at sunset.
- Return: Marmaray. From Üsküdar, Marmaray passes under the Bosphorus to Sirkeci in a few minutes.
Variations: in summer, keep the late afternoon for the evening cruise; for a higher view, Çamlıca hill (see the Çamlıca Mosque).
Where to sleep for this itinerary: in Karaköy, on the Golden Horn: ferries to the Asian shore leave close by, and the T1 tram and the Tünel funicular link the old city with Beyoğlu. See hotels with free cancellation in Karaköy or read our guide on where to stay in Istanbul.
Which is the best crossing?
- Ferry: the prettiest, with views of the Old City and the mosques; also the cheapest with the Istanbulkart.
- Marmaray: the fastest, but under the strait, with no scenery.
- 15 July Bridge: by bus or coach, it crosses the first suspension bridge over the Bosphorus; see the 15 July Bridge.
For a longer trip on the water, see the most beautiful ferry rides.
Guided bus and boat tour
If you prefer everything organised, a guided "Europe and Asia by bus and boat" tour (see the box on this page) links the Bosphorus crossing, stops on each shore and a guide's explanations. It is useful if you are short of time or dislike managing transport. The exact content (stops, duration, language, price) should be checked on the listing when you book: we could not confirm it.
Tips
- Avoid ferries at rush hour (around 8:00 and 18:00) when they are crowded.
- Keep change and your Istanbulkart ready; check timetables, which change by season.
- Bring a jacket: it is windy on deck.
- For a slower day, stay on one side only; see European or Asian side.
