Eyüp Pier and Boat Tour

Eyüp Ferry Pier is a ferry terminal located on the Golden Horn (Haliç) in the Eyüp district of Istanbul. It is a historical departure and arrival point for ferry services to other parts of Istanbul, including Eminönü, Karaköy, and Üsküdar, Kadıköy, and Beşiktaş. It is also a popular spot for Istanbul residents and tourists to stroll, enjoy the view of the Golden Horn, and have a cup of tea or coffee at one of the many surrounding cafes and restaurants.

Although the initial construction date of the pier is unknown, ferry services have been known to operate there since the 19th century. The Encyclopedia of Islam states the following on the subject:

...The Eyüp boat pier was one of the largest piers on the Golden Horn. In the 19th century, there were the Yâvedûd, Çamur, Defterdar, Zal Mahmud Pasha, Eyüp, Bostan, and Yalıhamamı piers sequentially between Ayvansaray and Bahariye. Boats departing from Ayvansaray and Sütlüce sailed to Eyüp Pier... ...Boats registered to Eyüp Pier transported passengers between Eminönü Yemiş Pier and Eyüp. In the boatmen's guild register and surety book prepared in 1216 AH (1801-1802 AD), there were ninety-three boats and ninety-seven boatmen registered to this pier, eighty-two of the boatmen were Muslim and fifteen were Armenian...

Eyüp Pier was the innermost pier of the Golden Horn Line, excluding the Kağıthane Pier which was sometimes visited only three or four times a day. The pier, which stood on wooden piles, was demolished along with surrounding structures when the Golden Horn Green Area Regulation Project was implemented in 1989. The pier was rebuilt at this time as a single-story, wood-clad structure. Although services were temporarily suspended in 1991 because the Golden Horn silted up and the water depth in front of the pier dropped to 2 meters, it reopened on November 2, 1998, after the dredging of the waterway increased the depth.

The only historical tradition continuing at Eyüp Pier is the boat service between Eyüp and Sütlüce. The rowboats have now been replaced by motorized boats, and new practices are emerging. In recent years, tourist boat tours have been organized along the Golden Horn, particularly the Eyüp – Miniatürk route.

Golden Horn Ferry Services (Haliç Hattı)

As of 2023, the first ferry departs from Eyüp Pier at 7:30 AM, and the last ferry departs at 8:45 PM. Service hours may vary. Ferry schedules can be tracked on the official website of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Şehir Hatları (City Lines). Ferry services are less frequent on Sundays and public holidays than on working days.

Eyüp – Üsküdar Golden Horn Line The first ferry departs from Eyüp Pier at 7:30 AM, and the last ferry departs at 8:45 PM. Service hours may change on holidays and weekends. The stops on this line are: Eyüp – Sütlüce – Ayvansaray – Hasköy – Balat – Fener – Kasımpaşa – Karaköy – Üsküdar piers.

Kadıköy – Eyüp Ferry Line The line starts from Kadıköy Pier at 7:05 AM and the last evening departure is at 9:10 PM. The stops on this line are Kadıköy, Kasımpaşa, Fener, Hasköy, Sütlüce, and Eyüp piers. Service hours may change on holidays and weekends.

Eyüp – Beşiktaş Ferry Line The first service departs from Beşiktaş Pier at 7:15 AM, and the last service is at 7:15 PM. Service hours may change on holidays and weekends. The stops are Beşiktaş, Kabataş, Karaköy, Kasımpaşa, Sütlüce, and Eyüp piers.

You can find detailed information about ferry services and times on the official Istanbul Şehir Hatları website. For IETT public transportation, there are many applications available where you can find information, including vehicle locations and schedules.

How to Get to Eyüp Pier?

  • By Ferry: Accessible by ferry from Kadıköy, Beşiktaş, Üsküdar, Eminönü, and other Golden Horn pier stops.

  • T5 Tram Line: Get off at the Eyüpsultan stop on the Eminönü–Alibeyköy Otogarı tram line.

  • By IETT Bus: Accessible by numerous IETT buses departing from major centers such as Eminönü, Taksim, Yenikapı, Vezneciler, Kazlıçeşme – Marmaray, and Esenler Otogar. [A long list of specific bus numbers follows in the original text.]

  • By Minibus: Aksaray – Alibeyköy – Yeşilpınar, Aksaray – Güzeltepe minibus lines, Bayrampaşa – Eyüp minibus line, and Kemerburgaz – Eyüp minibus line.

  • By Boat/Rowboat: Can be reached from Sütlüce via the Sütlüce Eyüp pier boats.

Eyüp, with its historical sites and the Golden Horn coast, is one of the districts in Istanbul where one can visit and spend enjoyable time. It is a district frequently visited and appreciated by both local and foreign tourists.