Getting Around Istanbul by Ferry

The best way to see Istanbul costs about the same as a cup of tea. Skip the tour boats: the city’s commuter ferries cross between Europe and Asia all day, and the view from the open deck is the same one the cruises sell.

Paying

Buy an Istanbulkart from a machine at any pier or metro station and top it up with cash. One card can be shared by several people — just tap once per person. It’s far cheaper than single tickets.

Three routes worth riding

• Eminönü – Kadıköy. Twenty minutes across the mouth of the Bosphorus, with the Old City skyline behind you and Galata Tower to the right.
• Karaköy – Üsküdar. Short and frequent; go at sunset and stay on deck.
• Kabataş – Adalar (Princes’ Islands). Ninety minutes out to car-free islands. Go on a weekday.

Tips

• Sit on the upper deck at the back for the best views, or inside by a window when it’s windy.
• Tea sellers walk the decks; it’s part of the ride.
• Avoid 8:00–9:30 and 17:30–19:00, when the ferries are full of commuters doing exactly what they should be.