Best Private Yacht Tours

A private yacht tour on the Bosphorus means one boat, one group and a route along the strait between Europe and Asia, under the Bosphorus bridges and past the palaces and wooden mansions of the shore. The yachts on this page are chartered by the hour or for a fixed two-hour cruise, from a 13-metre motor yacht for a couple to event boats for 72 guests. The main choice is not the route, which is similar on every boat, but the size of the boat and where it leaves from.

Choose the boat by group size

Start with the number of people, then the budget.

• Up to 12 guests: the Aura Private Yacht Charter is the lowest-priced boat on the list at $190 per hour, a 13-metre motor yacht from Eminonu with soft drinks and ice included. At the next level, the Luxury Private Yacht Tour for 1 to 12 People from $375 per hour includes pick-up from your hotel or Galataport.
• 12 to 32 guests: the ZENDAY yacht from Istinye takes up to 22 guests from $390 per hour, and the Private Bosphorus Yacht Rental for 6 to 32 Guests from $525 per hour is built for families and groups of friends, with transfers.
• Events and large groups: the Mega Luxury Yacht for 1 to 40 Guests from $1,000 per hour and the Corona Tokyo event yacht from $1,050 per hour for up to 72 guests handle parties, weddings and company evenings.

If you want a guide on board rather than just a crew, the 2-Hour Private Bosphorus Yacht Cruise is priced per group at $600 and includes a licensed guide who talks you through the sights on both shores.

Where the boat leaves from

Piers differ, and so does the route that fits into two hours. Boats from Eminonu start near the old city and the Golden Horn, which is convenient if you stay in Sultanahmet. Boats from Bebek, Istinye and Arnavutkoy start further up the Bosphorus, closer to the second bridge and the fortress of Rumeli Hisari, with less traffic on the water. The pier is listed on each boat's page; some include hotel transfers and some offer them on request.

Time of day

Morning and midday cruises are the calmest and suit families with young children. Sunset is the most requested slot from May to September and fills first, especially at weekends. A night cruise shows the lit bridges and palaces but little of the wooden houses. In winter, check that the boat has a heated saloon; the Marilyn, for example, lists heating and takes up to 28 guests from $599 per hour.

What costs extra

Hourly charters include the crew, fuel for the standard Bosphorus route and insurance. Food, drinks beyond water or soft drinks, catering menus, decorations and longer routes toward the Black Sea or the Princes' Islands are priced separately. For a birthday or a proposal, ask for the decoration and cake prices before you book, not on the day.

Combining with other tours

A yacht afternoon pairs well with a morning city tour, and the VIP Istanbul Tour with Yacht & Mercedes S-Class at $1,800 per group combines both in one day. For more premium options, see our luxury tours; for shared cruises at a lower price, the Bosphorus tours list. Our Bosphorus yacht rental guide compares hourly prices and piers, and the Bosphorus Strait guide covers what you will see from the deck.