6 Must-Try Istanbul Ferry Routes You Can Take with an Istanbulkart

One of the things that made me fall in love with Istanbul are definitely the ferry rides. Imagine gliding across the Bosphorus with seagulls chasing your boat and a simit in your hand. It’s chaotic and calm at the same time.

Of course you can also book a Bosphorus cruise with a dinner show program, that is definitely worth it as well. But meanwhile and for a much affordable price (thanks to the magical Istanbulkart) you can go on several ferry routes (used usually by locals) and explore different places of Istanbul each time.

So here are five of my favorite ferry routes in Istanbul – the must-dos, especially if it’s your first or second time in the city.

Table of Contents

1. Eminönü to Üsküdar – A Quick but Iconic Ride

Starting point: Eminönü Ferry Terminal – Hobyar, Reşadiye Cd. No:10, 34112 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Ending point: Üsküdar Pier – Mimar Sinan, Paşa Limanı Cd., 34672 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye

Schedule: Eminönü to Üsküdar

If you only have time for one ferry, this is the one. It’s short – barely 10 minutes – but impressive.
Eminönü Ferry Terminal is your best and nearest choice if you’re staying in the Sultanahmet (Fatih) area or if you’re there to explore the most iconic landmarks of Istanbul.
You’re floating from the Old City of Istanbul on the European side to the Asian side, and in those few minutes you will travel through centuries of history.

On one side: are the domes of Süleymaniye mosque and the Galata Tower. On the other: the elegant Mihrimah Sultan Mosque greeting you as you arrive in Üsküdar. It feels like teleporting between two different worlds.

Tips:

Go just before sunset for golden hour magic.
Sit on the upper deck, back row, left side for the best views heading out of Eminönü.
Check some of the most photogenic spots and authentic cafes when in Uskudar

2. Karaköy to Kadıköy

Starting point: Karaköy Pier, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Rıhtım Cd. No:13, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Ending point: Kadikoy Ferry Station, Caferağa, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Schedule: Karaköy to Kadıköy

Karaköy Ferry Terminal, also known as Karaköy Pier is your easiest choice if you’re staying in Beyoglu area (everything around Galata tower, Taksim square and Istiklal street), and you want to visit the Asian side.

After exploring the vibrant Karaköy with some of the best street art locations and Instagrammable spots, keep the same vibe and head up to Kadıköy.

On this route, after leaving Karaköy, you’ll pass the mouth of the Golden Horn, get a wide-open view of the Bosphorus, and then cruise into Kadıköy. Kadıköy and especially its Moda district is a neighbourhood full of authentic local atmosphere with vintage bookstores and shops, best street art locations as well and most photogenic and Instagrammable cafes.

You can do this route if you’re searching for “somewhere with good coffee.” It’s calm, not super crowded, and you get that open-sea feeling even though you’re still in the city.

Highlights:

Amazing skyline view of old Istanbul as you pull away.
Feels more relaxed and local than the busier tourist ferries.
At the Kadıköy pier you’ll be welcomed by street musicians and seagulls

3. Eminönü – Beşiktaş – Ortaköy: A Hidden Gem Along the Bosphorus

Starting point: Eminönü port, 2X9F+3JM Fatih, İstanbul

Ending point: Ortaköy port, Yıldız, 34349 Beşiktaş/Istanbul

Schedule: Eminönü – Beşiktaş – Ortaköy

This one is my favorite!
If you’re looking for a relaxed, picturesque journey with some of the best sights Istanbul has to offer, this ferry route is a must-do.

It’s perfect if you’re based in Sultanahmet and want an easy but memorable way to reach Ortaköy for its famous kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes) or to snap that classic mosque-and-bridge photo. The ride takes about 25 minutes from Eminönü to Ortaköy, with ferries departing roughly every hour or two between 11 AM and 8:30 PM.

The route is also the best secret for travelers who want the views of a Bosphorus cruise without the crowds or the higher price. Running daily between Eminönü, Beşiktaş, and Ortaköy, it gives you front-row seats to some of Istanbul’s most iconic waterfronts – including the Dolmabahçe Palace and the Ortaköy Mosque. It’s no coincidence these are some of the most popular Instagrammable places in Istanbul and look designed especially for postcards.

Pro tips:

Sit on the left side when departing from Eminönü for the best views of the European shoreline.
Bring a light jacket — the breeze can be surprisingly chilly, even in warmer months.
Check the latest schedules on the Şehir Hatları website before you go, as times can vary.

