From Europe to Asia and Back Again: Riding Istanbul’s Ferry

Commuting in Istanbul can be a real hassle. Traffic is bad. Buses seem to keep irregular schedules. Luckily, I’ve discovered the one method of transportation here that is actually wonderful:

The ferry.

Istanbul, famously, sits upon two continents, with a European and an Asian coast. I live in Asia, but I often work, run errands, and party in Europe. The two bridges (and a potential, controversial third) are a traffic-choked, unpleasant way to traverse the continents… but the ferry is consistent, smooth, and beautiful.

When it’s cold out, you can sit inside with a cheap glass of Turkish tea and dreamily contemplate the swaying sea for twenty minutes. During the times when the weather is nicer, it’s much more enjoyable to sit on the side or the top of the ferry and really soak in the stunning views of the Golden Horn. Even the residents take pictures on their ferry commute– that’s how lovely it is.

The seagulls flock around the ferry on nice days, which is either beautiful or horrifying, depending on your feelings about birds. When there are too many, it can cross into Hitchcock territory. On one ride, some men decided to feed the birds from their hands; I kept taking pictures to distract myself from the seagulls swooping into the boat right next to me. Luckily, I ended up snapping this gem:

Riding the ferry is often a highlight of my busy days. The fresh air, the stunning views, the gorgeous blue Bosphorus… in a city where getting from place to place can feel like a monumental task, it’s nice to just float between continents, with nary a care.