Ferryboats are the absolute most enjoyable way to travel in Istanbul.
Istanbul has four major ferryboat companies:
Şehir Hatları Traditional Ferries
These are the big traditional Istanbul passenger ferryboats beloved by Istanbullus, serving cross-Bosphorus routes, northern Bosphorus ring routes, and the traditional Bosphorus cruise routes. More...
İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri A Ş (İDO)
İDO operates fast catamaran passenger "Seabus" ferries and fast car ferries both within the metropolis and to destinations on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara. You may not find the metropolitan routes so useful, but you will definitely want to know about the cross-Marmara services. More...
TurYol
TurYol operates the most frequent 1-1/2-hour Bosphorus cruises, departing Eminönüon the hour, with additional voyages from Üsküdar and Kadıköy.
TurYol commuter ferries connect Galata Bridge with the Asian suburbs of Üsküdar, Kadıköy and other destinations. More...
Dentur Avrasya
May through September, Dentur AvrasyaBosphorus cruises depart from Kabataş, Beşiktaş, Üsküdar and Avcılar (west of Atatürk Airport).
Dentur Avrasya operates frequent Bosphorus cruises departing from Beşiktaş in summer; frequent ferries from Kabataş to the Princes Islands; and continuous commuter ferry service from Beşiktaş across the Bosphorus to Üsküdarand Kadıköy. More...
Bosphorus Cruises
You can easily take a Bosphorus Cruise on one of numerous boats operated by Şehir Hatları, TurYol and Dentur Avrasya. More...
Princes Islands Ferries
Both İDO sea bus catamarans and regular ferryboats (Şehir Hatları, TurYol & Dentur Avrasya) travel to the Princes Islands near Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. More...
International Cruise Ships
Cruise ships and international ferries dock at the Yolcu Salonu (Passenger Hall) in Karaköy or at the Salıpazar docks. More...
Sea of Marmara Ferries
Fast İDO catamaran ferries glide across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul's Yenikapı Fast Ferry Terminal to Yalova and Bandırma on the Marmara's southern shore. The fast ferries are the best way to get across the Marmara, much better than fighting the traffic on the clogged highways east and west of Istanbul, whether in bus or car. More...
—by Tom Brosnahan