4. Kabataş to the Princes’ Islands – The Full-Day Getaway

Starting point: Kabataş Port, Ömer Avni, Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Ending point: Büyükada Port, Büyükada-nizam, 34970 Adalar/İstanbul, Türkiye

Schedule: Kabataş to the Princes’ Islands (Adalar)

This one’s more of a commitment, but so worth it. You hop on a ferry from Kabataş (or Bostancı if you’re on the Asian side) and drift out to the Princes’ Islands, a little archipelago that looks like it got lost on the way to Greece.

The boat takes about 75–100 minutes, depending on the route. You’ll pass massive seaside mansions, lush forested hills, and boats that look straight out of a movie. The biggest island Büyükada, where you’ll depart, is a place without cars, so you can enjoy it for about a few hours to half a day on a rental bike or walking.

Tips:

Always check the schedule – so you don’t miss the last ferry back
Take some snacks with you. The food on the ferry is is touristy and meh.
Wear comfortable shoes, not flip-flops – Princes’ Islands hilly, be prepared for hiking.
Take the Şehir Hatları (city ferry) — it’s cheaper and less chaotic than the private lines.

5. Beşiktaş to Kadıköy – The Route with Palace Views

Starting point: Beşiktaş Ferry Terminal, Sinanpaşa, 34353 Beşiktaş/Istanbul

Ending point: Kadıköy Pier, Caferağa, 34710 Kadıköy/IStanbul

Schedule: Beşiktaş – Kadıköy

This route would be best for you if you’re staying in Beşiktaş, so the port is near you, or if you’re just ready with visiting Dolmabahce palace and need to rest.

This is what locals use to get from Europe to Asia without losing their minds in traffic. But honestly, it’s also one of the most scenic ferry routes in Istanbul, and nobody really talks about it.

You’ll pass Dolmabahçe Palace on the left, then float by endless neighborhoods that you can watch from the water. It’s less touristy, which I loved – you’ll be surrounded by local people commuting, reading or even napping.

Why go:

Great balance of scenery and local energy.
Beşiktaş pier is near breakfast spots and cool cafes.
Kadıköy at the end is a reward in itself – local markets, street art, cute Instagrammable cafes – all of it.
To avoid the local crowd – don’t go in the mornings or afternoons when people come back from work, go on weekends or during the day. If you do enjoy the local crowd vibe, feel free to do the opposite
Bonus: If you’re a football fan, you might spot Fenerbahçe fans on the way to a match. Whole boats turn into chanting crowds. It’s chaos, but in a good way.
If you’re not into football and want to avoid crowds, just go any other day but on a football game-day

6. Golden Horn Ferry (Eyüp to Kadıköy via Karaköy, Fener, etc.) – Off-the-Beaten-Path Beauty

Starting point: Eyüp Vapur İskelesi, Merkez, Bahariye Cd., 34050 Eyüpsultan/İstanbul

Ending point: Kadıköy Pier, Caferağa, 34710 Kadıköy/IStanbul

Schedule: Eyupsultan – Kadikoy

This one doesn’t get the love it deserves. It zigzags down the Golden Horn, stopping at historic little neighborhoods like Fener and Balat – some of the most photogenic and Instagrammable areas, full of color, cats, old house buildings and authentic local cafes.

Tips:

Some piers feel random but worth hopping off for a wander.
Best done in the early morning or golden hour.
This ferry can show some side of Istanbul you won’t find on Instagram, and some of them that you will – so honestly, that’s what makes it awesome.

Istanbul Ferry Rides Tips:
How to Make the Most of Your Ferry Ride

Always check schedules on the Şehir Hatları site or app.
Get an Istanbulkart to save money. Depending on the route, prices are between 35TL and 89 TL one way – you can check them here.
Bring a jacket — even in summer it gets windy on deck.
Don’t rush. Miss a ferry? Another one’s coming. Go get a tea.

To be clear, these routes aren’t the fancy sunset cruises – they’re the everyday ones that locals take. But if you’re looking for something on a budget or off the beaten path, on these routes you’ll get the same epic views, without the extra show entertainment, music and drinks.

For me, Istanbul’s ferry routes are more than just transport – they’re part of the city’s soul. So slow down, watch the skyline slide by, and let Istanbul do its thing.