Bosphorus Lunch Cruise in Istanbul with Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Overview
Bosphorus Lunch Cruise in Istanbul with Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
This Bosphorus lunch cruise shows you Istanbul from the water, on the strait between Europe and Asia. A freshly cooked lunch is served on board while landmarks, Ottoman palaces and grand waterfront mansions slide past.
The logistics are handled for you. We collect you from your hotel in central Istanbul, drive you to the pier and return you there once the cruise is over. It is a good choice for a first visit, or for anyone who wants a slower, more relaxed way to get to know the city, with sightseeing, a meal and some downtime in a single outing.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Bosphorus Lunch Cruise
Pick-up runs from 12:00 to 12:30, depending on where you are staying, and the boat sets off at around 13:00.
- Hotel pick-up: we collect you from your central Istanbul hotel or another location you choose and drive you to the pier.
- Boarding: you step on board and find your seat.
- Lunch on board: a freshly cooked lunch is served as the boat moves along the Bosphorus.
- Bosphorus cruise: the route runs between Europe and Asia, with the Ortakoy Mosque and Rumeli Fortress among the landmarks in view.
- Back to the pier once the cruise ends.
- Drop-off: a transfer returns you to your hotel or chosen location.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or another location
- ✓Cruise on the Bosphorus
- ✓Guide who is licensed and speaks English
- ✓Lunch on the boat
- ✓Every entrance fee
- ✓Transport with air conditioning
- ✓Road tolls and parking
- ✓Taxes charged locally
- ✕Drinks During Lunch
- ✕Beverages (Available at Extra Cost)
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Personal Purchases and Extras
- ✕Services Not Mentioned in the Itinerary
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Bosphorus lunch cruise with pick-up from your hotel: the essentials
On this three-hour trip you spend the middle of the day on the Bosphorus and eat lunch on board, with prices from $75 per person. A driver collects you from your hotel in central Istanbul, or a spot you choose, and takes you to the pier. The boat then sails between Europe and Asia, passing Ottoman palaces, mansions on the water, the Ortakoy Mosque and Rumeli Fortress, while a fresh lunch is served. The price covers a licensed guide who speaks English, transfers, parking, tolls and local taxes.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Length | Roughly 3 hours |
| Price | $75 per person and up |
| Pick-up | Between 12:00 and 12:30 at central hotels or a place you choose |
| Boat leaves | At about 13:00 |
| What's covered | Bosphorus cruise, transfers, lunch on the boat, licensed guide speaking English, entrance fees, taxes |
| Not covered | Personal shopping, drinks at lunch |
Is the Bosphorus cruise worth doing?
It is. Istanbul's whole shape comes from the Bosphorus, and plenty of visitors call the cruise the best part of their trip. The water shows you things the streets cannot: the row of palaces and timber mansions along each shore, the fortresses that used to guard the strait, and the bridges between two continents. Doing it at lunchtime means you get a meal and a guide too, and your morning and evening stay open.
Should you pick the lunch or the dinner cruise?
| Lunch cruise | Dinner cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Clear daytime views of the shore, photography | City lights at night, a lively party mood |
| Timing | Collected 12:00 to 12:30, roughly 3 hours | Collected 19:00 to 20:00, roughly 6 hours |
| Meal | Lunch on the boat | Meze, a main course, dessert |
| Entertainment | A licensed guide describes the sights | DJ, belly dance, folk dance |
| From | $75 | $90 |
Pick the lunch cruise if you want the guide to explain what you see. Pick the evening cruise with dinner and a Turkish night show if you are after a night out. Plenty of people book both.
Which sights does the cruise pass?
The boat travels between the shores of Europe and Asia with views of Istanbul's best-known landmarks. Among them are the Ortakoy Mosque, right beside the Bosphorus Bridge, and Rumeli Fortress, which Sultan Mehmed II had built ahead of his conquest of Constantinople in 1453. As you go, your guide shows you the Ottoman palaces and the yali, old wooden mansions that stand along the water on both sides.
How else can you see the Bosphorus?
| Option | How it differs | From |
|---|---|---|
| This cruise | 3 hours with lunch, a guide and transfers | $75 |
| Evening Bosphorus cruise with dinner and Turkish night show | Night trip with dinner and shows | $90 |
| Private two-hour yacht cruise on the Bosphorus | Your own yacht plus a guide | $600 per group |
| Private Bosphorus yacht, groups up to 12 | Your own yacht, paid by the hour | $299 per hour |
| Helicopter flight over the Bosphorus | 30 minutes over the full length of the strait | $800 |
Do you get drinks with lunch?
The lunch is part of the price, but drinks with it are not; you can buy them on board. If you are vegetarian or have other dietary needs, mention it when booking.
When is the best time for the cruise?
It sails all year. Between May and October the open deck is the best spot, with sunshine and a cool breeze from the water. In spring the shores are in blossom, and autumn gives gentle light. Winter is chilly on deck, yet sunny days give clear views and you can stay indoors between photos.
Does it suit families and older travellers?
Yes. Because you are picked up and dropped off at your hotel, nobody has to walk to the pier or find the way back, and on board you sit and relax. Few Bosphorus trips are easier for grandparents and young children.
What should you pack?
Pack a light jacket or windbreaker, as the water is cooler than the city, plus sunglasses and a summer hat for the deck, sunscreen, and cash or a card for drinks.
How can you reserve?
Pick a date on this page and submit the form, or send a WhatsApp message with the name of your hotel. We send your pick-up time in writing, and payment is only taken after we confirm. Find more options among our tours in Istanbul and Turkey tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay on the day?
Yes. Payment can be made on the tour day, either when you are picked up or on board.
Are hotel transfers included?
Yes. We collect you from your hotel or chosen location in central Istanbul and take you back there after the tour.
What does the lunch include?
You get a freshly cooked meal on board during the cruise. Soft drinks come with it, and alcoholic drinks can be added as an optional upgrade.
When does the cruise begin?
Pick-up is from 12:00 to 12:30, depending on where you are. After boarding, the cruise begins at around 13:00.
What will I see from the boat?
The Ortakoy Mosque and Rumeli Fortress are among the Bosphorus landmarks you pass, together with the views along the water.
How long is the whole tour?
Allow roughly 4 to 4.5 hours for the whole outing, counting the cruise and the hotel transfers.
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