Istanbul Boat Rental 2027: Private Boats and Yachts on the Bosphorus, Hourly Prices

Boat rental in Istanbul means a private yacht with captain and crew, chartered by the hour on the Bosphorus. Our boats start at $190 per hour for a 13 m motor yacht holding 12 guests from Eminönü, and rise to $1,050 per hour for a 24 m event yacht for up to 72 guests from Bebek. If you would rather pay one price for a set route, the 2-hour private Bosphorus yacht cruise is $600 for the group.

Quick facts: Istanbul boat rental

Prices vary by season, day of the week and what is included, so ask us for today's price for your date.

Hourly prices by yacht

Each boat below is a separate listing with its own pier, size and capacity. Prices are per hour for the whole boat, not per person, unless stated.

The cheapest sensible choice for a couple or a family of four is usually Aura or the Luxury private yacht. The bigger boats earn their price when the group is large or when you want a cabin and a proper party layout. Our yacht charter price guide and the Bosphorus yacht rental page list the same boats with photos and capacity.

How to choose the right boat

Start with the number of guests, not the price. A 12-seat boat feels full with 12 adults and bags; if you are 8 to 10, the 22 m Zenday or a 6 to 32 guest Family and Friends yacht gives more room for the same rough budget per person.

Then pick the pier. Eminönü is at the old city end of the Golden Horn and suits visitors staying in Sultanahm. Bebek and Arnavutköy are on the European shore further up the strait, in quieter, richer neighbourhoods; from there the cruise goes straight to the bridges and the fortresses. İstinye is the northernmost of our piers, close to the Black Sea end. If you stay in a hotel in Beyoğlu or Şişli, or arrive by cruise ship, a boat with hotel or Galataport pick-up saves a taxi.

Finally decide how long. One hour is rushed once you count boarding and turning around; two hours covers the Bosphorus Bridge to Rumeli Fortress and back; three hours gives time to anchor and eat. The private Bosphorus yacht tour page shows yachts by group size with hourly prices.

The Bosphorus route from the water

The standard route follows the European shore north from the old city. You pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque under the first bridge, the Çırağan Palace hotel and the waterfront villages, then Rumeli Fortress below the second bridge. The captain turns around near the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and comes back along the Asian shore, which has the wooden yalı mansions, Beylerbeyi Palace and Kuleli Military School. See also our page: yacht tour in Istanbul.

A private yacht is the only way to slow down at any of these. The captain can drift past the Maiden's Tower for photographs or stay longer under a bridge, if the traffic allows. Container ships and ferries have right of way on this strait, so the route is a guide, not a promise of every stop.

For a longer list of places on the way, see our guide to things to do on the Bosphorus.

Sunset, dinner and birthday extras

The most requested slot is sunset, and it is the first to fill in summer and on weekends. The timings by month are on our sunset Bosphorus yacht cruise page. Book the evening early; mid-week mornings and afternoons are quieter and easier.

Extras we arrange on request: dinner or menus on board, a birthday cake and balloons and a playlist through the boat's sound system. For a party boat, see birthday yacht party in Istanbul (up to 72 guests) and the ideas in birthday in Istanbul: dinner and yacht. Proposals are covered on the Bosphorus yacht proposal page.

If you want a smaller, fixed-price alternative, the Bosphorus lunch cruise with hotel pick-up is $75 per person and the luxury Bosphorus dinner cruise with night show is $90 per person.

Seasons, weather and what to wear

Boats run all year. From April to October the open deck is the draw: warm afternoons, long light, calm water on most days. In winter the water is cooler, the wind can be sharp and some yachts have heating (the Marilyn lists it), so ask before you pick a boat. Strong wind from the north (locally poyraz) or heavy rain can delay or change a departure, and the captain makes the final call on safety.

Bring a light jacket even in summer, because it is cooler on the water, and flat shoes for boarding.

What a captained charter includes

On the hourly listings you get the whole yacht to yourselves, a licensed captain and crew, fuel for the standard Bosphorus route and insurance. Some add waiter service for the stated number of guests, Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth sound system, soft drinks, tea and water. Not included on most: meals, alcohol, music acts, long routes beyond the standard one and tips.

We organise the rest. Hotel or Galataport pick-up on the boats that offer it, a guide on the 2-hour cruise, and the set-up for dinners and parties. If you are not sure which listing matches your group, send us the date, guests and the pier you want and we reply with the right yacht and a written price.

Rental does not mean you drive yourself. All Istanbul charters here are captained, which is the safe way to handle the shipping lane. Our partner site has a dedicated Istanbul page too: takeyacht.com Istanbul yacht rental.

Boat rental or a ticketed cruise

A ticketed Bosphorus cruise is cheaper per person and fine for a quick look. A private boat is better for groups who want their own timing, a table to themselves, a celebration or a quieter ride. Our Bosphorus cruise guide puts public ferry, lunch cruise, dinner cruise and yacht side by side so you can compare.

You can pair the yacht with a day on land. The Istanbul tours page lists the Old City and palace days, and the Istanbul packages include Bosphorus time.

Frequently Asked Questions