Ferries are often the fastest — and most pleasant — way to move around Istanbul.
Below is a practical map of the main terminals, where each one goes, and the
general schedule and ticket info for each route. Schedules change by season;
always check the day-of at sehirhatlari.istanbul.
European side
Kabataş Ferry Terminal
Kabataş İskelesi
The main European-side ferry terminal — directly reachable from Heya via F1 funicular + tram (about 12 min).
75–105 min (BUDO/Şehir Hatları fast ferries ~75 min, classic ferries ~95 min)
Frequency
Ferries every 1–2 hours, daily ~07:00–22:00 (Şehir Hatları). BUDO and TURYOL add fast-ferry sailings in summer.
Ticket
Istanbulkart (~₺60–80 with card, more at the booth). BUDO ferries are ticketed separately.
Tip
Buy the Istanbulkart at any yellow/blue card machine (₺165 — the price of the physical card itself, non-refundable), then load credit (up to ₺2750 at a time; once you hit the cap, the card stops working until the monthly limit resets). Lines form 15 min before departure.
Eminönü Ferry Terminal
Eminönü İskelesi
Historic ferry hub on the Golden Horn — tram T1 stop. Best for the Bosphorus-line ferry to Anadolu Kavağı (Yoros).
100–120 min (older, slower ferries — but the classic experience)
Frequency
5–6 sailings per day, daily ~07:00–21:00 (Şehir Hatları only).
Ticket
Istanbulkart
Bosphorus line: Anadolu Kavağı (Yoros Castle)
Operator
Şehir Hatları
Duration
~2 h 15 min one way (with stops at Beşiktaş, Rumeli Kavağı)
Frequency
1–2 sailings per day each direction, daily in summer (April–October), weekends-only in winter.
Ticket
Istanbulkart (slightly more than short trips).
Tip
The Bosphorus line is one of the great urban ferry rides in the world — passes Dolmabahçe, Çırağan, the two Bosphorus bridges, Rumeli Hisarı, and the Bosphorus-Black Sea meeting point.
Kadıköy · Üsküdar (Asian side, across the Bosphorus)
Operator
Şehir Hatları · Şehir Hatları Motor
Duration
20–35 min
Frequency
Every 15–30 min, daily 06:00–23:00.
Ticket
Istanbulkart
Beşiktaş Ferry Terminal
Beşiktaş İskelesi
Bosphorus-side terminal — served by the Bosphorus line (toward Yoros) and short hops to Üsküdar.
Schedules above are general guidance. Always check the day-of at the official Şehir Hatları site (sehirhatlari.istanbul) or app — frequencies change by season, weather, and weekday vs weekend.
Istanbulkart is the reloadable transport card that works on all ferries, metros, trams, and buses. Buy the physical card at any yellow/blue İstanbulkart machine (₺165 — the price of the card itself, non-refundable), then load credit. The card holds up to ₺2750 at a time; once you hit the cap, it stops working until the monthly limit resets.
The Bosphorus line from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı (Yoros Castle) is one of the great urban ferry rides in the world — it's how most Istanbulites first fall in love with the city.