Istanbul Yolcu Salonu Ship Dock

Most cruise ships dock in Istanbul at the Yolcu Salonu (YOHL-joo sah-loh-noo, "Passenger Terminal") in Karaköy (Galata), in the shadow of Galata Tower, right where the Golden Horn flows into the Bosphorus.

You'll know it by the cheery legend emblazoned on it: "Welcome to Istanbul."

The Yolcu Salonu is old and not very comfortable, but most people just walk right through it in any case. It just serves as a doorway between the customs- and immigration-protected dock zone and the city of Istanbul.

If your cruise ship docks at or near the Yolcu Salonu, you can easil walk to some of the most important Istanbul sights, or take a tram or a taxi.

Walk out of the Yolcu Salonu, turn left, and walk along the water past the Karaköy ferry docks (map) to the northern end of Galata Bridge.

You can walk across the bridge, enjoying the view of the city, to reach Eminönü, or you can board the Zeytinburnu tram at the northern end of the bridge to ride across, through Eminönü and up the hill to Sultanahmet (4th stop).

You'll need to buy a tram token (jeton) to enter the tram platform. Look for a booth with the sign Jeton Gisesi (Token Booth).

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The Yolcu Salonu, Istanbul's old but still-used cruise ship terminal in Karaköy, only a few minutes' stroll from Galata Bridge.