Istanbul Private Tour Designed for Layover Flight, Transfer incl.

based on 110 reviews

Duration:4 hours to 8 hours (approx.)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

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Infant (Age : 1 to 3)

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Upto 24 hours in Advance.

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Enjoy the private layover tour with a pick up service from airport with your licensed English speaking guide who knows the city very well. See and experience a lot of Istanbul during your layover instead wasting for time at the airport. Enjoy ferry ride and the breeze of the Bosporus and experience how easy to go from Europe to Asia. Taste the baklava and kebabs in their homeland. Visit the famous Blue mosque, Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cistern. Relax at a Turkish bath with a scrub and a foam massage. Get lost in the street of the Grand bazaar with four thousand shops and learn how to bargain with the local shopkeepers.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Hagia Sophia Mosque
For the morning arrivals, Hagia sofia is an option to visit from inside with paying an admission fee of 60 tl ( 10 USD). This is one of the most visited attraction in Istanbul. Built as a church in 6 c AD, converted to a mosque in 1453 and to museum in 1935. It is a unique building in the wold which embrace Islam and Christianity inside one single building.
2. Basilica Cistern
The most impressive water reservoir you can ever see. Built in 6th Century AD to preserve drinking water for the city. It was supplied from rain and aqueducts. 336 column, each column 8 m tall, 100.000 ton water capacity. The legendary Medusa heads are here located at the end of the cistern in the far blind corner.
3. Blue Mosque
The biggest and most visited mosque in Istanbul. This was built in 1609 by Ottoman sultan Ahmet and still host prayers five times a day. After the praying is conclude it is open to visitors.
4. Hippodrome
This is the hippodrome where the chariots races were held here from 4th century until 15 century. It has been pull down by the Ottoman and its materials been recycled to built mosques and palaces by the Ottoman. There are monuments survived and can be visited. Four live size horse statues in St Mark Basilica are taken from here. One of the head from the serpent column is the British museum.
5. Topkapi Palace
This was the Ottoman residential and parliament house for four hundred years. It is a museum since 1930. This museum helps to understand how Ottoman lived and managed a huge empire over six hundred years.
6. Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise
These ferries carry the locals between Europe and Asia in 20-30 minutes.It is the best way to see Istanbul from the water.
7. Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
This is the places where the aromas from the world meet. Spice bazaar was built in 1664 as a part of the New mosque next to it. The complex is built by a lady Turhan Sultan. In this market you can find and taste the best spices, Turkish delights, nuts, herbal teas,dried fruits and vegetables.
8. Kadikoy Carsisi
This is a non touristy local market where local shop for the daily needs, greengrocers, butchers, fish mongers, restaurants an more..
9. Cinili Turkish Bath
If you feel tired and need a massage then it is time to go to a Hamam ( Turkish bath). You don't need to take anything with you ( towels, shampoo etc. ) as they all provided for you. Here you will be washed with a scrubbed, soap massaged and relax at the lobby of a historic building covered with towels and sip your apple tea.
10.
A great mosque which was built in 1550 by Ottoman sultan Suleyman the magnificent. mosque is famous with its architecture and its high location which offers great Istanbul view.
11. Grand Bazaar Jewelers
This a bazaar built in 1461 by Ottomans with 4000 thousands indoor shops. It is an up market offers anything you need but mainly carpets, antiques, jewelries,leader products, textile products.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Elisabeth_M
My guide made me feel comfortable and showed me around Istanbul. Despite the late hour, we were able to see so much. My guide knew exactly how to maximize the time to give me a varied experience, and shared so much historical and local knowledge along the way. It was a very enjoyable tour, and I'm glad Viator made this opportunity available!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-19 11:53:37

Posted By : Samantha_T
We had one day to explore Istanbul before our 5pm flight. Our tour guide Burak met us at our hotel promptly at 8:30am and we were off! We can't believe everything we were able to see and do in such a short time frame; "Old Europe", "New Europe" and "Asia" in a day! Burak was wonderful and by the end it was like hanging with a friend. If you're a foody, don't hesitate to ask for recommendations! You will not be disappointed.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-01 10:18:08

