Best Boat Party in Istanbul: What to Expect on the Bosphorus
The best boat party in Istanbul runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the Bosphorus. It lasts five hours, costs €25 for everyone, has 2 DJs, and your ticket already includes entry to Feraye, where the night keeps going after the boat docks. The rest of this guide covers how the night works, what to bring and how to book.
The short version
- When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5 hours each night
- Price: €25 for everyone, Feraye entry included
- Music: 2 DJs
- After: the night goes on at Feraye
- Age: 18+, bring your passport or ID
What makes the best boat party in Istanbul?
The best boat party in Istanbul gets a few things right, and they are easy to check before you pay:
- Real hours. Five hours on the water is a party. Two hours is a cruise with music.
- A clear price. One price, no surprise extras at the door.
- Real DJs and a real sound system, not a playlist on a phone.
- Safety. A licensed crew and life jackets on board.
- A plan for after. The boat is only the start of the night.
We built our boat party in Istanbul around those five points.
Where and what is the Bosphorus?
The Bosphorus is the narrow strait that runs through the middle of Istanbul and splits the city between Europe and Asia. Britannica describes it as a waterway about 19 miles (30 km) long that links the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. It is the reason the best boat party in Istanbul feels different from any other boat party in the world: you are dancing between two continents, with old palaces, mosques and the bridges lit up on both sides.
When does the boat party run?
Every week, three nights:
| Day | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 20:30 | 01:30 |
| Saturday | 18:30 | 23:30 |
| Sunday | 18:30 | 23:30 |
Each night is five hours. Saturday and Sunday start earlier, so you get the sunset first. Friday starts later and suits you if you want to go straight on to a club.
Which night should you pick? Saturday and Sunday give you the sunset and an earlier finish. Friday is for people who want to stay out late and go straight on to a club.
How much does the best boat party in Istanbul cost?
A ticket is €25, and the price is the same for everyone. No different price for men and women, no price games at the door.
Your ticket includes:
- the 5-hour boat party on the Bosphorus
- 2 DJs all night
- an open deck and an indoor lounge
- a sound and light system
- life jackets and a licensed crew
- entry to Feraye after the party
Want the full details and the booking steps? Everything is on the tickets page.
What kind of music will you hear?
Two DJs play across the night, so the energy changes. Expect club music you can dance to.
The crowd is international. On any given night you will meet travellers, students on exchange, expats who live in Istanbul and people from the city who come for the view. That mix is the best part. It is very easy to arrive alone and leave with a group.
What happens on the boat, hour by hour?
Every night is a little different, but the shape is simple:
- Boarding. You show your ticket and your ID and find your spot.
- Leaving the pier. The boat pulls away and the city starts to move. This is the time to take photos.
- The warm-up. Music builds, people find their friends, the deck fills.
- The peak. The bridges and the skyline light up and the DJs turn it up.
- The ride back. The last part is for dancing and one last look at the skyline.
There is an open deck for the view and an indoor lounge when you want to sit down or talk without shouting.
What happens after the boat?
The night does not end when the boat docks. After the party the night goes on at Feraye, and your ticket already includes the entry. You can stay there and keep dancing.
From Feraye the night is yours to steer. A lot of people carry on to Ritim, Backstreet or Beat, which are some of the places people go when they want to stay out until late. You do not need to decide anything before you board. See how you feel on the water, and choose on the way.
Who can come? Age, ID and rules
- You must be 18 or older.
- Bring your passport or ID. You may be asked for it at boarding. If you are visiting Turkey, check your entry rules on the official Turkey e-Visa site before you travel.
- Arrive on time. The party starts at the time on your ticket, so do not cut it close.
What should you wear?
Dress for a night on the water, not for a restaurant.
- Shoes you can dance in. Flat and closed is the safest choice on a moving deck.
- A light jacket or sweater, even in summer. It is cooler on the Bosphorus after sunset, and the open deck catches the wind.
