Ferry service across the Bosphorus in Istanbul has been discontinued, with sea shuttles now in operation as a replacement.
In a significant change for commuters in Istanbul, the Istinye-Cubuklu car ferry service, which had been in operation for eight years, officially ceased operations in early August 2025 due to financial unsustainability. The decision to close the ferry line was announced by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's City Lines, as operating costs had grown to a point where revenue from the service no longer covered expenses.
In response to the closure, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is enhancing public transport connectivity. Smaller passenger boats, locally referred to as "deniz dolmuş," are now running on the same schedule, providing regular crossings for commuters but without vehicle capacity. To support this transition, a "Park and Continue" system at Cubuklu Pier allows drivers to park their cars and switch to public transport for onward travel.
The original ferry line, which offered up to 46 round trips on weekdays, was an alternative to bridge traffic congestion and served thousands of drivers seeking an alternative to bridge traffic. However, no current plans have been noted to reinstate car ferry service or to deploy vehicle-carrying shuttles on this route, indicating a shift towards passenger-focused sea transport combined with integrated land transport options in the area.
To further support commuters, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's bus service, IETT, will run additional lines to both ferry terminals. This move aims to support commuters using the sea shuttles and ensure smooth travel for those transitioning from the car ferry service.
The closure of the Istinye-Cubuklu ferry line marks a new chapter in Istanbul's transport landscape, with a focus on passenger-oriented sea transport and integrated land transport options.
- In an effort to alleviate the impact of the Istinye-Cubuklu ferry closure, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's bus service, IETT, has announced plans to run additional lines to both ferry terminals, aiming to support commuters using the sea shuttles and ensure smooth travel for those transitioning from the car ferry service.
- With the Istinye-Cubuklu car ferry service no longer in operation, Turkey's financial capital, Istanbul, is now increasingly relying on passenger-oriented sea transport in conjunction with integrated land transport options, such as the deniz dolmuş boats and the Park and Continue system at Cubuklu Pier, as part of its overall transportation industry.