Posted By : Douglas_S
We an amazing time on our 23 hour layover in Istanbul, we were thinking about staying at the airport but we are so glad we didn’t. Salih made everything super easy from picking us up at the airport with clear instructions with an awesome vip luxury van. we went on a night food tour and it was great, we had some amazing food and got to see beautiful Istanbul from the asian and European side from a ferry boat. The next morning salih picked us up from the hotel and we got see mosques and also had food and Turkish ice cream. Our kids loved everything and we will definitely be back!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-25 05:56:38

Posted By : Adele_P
I booked this tour last minute but everything was so seamless. We were greeted as soon as we got to the meeting point, the car used to travel back and forth was so clean but the best part was the tour guide. He was so thorough in explaining every place we visited. We arrived a little later and things were closing down but he still made an effort to show us whatever he could within the 5 hours we had. Highly recommended!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-22 20:02:59

Posted By : Dinah_S
I recommend this tour for an Istanbul layover. I loved that the tour operator (Salih) immediately sent me a text upon booking with full instructions for meeting the guide and was very responsive. My tour involved some walking and ferry riding which was a great way to get around despite the traffic, and you get to see some of the main attractions of Istanbul with a private guide at your own pace.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-19 01:40:48

Posted By : natalie_k
I had an overnight layover in Istanbul, which gave me the chance to stay at a hotel for the night. My flight was scheduled for 3 pm the following day, so I decided to book a tour before heading to the airport. I was initially hesitant, unsure if there would be enough time given that most places don't open until 10 am, and I needed to be at the airport by 1 pm at the latest. But, oh boy, am I glad I went for it!

When I expressed my concern about the limited time, Ali reassured me that we would make the most of it. He even offered to pick me up at 8 am instead of 10 am to show me some of the public places that were open in the early hours. I was picked up from my hotel in a comfortable, spacious van, and I could easily store all my belongings while we toured around. We visited the majority of the mosques and experienced everything I had hoped for, like sipping Turkish coffee at a local shop with some delicious baklavas.

Even though it was just Ali and me, I felt incredibly comfortable and safe. It felt like a local was personally guiding me through their town. Ali's wealth of knowledge and years of experience really shone through, as he shared fascinating historical insights about the mosques. I hadn't had a chance to prepare beforehand, so this added so much value to the tour.

I wholeheartedly recommend this tour. The experience is truly invaluable. If I ever find myself back in Turkey, I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to Ali again!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-09 16:08:08

Posted By : Brian_T
I wish we could leave 6 stars! This was some of the best money we spent on a 4 week trip. From pick up to drop-off was organized, professional, and felt safe in light of geopolitical events.

We intentionally scheduled a long layover in Istanbul to try so see some of the highlights of this ancient city. I can’t imagine a more efficient and effective way to do that.

Before: We were given clear instructions days prior to our arrival. They were responsive to all the questions we asked ahead of time.

During: Pick-up was right on time, and everyone was licensed and had official badges displayed on lanyards around their necks. The vehicle was roomy, pretty luxurious feeling — only minor complaint would be it was a bit hot in the back and we had no A/C controls.

The tour guide spoke excellent English, and so was easy to understand. He was very knowledgeable about the buildings we were able to see.

I couldn’t believe all that we were able to get done in just a half days’ time with a great sit-down dinner at the end!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-28 11:55:44

Posted By : Andy_P
Amazing tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable. They picked us up at the airport and after the tour delivered us right to our hotel (we had a 23 hr layover, they would have taken us back to the airport if our layover was shorter). We highly recommend this tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-24 12:41:53

Posted By : khaleilad2023
Wonderful tour, worth the short trip. I learned alot and the tour was customized to exactly what I wanted. I would recommend this tour to anyone seeking a customized personal tour in a short time. I only had 6 hour layover and only left about 3.5 hours to tour once I calculated the transportation time to and from the city center. My tour guide was personable, fun and shared a wealth of information about Instanbul. I made it back to my flight with plenty time to spare. I love it!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-16 16:32:58

Posted By : Steven_C
The instructions for navigating the airport pickup were very good. Our flight was late but our guide, Berk, just made it work. We got to see almost everything on our list. I have no hesitation on recommending this tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-03 10:37:48