- A small bag with your phone, ID and card. Leave anything you would hate to lose at the hotel.
In the colder months, bring a proper coat. The indoor lounge is there when you need a break from the wind.
What can you see on the Bosphorus at night?
The Bosphorus is lined with some of the most famous sights in Istanbul, and almost all of them look better from a boat. Along the strait you find Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Maiden’s Tower and the Galata Tower on the skyline, plus the big suspension bridges that join Europe and Asia. The Wikipedia page on the Bosphorus lists the main landmarks and bridges if you want to know what you are looking at. Take a few photos early, then put the phone away.
Tips for your first boat party
- Eat before you go, and drink water between songs.
- Pace yourself. Five hours is long. Go easy at the start.
- If you get seasick, take something before you board and stay on the open deck. The Bosphorus is a strait, not the open sea, so the water is usually calm.
How do you get there and back?
The boat leaves from Kabataş Pier on the European side of the city. Check the exact meeting point on the party page before you go. After the party the night goes on at Feraye. Late at night a taxi or ride app is the easiest way home. Keep your hotel’s name and address saved on your phone in case you need to show it.
Is it good for solo travellers, groups and couples?
Yes to all three. Solo travellers find the deck social and the crowd open, so it is an easy way to start a trip. Groups of friends should book together and board together. Couples get the sunset first and the party after.
Boat party, dinner cruise or private yacht?
Three different nights, so pick the one that fits.
Dinner or night cruise
A cruise is quiet and slow. You sit, eat and watch the lights.
Private yacht for smaller groups
A private yacht is a whole boat for your own group. It suits a small celebration where you want your own space and your own playlist. It costs more per person than a ticket.
Bosphorus boat party
A boat party is the opposite of a cruise: standing, dancing, meeting people. If you want music, a crowd and a long night, book the boat party.
What is a private party boat charter?
A charter means the whole vessel is yours for the night: your guest list, your music, your hours. It suits a company party, a wedding or a big family celebration. A public boat party like ours is different. You buy a ticket, you share the night with a crowd, and the price per person is low.
What is included on a party charter?
A charter usually comes with the boat, a licensed captain and crew, and a sound system. Food, drinks, decoration and a DJ are normally added on request and priced separately.
Party boat prices: tickets and private hire
A ticket for our public boat party is €25, the same for everyone. A private hire is priced by the hour and changes with the size of the boat and the length of the night. If you want a private boat, message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of guests and the hours you want.
Birthdays, bachelor parties and group celebrations
A boat party is an easy way to celebrate with friends: birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette nights, a last night in Istanbul. Book together and board together. Message us on WhatsApp with the date and the number of people and we keep your spots together.
New Year’s Eve boat party in Istanbul
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year, and boats fill early. If you want to celebrate on the water, ask us about the date well ahead. A full guide is coming soon.
How do you book the best boat party in Istanbul?
Booking is simple.
- Go to the tickets page and pick your night.
- Or message us on WhatsApp at +1 321 314 4117 with the date and the number of people.
- We confirm your spots and send the payment details.
- Show up at the pier with your passport or ID.
If you are a big group, write to us a few days before so we can keep your spots together.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Bosphorus boat party? Five hours.
How much is it? €25 per person, the same for everyone.
Is Feraye included? Yes. Entry to Feraye after the boat is part of your ticket.
Which days does it run? Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
What is the minimum age? 18.
Do I need my passport? Bring your passport or ID.
Can I come alone? Yes. Many guests do.
Is it safe? The boat has a licensed crew and life jackets on board.
Can I rent a private boat? Yes, ask us on WhatsApp with the date and the number of guests.
Where does the night end? At Feraye, with entry included, and from there you choose your next stop.
Ready for the best boat party in Istanbul?
If you are in Istanbul this weekend, the best boat party in Istanbul is waiting for you. Check the boat party details, read the FAQ if you have questions, and then get your ticket. Bring your ID, your friends or the courage to meet new ones, and a good pair of dancing shoes.