The public ferry up the Bosphorus is one of the best value trips in the world. A private yacht is a different thing entirely: your own group, your own timing, and you can stop when you want.
How long should you book?
Two hours covers the classic stretch: the old city waterfront, Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy under the bridge, the Rumeli fortress and back. Three to four hours lets you go up to Anadolu Kavağı and take your time. Under two hours feels rushed by the time you have boarded and cast off.
Best time of day
Late afternoon into sunset is the obvious answer and it deserves the reputation. Morning is calmer water and better light for photographs of the old city. Midday in July is hot and crowded on the water.
What a private charter includes
- The boat and crew for your booked hours, with nobody else aboard
- A route you agree in advance and can change on the day
- Soft drinks and water as standard
- Boarding from a pier we agree with you, usually on the European side
Occasions people book for
Birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, company groups and family gatherings. Cake and decoration can be arranged if you tell us in advance. Music is your own playlist through the boat's system.
Weather
The Bosphorus can get choppy when the north wind blows, mostly in winter and early spring. If conditions are genuinely unsafe we will tell you beforehand and move the booking rather than take you out in it.
Getting a price
Yacht pricing depends on the boat, the season, the day of the week and the number of guests, so there is no useful fixed price to publish. Tell us your date, your group size and roughly how long you want to be on the water, and we will come back with a real number.
See private yacht and Bosphorus cruises, or message us directly.
