Life on the Bay
Take the ferry across the bay
Public transport that doubles as the best cheap boat ride in the city.
Why do it?
Izmir wraps around its gulf, and the ferries that stitch the two shores together are ordinary commuter transport that happens to be a small sea voyage: wind, gulls, the skyline of one shore receding while the other approaches. Karşıyaka and Bostanlı on the far side have a rhythm of their own — crossing the water is how you learn Izmir is two cities facing each other, not one long shore.
The Smileys Take
Take it for no reason at all, at least once. Ride outside on the deck, time it for late afternoon light, and let the gulls follow the boat. It costs about as much as a bus and beats any paid bay tour we know of. Our favorite version: cross to Bostanlı, watch the sunset from the steps there, ferry back after dark.
Good crossings to start with
- Konak → Karşıyaka: the classic, straight across the middle of the bay.
- Alsancak → Bostanlı: lines up perfectly with a sunset on the Bostanlı waterfront.
- Get an İzmirim Kart (the city transit card) first — it covers ferries, metro and buses.
Explore nearby
Do it with people
The Smileys community does things like this every week — organized events, spontaneous hangouts, and visitors looking for company.
Tips from Smileys
More like this
There's always more Izmir.