US EditionIstanbul's ferries, a beloved link between two continents
Sehir Hatlari's ferries, vital for cross-continental travel in Istanbul since 1843, carry over 40 million passengers annually despite competition from bridges and metro lines.
- On Aug. 29, 2025, ferries sailed the Bosphorus as Sehir Hatlari carries at least 40 million passengers yearly despite bridges and undersea metro line.
- For nearly two centuries the white ferries have linked Istanbul's European and Asian shores, transforming fishing villages into holiday destinations and boosting trade.
- Operating as Sehir Hatlari's flagship, Pasabahce escaped decommissioning, underwent a two-year restoration, and returned to the Bosphorus in 2022 on its 70th birthday, mainly sailing the 20-minute Kadikoy–Besiktas route with a nine-man crew.
- Heavy marine traffic includes tankers, containers and cargo ships, complicating navigation through the strait and increasing risks in crowded waters.
- Born into a family of sailors, Ozcelik said being a captain is a source of great pride, while engineer Ibrahim Bayus recalls close community bonds and aiding island students during service suspensions.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Istanbul’s ferries, a beloved link between two continents
ISTANBUL: For nearly two centuries, the white ferries gliding over the Bosphorus Strait have provided an iconic link for countless passengers traveling between Istanbul’s European shores and its Asian side. Despite the increasingly congested waters and competition from the Turkish megacity’s bridges and undersea metro line, the ferries remain very popular. The main operator
The Bright Side: Istanbul’s ferries carry passengers and memories across continents
Gliding across the Bosphorus, Istanbul’s white ferries continue to connect the continents of Europe and Asia after nearly 200 years, carrying millions of passengers annually. Despite busy waters and competition from bridges and metro tunnels, they remain a vital and iconic part of city life.
InsideNoVA.com
Istanbul's ferries, a beloved link between two continents
For nearly two centuries, the white ferries gliding over the Bosphorus Strait have provided an iconic link for countless passengers travelling between Istanbul's European shores and its Asian side.
Istanbul, 30 Aug. (askanews) - City open to the sea, suspended between east and west, illuminated by the magic of the Bosphorus: in the panorama of Istanbul City open to the sea, suspended between Europe and Asia, illuminated by the magic of the Bosphorus: in the panorama of Istanbul the ferries connect two continents, two worlds and are symbol of its cosmopolitan vocation. The white ships that slide on the blue of the strait resist to the compe…
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